Ten Minutes With... Jen O'Neill

Find Jen O'Neill: Linkedin | SCADaddle | SCAD Research Inc Australia

More about Jen's story: SBS News | Channel 9 Interview | Coast Community News |

Jen’s Story: Surviving Three SCAD Heart Attacks and Advocating for Research

Rhea Mercado interviews Jen from Australia’s Central Coast, a SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) survivor. Jen explains SCAD as a tear in a coronary artery that can cause a heart attack or death and describes having three SCAD heart attacks, first at age 36 while breastfeeding, then during COVID at work, and again in 2022 at 42 despite being otherwise healthy with no typical heart-disease risk factors. She recounts initially dismissing symptoms, normal ECG results, delayed angiogram diagnosis, and learning that stenting can worsen SCAD.

Jen discusses the lack of SCAD-specific research, the impact on work and fatigue, and her advocacy. She promotes SCAD Research Inc Australia’s annual October “SCADaddle” fundraiser (10th anniversary) supporting research with the Victor Chang Cardiac Institute.

00:00 Meet Jen and Rhea

00:23 What Is SCAD?

02:17 Jen’s First Heart Attack

04:36 Second and Third Episodes

05:34 Diagnosis and Angiogram

07:14 Awareness and Research Gaps

08:26 Living and Working With SCAD

10:40 Advocacy and Finding Purpose

11:20 SCADaddle Fundraiser Details

12:55 Wrap Up and Thanks

"Ten Minutes With" is brought to you by The Intelligent Rebellion and is a Threesticks Production.

Copyright (c) Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado (R)

The team who produce the The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast acknowledge the traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the land on which the podcast is recorded. We are located on the land of the Dharug people. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to the Elders past, present and emerging

The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast is a Threesticks Production. Hosted and Produced by Rhea Mercado. Our Emperor of Sound, Original Music Man and Executive Producer is Wills. Copyright 2026 Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado®.

THE BIG PRINT - DISCLAIMER

The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional rehabilitation advice, injury management advice, rehabilitation advice, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten Minutes With... Chris Fleming

Find Chris Fleming: Linkedin | Big Three Trek |

From Exercise Physiology to Occ Rehab: Chris on ProCare, Partnerships, and the Mark Hughes Big Three Trek

Rhea Mercado interviews Chris Fleming, whom she reconnected with at the ASIEQ self-insurance conference, about his career and a recent charity trek. Chris, an exercise physiologist who studied at Wollongong University, initially aimed to work in elite sport and had a stint with the Sri Lankan cricket team, then moved into occupational rehabilitation after working in a Cronulla gym and through contacts including Martin Raftery and Greg McCarthy. He has spent over 15 years at ProCare Group and now leads national partnerships, citing the company’s growth, follow-through, and industry charity work such as ProCare charity cricket days held across five states. Chris also describes completing the Mark Hughes Foundation Big Three Trek (150 km over three days) with six friends, raising $173,000 to support brain cancer research and care, inspired by his friend Adam’s son Liam, who is currently clear.

00:00 Catch up

01:27 Uni Days to Occ Rehab

03:00 Industry Memory Lane

04:02 Big Three Trek

05:47 Fundraising Wins

06:36 Stories From the Walk

07:53 Why ProCare and Compo

09:54 Back to Basics Advice

10:28 Wrap Up and Next Trek

"Ten Minutes With" is brought to you by The Intelligent Rebellion and is a Threesticks Production.

Copyright (c) Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado (R)

The team who produce the The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast acknowledge the traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the land on which the podcast is recorded. We are located on the land of the Dharug people. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to the Elders past, present and emerging

The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast is a Threesticks Production. Hosted and Produced by Rhea Mercado. Our Emperor of Sound, Original Music Man and Executive Producer is Wills. Copyright 2026 Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado®.

THE BIG PRINT - DISCLAIMER

The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional rehabilitation advice, injury management advice, rehabilitation advice, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Find Denver Simonsz on Linkedin | Substack

In 2024, we recorded a conversation with Denver Simonsz on "The Intelligent Rebellion" podcast and to celebrate Denver's Substack we're revisiting his wisdom. This is a 10min version of Episode 32 of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, Vanquishing Sunday Scaries with Denver Simonsz, a Registered Psychologist and board-approved supervisor.

Want the full story? Check out the full Episode 032

In this The Intelligent Rebellion podcast episode, Rhea Mercado and Psychologist Denver Simonsz discuss burnout in healthcare and how work can creep into personal life, sparked by Denver’s blog about a “fuck it, I quit” moment. Denver describes overworking in a generally positive workplace, realizing he was near burnout when a coming holiday brought no relief and he could only think about returning to work, leading him to quit for his health and wellbeing. He advises noticing signs like persistent body tension, disturbed sleep, and reorganising life primarily to prepare for work, emphasising that self-care can’t offset poor pay, unreasonable caseloads, or bad treatment.

Together Rhea and Denver discuss ideal systems with flexible, individualised client loads, supportive workplaces, and opportunities to mix roles across practices or sectors for longevity. Devon closes by telling new psychologists not to devalue the basics and to expect respectful treatment from the start.

00:00 Holiday Dread Opens Up

00:23 Healthcare Burnout Connection

00:57 The I Quit Moment

03:07 Sunday Night Doom Feeling

03:45 Burnout Signs To Catch

04:50 Self Care vs Work Creep

05:28 Designing A Better System

07:16 Flexible Careers Ahead

08:51 Holistic Multidisciplinary Care

09:50 Final Advice For New Psychs

"Ten Minutes With" is brought to you by The Intelligent Rebellion and is a Threesticks Production.

Copyright (c) Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado (R)

The team who produce the The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast acknowledge the traditional owners and ongoing custodians of the land on which the podcast is recorded. We are located on the land of the Dharug people. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to the Elders past, present and emerging

The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, and Ten Minutes With Podcast is a Threesticks Production. Hosted and Produced by Rhea Mercado. Our Emperor of Sound, Original Music Man and Executive Producer is Wills. Copyright 2026 Threesticks Pty Ltd & Rhea Mercado®.

THE BIG PRINT - DISCLAIMER

The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional rehabilitation advice, injury management advice, rehabilitation advice, medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties..

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.