Ringo and Ridgey sit down with Keegan Hirst—a man who’s tackled more than just opponents on the rugby field. Keegan made headlines in 2015 as the first British rugby league player to come out as gay while still playing professionally but his story is far deeper than a single headline. From growing up under the weight of rigid masculinity to living a double life, Keegan opens up about the long, painful road to self-acceptance and the toll internalised homophobia can take when silence feels safer than truth.

The lads dive into the tricky terrain of masculinity, mental health and male vulnerability—spoiler: real men do cry, and Keegan’s proof that it takes guts to be honest. He shares how language, peer pressure and fear of judgment kept him from living authentically for years. We talk about the ripple effects of coming out, from strained family dynamics to the liberating moment of finally being able to exhale. Keegan also gets into his work as a coach for gay men, helping others navigate the same fears he once faced and why teaching kids about acceptance and emotional intelligence is as important as teaching them to tie their shoes.

From the locker room to late-night self-reflection, Keegan’s story is a powerful reminder that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s freedom. Whether you’ve faced your own identity battles or just want to understand the inner world of someone who has, this one hits deep. We talk shame, survival and the courage it takes to live in your truth—plus why "straight-acting" is a term best left in the bin. It’s honest, raw, and proof that breaking the mould isn’t easy—but it’s worth it.

Links to Keegan's socials and business:

Instagram: @keeganhirst

https://www.instagram.com/keeganhirst/

https://gaymanscoaching.com/

We sit down with Danyon and Cole to unravel a raw, emotional journey through meth addiction, rehab and the unexpected love story that emerged in the heart of struggle. From the initial escape meth provided to the brutal lows that followed, both Cole and Danyon speak with unflinching honesty about guilt, self-forgiveness and the long, often painful road to recovery. They share how love can survive in chaos, how trust is rebuilt brick by brick and how addiction reshapes the very core of who you think you are.

Danyon, now a men’s mental health advocate, opens up about the emotional reality of sobriety—what happens after the detox, after the rehab, and the truth about starting again. Cole reflects on the complexities of loving someone in recovery, the role of spirituality in healing and the necessity of honesty in relationships. Together, they explore how support systems, purpose and deep personal work helped them not just survive, but grow.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who has a loved one caught in the grip of addiction or anyone fighting that battle themselves. Cole and Danyon’s story reminds us that recovery is never simple, love isn’t always clean and hope is a lifeline worth grabbing onto. It's a conversation about falling apart—and choosing to put the pieces back together anyway.

Ringo and Ridgey are joined by the brilliant and unfiltered Layla Kelly, who traded in her corporate banking gig for a camera, a ring light, and a subscription to financial freedom. What started as a plan to earn a little side cash ($300NZ a week, to be exact) quickly turned into a full-blown adult entertainment career—with Layla pulling in way more than just tips. She walks us through that bold leap from the boardroom to OnlyFans, the double takes she gets at PTA meetings, and why she’ll never go back to the nine-to-five.

But it’s not all champagne and lingerie. Layla gets into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with sex work—how it affects her marriage, how her kids are learning about boundaries, and how the internet trolls are both relentless and cruel—and how she rises above it all. She shares how fantasy and reality often blur in adult content, and why performance anxiety isn’t just for high school theater kids. Spoiler: communication is the real MVP in any relationship, especially when your job involves... well, performance.

We also get deep on society’s ever-evolving views on sex work—why stigma still lingers, how discrimination shows up in the most mundane places (hello, banking systems), and what empowerment really means when your job challenges the norm. Layla's not just here to shake things up—she’s building something bigger. From entrepreneurship to advocacy, she’s redefining what it means to own your story, your body, and your business.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes of adult content—or why honest conversations about porn, youth, and gender perspectives matter more than ever—this episode is your backstage pass. It's funny, it’s raw, and it’s probably not safe for work. But neither is Layla, and that’s kind of the point.

In this deeply moving and unflinchingly honest episode, Sam Troth opens up about his lived experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. His story is not just one of survival, but of resilience, advocacy and the relentless pursuit of justice. Sam takes us through the long shadow abuse has cast over his life—from its devastating impact on his mental health and relationships to his battles with addiction and the crushing failures of the justice system to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

This conversation is raw and necessary. It shines a light on the chilling reality that one in six boys and one in three girls will experience sexual abuse before the age of sixteen. Sam doesn’t shy away from the hard truths—about the predators who groom not just children but their communities, about the institutions that enabled abuse under the guise of care and about the silence that too often protects abusers more than it defends the innocent.

But amidst the pain is power. Sam speaks with fierce clarity about the ripple effects of abuse—not only the personal toll it takes, but the way it echoes across families, generations, and entire communities. He shares how education, open conversation, and early body-safety awareness are vital tools in prevention. He also explores the journey from victim to advocate and how walking for awareness became a way to reclaim his voice and his healing.

In one of the most powerful acts of advocacy, Sam is currently walking the length of New Zealand—from its northernmost tip to Parliament in Wellington—carrying with him a petition calling for a minimum eight-year sentence for sexual offending. It's a grueling and symbolic journey that amplifies the voices of countless survivors and demands that lawmakers take meaningful action to protect the most vulnerable. This isn’t just a walk—it’s a movement.

This episode is a call to action. It challenges us to break the silence, to confront the systemic failures that perpetuate abuse and to recognize the staggering economic, emotional and societal costs of inaction. Through Sam’s powerful testimony, listeners are reminded that change begins with conversation—and that empowering survivors and holding space for their truth is the first step in building a safer world for all children.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses themes of childhood sexual abuse, addiction, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

To support Sam’s mission and sign the petition for a minimum eight-year sentence for sexual offending, follow the link at the end of these show notes. Your voice matters.

petitions.parliament.nz/4ea3ebcf-8a45-4a57-a30e-08dd63dfe70d

Sam's Givealittle page:

givealittle.co.nz/cause/cape-reinga-to-the-beehive-support-justice-reform

Helplines and local mental-health services:

healthed.govt.nz/products/helplines-and-mental-health-services

Sam's Instagram:

@theroadtohealingaoteartoa

Direct link:

instagram.com/theroadtohealingaotearoa?igsh=YWtnOXBocWJjMTM%3D

Website:

www.theroadtohealing.co.nz

Ringo and Ridgey are joined by the one and only Diane Foreman—a woman who went from secretary to CEO, built an international ice cream empire, and somehow managed to stay fabulous through it all. If you're thinking "wow, that’s impressive," just wait 'til you hear her talk about risk appetite, parenting, and why no one actually has it all (except maybe the dog).

Diane takes us through her journey from typing memos to running boardrooms. She talks candidly about the realities women face in business—how being well-dressed is more than just a fashion choice, how women often judge themselves (and each other) too harshly, and why mentorship is key if we’re going to build a world where more women climb the ladder—and then leave it down for the next one.

She dives into why entrepreneurship offers more than a paycheck: it’s about freedom, choices and building something that matters. We also talk about the myth of the perfect work-life balance, the importance of backing yourself even when no one else does, and why a solid business plan beats a vision-board any day.

This episode is full of honesty, laughs and some top-shelf business advice. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just here for the sass and success stories, Diane Foreman delivers the goods—heels, hustle, and all.

Listen now, and maybe rethink your LinkedIn profile.

Paddy Gower steps up to The Brink with Ringo and Ridley for an unfiltered conversation about journalism, addiction, and the pursuit of self-understanding. With his trademark honesty, Gower opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the unexpected weight of fame, and the self-confidence struggles that lurked beneath his public persona. He reflects on his relationship with alcohol—once a crutch to navigate the pressures of his profession—and the misconceptions surrounding addiction. His recent book tour became a journey of personal reckoning, exposing the deep-rooted stigma around alcoholism and challenging society’s arbitrary distinctions between accepted and illicit substances. In a world where drinking is normalized but dependency is shamed, Gower’s story is a reminder that addiction is far more complex than we like to admit.

The conversation takes a broader look at addiction, not just in terms of alcohol but also through the lens of technology. With the same raw honesty that defined his take on drinking, Gower and the hosts discuss the addictive nature of smartphones and social media, questioning whether our hyper-connected world has actually left us more disconnected than ever. They explore the unspoken pressures of sobriety in a culture that glorifies drinking and the lack of support for those who choose to step away from it. As society grapples with rising loneliness and detachment, Gower shares his belief that real human connection—away from screens and substances—needs to be reclaimed before it’s too late.

Looking ahead, Gower remains committed to journalism, but with a sharpened perspective on the stories that truly matter. He speaks about his evolving relationship with his craft, his desire to tell stories that create impact, and his hope for a future where people push back against the forces that keep them distracted and disconnected. As he navigates personal growth and professional aspirations, he offers a glimmer of optimism—proof that change, though difficult, is always possible. This episode is an invitation to rethink our habits, reassess our relationship with addiction in all its forms, and rediscover the power of genuine human connection.

🔔 New episodes every Friday morning! Subscribe and never miss a conversation that takes you to The Brink.

On this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Neil O’Sullivan for a raw and insightful chat about men’s mental health, vulnerability and breaking down the outdated ideas of masculinity. Before stepping into the wellness space, Neil spent over a decade in digital marketing, working with brands like Special Olympics, Oxfam, and ViacomCBS, honing his skills in branding and creative direction. That journey led him to co-found Nimbus Co., Australia’s first exclusive infrared sauna studio and wellness space, built on the idea that health should be in people’s own hands. In this conversation, we dive into how his entrepreneurial path has shaped his perspective on balance, restoration and what it really means to take care of yourself.

Neil also opens up about his own mental health journey, including his battles with anxiety and talks about the practices that have helped him along the way, from meditation and breath work to cold therapy and finding balance in everyday life. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental well-being and Neil shares practical insights on how small, intentional habits can make a big difference.

We talk about gratitude, managing stress and the unexpected lessons that come from life’s curveballs. Whether it’s learning to embrace the discomfort of an ice bath or realising you don’t actually miss alcohol that much, this conversation is all about finding what works for you.

Links:

https://nimbusco.com.au/pages/nimbus-co-infrared-sauna?srsltid=AfmBOooirY03UYA4DRSjSBz0cBzOOPi1hUyd2JYOrd1FYGQ2-sTEvk96

This episode is a must-listen for any parent with a child struggling with ADHD. Welcome back to The Brink! This time, Ringo and Ridgey are coming to you straight from the stunning Dolomites in Italy, where they sit down with digital strategist and all-round legend, Arnout Heleemans. If you've ever wondered whether ADHD is a curse or a superpower, this episode is for you. Arnout breaks down his own journey of being diagnosed as an adult and how it’s shaped his life, his career, and his understanding of how the ADHD brain really works. Spoiler alert: it’s not a disorder, it’s just a different way of thinking—and sometimes, it’s the perfect formula for success.

Arnout has built a career in SEO, figuring out the digital world’s trickiest algorithms while running a business full of neurodiverse minds. He’s a firm believer that people with ADHD and autism have unique skills that can actually give them an edge in the workplace. The boys dive into how school often fails kids with ADHD, conditioning them to feel like they don’t fit in, and how that can lead to a tough road if they don’t find the right environment. But it’s not all doom and gloom—Arnout’s got plenty of insights into how neurodiverse individuals can thrive, not just survive, in the right conditions.

The chat gets real about dopamine depletion, why people with ADHD procrastinate (yes, we see you putting off your taxes), and how the education system is completely missing the mark. They even get into the big question: should kids with ADHD take medication? Arnout shares his experience with ADHD meds—how they can be a game-changer but also how they can take away that creative spark. The boys go deep on how to find workarounds instead of just relying on medication, plus some hilarious personal stories of managing life with an ADHD brain.

Arnout isn’t just talking the talk; he’s one of the top SEO minds in Europe. He’s spent over a decade helping businesses master digital strategy, and when he’s not optimizing websites, he’s mentoring young professionals and speaking at top industry events. If you want to pick his brain, check out his website at onlinemarkethink.com or hit him up on Bluesky.

So whether you’ve got ADHD, suspect you might, or just want a deep dive into how different brains tick, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and maybe even a few lightbulb moments. Don’t forget to follow The Brink on Instagram @TheBrinkPodcast, and if you’ve got a wild ADHD story of your own, drop us a message. Enjoy the episode, and as always, stay on the brink!