We're joined this week by special guest, Taj and his mother, Danica!

The conversation focuses on Taj's life, particularly his passion for footy (AFL) and whilst he is a big fan of the Geelong Cats, he is happy to support the West Coast Eagles if they're playing of course! 😉

Taj shares a recent highlight when he got the opportunity to play during halftime at Optus Stadium when the Dockers recently took on Collingwood. Whilst the result wasn't what the home team had hoped for, it was an outstanding game for Taj who kicked two goals! It is just so wonderful to hear from both Taj and Danica about what this moment meant for them.

Beyond footy, Taj and Danica talk share their perspective on fitness - what it means to them and why they prioritise it. Between Taj and Danica, they describe benefits that include improved strength, mental health, enjoyment and sleep.

This episode is for everyone. For researchers - Taj's insights tell us what is important. For clinicians, this episode is about how we can support children like Taj. For parents, it is the encouragement to find community activities to get involved. For kids, it's about the shared experience and for the wider community, it is a call to action for inclusivity because as Taj puts it, inclusion is the best feeling, the feeling of being part of a team.

This week's F word is Fitness!

Mobility is medicine and this week, we talk about what movement means for our bodies. This is relevant to all of us because long, uninterrupted sitting is not great for our health. Our goal is to break up long periods of sitting to move more and be physically active. Movement is great for our lungs, digestive system, bones, muscles with social, emotional and cognitive benefits! It certainly makes us feel better too thanks to the lovely release of endorphins.

Join us as we talk about what Fitness means for our kids as well as how Healthy Strides got it's name!

This week we continues the discussion on the topic of family, reflecting on our previous conversation with Jen Prior!

It's important to emphasise that family isn't limited to blood relatives but includes the people you trust and do life with. It is integral to the "f-words" because it provides the why, how, and when for decisions, including pursuing therapy.

Key takeaways from Jen's conversation and our own reflections include the crucial role of parents as experts on their children and the importance of advocacy. A significant part of the discussion focuses on the timing of therapy, suggesting that while intensive therapy is valuable for achieving lasting results, it should be carefully planned around family needs, school, and holidays rather than being continuous.

Prioritising family time and choosing evidence-based therapy are real ways to achieve balance, reduce potential feelings of guilt or comparison, and to ensure that therapy aligns with the goal of enabling the child and the family to live their very best life.