Jamila Rizvi was just 31 years old and a rising star in Australia's media landscape when she went to her doctor thinking she was pregnant for a second time. The diagnosis was far more dire than she could have anticipated, and it left her body with permanent, life-changing damage. 

In this candid interview, Jamila details the extraordinary methods doctors used to save her life, how her family rallied around her in her darkest hours, the toll the tumour has taken on her body, and how the experience has given her a new sense of purpose.

LINKS
Follow Jamila Rizvi on Instagram
Jamlia's book with Rosie Waterland 'Broken Brains' is available now
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. 

 

Jamila Rizvi was just 31 years old and a rising star in Australia's media landscape when she went to her doctor thinking she was pregnant for a second time. The diagnosis was far more dire than she could have anticipated, and it left her body with permanent, life-changing damage.&nbsp;
In this candid interview, Jamila details the extraordinary methods doctors used to save her life, how her family rallied around her in her darkest hours, the toll the tumour has taken on her body, and how the experience has given her a new sense of purpose.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Follow Jamila Rizvi on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamilarizvi/">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Jamlia's book with Rosie Waterland <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/broken-brains-9781760895334">'Broken Brains'</a> is available now</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: 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.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

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

Jamila Rizvi on The Diagnosis That Turned Her World Upside Down

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b0a98744-f154-4770-ac9a-b2f2000cb9a1/transcript

Over the last year I've had conversations with some amazing survivors, who not only survived, but are thriving against all odds. First, Suzanne Heywood details how a dream sailing trip as a child turned into a nightmare at the hands of her narrowly-focussed father. Then, Matthew Lewis on how he was forced to take control when the fishing vessel he was working on sank in the Antarctic Ocean. And finally journalist and author Jamila Rizvi on the brain tumour diagnosis that forever changed her life.

LINKS
Listen to the full interview with Suzanne Heywood here
Listen to the full interview with Matthew Lewis here
Listen to the full interview with Jamila Rizvi here
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.

Over the last year I've had conversations with some amazing survivors, who not only survived, but are thriving against all odds. First, <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-06-17/the-dream-family-sailing-trip-that-turned-into-a-nightmare">Suzanne Heywood</a> details how a dream sailing trip as a child turned into a nightmare at the hands of her narrowly-focussed father. Then, <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-10-07/matt-lewis-surviving-an-antarctic-shipwreck">Matthew Lewis</a> on how he was forced to take control when the fishing vessel he was working on sank in the Antarctic Ocean. And finally journalist and author <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-06-10/jamila-rizvi-on-the-diagnosis-that-turned-her-world-upside-down">Jamila Rizvi</a> on the brain tumour diagnosis that forever changed her life.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Suzanne Heywood&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/the-dream-family-sailing-trip-that-turned-into-a-nightmare">here</a></li>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Matthew Lewis&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/matt-lewis-surviving-an-antarctic-shipwreck">here</a></li>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Jamila Rizvi <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/jamila-rizvi-on-the-diagnosis-that-turned-her-world-upside-down">here</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.

Best of 2025: Against The Odds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5179b85a-01d7-4728-96d0-b3a900360c8f/transcript

With the year drawing to a close, I look back at some of the most impactful conversations I've had over the last year. This episode features some of Australia's sporting greats: former Brisbane Lions captain Jonathan Brown on getting his head right early in his AFL career; then Olympian Elle Armit on the heartbreak of being dropped from representing Australia, and how she built herself back up; and finally - how a $2 raffle ticket changed the course of Mark 'Frosty' Winterbottom's life.

LINKS
Listen to the full interview with Jonathan Brown here
Listen to the full interview with Elle Armit here
Listen to the full interview with Mark Winterbottom here
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.

With the year drawing to a close, I look back at some of the most impactful conversations I've had over the last year. This episode features some of Australia's sporting greats: former Brisbane Lions captain <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/browny-s-podcast/a60637ef-3263-4099-9043-4f23d849d965">Jonathan Brown</a> on getting his head right early in his AFL career; then Olympian <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-05-06/olympian-elle-armit-on-developing-a-high-performance-mindset">Elle Armit</a> on the heartbreak of being dropped from representing Australia, and how she built herself back up; and finally - how a $2 raffle ticket changed the course of <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-09-09/mark-winterbottom-from-struggle-comes-success">Mark 'Frosty' Winterbottom</a>'s life.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Jonathan Brown <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-07-23/inside-afl-legend-jonathan-browns-high-performance-mindset">here</a></li>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Elle Armit <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/olympian-elle-armit-on-developing-a-high-performance-mindset">here</a></li>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Mark Winterbottom&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/mark-winterbottom-from-struggle-comes-success">here</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.

Best of 2025: Going For Sporting Glory

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/9a6fd079-740e-4072-b7ff-b3a9002f87e5/transcript

With the year drawing to a close, I look back at some of the most impactful conversations I've had over the last year. In this episode, inaugural Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin's raw and candid conversation about her mental health; plus 7NEWS journalist Mike Amor recounts being on the ground as the September 11 attacks unfolded in 2001; and journalist Cheng Lei opens up about her experience in a Chinese prison after being accused of espionage. 

SUPPORT
For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
More resources are available from Beyond Blue

LINKS
Listen to the full interview with Julie Goodwin here
Listen to the full interview with Mike Amor here
Listen to the full interview with Cheng Lei here
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.

With the year drawing to a close, I look back at some of the most impactful conversations I've had over the last year. In this episode, inaugural Masterchef winner <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-03-18/julie-goodwin">Julie Goodwin</a>'s raw and candid conversation about her mental health; plus 7NEWS journalist <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-09-03/mike-amor-what-it-takes-to-be-a-foreign-correspondent">Mike Amor</a> recounts being on the ground as the September 11 attacks unfolded in 2001; and journalist <a href="https://novafm.com.au/podcast/head-game/736adb51-4b57-4933-9295-6bf413f73ac1/2025-07-29/the-brutal-reality-of-life-in-a-chinese-prison">Cheng Lei</a> opens up about her experience in a Chinese prison after being accused of espionage.&nbsp;
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>
</ul>
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Julie Goodwin <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/julie-goodwin">here</a></li>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Mike Amor <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/mike-amor-what-it-takes-to-be-a-foreign-correspondent">here</a></li>
<li>Listen to the full interview with Cheng Lei <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/head-game/the-brutal-reality-of-life-in-a-chinese-prison">here</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.

Best of 2025: Behind The Headlines

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2cc3100c-15bd-48a6-97e5-b3a90021f554/transcript

Jamila Rizvi on The Diagnosis That Turned Her World Upside Down

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