One thing I’ve learned, especially since living with MND, is that feeling awesome doesn’t just come from what we do for ourselves. A big part of our wellbeing comes from the people around us. Human connection really is one of the most powerful resilience tools we have. And the holiday season tends to amplify that. For some people it’s joyful and full of activity…for others it’s a bit quiet, lonely, or emotionally heavy. Most of us feel a mix of both. That’s why this time of year is the perfect reminder to be proactive about connection. Not just waiting for someone to check in, but choosing to reach out first. Sending a message. Making plans. Asking someone how they’re going. Even a quick 'thinking of you' can completely change the way someone feels in their day. Connection isn’t only about what we receive, but it’s also about what we give. And honestly, contributing to someone else’s sense of support or joy often boosts our resilience just as much as theirs. This is a reminder to message someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, invite a friend for a walk or a coffee, check in on the people who might find this time difficult, offer help if you know someone has a lot on, share a laugh, a story, or something small that brightened your day. These moments add up. They strengthen our relationships and remind us that we’re not meant to do life alone. And the funny thing is, the more we give, the more connected we end up feeling. It's important to make connection a conscious part of how we show up. Not perfect, not forced… just genuine, simple moments. Who’s one person you’d like to reach out to this week?

Alright team… we all know a good belly laugh can be one of the best resilience tools we’ve got. It resets your nervous system, lifts your mood and just loosens everything up a bit. But it got me wondering… where do we actually find the fun these days? Because life isn’t meant to feel heavy all the time. And look… I love a cute dog or cat reel as much as anyone, but there are only so many you can watch before you start questioning your entire algorithm. I’ve been feeling a bit nostalgic for the old Aussie classics... think Kath & Kim, The Comedy Company, Full Frontal… the kind of humour that might be questionable these days. So I’m curious…Where do you find fun in your life right now? What gives you those proper laugh-out-loud moments?

I'm starting to feel the Christmas rush... the social pressure, the expectations, the extra mental load, plus throw in a quick overseas trip and family coming to visit… it all adds up. As much as I love this time of year, it can be a lot! And before we know it, we’re running on empty. So I’ve been thinking a lot about what I can let go of to free things up a bit... reduce the holiday overwhelm. Living with MND there's a lot in my life that's non-negotiable, purely for my own survival and wellbeing, like daily rehab, routine, and meditation. But I'm looking for things to let go of, like the pressure to make everything perfect... letting go of that extra pressure feels like a deep breath out. I’d love to know what’s one thing you can consciously let go of to minimise the overwhelm? Some ideas I've come up with: • the pressure to please everyone • saying yes when you’re already stretched • overthinking gifts • doing everything yourself • unrealistic expectations on how you 'should' feel • guilt for slowing down • comparing your holiday to others I'd love to hear yours.

We all know movement is one of the pillars of feeling strong, energised, and alive. But the holiday season has a funny way of derailing even the best of routines. Between social events, end-of-year rush, extra food, late nights, and the general “I’ll get back on track in January” thinking, it’s easy to let movement slide without even realising it. But this is actually one of the most important times to keep moving. Not for weight loss. Not to “earn” your food. Not to smash out big workouts or punish yourself. But simply because your body and nervous system need it. Movement is one of the quickest ways to: • lower stress • improve your sleep • calm your mind • lift your mood • strengthen your immune system • keep your energy steady (so you don’t feel wiped out by all the end-of-year chaos) And let's not get too caught up in thinking it needs to be perfect or structured. My motto during the holidays is "something is better than nothing!". A 10-minute walk, gentle stretching, dancing in the kitchen, a slow swim, marching on the spot, moving your body in a way that feels good - it all counts. You don’t need to 'train'. You just need to move. So as we head into the festive season, let’s think about movement as one of the best gifts we can give ourselves... a way to stay grounded, calm, and connected to our energy. What’s one simple way you can keep your body moving over the next few weeks?

We made it halfway around the globe from 34 degrees in Brisbane to -2 degrees in Toronto Canada. The journey tested my resilience and pain levels but my amazing team did the impossible. Our flight from Brisbane was delayed by eight hours, then we boarded with thunder and lightning surrounding us. We sat on the tarmac for two hours. We landed at Vancouver expecting to miss our connecting flight, but we had heard our flight was boarding and one of my team ran to stop the plane. We made it by five minutes and landed in Toronto at 1:30am. With the hire car place closing at 2am Steve ran ahead and just made it in time. We arrived at our accomodation at 4:30am jubilant but we did it. Rugged up now and checking out Christmas trees everywhere in the city. I’m very grateful for my life.