Kellie Finlayson shares her inspiring story with Ant in this episode. The young Mum and wife of AFL star, Jeremy Finlayson, was just 25 when she was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2021. Having just given birth to Sophia, she put some unusual symptoms down to being postpartum, but the results of a delayed colonoscopy revealed the life-changing news.

She opens up about how this robbed her of her first year of motherhood, the ongoing fight to stay alive each day, and how the support of her family and friends kept her going.

LINKS

• Find out more about prevention and early detection of bowel cancer at jodileefoundation.org.au
• Follow Kellie Finlayson on Instagram @kelliefinlayson_
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a career spanning over 20 years as an operational police officer, Allan Sparkes was no stranger to high-pressure situations. From murders to robberies to rescues, Allan had to confront intense and difficult cases on a daily basis. But this took a harsh toll, and he found himself battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Now, Allan is passionate about preventing severe burnout and supporting those working on the frontline. He shares his journey from feeling hopeless and worthless, to becoming a recipient of the prestigious Cross of Valour

In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for you, please seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Follow Allan Sparkes on Instagram @allansparkes_cv
• Find out more about Allan and his book, The Cost of Bravery, at allansparkes.com
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the blink of an eye, Sam Bloom's life changed forever. The active Mum-of-three was on a family holiday in Thailand when a tragic fall left her paralysed from the chest down. What followed were months of rehab and heartbreak, as Sam battled with severe injuries and her declining mental health.

In this episode, she speaks about how the love of her family and a little bird got her through, in a story that's captured the world's attention.

In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for you, please seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Follow Sam on Instagram @samjbloom
• Find out more about Sam and her books at sambloom.com.au
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.