In August 2025, Port Adelaide star Travis Boak called time on his 19-year AFL career. Known for his commitment to the game and strong mental focus over a record 387 games with the club, he's now sharing his life lessons from two decades of high performance in the new book 'The Power Within'. 

In this episode, Travis discusses how, while his father's death fuelled his success mindset, it was ultimately exhausting and broke him down. He also explores how mindfulness and self-acceptance helped him achieve lasting success and happiness; and how changing up his off-season training helped him better understand his body and elevate his performance.

LINKS
Grab a copy of Travis' book 'The Power Within'
Follow Travis on Instagram
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.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
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.

In August 2025, Port Adelaide star Travis Boak called time on his 19-year AFL career. Known for his commitment to the game and strong mental focus over a record 387 games with the club, he's now sharing his life lessons from two decades of high performance in the new book 'The Power Within'.&nbsp;
In this episode, Travis discusses how, while his father's death fuelled his success mindset, it was ultimately exhausting and broke him down. He also explores how mindfulness and self-acceptance helped him achieve lasting success and happiness; and how changing up his off-season training helped him better understand his body and elevate his performance.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Grab a copy of Travis' book '<a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761264870/">The Power Within</a>'</li>
<li>Follow Travis on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/travisboak10">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Follow Ant on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/antmiddleton/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/antmiddleton">X</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/antmiddletonsas/">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Ant on his website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.antmiddleton.com/">antmiddleton.com</a></li>
<li>Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/novapodcastsofficial/">@novapodcastsofficial</a>.</li>
</ul>
CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton Editor: Adrian Walton Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden&nbsp; 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.

Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game. You’ll hear extraordinary stories of survival, relive heroic moments, unpack the details of life-changing decisions, and celebrate the achievement of seemingly impossible goals. This podcast series highlights what we’re capable of when we harness the power of the mind.

Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game. You’ll hear extraordinary stories of survival, relive heroic moments, unpack the details of life-changing decisions, and celebrate the achievement of seemingly impossible goals. This podcast series highlights what we’re capable of when we harness the power of the mind.

Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game.

Head Game

How Mindfulness Fuelled Travis Boak's AFL Success

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6f9a86b3-e952-4206-984b-b37c01743591/transcript

Saya Sakakibara and her brother Kai grew up competing in BMX racing, starting when her family moved to Japan. When they relocated back to Sydney, the pair quickly rose through the ranks, winning a slew of state and national titles between them. No stranger to accidents while competing, Saya had suffered a number of concussions herself before Kai was involved in a serious accident in 2020. It left him with a life-changing traumatic brain injury, and Saya with a crippling fear of getting back on the bike.

In this episode, Saya details the strong bond she and Kai formed through BMX, how her fear of competing grew over the years and how she found a renewed passion and purpose to return to competition, winning Gold at the Paris Olympic Games and becoming World Champion three years running.

LINKS
Saya's book 'Just Go' is available now
Follow Saya on Instagram
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.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

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.

Saya Sakakibara and her brother Kai grew up competing in BMX racing, starting when her family moved to Japan. When they relocated back to Sydney, the pair quickly rose through the ranks, winning a slew of state and national titles between them. No stranger to accidents while competing, Saya had suffered a number of concussions herself before&nbsp;Kai was involved in a serious accident in 2020. It left him with a life-changing traumatic brain injury, and Saya with a crippling fear of getting back on the bike.
In this episode, Saya details the strong bond she and Kai formed through BMX, how her fear of competing grew over the years and how she found a renewed passion and purpose to return to competition, winning Gold at the Paris Olympic Games and becoming World Champion three years running.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Saya's book '<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Just-Go/Saya-Sakakibara/9781761632976">Just Go</a>' is available now</li>
<li>Follow Saya on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sayasakakibara/">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Follow Ant on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/antmiddleton/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/antmiddleton">X</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/antmiddletonsas/">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Ant on his website <a href="https://www.antmiddleton.com/">antmiddleton.com</a></li>
<li>Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content &ndash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/novapodcastsofficial/">@novapodcastsofficial</a>.</li>
</ul>
CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton Editor: Adrian Walton Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden&nbsp; Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon
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.

How Saya Sakakibara Overcame A Crippling Fear Of Injury

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a8e5a1d6-366d-430f-b558-b3a2005a26a9/transcript

There's no denying that many modern 'conveniences' are actually making us less resilient, sicker and un happier than ever before. And we've been told for years to avoid stress to help us live better. But in his new book The Hardiness Effect, Dr Paul Taylor says we need to view potential adversity as a challenge, rather than a threat. Instead, we should be embracing stress and using it as fuel to reach our full potential.

In this episode, former Royal Navy Officer turned psychophysiologist Dr Paul Taylor outlines some of the ancient wisdom with cutting-edge research that backs The Hardiness Effect, and the steps you can take to embrace challenge, welcome change and boost your physical and mental health.

LINKS
Paul's book 'The Hardiness Effect' is available now
Follow Paul on Instagram
Listen to Paul's podcast 'Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor'
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.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

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.

There's no denying that many modern 'conveniences' are actually making us less resilient, sicker and un happier than ever before. And we've been told for years to avoid stress to help us live better. But in his new book The Hardiness Effect, Dr Paul Taylor says we need to view potential adversity as a challenge, rather than a threat. Instead, we should be embracing stress and using it as fuel to reach our full potential.
In this episode, former Royal Navy Officer turned psychophysiologist Dr Paul Taylor outlines some of the ancient wisdom with cutting-edge research that backs The Hardiness Effect, and the steps you can take to embrace challenge, welcome change and boost your physical and mental health.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Paul's book '<a href="https://www.paultaylor.biz/books">The Hardiness Effect</a>' is available now</li>
<li>Follow Paul on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/paultaylor.biz/">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Listen to Paul's podcast '<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-mindbodybrain-project/playlists/podcast">Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor</a>'</li>
<li>Follow Ant on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/antmiddleton/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/antmiddleton">X</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/antmiddletonsas/">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Ant on his website <a href="https://www.antmiddleton.com/">antmiddleton.com</a></li>
<li>Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content &ndash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/novapodcastsofficial/">@novapodcastsofficial</a>.</li>
</ul>
CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton Editor: Adrian Walton Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden&nbsp; Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon
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.

Dr Paul Taylor: The Hardiness Effect flipping the script on stress

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1fd7d24a-3e9b-413b-b1a0-b39f001dfbe5/transcript

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health issues.

Barry Du Bois had been a successful builder who had retired young and was sailing around the world, when he was tapped to join the TV world, becoming a beloved face on our TV screens thanks to the hugely popular TV series The Living Room. But behind the beaming smile that greeted audiences was a lifetime of trauma and pain, including his public cancer battle.

In this candid conversation, Barry recounts how he almost let his deteriorating mental health get the better of him, until a well-timed phone call from a mate saved his life. He also details his struggle to start a family with wife Leonie, and why he fired one of the doctors treating his cancer.

SUPPORT
For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
More resources are available from Beyond Blue
As this episode demonstrates - a conversation can change a life. Ask R U OK? any day.

LINKS
More on Well Traveller
Follow Barry on Instagram
Follow R U OK? on Instagram
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.

CREDITS

Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon

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.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health issues.
Barry Du Bois had been a successful builder who had retired young and was sailing around the world, when he was tapped to join the TV world, becoming a beloved face on our TV screens thanks to the hugely popular TV series&nbsp;The Living Room. But behind the beaming smile that greeted audiences was a lifetime of trauma and pain, including his public cancer battle.
In this candid conversation, Barry recounts how he almost let his deteriorating mental health get the better of him, until a well-timed phone call from a mate saved his life. He also details his struggle to start a family with wife Leonie, and why he fired one of the doctors treating his cancer.
SUPPORT
<ul>
<li>For immediate support in a crisis, contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14</li>
<li>More resources are available from <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue</a></li>
<li>As this episode demonstrates - a conversation can change a life. Ask <a href="https://www.ruok.org.au/">R U OK?</a> any day.</li>
</ul>
LINKS
<ul>
<li>More on <a href="https://www.welltraveller.com.au/well-traveller-tv/">Well Traveller</a></li>
<li>Follow Barry on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/baz_dubois">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Follow R U OK? on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruokanyday">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Follow Ant on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/antmiddleton/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/antmiddleton">X</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/antmiddletonsas/">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Ant on his website <a href="https://www.antmiddleton.com/">antmiddleton.com</a></li>
<li>Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content &ndash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/novapodcastsofficial/">@novapodcastsofficial</a>.</li>
</ul>
CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton Editor: Adrian Walton Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden&nbsp; Managing Producer: Ricardo Bardon
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.

The Phone Call That Saved Barry Barry Du Bois' Life

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/cc03ac06-6f8f-44e7-b2b7-b395002cdedc/transcript

How Mindfulness Fuelled Travis Boak's AFL Success

Head Game

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