Shows
Bottled Up#78 - Bullying, Belonging and Creating Connection with Loved Ones with Chris BurnettOn Episode 78, Sunny Bahuguna sits with Chris Burnett. In 2020, Chris started a personal project to reconnect with people in his life. It started with weekly calls to catch up. Then, he began asking if he could interview them about their lives.To date, Chris has recorded more than 75 conversations. After seeing the impact this project had on himself and his people, he decided to share the idea with a broader audience. His book, Conversations: Connecting with People in Our Lives, was released in November.Funnily enough, I was introduced to Chris by a m...
2024-05-0759 min
Bottled Up#77 - Fatherhood, Addiction and Unpacking Loneliness with Terry CornickOn Episode 77, Sunny Bahuguna sits with Terry Cornick.In his early 20s, Terry was coming home from work every few months feeling “seriously depressed and suicidal”. He grew up in a “stoic” British environment where he was accustomed to burying his feelings. Feeling like he needed a change in his life, Terry followed his friend to Australia. But even on Australian soil, he suffered the old combo of depression and anxiety for much of his life. Terry, now a father of 3, through a personal journey, decided to host a BBQ in the park for other men to have...
2024-03-0650 min
Bottled Up#76 - Finding Balance: Managing Anxiety, Redefining Wellbeing and Self-Care with Anne-Sophie MartinIn Episode 76, Sunny Bahuguna sits down with Anne-Sophie Martin.From her roots in Montreal to her experience in New York at a top management consultancy and her time at Stanford, Anne-Sophie's story is one of resilience, introspection, and growth.Anne-Sophie's upbringing was filled with family warmth and a love for dance and sports. Her transition to New York brought success but also challenges, navigating anxiety and mental health stigma. This often manifests differently for different people, but for her, it was characterised by hair loss, facial swelling, and fluctuations in her appetite. She eventually made...
2024-02-2043 min
Bottled Up#75 - Surviving the Golden Gate Bridge and the Path to Redemption with Kevin HinesTW: Talks about suicide.I sometimes pinch myself with the guests we get on Bottled Up and this week is no exception.Only 1% of those who attempt suicide by jumping off of the Golden Gate Bridge survive, and Kevin Hines is one of those people. Fuelled by a history of struggle with depression and bi-polar disorder, Kevin thought the bridge would be the easiest way to die, yet the first thing he felt after clearing the railing was - regret. Hines fell about 240 feet in just four seconds. He crashed feet first into the waters...
2024-01-3043 min
Bottled Up#74 - Behind the Smile: From Loneliness to Connection with James TyremanTW: Talks about suicide.The December and January break is often seen as a time of joy and celebration, but for some, it can be a lonely and challenging place.In Episode 74, we delve into the raw and courageous story of James Tyreman, who opens up about his struggles during the early days of the COVID lockdown in 2020.When the pandemic struck, James found himself isolated for the first three months of lockdown, separated from his partner and three daughters. Alone in a small house down south in the UK, many things had s...
2024-01-231h 06
Bottled Up#73 - Embracing Emotional Maturity, the Happiness Trap and the Pursuit of Perfection with Matthieu KomorowskiIn the captivating Episode 73, Sunny and Mayank sit down for a thought-provoking conversation with Matthieu Komorowski, a Senior Lecturer at Imperial College in London and an Honorary Consultant in Intensive Care and Anaesthesia at the NHS. From from the East of France originally, Matthieu opens up about his upbringing as the middle child in a middle-class family—a crucial aspect that has significantly shaped his emotional maturity.Reflecting on his childhood, Matthieu shares how growing up in an emotionally immature family has influenced his present self. He candidly discusses how this background fueled his inner drive to "be...
2023-12-191h 22
Bottled Up#72 - Unpacking Misophonia: An Intense Discomfort to Specific Sounds with Adeel AhmadIn Episode 72, Sunny Bahuguna sits with Adeel Ahmad whilst on tour in the US.Adeel Ahmad is host of the Misophonia Podcast where people share their experiences living with Misophonia - which can be misery for those who suffer from it, and yet they may not even know that it's a "thing." Misophonia involves being hypersensitive to certain types of sounds, commonly noises like slurps, chewing, and crunching-- and it can wreak havoc on families, emotional health, and relationships. But there is hope!Join us for a remarkable discussion about Adeel's own story of misophonia...
2023-12-1247 min
Bottled Up#71 - Performance Psychology and Thriving in Any Arena with Nick FerrierIn Episode 71, Sunny and Mayank sit down with the remarkable Nick Ferrier, a performance psychologist and the founder of Cede Nullius Psychology. Nick, in his own words, is on a mission to help athletes do the right thing at the right time, and his journey into the realm of performance psychology is nothing short of inspiring.Growing up in the coastal town of Mornington, Nick's early years were shaped by his love for surfing and extreme sports. However, as fate would have it, his trajectory shifted towards competitive swimming. He pursued this path with unwavering dedication, aiming...
2023-12-051h 05
Bottled Up#70 - Abandonment, Extreme Abuse and Violent Poverty, and the Road to Recovery with Christopher LeMarkIn Episode 70, Sunny Bahuguna sits down with Christopher LeMark from Chicago, USA. Christopher LeMark takes us on his journey to manhood, allowing us to feel the struggle and heartache of a little boy that simply wanted to be seen and loved. We gain a glimpse into the child welfare system that so many Black people are fearful of. It is this very fear that has served as the catalyst for Black families informally adopting their kin. However, blood relatives may not always be in the child’s best interest. At the hands of his own family, Christopher endu...
2023-11-2951 min
Bottled Up#69 - Unmasking Fame, Reinventing the Body and Mind and Life After the Janoskians with Beau BrooksIn Episode 69, we are honored to have Beau Brooks as our guest, a renowned figure from the Janoskians and a YouTube sensation who knows the ups and downs of fame all too well. His journey from early fame to a multifaceted perspective on success is a captivating story of transformation and reflection.Beau candidly discusses how his definition of fame evolved over time, stripping away the glamour to reveal a deeper understanding of life's complexities. We also delve into the nuances of working with close friends and how this dynamic shifted as their careers soared....
2023-10-161h 06
Bottled Up#68 - Leaving Medicine, Being an Entrepreneur and Democratising Mental Health Support with Angela LimIn Episode 68, Sunny and Mayank sat down with Angela Lim, a paediatric-trainee turned mental health technology entrepreneur, founding the company Clearhead.Angela graduated from the University of Auckland’s medical school and started paediatrics training at Starship Hospital, but her passion for tackling inequality led her to take a break from clinical practice in order to focus on developing scalable innovative solutions in health. She has been involved in multiple research projects including during her sabbatical at the Harvard School of Public Health, which resulted in publications in international peer-reviewed journals. We dive deeper into her...
2023-10-0434 min
Bottled Up#67 - Losing Papa, Migrating to a New Country and Money Anxiety with Arjun AgarwalIn Episode 67, Sunny and Mayank sat down with Arjun Agarwal, where they explored two significant aspects of his life: the fine line between taking risks and being reckless, and the relationship with his Papa.Arjun shared his journey from the familiar comforts of South Africa and moving to the unknown challenges of Melbourne for his university education. He painted a vivid picture of those early days, scraping by paycheck to paycheck, highlighting the courage it takes to venture into the unfamiliar.The conversation then turned to the deeply personal connection with his family. Arjun opened...
2023-09-281h 12
Bottled Up#66 - Body Image, Toxic Femininity and Giving Girls a Voice with Ashani (Mandy) DanteIn Episode 66, Mayank and Sunny sit down with the legend herself, Ashani Dante, also known as Mandy.She is a thought leader, speaker, visionary and Founder of Flourish Girl, with a proven track record in the social impact & business space. Flourish Girl is a mission-driven charity focused on promoting feminine leadership and young women's mental health. With a background in speech pathology and thousands of hours working alongside leading schools, Ashani has become a powerful voice for mental health advocacy among young women and gender diverse adolescents.Over the past seven years, Ashani has grown...
2023-09-181h 00
Bottled Up#65 - Unpacking Women's Health, Endometriosis and Contraception with Anna DokuchaevThis episode is a little different to what we've covered in the past. Nearly 40% of our audience comprises women, which is not surprising considering the vital roles they play in the lives of many men, whether as partners, sisters, or mothers.Historically, women's health has been underrepresented and heavily stigmatised, and this continues to be perpetuated by the lack of funding and research in this field. It's no surprise that our knowledge in comparison to men's health is quite limited.In Episode 65, Sunny and Mayank invite Anna Dokuchaev to change this narrative. We speak about:
2023-09-1252 min
Bottled Up#64 - Life in Rugby and the Journey to Fatherhood with Dean MummWith the Rugby World Cup a week away and Father's Day just past, in our first guest episode back, we sit down with the Rugby legend himself, Dean MummDean is a retired Rugby Union legend with a professional career spanning over 100 appearances for the NSW Waratahs, 3 years in the UK playing for Exeter and 56 caps for the Australian Wallabies.Outside of his inspiring sports career and transition into business, Dean opens up about his journey to fatherhood, and the troubles he shared with his wife Sarah had with preterm birth. Sadly, of the six...
2023-09-0559 min
Bottled Up#63 - Sharing our Story from London with Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank SohaniSunny and Mayank get behind the mic for the first time in-person since Episode #1. This one is coming straight from London.We reflect on the Bottled Up journey so far, why we started and where we've come. We also take the mask off and share parts of our own personal story and what has shaped us.We've got a lineup right through to the end of the year, so stay tuned and buckle up for weekly episodes. (👀)In this episode we chat about:🔥 The impetus for Bottled Up and rewinding the clock...
2023-08-2951 min
Bottled Up#62 - The Power of Connection and Being Human with Chris HopeGet ready for an inspiring and thought-provoking episode! Join Sunny and Mayank as they sit down with the remarkable Chris Hope, the brains behind the 100 Coffee Movement initiative. Chris takes us on a profound journey, sharing his personal experience of starting up this incredible movement with a mission to combat disconnection and create a sense of belonging within local communities and beyond.As the conversation unfolds, Chris, Sunny, and Mayank dive into the crucial role that human connection plays in our lives, and how technology can either aid or hinder our ability to form meaningful relationships. They...
2023-03-0748 min
Bottled Up#61 - Life in Haiti, Studying at Stanford and Fostering Belonging with Jean-Pierre VertilOn Episode 61, Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank Sohani sit down with Jean-Pierre Vertil (JP).JP is full of zest for life. His energetic, enthralling and full of enthusiasm. Don't believe us? Give it a listen. 😉We speak about life growing up in Haiti, his experiences at Stanford and friendships formed. What is clear in JP's story is his value on belonging, not only his own sense of belonging, but how he creates a safe space for others as well. The intentionality is incredible.We also chat about our relationship with parents, friends, what carving out...
2023-02-271h 02
Bottled Up#60 - Nowhere to Hide with Tom BoydBoom! We're live.No better way to kick off the new season than a re-introduction to a fan favourite, Tom Boyd.Tommy joined us 18 months ago for his first episode with Bottled Up and has taken the courageous step to get back into the arena. Glad we didn't scare him away the first time. 😉What's changed? Not much, other than the fact that his picked up two new hats, one as a Father, and the second as an Author.On this episode we touch on many new topics, including:The pro...
2023-02-1853 min
Bottled Up#59 - Self Worth, Self Evaluation and the Year Ahead with Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank SohaniJoin Sunny and Mayank as they kick-off 2023. What’s in store? There’s only one way to find out. We touch on the last few months. Mayank has been settling well in the UK and is starting to feel at home. Sunny has just finished a 5-week trip across India. The duo also met up for a short time in Mumbai. 😉We’ve been keeping busy over the summer break, recording over 15 episodes on SO many exciting topics.Stay tuned over the coming days for a sneak peak of what's ahead.Hang tigh...
2023-02-1132 min
unMASKing with Male Educators: Creating Emotionally Safe Classrooms & Schools for Male StudentsE127. Brothers From Another Mother - with Sunny Bahuguna & Mayank Sohani, Co-Founders and Hosts of the Bottled Up Podcast“I value my life based on how other people value my life. People see different sides of you, and they can only judge you by that side that they see. That’s how this stuff works.” - Mayank Sohani
Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank Sohani. As the hosts of the Bottled Up Podcast, Sunny and Mayank provide a platform for people to share their journeys and mental health stories, in the hope of inspiring others to do the same. Notably, this is our first three-person episode, and we picked the perf...
2023-02-0856 min
Bottled Up#58 - Living with a Cancer Diagnosis, Battling Addiction, Finding Love and Getting Life Back on Track with Paul DiamandisOn Episode 58, the boys sit down with Paul Diamandis. This one is a special one. Perhaps one of the most vulnerable conversation we've been part of and we'd love for you to join us in this conversation.TW: There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding death, suicide and addiction.Having been diagnosed with cancer just a month back, Paul has found himself at bridge in his life.Paul went into operation a day after our recording.A phase where he finds himself post diagnosis but pre his operation and...
2022-11-211h 18
Bottled Up#57 - Life After a Diagnosis with Paul DianandisIn Episode 57, Sunny and Mayank sit down with the warm and incredibly humble, Paul Dianandis. Sunny chanced upon Paul Dianandis during a steam and sauna session, and what started as a friendly greeting, turned into a classic deep and meaningful conversation.Having been diagnosed with cancer just a month back, Paul has found himself at bridge in his life. A phase where he finds himself post diagnosis but pre his operation and recovery process. What followed, was an intriguing conversation on the things he'd do, if the recovery process went well, what he wants his legacy to...
2022-11-151h 17
Bottled Up#57 - Being your own Superhero, Beauty of Fatherhood and Reclaiming South Asian Unity with Sandeep VarmaOn Episode 57, the boys sit down with Sandeep Varma - the founder and CEO of the SAARI Collective, a media startup focused on supporting and showcasing emerging South Asian Australian writers and creators, and providing a smart, young South Asian Australian perspective on what's happening in Australia.In this episode, speak to Sandeep about:💡 The role superheroes played in his earlier days and how this gave him a sense of belonging as an immigrant.💡 The importance of language around mental health and its role in strengthening our articulation of mental issues💡 The vulner...
2022-10-281h 28
Bottled Up#56 - Checkin with Mayank and Sunny - What Has Been Going On?Sunny and Mayank sit back and reflect on the year so far, with a lot changing since the last check in February. Stay tuned for a light hearted catch up on what's been happening over the last couple of months as well as a (juicy 👀) update on what’s ahead for Bottled Up.In this episode we chat about:🔥 Mayank relocating to the UK, lessons learnt and the experience so far🔥 Sunny's half marathon experience🔥 Bottled Up invited to speak on a panel with Deloitte🔥 Shoutout to...
2022-10-1149 min
Bottled Up#55 - Navigating Racism and Embracing your Identity with Jahin TanvirOn Episode 55, Sunny and Mayank sit with multi award winning youth advocate, policy advisor and keynote speaker, Jahin Tanvir.A first generation migrant who came to Australia from Bangladesh in the early 2000s, Jahin was in his younger days, one of the only children of colour in his school and his neighbourhood… facing racism and alienation that caused him severe anxiety.As far back as he can remember, Jahin felt like an outcast who didn’t fit in, in Australia.He was never comfortable in his own skin and for a long time, want...
2022-09-0553 min
Bottled Up#54 - Faith Before Football, Family and the Journey Towards a Higher Purpose with Bachar HouliBoy oh boy are we excited to share this episode. Sunny and Mayank recently had the pleasure of hosting superstar, Bachar Houli.A former Australian rules footballer who played 232 games over a 15-year career with Richmond and Essendon in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is a three-time premiership player with Richmond and was named an All-Australian half-back during his 2019 premiership winning season. Houli is the first devout Muslim and third Muslim overall to play in the AFL.We both walked away from the conversation feeling a deep sense of connection to Bachar's purpose on...
2022-08-161h 03
Bottled Up#53 - Finding Purpose at your Lowest Point, Death and the Beauty of Living with Shanaka Jayakody-- Trigger Warning: This post talks about suicide, death and grief --On Episode 53, Sunny and Mayank sit with the energetic, Shanaka Jayakody.Boy oh boy, where we do we begin with this one. We chatted about so many wonderful and nuanced topics off the fly -- and if there's one for spontaneity, it's this one.Shanaka is an incredibly resilient and purposeful individual, who has gone through a whirlwind of experiences to make him the beautiful man that he is today.A few years ago, Shanaka was in a very...
2022-07-3159 min
Bottled Up#52 - Tackling Self Destructive Behaviours, Making Sacrifices and Into the Mindset of an Olympian with Rosemary PopaOn Episode 52, Sunny and Mayank sit with Australian national champion rower and Olympic gold medalist, Rosemary Popa OAM.With a strong bloodline of rowing pedigree, Rosie is the daughter of Sue and Ion, two Australian bronze medallists from Los Angeles 1984.However, behind the glory, Rosie shares openly about what is often hidden behind the closed doors and shiny medals. She brings awareness to the numerous career dynamics that pose mental health risks to athletes: unsustainable expectations for perfection and constant improvement, enormous public pressure to win, pervasive demand to outwork or outlast an opponent, and...
2022-07-261h 19
Bottled Up#51 - The Importance of Taking Self Responsibility, Exploring Identity and Role Modelling with Heshan FernandoHesh is back! Oh, and two years later, his come back looking like the chocolate version of Thor! 😏In Episode 51, Sunny and Mayank sit with superstar (and Bottled Up Alumni), Heshan Fernando. 😉He's a familiar face, having joined us in Episode 3 to chat about his relationship with his father, taking responsibility in life and his purpose-led organisation, The Model Man. Hesh is a man that has truly motivated us both behind the mic to be better humans. In this episode we cover Hesh's:💡 Reflections since the last time we chatted in 2020. What Hesh...
2022-07-121h 17
Bottled Up#50 - Embracing Vulnerability, Navigating Perfectionism and Authentic Leadership with Trent CotchinIn Episode 50, Sunny and Mayank sit with superstar Trent Cotchin.So often, as kids, and even now, we’ve seen him display courage, selflessness and a sense of power and stability on the field, but underneath all of that, is a man who knows what he wants, understands his identity and embraces vulnerability.In this episode we cover Trent's:💡 Journey navigating perfectionism, through wanting to become the 'best' captain, whilst balancing a demanding workload, especially as a dad to three beautiful children💡 Story of getting in front of the Richmond playing group in...
2022-06-2858 min
Bottled Up#49 - Growing Up South-East Asian and Racism with Tiana and Thuy NguyenIn Episode 49, Mayank and Sunny sat down with incredibly energetic, dynamic duo Tiana and Thuy Nguyen! These lovely people are the hosts of their very own podcast 'Unapologetically Asian' where they have honest and candid conversations about adulting, careers, relationships and everything in between. They started the podcast to share their perspectives and stories about navigating through adulthood as Asian Australians with a hope of creating content that is relatable and representative of their community.In this conversation we chatted on quite a few topics:💡Dialogue around mental health whilst growing up in a South-East asi...
2022-06-1440 min
Bottled Up#48 - Owning the Morning Routine, Nature vs Nurture, Personal Training and the Body and Mind Connection with Joshua BaliaIn Episode 48, Sunny and Mayank sit down with Josh Balia.Josh Balia is a powerlifter, coach and qualifying to be a sports psychologist. He has used his amazing ability to connect with people to co-found 'Weights For Mates', a program designed to combine physical activities in the gym as a vehicle to help manage anxiety and depression. In our conversation, Josh takes us on a journey on how he got into the field, and a plethora of teachings he has learnt through his experiences. Notably:💡Owning the morning through routine and dedication, and the importance of...
2022-06-071h 01
Bottled Up#47 - Being the Maverick of Your Life, Processing Death and Unpacking a Biracial Upbringing with Daniel 'Mamba' OdoiIn Episode 47, Sunny and Mayank sit down with Dan 'MAMBA' Odoi.This has truly been one of our most enjoyable conversations to date. It's almost 2hrs and jam-packed with vulnerability, authenticity and true wisdom. There's even a few things that Dan has shared for the first time.We touch on so many AWESOME topics with Mamba, including:💡 Taking accountability and being the maverick of this own life💡 Navigating a biracial upbringing in Australia (Ukrainian and Ugandan)💡 Processing death and grief after the passing of his late father💡 Unpacking his tr...
2022-05-301h 40
Bottled Up#46 - The Power of Tourette's, Neurodiversity and Leadership with Kevin HelgrenIn Episode 46, Sunny and Mayank sit down with Kevin Helgren.After being diagnosed with Tourette’s in middle school, Kevin Helgren, a current Stanford and Harvard Candidate, shares how it’s changed his view of the world.Humans are biologically wired to categorise people, places and things: safe, or unsafe? Likable, or unlikable? Similar, or different? But first impressions are, by definition, based off of incomplete data — so what if we questioned them? In this episode, Kevin discusses how having Tourette’s – a neurological condition characterised by involuntary vocal and/or motor spasms called tic – has coloured...
2022-05-101h 05
Bottled Up#45 - Dealing with Grief, Life as a News Reporter and Lessons from the Young Bloods Podcast with Callum MacPhersonIn Episode 44, Sunny and Mayank sit with Callum MacPherson. He is the host of the Young Blood - Men's Mental Health podcast and isn't used to being in the interviewee chair! Raised in Adelaide by two teachers, he is a well-read, philosophical man who knew from a young age that he had the presence and ability to write and deliver stories.Callum's work in the media started at his local radio station Fresh 92.7 and then he moved to Port Lincoln to deliver local news before moving on to Townsville. It was in both Adelaide and Townsville that C...
2022-05-0253 min
Bottled Up#44 - Embracing the other side of Fear, Vulnerability and Courage with Damien BugejaIn Episode 43, Sunny and Mayank sit with Damien Bugeja. Damien is an incredibly inspiring individual who makes it his life mission to educate and inspire people about the benefits of community. Damien suffered a traumatic experience during his teen years when he lost his dad to a rare form of cancer. His pure resilience and willingness to inspire others led him to complete a 290km run from Craigieburn to Yarrawonga. Yes, that’s right 290km over 6 days!! Damien raised over $60,000 for the Peter McCullum Cancer Centre and continues to inspire the lives of many through the platform he has cr...
2022-04-251h 33
Bottled Up#43 - Mental Health in South Asian Minorities and Opening up to Parents with Shakti MelbourneIn Episode 43, Sunny and Mayank sit with Devian and Jagesh Panchal. The twin brothers are co-founders of Shakti Melbourne and The Brown Come Up, platforms that raise awarness on mental health within South Asian disaporas in Melbourne and around the world.Together we discuss everything mental health from our personal journeys on mental health, communicating mental health to Brown Parents, and advice on mental health practices for young South Asians that may be struggling. You can find them:https://www.shaktimentalhealth.com/Instagram: @shaktimelbourne
2022-04-0251 min
Bottled Up#43 - Drugs, Guns and a Second Chance at Life with Arman VestadIn episode 42, Sunny and Mayank sit with Arman Vestad who was a former criminal and drug addict. He now owes his life to two of the things that made his remarkable transformation possible: running and kindness.In the past, Arman spent a lot of his time on the run. Through a series of poor life choices and unfortunate circumstances, he had found himself dealing drugs and engaging in other kinds of criminal activity. He even gained notoriety as the infamous ‘Gunman from Molde’ after supplying a weapon that was used in a triple homicide.While to o...
2022-03-2844 min
Bottled Up#42 - How Testicular Cancer Saved My Life and Shaped My Perspective with Hugo TooveyIn Episode 41, Sunny and Mayank sit with Hugo Toovey.Hugo was living a normal life and completing his training at The Australian Defence Force Academy when suddenly his life was turned upside down when he found an unusual lump on his testicle. After getting it checked out by a GP he was later diagnosed with testicular cancer.Hugo continued his training and later underwent chemotherapy which was an incredible battle to face at such a young age of 21.Fast forward 5 years and Hugo received his final 'all clear' and was cancer free until...
2022-03-191h 01
Bottled Up#41 - The Hidden Realities of Startup Land, Navigating Ego, Toxic Productivity and Relationships with Ronnie KintanarIn Episode 40, Sunny Bahuguna sits down with close friend and serial entrepreneur, Ronnie Kintanar. Ronnie was one of the owners of Jarvis, a platform that connects the time-poor with personal cleaners to take care of chores and cleaning duties. Jarvis was successfully acquired in 2020.Ronnie shares his story behind the startup, including his:🔥 Upbringing in an Asian family and the values it taught him🔥 Journey through university life (with an Arts background!)🔥 Decision to leave his stable role in corporate role and take the plunge into startup land🔥 De...
2022-03-131h 12
Bottled Up#40 - The Great Resignation, Systemic Solutions to Mental Health and Looking Within with Jono NicholasIn Episode 39, Sunny and Mayank sit down with CEO of the Wellbeing Outfit and Chief Mental Health Advisor at EY Oceania, Jono Nicholas. Having sat down with Jono in November 2021, he is one of Australia's most prominent advocates of better mental health particularly from a public health perspective and treating it as a systemic issue. Jono is the Founder and Managing Director of the Wellbeing Outfit, an advisory firm that improves organisational performance by improving the wellbeing and resilience of staff. Through the Wellbeing Outfit he is an Executive Consultant specialising in mental health, and has advised a range...
2022-03-0653 min
Unapologetically Asian55. Men Have Feelings Too ft. Mayank Sohani & Sunny Bahuguna of Bottled Up PodcastToday, we're going to put the MEN in mental health 🤝
We're joined by the legends from Bottled Up - a podcast that aims to create conversations around men’s mental health and wellbeing! Tune in as Mayank Sohani & Sunny Bahugana bring the bants, knowledge and incredible insights to the table. We unpack the gendered and cultural nuances that underpin the conversations around mental health and learn about how we all can play a role in distigmitising it.
Buckle up everyone, you're in for a fun ride!
E P I S O D E O U T...
2022-02-2858 min
Bottled Up#39 - The Man Behind Men's Health and Dismantling Body Image in Media with Scott HendersonThis week on Bottled Up, Sunny and Mayank chat with Scott Henderson, the man behind Australia’s most popular Men’s magazine, Men’s Health.Scott took over Men’s Health in 2018 with one goal, to redefine masculinity. Think of traditional men’s fitness magazine covers, and you’re probably picturing a ripped guy with his shirt off, it’s that image that Scott wanted to evolve. Good health means far more than perfect abs. Scott was instrumental in transforming the magazine to being about holistic wellbeing, with realistic and inspiring cover stories.Such an interesting jo...
2022-02-2748 min
Bottled Up#38 - Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve and the Story Behind the Gotcha4Life Foundation with Gus WorlandThis week, Sunny and Mayank sit down with the wonderful and always smiling, Gus Worland.Gus is a radio and television personality, having worked on Triple M breakfast radio and having hosted a three-part documentary series Man Up, which was focused on lifting the lid on the relationship between masculinity, social isolation, mental health and suicide. Fun fact, he also hosted a show called the ‘Cricket Tragic’ which followed his journey to search for fellow cricket tragics Australia wide!Following the passing of his friend and mentor, Angus, Gus was triggered into action. Knowing that more...
2022-02-1733 min
Bottled Up#37 - Cheeky Rapid Fire and the Year Ahead with Sunny and MayankSunny and Mayank sit back and kick-off 2022 with a bang. Stay tuned for a cheeky rapid fire (juicy 👀) and an update on what’s ahead for Bottled Up.---As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and th...
2022-02-1233 min
Bottled Up#36 - The Year in Review - 2021 Wrapped Up!Mayank and Sunny sit down for the final time in 2021 to review what certainly has been a hectic year.---As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there...
2021-12-1921 min
Bottled Up#35 - Navigating High School, Social Anxiety and Finding Community through Shared Experiences with Daniel Datnow-JamiesonThis week Sunny sits down with friend, fellow Global Shaper and Man Caver Daniel Datnow-Jamieson (DJ).DJ has had quite an interesting period growing up through high school, which has turned him into the man he is today. He uses his story not only to inspire and empower people but is passionate about connecting to our authentic selves.We touch on a number of different areas of DJ's life in this conversation, including:Uncovering the work of The Man Cave and his motivation for getting involved and helping young kids across AustraliaNavigating the move...
2021-11-281h 24
Bottled Up#34 - Checkin and Bottled Up update with Sunny Bahuguna and Mayank SohaniAnother week, another episode! This week, Sunny and Mayank get behind the mic to checkin on each other and provide an update on Bottled Up. It's a banterous one as both try our luck at comedy -- we share some jokes, life after lockdown and what's been keeping us busy lately.In this episode we chat about:Life after lockdown: Sunny's conversations in the sauna and Mayank's recent 48 hour challengeShoutout to some past guestsShoutout to upcoming guests (including the editor of Men's Health and a few more)Open the floor for more suggestions on what conversations...
2021-11-1625 min
Bottled Up#33 - Living in the Shadow, Learning from Mistakes and Tackling OCD with Nick BracksAnother week, another episode! This week, Mayank and Sunny sit down with the Actor, Mental Health Advocate and Author of his own book, 'Move Your Mind', Nick Bracks. You may have seen him in Neighbours, Dancing with the Stars, Salt Lake and more.Compulsive thinking was something nick grew up with. He knew he didn't fit it, but he didn't know how to navigate feeling different, At some point, things spiralled out of control and Nick found himself in the midst of what he now sees as his wake up call - a very dangerous car accident...
2021-11-061h 02
Bottled Up#32 - The Ode to Movember with Brendan MaherIt's Movember time! What better way to start the month with a conversation we had with Global Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Director at Movember, Brendan Maher.Brendan has been heavily involved in mental health throughout his career, having worked at Lifeline ad a General Manager, was the CEO of RUOK for 6 years before commencing his current role at the Movember foundation.Key highlights from this conversation include:Brendan's story within mental health as the ex-CEO of RUOK and Global Director at MovemberBrendan's journey with mental health and his key learningsBrendan's vision for where...
2021-10-3146 min
Bottled Up#31 - Exploring Madness, Lived Experience and Gender Fluidity with Matthew JackmanSunny sits with Matthew Jackman for Episode 30 of Bottled Up. Matthew lives with Bipolar Affective Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (defined by DSM/Psychiatry), is a sibling caregiver to his younger brother and sister who live with enduring psychosocial diverse abilities, and has lost his mother to suicide, and consequently his grandparents due to stigma. His experiences of distress and service use drive his passion for global social change in mental health. He is a global mental health advocate promoting human rights, social justice and lived experience as an academic science from public health and MAD STUDIES...
2021-10-261h 06
Bottled Up#30 - Dealing with Loss and Discovering Joy with Tarang ChawlaIn episode 29, Ujjwal sits down with Tarang Chawla. Tarang is an Indian-born Australian lawyer, writer and anti-family violence advocate. In 2015, Tarang’s younger sister Nikita was murdered by her then-husband at the age of just 23. In this episode, we delve into a number topics including Tarang's life growing up in Australia, the life of his sister Niki and the lessons learnt after her passing.We recognise that some of the themes discussed in this episode can be confronting and have different effects on people, but having these conversations help push the dialogue in ensuring that these topics ar...
2021-10-101h 01
Bottled Up#29 - Addiction, Pornography and The Primal Man Project with Jason BluettIn episode 28, Sunny sits down Jason Bluett, the founder of the Primal Man Project.The Primal Man Project and is all about supporting men to come back to their original design. What is that? Tune in to find out.Jason was born and raised in Papua New Guinea where he was exposed to the tribes of the traditional people and their ancient and traditional wisdom.Jason shares with us the lowest moment in his life and why he is standing for men being all of themselves; loving, powerful peaceful and purpose - this is...
2021-09-2657 min
Bottled Up#28 - Life after Football with Lin JongIn episode 27, Mayank sits down with recently retired AFL footballer from the Western Bulldogs, Lin Jong. Described as a genuine and humble guy on and off the field, Lin has had to claw his way back from numerous physical setbacks that shortened what was meant to be a long and rewarding career. In this conversation, they chat about:Multiculturalism and racism within sportMental health as it relates to his culture and backgroundPhysical setbacksToxic masculinity within the football settingWe hope you enjoy this episode!~ Lin Jong ~Instagram: @linjong46
2021-09-1855 min
Bottled Up#27 - Book Review: The Resilience Project with Ujjwal and SunnyEpisode 26 is live! Ujjwal and Sunny get behind the mic for first time as we continue our Book Review Series - this time we chat about the Resilience Project by Hugh Van Cuylenburg. This one's another shorter episode as we chat through why we loved about this book, the key themes and some of the actions we've taken since reading the book!~ Bottled Up ~Bottled Up Instagram/Facebook & Linkedin: @bottledupausBottled Up Website: www.bottledup.life---As always, Bottled Up is a...
2021-09-1225 min
Bottled Up#26 - Book Review: Happiest Man on Earth with Mayank and UjjwalEpisode 25 is live! For the very first time, Mayank and Ujjwal do a podcast together as they review one of the few books they've both read - The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku. This one's a shorter episode as we chat through why we loved about this book, some of the key messages and how it applies in the world today. Hope you enjoy!!~ Bottled Up ~Bottled Up Instagram/Facebook & Linkedin: @bottledupausBottled Up Website: www.bottledup.life---As always...
2021-09-0418 min
Bottled Up#25 - Cultural and Gender Implications on Mental Health with Vi-An NguyenOn this week's episode, Ujjwal and Mayank are back behind the mic to speak with Vi-An Nguyen, a psychologist at the Melbourne Centre for Women's Mental Health as well as at an organisation she helped kickstart, Shapes and Sounds! In her spare time, she is also an academic tutor at Deakin University for various undergraduate psychology units. In this episode, we touch on the different aspects of our lives that can effect the way your mental health, specifically ones culture and gender. We also touch on toxic masculinity - a topic we hope to touch on a little more...
2021-08-2943 min
Bottled Up#24 - Coming to Terms with Trauma and the Path to Recovery with Geoffrey AhernSunny sits down with Geoffrey Ahern (@geoffreyahern), a senior mental health clinician from Melbourne with extensive experience across emergency and trauma, alcohol and other drug counselling. He currently works part-time in the Emergency Mental Health Response team in a large Emergency Department in Melbourne.In our conversation, Geoffrey shares his story dealing with trauma after being sexually abused, dealing with the loss of a child and a marriage breakdown. It's a story of bravery and courage, as he shares how he has found recovery by giving back to others in the community through his work on the f...
2021-08-221h 05
Bottled Up#23 - Combat and the Road to Recovery with Ash JuddSunny and Mayank sit with Ash Judd.Ash was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) two years after being deployed in Afghanistan. In our conversation, Ash reflects on his time in the Australian Army, where he served as an infantry officer and his combat with the Taliban that shaped his outlook on the war. We touch on themes of mental health, resilience under pressure, the morality of war and what masculinity means today. Ash says that he has almost completely recovered from his PTSD and wants to provide a message of hope to those who have...
2021-08-1453 min
Bottled Up#22 - Battling PTSD and Tourette’s Syndrome with Tom MonagleMayank and Ujjwal sit down with a great friend and Indoor Cricket captain, Tom Monagle. We reflect on a truly inspiring journey, delving into the challenges growing up in with Tourettes syndrome and his experiences with Sexual Abuse. We found this conversation truly insightful as we learnt how the challenging experiences in Tom's life have shaped him into the person he is today where he has a powerful story to share with everyone.Bottled Up recognises that the themes discussed in this episode are intense and can have a different effect on people, but having these conversations...
2021-08-011h 01
Bottled Up#21 - Behind the Curtain of being a Doctor with Nivae AnandaganeshanSunny sits with Nivae for EP 20, a Junior Doctor in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. We pull the curtain back on what it really is like being a doctor -- going through the medicine degree and being surrounded by high-achievers, to experiencing burnout when completing placements within hospitals (with some weeks reported to have 70-80+ hour weeks). It's a candid conversation that flips the table on the traditional doctor-patient relationship -- now asking the medic how they really feel. A must listen for anyone who is studying medicine, knows a friend/loved one completing their pla...
2021-07-2552 min
Bottled Up#20 - Compassion and Gratitude with Dr. Karan SinhaDr. Karan Sinha is a knowledgable and insightful mental health advocate who currently works as a Psychiatrist.In this episode, we sit down with Karan to explore his journey leading to his life today as a professional in the mental health space. We explore many strategies of self care and compassion which form the foundation of the ideas he has shared with many people through his compelling research, highlighting the importance of self-love.Bottled Up recognises that some of the statistics and facts shared in this episode may be distressing and can have a different...
2021-07-041h 01
Bottled Up#19 - Don't Wait for a Diagnosis with Nick ButterEpisode 4 is LIVE! We are stoked to bring this conversation with the man who ran a marathon in every country in the world. In this episode, we explore the truly inspirational, physical and emotional journey that Nick embraced over 4 years. After following his journey closely for the last year, the 3 of us cherished the opportunity to chat with Nick. We hope you enjoy this convo as much as we did.~ Nick Butter ~Instagram: @nickbutterrunLinkedIn: Nick Butter~ Bottled Up ~Bottled Up Instagram/Facebook...
2021-06-261h 32
Bottled Up#18 - Passion and Purpose through Fitness with Johnny StarrThe wait is over, Episode 3 of Season 2 is now live! Sunny sits down with Johnny Starr -- an auctioneer by trade, but also one of the first pioneers of the social media fitness scene back in 2011 and Gymshark's first sponsor in Australia. He sheds light into the earlier years of his journey, getting into fitness and how social media has played a role in his own mental health -- including his own admission into a psychiatric ward. We also chat about 'tall poppy syndrome' in Australia and how there needs to be more uplift ar...
2021-06-131h 04
Bottled Up#17 - Lockdown Series: Carpe DiemJoin Sunny, Mayank and Ujjwal as they chat honestly about their days during lockdown - increased screen time, impact on sleep and how they have tried to make the most out of each day--Follow us on Instagram and check out our journey on @bottledupaus!--As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you...
2021-06-0223 min
Bottled Up#16 - Lockdown Series: La FamiliaJoin Sunny, Mayank and Ujjwal as we share our wonderfully strange lockdown stories and chat about the importance of Family in these times.--Follow us on Instagram and check out our journey on @bottledupaus!--As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.
2021-05-3021 min
Bottled Up#15 - We're back: The hiatus comes to an endMayank, Sunny and Ujjwal recommence their journey. They chat about where they've been over the past couple months and what's new for Bottled Up in 2021.--Follow us on Instagram and check out our journey on @bottledupaus!Subscribe to find out when the next episode drops at www.bottledup.life.--As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone...
2021-05-2213 min
Bottled Up#14 - Dealing with the Tiger Within (OCD) with Anubhav DhingraThe second instalment of Season 2 is now live! 🥳Sunny sits down with Anubhav Dhingra, also known as ‘Doomsday Dhingra’ for this weeks conversation. Anu sheds light into his experiences with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through his younger years and how that manifested into a ‘Saber-Toothed Tiger’ in his day-to-day life. It’s an incredible story of resilience, discovery and introspection as Anu shares some of the deeper sides of a hidden story through his teenage years. Building on his advocacy for mental health, Anu is also a support crisis worker for the...
2020-12-0655 min
Bottled Up#13 - Dealing with Expectations with Tom BoydHello and welcome to Season 2 of Bottled Up, we hope you've all been safe and well!We thought no better way than to kick things off with a bang! A couple months back, Mayank sat down with Tom Boyd. He is an ex-AFL footballer and former number 1 draft pick in the 2013 AFL national draft. Having played for Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, having an integral in taking his latter club to premiership in 2016, Tom understands the meaning and pressures of dealing with expectations.In todays conversation, we uncover Tom’s story a little mo...
2020-11-2857 min
Bottled Up#12 - Understanding the Roots of Stigma with Gen D'melloUjjwal sits down with Gen D’mello for an insightful conversation about her take on mental health. Gen works as Doctor, specialising in mental health and in this episode, she delves into not only her experiences as a Doctor but also her personal experiences of getting therapy. We touch on the importance of early childhood in mental health, the potential of psychotherapy and the deep roots behind the stigma in mens mental health. Enjoy!~ Bottled Up ~Bottled Up Instagram/Facebook & Linkedin: @bottledupausBottled Up Website: www.bottledup.life
2020-11-0852 min
Bottled Up#11 - Dealing with Loss and Growing Up South Asian with Rishi KherUjjwal sits down with Rishi Kher, the co-founder of the not-for profit Third-man up. It's difficult to put Rishi's journey into words- whether it be working as an accountant, driving Uber or running a dance academy, Rishi has embraced life to the fullest. We reflect on many significant life events and relationships including growing up with a younger brother with an intellectual disability, the unfortunate loss of a best friend and heaps more in between.--Instagram: @rishi_kher~ Bottled Up ~Bottled Up Instagram/Facebook & L...
2020-10-2556 min
Bottled Up#10 - Exploring the Mind and Body Connection with Minhaz ChowdhuryMayank sits down with Pump n' Click principal physiotherapist, Minhaz Chowdhury, where they explore how physical fitness can be used as the vehicle for positive change that spreads to different aspects of one's life - including mental health. Minhaz delves into his life of starting his own clinic and the struggles he has faced, how to deal with adversity and failure and imparts his wisdom to those who are transitioning from university life into the world of full-time work.~ Pump n’ Click ~Instagram: @pumpnclick_physioFacebook: Minhaz Chowdhury...
2020-10-1857 min
Bottled Up#09 - Wearing Multiple Masks with Himal PillaySunny sits down with University friend Himal Pillay for an incredible conversation.Himal is a Motivational Speaker and Coach for high school students, speaking to over 30,000 people over the last few years as he tours Australia and New Zealand. However, it didn't all start this way...Himal goes deep into his childhood trauma, sharing his experience growing up with an alcoholic father, often reflecting on the guilt that was placed on his shoulders at the age of 14. Being raised by a single-parent and with no other option in sight...
2020-10-1151 min
Bottled Up#08 - From Corporate to Wellness Coach with Kristian MartinowFrom Management Consultant to Wellness and Leadership Coach. Kristian is the founder of The Timekeeper, ex-President of the Financial Management Association of Australia, an ex-management consultant with Strategy& (part of the PwC network) and taught business at the University of Melbourne for 5 years. Kristian suffered from extreme burnout, constant anxiety and the need for perfection, only then to be faced with a life turning experience which totally shifted his path.It were these experiences that taught Kristian that something else existed in the world - a calling, a dharma, a purpose. ...
2020-10-0455 min
Bottled Up#07 - Living in Alignment with Stefano GunawanIn our sixth episode, Sunny and Ujjwal sit down with Stefano Gunawan, to talk mindfulness, movement and everything in between. Stefano has an incredible philosophy on life, and describes the moment he decided to live a life in line with his values. One not to be missed!--We thought we’d change it up, and have a little introduction from the incredible soul himself:'Hey everyone! My name’s Stefano and it’s a pleasure to have your ears for the next hour as I s...
2020-09-2051 min
Bottled Up#06 - Opening up when it Matters Most with Solomon MonagleMayank sits down with his high school friend, Solomon Monagle, where they go deep into his battle with mental illness during his high school and university years. They cover the confronting topics of suicidality and self harm.Bottled Up recognises that these themes are intense and can have a different effect on people, but having these conversations is imperative in ensuring that these topics are normalised.We believe that this episode is important for everyone as in any line of work or industry you are in, constantly dealing with...
2020-09-1351 min
Bottled Up#05 - Creating Conversations about RUOK DayJoin your founders Sunny, Ujjwal and Mayank as they reflect on the month so far and discuss what RUOK day means to them.--Bottled Up Instagram: @bottledupausBottled Up Website: www.bottledup.life--As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing...
2020-09-0628 min
Bottled Up#04 - Chase your Dreams Now with Sean BellUjjwal chats with Sean Bell, an incredible man on a life changing mission. His story started from running in honour of a late friend, completing 50 marathons in 50 days. That was just the beginning for Sean as he has his eyes set on running 14000km around Australia in the future. We really enjoyed this conversation about how finding a powerful purpose influences mental well-being. At the time of the recording, Sean was planning to run around Australia in 2021 however due to the COVID-19 situation, the run has been delayed to 2022. Overall, an incredible conversation about t...
2020-08-3052 min
Bottled Up#03 - Forgiveness and Reconnecting with Hesh FernandoSunny chats with Hesh Fernando, Co-founder of The Model Man, an Australian organisation on a mission to foster a community of positive male role models who lead by example.Hesh discusses how the Model Man was born out of a father-son journey between founders Hesh and his dad, Chris. However, it didn’t all start this way. Hesh describes how his dad would accumulate workplace stress and bring it back home daily. He describes the countless times he would lock himself in his room, hiding from his father and describing what it was like gr...
2020-08-2356 min
Bottled Up#02 - An Everyday Hero during COVID-19 with Musashi FujiharaMayank sits down with Musashi Fujihara, who for the the past five years has worked as a mental health clinician in the acute and community public setting. More recently, he worked in the Victoria's Hotel Quarantine Program providing direct counselling to returned travellers from overseas.We delve deep into his relationship with mental health, his life as clinician during COVID-19 and his advice on how to manage your mindset during this global pandemic.--Socials:Instagram - @bottledupausWebsite...
2020-08-1653 min
Bottled Up#01 - Welcome to Bottled Up: A Message from UsMayank, Sunny and Ujjwal start a new podcast journey. Three men chatting openly about how it all started, and why men's mental health is important to us! Stay tuned.--Follow us on Instagram and check out our journey on @bottledupaus!Subscribe to find out when the next episode drops at www.bottledup.life.--As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if...
2020-08-0928 min