What a Lad

Holly Parkes and Greg Johnson are two of the most purpose-driven people you’ll ever hear from.Holly Parkes first came on the podcast during one of the toughest times of her life, sharing what it was really like trying to support someone battling a serious brain injury and searching for answers that never seemed to come. Greg is a former NZ SAS operator who spent years exposed to explosive blasts, before discovering his own brain injury had been misdiagnosed for years.Together, they are now doing incredible work helping players, veterans, and everyday people who have struggled with brain injuriesFrom believing there was no hope to discovering a clinic that is actually helping people recover, this conversation is full of knowledge, and deeply important.In this episode we dive into:- Greg’s SAS career and how repeated blast exposure damaged his brain- Being misdiagnosed with mental health issues instead of brain injury- What brain injury actually does to your body, energy, personality and relationships- Why so many athletes and veterans are slipping through broken pathways- How Holly desperately searched for help and finally found a clinic doing things differently- The Brain Health & Biofeedback Clinic in Dunedin and how it works- Real people they are helping right now and the changes they’re already seeing- Why brain injuries are not a death sentence- What needs to change in sport, medicine, and support systemsAnd heaps more.As you'll hear these two are super passionate about this topic which I know is a topic of relevance for many. The best thing about this episode is that if you are concerned or worried about your head there is hope! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reuben O’Neill has one of the most interesting stories in New Zealand rugby! A proud Taranaki lad, a cult hero in every team he’s played in, and a man who battled more adversity than most ever knew. From crippling cramps, constant injuries, and being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — to somehow rising all the way into an All Blacks camp before he’d even played Super Rugby.In this episode some of the things we talk about were..- How he's always embraced being himself- Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and having no idea how to manage it- The shock All Blacks call-up having played just a few NPC games- The setbacks of a Neck fusion surgery, Achilles issues, stress fractures and how he kept coming back- How injuries turned him into a DJ, a truck driver, a nutritionist and more- The story behind “DJ Mince on Toast”- Why he believes the Crusaders have had more success than the ChiefsAnd he answers all your questions!Rueben is a unique human, always happy to be himself, enjoys taking the piss and is not afraid of awkwardness. He's genuine lad and someone who makes every environment better in his own unique way. I'm sure you will enjoy this inspiring story from this great man! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Welsh Rugby superstar Hadleigh Parkes is one of the great stories in rugby! A self described battler who played for Manawatu, Auckland, the Blues and the Hurricanes and at one point nearly walked away from the game altogether! It wasn't until a life changing call, a change of mindset and a move to Wales where he quickly turned himself into one of the best midfielders in the World!In this episode here are some of the things we talk about:- The glory days of ripping it up for Palmy boys with a stacked 1st XV side.- Crazy stories from playing in South Africa- The mindset shift that changed his entire career- Why he felt it was so important to learn the Welsh national anthem- Two tries on debut for Wales- How he played in a Rugby World Cup with a broken hand!- He answers all your questions!- And so many more great yarnsAnyone who has played with Hadleigh will know he is one of the all time champion lads. The teammate you just you to be around. Such a humble man who has always enjoyed a good time! I'm sure you'll enjoy this one with the great man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Lane is one of NZs very best hockey players and an absolute lad! He is 100+ gamer for the New Zealand Black Sticks, two-time Olympian, captain and full-time financial advisor… somehow all at once. His journey is one of the most unbelievable combinations of talent, tragedy, resilience and pure Kiwi grit you’ll hear.This episode has everything — the brutal reality of playing for a national team with almost no funding, a run of injuries that would end most careers, the inspirational comeback to make the Paris Olympics, and the heartbreaking loss of his mum during the biggest years of his life.In this episode, Sam opens up on:- How NZ Hockey lost 60% of its funding overnight- How humble the Black Sticks set up is with players literally having to take unpaid leave to represent their country- The injury setbacks he's had including his knee exploding and his foot collapsing- The emotional toll of losing his mum to cancer- His partner Greta's horrific accident after being hit by a car- The challenge to be available for the Paris Olympics- What it’s really like playing in the Indian Hockey League- And the mindset that’s kept him going through it allHe’s humble, tough, honest and one incredibly inspiring lad. I know you'll enjoy this one with the great kiwi Sam Lane! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freedom Vaha'akaolo’s story is one of the wildest and most emotional you’ll ever hear. He is one incredibly talented rugby player who certainly didn't take the typical pathway.From the age of just 11 years old he was homeless, eating from trash cans, and learning how to survive. Years later, he was scoring tries for Otago using his speed and power which earned him a spot with the Highlanders.During that time he was involved in a cruel catfish scam almost ended it all.In this episode, Freedom opens up about:- What made a kid with two loving parent want to be homeless- What life was like on the streets as a young teenager- The impact that moving to 7 new schools had on him- His identity struggle coming from mixed heritage and the impact that had.- How he made the NZ schools camp in basically his first year of rugby- His pathway into professional rugby and the challenges involved.- How an online relationship turned into a disaster being catfished,- And how he’s rebuilt himself through faith, therapy, and sport again.It’s raw. It’s real. It’s one of the most powerful stories ever shared on What a Lad and that is no exaggeration. Let me know what you thought about it in the comments👇 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.