Balance isn’t a math problem, it’s a flow.

In this Strong by Nature episode, I break down why “work-life balance” isn’t 50/50 and never has been. And Why Perfect Balance In Life Doesn’t Exist. I share the messy seasons (multiple jobs, bands, rugby, breaking my neck, the café grind, becoming a dad) and what actually shifted: choosing what matters, building simple routines, and letting balance change with the season you’re in.

We cover:

Why chasing “perfect balance” burns you out

How to spot early warning signs (stress tells) and course-correct

Micro-workouts, slow mornings, and designing days around family and movement

Practical takeaways: a 1-week balance audit + one small shift to try now

Balance isn’t perfect. It’s knowing when to push, when to pull back, and what to let go.

Stay strong, stay balanced, stay connected, that’s the Grizzly way.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a mate, and drop a quick rating.

Chapters

0:00 Balance isn’t 50/50 — it’s flow

0:38 Chaos of my 20s (bipolar, chasing everything)

3:04 Cafe grind years (workload vs headspace)

4:03 Becoming a dad: what balance means now

5:48 The 5am routine that sets the day

8:23 Seasons of focus & the danger of obsession

11:29 Train for the life you live (not aesthetics)

14:06 Progress over perfect: publish the reps

16:53 Listen to your body → stress signals, journaling, one small shift (wrap)

Season one of Strong by Nature has been a journey, from strength, breath, and mindfulness, to food, craft, parenting, mental health, and finding roots wherever you are.

In this campfire session, I’m looking back on the first nine episodes, pulling out the key lessons, and sharing how they all tie into living the Grizzly way: strong, balanced, and connected.

If you’re new here, this is the perfect place to catch the heartbeat of season one before diving into each episode. And if you’ve been here from the start, thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of this campfire.

Let’s keep it rolling, season two is on the horizon.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram: @grizzly.movement

From New Zealand to Australia to Ecuador (with an eye on Italy one day) — this campfire session is about feeling rooted even when life is on the move.

I share the real story behind the moves: Belén’s visa cliff, our first taste of Ecuador, the Perth and Gold Coast years (and Morena Coffee → Creative Hub), selling up when Sol arrived, returning to NZ, then shifting to Ecuador to be with family.

The thread through it all: routines that anchor, values that travel (family, food, creativity), and building community wherever you land. If you’re between places or dreaming of a different life, this one’s for you.
Got a story about starting over? DM me on Instagram @grizzly.movement

Parenting isn’t a rulebook, it’s a rhythm. In this campfire session, I share how our “minimal-ish” lifestyle shapes the way we’re raising Sol: fewer things, more presence; whole foods over hype; natural remedies when they help; screens with intention (not panic); and letting kids climb, fall, and learn.

We talk bilingual life, cultural differences, grandparent sugar diplomacy, and why balance only works if you’re flexible.
Practical takeaways: pick your battles, add slow educational screen options, involve kids in cooking/gardening, and let them help—even if it slows you down.

Here's the app that Sol loves

https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids

This one’s personal.

I’m sharing my mental health journey, from high-school mood swings and early psychosis, to a cyclothymia (mild bipolar) diagnosis, meds, journaling, and the long road to building balance without burning out.

We get into the stuff that actually helps me stay level now: simple routines, movement without obsession, breath as a reset, seasonal awareness, and being upfront with the people I love.

If you’re in the thick of it, you’re not alone.

Say hi or DM me on Instagram: @grizzly.movement

If this helped, share it with a mate who needs a campfire chat today.

Working with your hands isn’t just a hobby, it’s heritage, therapy, and a way to slow a frantic world. In this campfire session I talk about growing up around sawdust and hand-me-down tools, why I love rough carpentry and upcycling, how our little Ecuador garden is shaping Sol’s early education, and how cooking from scratch teaches presence the same way woodworking does. This is about making over consuming, building a table, planting basil, simmering a sauce, and letting craft reconnect you to family, nature, and your own creativity.

👉 Try this week:

• Build/Fix: upcycle one thing at home (sand, repaint, repair).

• Garden: plant a herb or repot something you’ve got.

• Cook: make one meal from scratch and taste as you go.

Food isn’t just fuel, and it was never meant to be about control, calories, or macros. It’s about connection: to our bodies, our culture, and the people we share it with.

In this episode, I share my journey from obsessive food tracking and protein powders to discovering the joy of whole foods, family meals, and even growing our own food here in Ecuador. From childhood dinners in New Zealand to carb-heavy Ironman training, to finding balance through CrossFit, I’ve learned (the hard way) that chasing numbers can rob you of the moments food is meant to create.

👉 Practical takeaways:

• Cook one meal from scratch this week and actually notice the smells, textures, and flavors.

• Eat a meal with no screens, just presence.

• Share a homemade meal with someone you love.

Food isn’t just about survival, it’s how we slow down, connect, and live strong by nature.

When most people hear “mindfulness,” they picture sitting cross-legged in silence. But mindfulness doesn’t have to be stillness, it can be a run without music, rolling on the mats in jiu-jitsu, chopping onions, or even cutting a straight line in a piece of wood.

In this episode, I share how I stumbled into mindfulness long before I knew what it was, how breathwork and movement became my meditation, and why cooking, gardening, and woodworking are some of the best mindfulness teachers I’ve ever had. We’ll also talk about parenting, being truly present with your kids, and how small mindful practices can shift your whole perspective.

👉 Practical takeaways:

• Cook and eat one meal with zero distractions.

• Slow down and notice your breath and muscles during a workout.

• Spend 5 minutes fully present with someone — no multitasking.

Mindfulness isn’t about looking “zen” it’s about being awake to the life you’re already living.