Our Interviews | Our Courage

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Over the last year, we have talked to a diverse range of inspirational New Zealanders, including top sportspeople, broadcasters, entertainers, influencers, and politicians. They shared with us some of their own experiences with mental health, stress, pressure, and adversity. All of these interviews can be found below.

Kimberley Crossman

Kimberley Crossman

Kimberley Crossman is an actress (Shortland Street, Funny Girls, Golden Boy), author, and presenter. We discuss burn out, negative self-talk, and being in the moment on set. Warning: Sensitive topics, including suicide, are talked about.

Sir Peter Gluckman

Sir Peter Gluckman

Professor Sir Peter Gluckman is the founder of the Liggins Institute, a paediatrician, and the first person to hold the position of Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister. He has done extensive research on youth mental health in New Zealand. We talk to him about the state of mental health in Aotearoa, the specific impact of COVID-19 on our mental well-being, and the importance of seeking support when we are struggling. Warning: sensitive topics, including suicide, are discussed.

Martin Guptill & Laura McGoldrick

Martin Guptill & Laura McGoldrick

Martin Guptill is a Blackcap and Laura McGoldrick is a broadcaster, presenter, and radio host. We discuss coping with the pressure of big games, getting lonely on the road, and the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final.

Andre Heimgartner

Andre Heimgartner

Andre Heimgartner is a supercars driver. We chat to him about resilience, the mental aspect of motor-racing, and taking the time to look after your mental health.

Pio Terei

Pio Terei

Pio Terei is an actor, singer, comedian and host of the talk show, Pio Terei Tonight. In this interview, we talk about overcoming periods of struggle, having support networks, and asking for help.

David Seymour

David Seymour

David Seymour is an MP and leader of the Act Party. We chat to him about taking time out to prepare when life gets stressful, dealing with the ups and downs of politics, and how New Zealand can improve its mental health system.

Logan Dodds

Logan Dodds

Logan Dodds is a social media influencer, photographer, and film maker. We chat to him about the mental health challenges faced by those in the construction industry, looking after your mental well-being when using social media, and being true to yourself. Warning: sensitive topics, including suicide, are discussed.

Gina Crampton

Gina Crampton

Gina Crampton is a midcourter for the Northern Stars and the Silver Ferns. In this interview, we talk about dealing with pressure and public scrutiny, overcoming failure, and fostering a positive team environment as a leader.

Brad Smeele

Brad Smeele

Brad Smeele was a professional wakeboarder who pulled off the world's first 'double tantrum to blind' backflip. A freak accident in 2014 left him paralysed, and he has been on a journey of recovery since. In this interview, we discuss the importance of resilience, being open about mental health, and having solid support networks.

Bree Tomasel

Bree Tomasel

Bree Tomasel is a radio host (ZM's Bree & Clint). We discuss the impact of the pandemic on mental health, the importance of being honest with how we are feeling, and the way in which mental health experiences often differ from person to person.

Jay Reeve

Jay Reeve

Jay Reeve is a host of The Rock Drive. We discuss resilience, growing up as a young Kiwi, and how to check-in with those around us. Warning: Sensitive topics, including suicide, are talked about.

Ido Drent

Ido Drent

Ido Drent is an actor (Shortland Street, Roman Empire, The Gulf). We talk about being in the public eye, self-doubt, and reaching out to family and friends in times of adversity adversity.

Mark Mitchell

Mark Mitchell

Mark Mitchell is a National MP. We discuss fatigue, the highs and lows of elections, and supporting family and friends who are struggling with their mental health. Warning: sensitive topics, including suicide, are talked about.

Paul O'Brien

Paul O'Brien

Paul O’Brien is General Manager - Commercial at Dominion Constructors Limited. In this interview, we talk about changing social attitudes towards mental health, the state of mental health in the construction industry, and the stresses and pressures of high-level business management. Warning: sensitive topics including suicide are discussed.

Wayde Egan

Wayde Egan

We chat to Vodafone Warriors hooker Wayde Egan about some of the difficulties that the team has faced playing away from home over the last two years, the mental health implications of injury in professional sport, and the importance of checking in with teammates.

Monica Falkner

Monica Falkner

Monica Falkner is a Silver Fern. We talk about loss, the difficulties of injury as a professional athlete, and the pressures that come with being a shooter in netball.

Adam Blair

Adam Blair

Adam Blair is a NRL legend and former Kiwis’ captain. We discuss finding balance as a professional athlete, social media scrutiny, and the importance of having conversations with friends and family about mental health.

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