the place for health - issue 1

The healing powers of social enterprise

The magazine for health professionals

ISSUE 1

FlanaganThe global brand of a Hockeyroo star

AnnaWAVE OF SUCCESS

Online surfing with Mazarine Aqua

AT YOUR SERVICEWhy Blue Care puts

people first

The health hub for health professionals

theplaceforhealth.com.au

1The Place for Health

Welcome to The Place for Health. I am so excited to bring this new magazine to you. The Place for Health is the result of my passion for health and for the people who

work in the health industry. I have spent years as an occupational therapist and as a mentor and adviser to other health professionals. My career in the health industry has helped me realise that health professionals—whether in medicine, allied health or holistic health—all work hard, are super dedicated and, at times, do not look after their own health; life is busy.

After running my own practice, and despite my best intentions, I realised I couldn’t be everything to everyone. I also couldn’t be expected to know everything (despite trying really hard to prove myself wrong!). I knew that if I was to live the life I envisioned then I was going to need to ask for help, surround myself with the right people, learn what it would take to survive in business, and manage my own health. Years on, during my work with other health professionals, I came to learn that I was not alone in my struggle to juggle my work and my health.

Drum roll … enter The Place for Health. I have met so many amazing health professionals and, eventually, I decided it was time to shine a light on our health professionals and the innovative and world-changing roles they play in our lives. In this first edition (so exciting), we chose the awesome Hockeyroo, Anna Flanagan, as our cover story and main feature. Why? Anna embodies everything I believe is important about health. She is physically strong, mentally grounded, and socially committed to creating positive change.

At the same time she maintains a level head knowing the impact she can have on motivating others. I am honoured to feature Anna in our first edition.

As a teenager, I suffered a brain injury when I was hit in the head with a hockey ball during a game and, ever since, I have been fascinated with how our brains work. I asked Dr Jenny Brockis, a brain guru, to share with us how we can optimise our mental performance.

Looking for inspiration? Turn to our feature, The power of one, and read all about Robi Mack. Robi shares her life story with us, from her days as a comedienne to clown doctor and now well-known keynote speaker. She is an expert in embracing life’s magical moments.

I don’t want to give away the whole magazine, so grab a cuppa, find some space and discover what our health professionals have got to say. If you want to know more about The Place for Health beyond our print magazine then check out the online space, www.theplaceforhealth.com.au, where you can become a member of the educational hub, My Place, or subscribe to the magazine.

If you need information, we have it for you; if you need inspiration, we have it in every article; if you need motivation, our tips are plentiful; if you simply need time out, then sit back, relax and enjoy. This magazine is your place, The Place for Health.

Angela LockwoodFounder of The Place for Health

Letter from the founder

2 The Place for Health

Founder

Angela Lockwood

The Place for Health

Editor Louise Shannon

Business & Relationship Manager Renee Underwood

Design

Graphic Designer Gino Hawkins

Advertising & Marketing

Communications Manager Maddison Leonard

Editorial Assistant Elly Pugh

Contributors

Louise BeahanDr Jenny BrockisAmanda Couzner

Lisa DuclosRobi Mack

Craig McGarryKathy Wong

Photography

Gavin Jowitt, www.gavinjowitt.com.au (Cover and features)

Erin Smith, www.erinsmith.net.au (Features)

iStock by Getty Images (Stock photography)

The Place for HealthPO Box 1115, Kingscliff, NSW, 2487, Australia

Ph: 0421 029 370

The Place for Health is published quarterly by STAM Pty Ltd. This publication of The Place for Health

is printed by Fast Proof Press. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly

prohibited. The Place for Health cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material. All prices

and credits are accurate at the time of going to press, but are subject to change. Neither this

publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by The Place for Health of the

products or services mentioned in advertising or editorial content. While every effort has been made

to ensure accuracy, The Place for Health shall not have liability for errors or omissions. The opinions

expressed by individual contributors in The Place for Health are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Enjoy!


1 Founder letter

4 Contributors

5 Health statistics

6 Game changer: Anna Flanagan

10 Central intelligence: Dr Jenny Brockis

12 Body and soul: Craig McGarry

14 Brace yourself: Exercises you can do anywhere

16 Apply yourself: Health apps to help you

18 The power of one: Robi Mack

22 Student profile: Andrew Robinson

23 Energy crisis: Peter Rule

24 Fatigue: Exhaustion in the workplace

26 Taking care of business: Peter McMahon

30 Surfing the web: Amanda Couzner

34 Happy feet: Kathy Wong

37 The heart of giving: 5 ways you can change the world

38 Student profile: Ameerah Devine

40 Books you’ll love

42 Remote control: Lisa Duclos

46 For the love of money: Louise Beahan

48 Free health boosters

50 Join us! Become a member of The Place for Health

51 Recipes to fall in love with

53 Advertise in The Place for Health

54 Letter from our founder: Angela Lockwood

56 Daily affirmations

CONTENTS

6

18

30

52

1234


CONTRIBUTORS

Robi Mack

“Just like my time in comedy cabaret or as a clown doctor, I need to have habits

that allow me to be fully present and at my best.”

Having worked in hospitals as a clown doctor for 10 years,

Robi Mack talks about the value of a positive attitude

when dealing with challenging situations, no matter who

you are or what you do. Robi shares her inspirational message through her work as a keynote speaker and

corporate adviser. You can connect with Robi at [email protected]

Kathy Wong

“It was through a mixture of soul searching and online searching that I knew social enterprise was a way I could mix my business skills with

my strong desire to help those in need.”

Kathy Wong has trained as a visual communicator and

has always been a passionate philanthropist. She loves

children and has a thirst for personal development and people. She is the founder of Soul Republic and social

enterprise Moeloco. You can connect with Kathy at [email protected]

Dr Jenny Brockis

“Just as we know that having a body doesn’t make

us physically fit, having a brain doesn’t make us

brain fit.”

Dr Jenny Brockis is a medical practitioner, healthy

brain advocate and future mind planner. She has long

been fascinated by the brain and how it affects human

behaviour. Jenny’s personal mission is to make brain

fitness accessible to everyone. Connect with Dr Jenny at

[email protected]

Lisa Duclos

“Our love of a chat and that sense of connection can be achieved through creating

opportunities for connectedness, even in a

remote team.”

Lisa Duclos is an occupational therapist,

rehabilitation consultant and director of Momentum Rehabilitation. Lisa offers

almost 20 years of experience in a variety of settings

including clinical, training, auditing and management

roles in Occupational Rehabilitation, CTP and Workers’ Compensation

Insurance. Email Lisa at [email protected]

Craig McGarry

“We need to create really simple exercise, nutrition

and mindset habits. You can’t have one area functioning

and not another.”

From SAS fitness trainer and elite sports coach to gym

owner and health retreat physical fitness educator,

Craig McGarry knows about health and fitness. Craig is the

founder of CK Performance Conditioning, a service that provides functional fitness for beginners through to

seasoned trainers and athletes. Connect with Craig at [email protected]

Louise Beahan

“To design a life you love, create a business that has an impact, or even build an

empire that you can one day sell, you need to be honest

with yourself about your finances.”

Louise Beahan is the founder of Think Property

Partners, a network of skilled professionals that provides

a national platform for informed investments. Louise

is passionate about helping professionals understand their

finances so they can create the life they choose. Connect

with Louise at [email protected]

Amanda Couzner

“If you can learn to overcome your fears in one area, then you gain

confidence and resilience and you can go and do that in every other area of your life.”

Amanda Couzner is the managing director of Mazarine

Aqua, an online space that inspires women to fall in love

with surfing and the ocean via learn-to-surf videos, retail and a global community of women

who love to surf. Connect with Amanda at amanda@

mazarineaqua.com

Peter Rule

“When a person is in a prolonged stress response

… the effect on the adrenal glands can be very

debilitating, and this is when fatigue signs may start

to appear.”

Peter Rule has been a naturopath and wellness

consultant since 1991. He focuses on stress

management and natural medicine to improve a

person’s wellbeing. You can contact Peter at

[email protected]


HEALTH STATISTICS

STRESSED OUTThe Stress and Wellbeing in Australia survey was conducted as a part of National Psychology Week in October 2014 by Lynne Casey PhD MAPS and Rachel Pui-Tak Liang MPsych (Ed) MAPS. It was found that almost one in seven Australians reported depression and anxiety symptoms in the severe to extremely severe range. Further to this it was found that seven in 10 Australians reported that current stress was having at least some impact on physical health, with almost one in five reporting that current stress was having a strong to very strong impact on physical health.

HEY BIG SPENDER!A report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) in 2013–14 looked at the spending of all our hospitals; there are 1359 hospitals in Australia—747 public hospitals and 612 private hospitals. The report found that recurrent hospital expenditure in Australia, for public and private hospitals combined, topped:

MONEY WELL SPENT

In a recent report, Hospital Resources 2013–14: Australian Hospital Statistics, the average

salary for nurses in public hospitals in 2013–14 was about

$91,000 a year

and for salaried medical staff it was around

$188,000IN THE HEALTH

INDUSTRY, THERE ARE7833 HEALTHCARE

PROVIDERS REGISTEREDNATIONWIDE AND,

OF THESE, GENERALPRACTICES LEAD

THE WAY AND RETAILPHARMACIES COME IN

SECOND.

1.3 MILLION

EMPLOYED

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS

SOME IMPACT ON PHYSICAL HEALTH

STRONG IMPACT ON PHYSICAL HEALTH

Of those registered, more than half are female and the highest age group represented is males and females aged 20 or younger.

2,399,581

Did you know that the health and social assistance industry is Australia’s biggest employer? According to the last census, the health industry employs 1.3 million Australians; we account for 11.4% of the total number of people employed in this great country of ours!

Yay for health!

DID YOU KNOW there are currently 2,399,581 individual registrations in Australia or approximately 10% of Australia’s population?

$55 BILLION

e-HealthPCEHR (Personally Controlled eHealth Record System) is a secure online summary of your health information, an initiative of the Australian Government’s Department of Health.



COVER STORY


GAME CHANGER

She’s won two Commonwealth Games gold medals and now she’s aiming for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan talks to

Angela Lockwood about the new face of Australia’s sporting elite, ‘brand Anna’, and why she believes it’s important to raise awareness for her beloved hockey.

Photographs by Gavin Jowitt

COVER STORY

It isn’t every day you meet a national sporting hero — someone who has been selected from thousands of people to represent your

country — let alone a sportswoman who epitomises everything about the sport you once played and loved for more than 20 years. I was like an excited five-year-old while waiting to meet current Australian hockey player, Anna Flanagan. As a young girl I also dreamt of wearing our nation’s green and gold for hockey. However for me, and most young hopefuls, representing Australia is a dream that never comes true.

At the age of five, Anna Flanagan was no different to any other child. She spent her Saturdays at her local sporting field playing fixtures and learning to love a popular sport with her friends and family. She came from a hockey family; hockey was in her blood. So it was no surprise to those around her when young Anna declared that she would grow up to one day represent Australia. Roll forward 12 years and, at age 17, Anna’s dream to represent her country was fulfilled. Anna was named in the senior squad of the Australian Women’s Hockey team and then went on to make her international debut, at the age of 18, in March 2010 when the Hockeyroos competed at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, winning a gold medal. At an age when most people were thinking about Schoolies Week, parties, and

An athlete’s life (professional and personal) is big business. In a world where we watch and critique their every move, you can only wonder how these VIP athletes juggle the many faces of their public image while maintaining focus on getting the job done.

How do elite athletes build a professional profile while still being connected to their fans, maintain their personal space while living under media scrutiny, and continue to train and perform at the top of their game while staying grounded and enjoying a life outside their sport?

During my time with Anna, I decided that she could help alleviate my curiosity: what does it take to be a well-loved, world-class athlete in 2015? Maybe it was her warmth, her welcoming smile, or her casual ability to put me at ease, but I detected no trace of pretentiousness in this young sporting star.

Anna displays a mix of professionalism and personality, of having steely determination and a goofy sense of fun. She knows what it means to work hard and to earn her place alongside the best of the best in Australian sport.

Making sacrifices to achieve her goal of representing Australia is not a new concept to Anna. “When I was at school, I always had to balance my schooling with hockey and spending time with my friends. At lunch, rather than sitting with my friends, u

“Never underestimate

the value in being a good

person.”

plans for the future, Anna had landed exactly where she wanted to be.

Just like the sporting heroes I once looked up to (hockey legend Warren Birmingham, iron man Guy Leech, and world surfing champion Layne Beachley), Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan had gone from girl next door to international sporting role model. Anna, however, represents a new type of sporting luminary to a whole new generation of admirers. The big-name

sporting personalities I once revered wowed fans with their on-field (or in-surf) achievements. We knew little of their personal lives. But the professional sporting landscape has changed significantly in recent years, particularly with the introduction of social media. Our sporting elite now have their every move, every false start, every missed trap, the late nights, and any moments of weakness potentially captured on camera. Their personal lives can be broadcast for the world to see before they are even aware of it.


special treatment and earned my place in the team.”

This level-headedness is a trait Anna has maintained throughout her career, even after being named as the best junior player in the world in 2012. The girl from Canberra was being recognised on a global scale. Anna now lives in Perth, WA, where the Hockeyroos are based, and it would seem the world is at her feet.

With a degree in journalism, a postgraduate degree in legal studies and fitness qualifications, there is clearly much more to this hockey player than wearing the green and gold. Anna’s talent and future potential has already been noticed by the likes of her sponsors Redbull, Nike, Poligras and Grays hockey.

Anna realises she is in a position where she can make a positive impact and inspire children to follow their dreams. “I love training and speaking to children about my experiences and the effort I have put in to get to where I am. I want to share with them that achieving goals isn’t as simple as just hoping to represent your country. I want children to realise they can

u I would go to hockey training and then come back ready to finish the rest of the school day. I never felt like I missed out on anything as I knew what I was working for and what I wanted.”

After winning gold in Dehli, Anna was hooked on playing hockey at an international level. She went on to represent Australia with her team at the London Olympics in 2012 and, in 2014, the Hockeyroos won silver at the World Cup and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

You get the sense from Anna that her team is important to her and she is well aware of the impact her performance has on those around her; she never wants to let them down. “When chosen to represent Australia it hit me that I had a big responsibility, not just to myself but to my team, my family and the hockey community.”

This sense of responsibility has been an ongoing theme in Anna’s life and was instilled in her at a young age by her supportive parents and stalwarts of the game itself. “I come from a hockey family. My Dad was my coach and he came down pretty hard on me as coach; he was fair but as the coach’s child, Dad made sure I was never given

achieve anything they want, but with the realism that nothing worthwhile comes easily. This is the mantra I live by. No matter what you want to do or achieve, work hard and always seek feedback and that way you can continually work to be better. Never underestimate the value in being a good person.”

It is this continual quest for improvement and an understanding that success comes with hard work that leaves me with no doubt that Anna’s goal of one day winning an Olympic gold is well within her reach. Her dream is that the Hockeyroos will bring home Olympic gold from the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Women’s sport in Australia is captivating the interest of Australians as we watch female athletes playing on the world stage and bringing home the trophies. With the likes of surfing’s Stephanie Gilmore, dual international Ellyse Perry who has represented Australia for cricket and football (soccer) and cycling’s Anna Meares, women are making a name for themselves as elite athletes.

Anna believes the gender pay gap in sport needs to be addressed, but says that the issue shouldn’t overshadow the achievements of female athletes. Pay gaps between Australia’s female and male soccer teams — the Matildas and the Socceroos — were highlighted recently when it was reported that each Matilda was paid around $500 in match fees for games played a

- National Breast Cancer Foundation

- The Cancer Council (WA)- Tackle Binge Drinking (Be the

Influence campaign)- RAADD: Recording Artists,

Actors and Athletes Against Drink Driving

- Play By the Rules — Fair Sport- Cerebral Palsy — ACT- Donor Mate — organ donation- Dogs’ Refuge Home

Charities Anna supports

COVER STORY

Anna’s take on work-life balance“I believe that having the ‘perfect balanced’ life is unattainable, but it doesn’t hurt to chase being a well-rounded person.”


“Always remember that anyone canread what you post on social mediaso be conscious of the messagesyou are sending and the potential consequences. Because once you hit send theworld will see it. So think about the message you are trying topromote before posting.”

COVER STORY

couple of months ago while their male counterparts received $7500 for the games they played.

Anna says, “There is definitely a gap between male and female earnings in sports, particularly at the professional level, but there is a real shift happening. Women are doing really well in Australian sport and more people are starting to take an interest in what female athletes are achieving. As a result sponsors are also becoming more interested in supporting women athletes and helping them build their profiles.”

The ability to create a strong profile is yet another skill in Anna’s repertoire. Take a look at her Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts and you will see that aspiring athletes, sporting stars and global companies are taking an interest in this rising star.

“Building a profile is really important in women’s sport and has been made easier with social media. It is much easier now with companies such as Redbull sponsoring athletes. Sponsorship is important to athletes as our training and travelling schedules don’t often allow us to work, so sponsors reduce the financial stress we experience and help us broaden our visibility.”

Anna is willing to step out of her comfort zone when it comes to raising awareness for her beloved sport. She showed her extreme athleticism when she was asked to go head-to-head with a Nissan GTR in July this year. Anna was not to be in another car, however, she was to compete on foot!

The challenge was to discover if Anna could beat the race car while sprinting on foot in front of a packed audience on Britain’s once-popular car show,

Top Gear. And she did not disappoint. She beat the bright red race car to the cheers of ecstatic fans.

Anna says that it is opportunities like this that she grabs with both hands as she knows the significance of exposure for athletes and the benefits that can be created for hockey as a sport via positive publicity.

Anna aims to skilfully make the transition between athlete and media personality with a clear focus and intent.

ANNA’S ADVICE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USERS:

“It is important for high-profile athletes to be involved in activities that positively promote their sport with organisations that are working hard at the grass roots. We need to support charities and give back to the communities and organisations that supported us. We can do this in many ways but an effective way is to build a positive profile with a large reach and this allows you to have a bigger voice, and with a bigger voice you can raise the profile of charities and organisations that are doing good in the world.”

There is no doubt that ‘brand Anna’ is worth keeping an eye on and it seems the world is doing just that. Anna has a social media following in the thousands and her photos and interviews are being featured in newspapers, magazines and on television globally. The world is hooked on Anna and this is only the beginning … just ask Anna. “I realise the opportunity and responsibility I have been given to make a positive impact — not just in hockey, but in women’s sport. I believe I can achieve my goals as well as inspire others to achieve theirs. As long as I work hard, be a good person and support those who have helped me, I’ll be happy.”

Anna Flanagan talks hockey, gold medals and social responsibility with Angela Lockwood.

Anna at the Perth Hockey Stadium in July this year. © Red Bull Media House

Ady Kerry/Ak Pictures


Central intelligenceHow do you know if your brain is not fit? And why should you care? Dr Jenny Brockis brainstorms why the science of high-performance thinking is so popular and looks at ways to increase your mental fitness, manage your stress and still your mind.

MENTAL AWARENESS

Y ou have probably noticed how the brain has become incredibly trendy these days. It has even spawned

a whole new raft of specialties. From neuroscience we also now have neurobiology, neuropsychology, neuroeconomics and neuromarketing … just to name a few.

We tend to think that brain science is all rather new but neuroscience has been around since the 1960s and has quietly been gaining credence and respectability among its academic peers. There is now a wealth of research available to suggest that while there is still much more to be fully understood about the human brain, our understanding of the brain’s plasticity and how we can use this plasticity to our advantage is revolutionising our approach to behavioural change and improved brain health.

Brain health is the new kid on the block; it incorporates our lifestyle choices and the psychological aspects of emotional regulation, a healthy mindset and stress management. In addition brain health recognises the vital role that our social intelligence plays in many of our daily activities around engagement, motivation, collaboration and innovation.

Putting this all together is what we call being brain fit; the ability to use our brain to the best of our ability, even when under pressure.

Brain fitness is not about being the best or increasing intelligence, just making the most of what we already have to stay well and function at a high level.

In a world that is getting busier and seemingly faster by the minute, knowing how to tap into increasing our own level of brain fitness makes good sense.

What can stop us being brain fit?Just to apply a sweeping stereotype, many health professionals are high-achieving, service-oriented and


1. Schedule regular pit stopsAll brains need regular refuelling and servicing. Check in to ensure you are taking meal breaks, refuelling with those foods that boost energy, cognition and memory and schedule a mental self check-up. Ask yourself simple questions like: Is your memory up to scratch, are you forgetting too many things, and are you clear in your thinking when approaching a difficult challenge? If not it may be time to stop and reset.

2. Check your attitudeHow we operate under stress compared to eustress (meaning good stress or beneficial stress) can manifest itself in different ways. Notice your language; if it’s predominantly negative, what is your mindset? Attitude evolves as a consequence of whom we hang around and our experience, and it can change with a conscious decision to reframe how we see our world.

3. Stretch your mental muscleNo matter how varied our work, much of our daily activity is repetitive and performed out of habit. Engaging in new activities, especially those we may not expect to excel in, such as learning

MENTAL AWARENESS

client-centred which can mean we get so caught up in the busyness and challenge of our work that we love (in the most part), that it can be hard to slow down and ensure we are doing everything to keep ourselves at the top of our game.

Being Super Man or Wonder Woman isn’t easy, but we’re not necessarily going to admit that either. Of course we can cope; we have been trained to deal with that kind of stuff.

Training is one thing, but the implementation of those life skills can be something entirely different.

What matters is that we develop the tools and strategies needed to switch off when required ... to calm the brain – not into a stupor, but to a quiet alertness and energy. This allows us to focus on what is important, regulate our emotions, deal appropriately with our stress and think clearly.

We need to talk about our brain health.Being brain fit helps us function more effectively and keeps us mentally well. Health professionals don’t have a particularly good track record when it comes to levels of anxiety, depression

and burnout. With heavy workloads, long hours on duty, too many missed meals and insufficient sleep, it’s easy to see how our level of brain fitness can falter.

In addition, as health professionals, we are the role models to our patients. If we are snappy, irritable and stressed, we will have less influence to help our patients change their behaviours to achieve better health outcomes.

How brain fit are you?Just as we know that having a body doesn’t make us physically fit, having a brain doesn’t make us brain fit and it is precisely because we are experiencing so much more stress, overwhelm and exhaustion in our lives that we need to address brain fitness now.

Answer the questions below and find out if you are helping yourself to be brain fit.

I get seven-eight hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep every night.

I take time out during the day to relax, take stock and reflect.

FIVE TOP TIPS TO HELP BUILD YOUR BRAIN FITNESS

My memory is excellent, my thinking clear and I am confident in all my decisions.

I schedule regular appointments for a massage, meditation practice or coffee catch-up with friends.

I exercise for 30-60 minutes daily.

I don’t skip meals.

I always make time to spend with those who mean the most to me (and it’s quality time).

The prospect of multiple last-minute changes, being forced to wait, or dealing with unreasonable and difficult people does not faze me at all.

How did you go? Are your behaviours supporting your brain fitness? Focusing on your health and brain fitness can be challenging and at times can feel selfish when we are time-poor. However your brain fitness is what keeps you delivering the best version of you.

to speak a new language or taking up a new hobby or sport, is a great way to give our brains a workout and sharpen our thoughts.

4. Stretch those other musclesYes, some good old-fashioned exercise is a great way to burn off a few stress hormones, boost our mood and stimulate cognition. Regular exercise has been shown to prime performance through stimulating cerebral blood flow and releasing neuro-hormones includ-ing BDNF which is essential to good neuronal health and neurogenesis (the production, survival and maturation of new neurons).

Many health professionals are on their feet all day, and it’s important to remember that taking 20-30 minutes out for a run, bike ride or gym class is a great way to unwind, relax and feel good.

5. Still your mindThis can be one of the hardest things to do. We rush around all day, and it can be difficult to remember how to switch off and slow our thoughts down. Daily reflection time is a wonderful thinking space that allows us to pause and be

grateful for what we have, to consider our achievements, what’s important to us, and ponder our goals. Whether you take 20 minutes out for a meditation practice, listen to some beautiful music or do some ‘adult colouring-in’, finding that mental space is crucial to your wellbeing.

If fatigue, brain fog and frustration have been getting in your way or preventing you from working at your best or allowing you to enjoy what you do, find the time to check in and take that first step to building a fitter, healthier brain.

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the place for health - issue 1

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