Pure Grit - with Paula McGrath - podcast cover

Pure Grit - with Paula McGrath

Paula McGrathnovafm.com.au
Grit means to have courage and show strength of character, passion and perseverance. Paula’s career in radio and television is where she discovered her natural ability to interview, bringing out the best in her guest with empathy warmth and humour. Paula interviews a diverse range of guests who have made it to the top of their chosen field. They chat about the journey, obstacles and surprising moments they faced on the way to the top.
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Episodes

Hans Gustafsson’s Transformation: From Drug Dealer to Fitness Warrior – Part 2

In this gripping conclusion of Hans Gustafsson’s story, Part 2 dives into the raw, brutal reality of addiction recovery. Hans shares his experience going cold turkey in jail, enduring months of physical and mental torment. With no choice but to fight through the excruciating withdrawal symptoms, he recounts how writing, fitness, and sheer grit became his lifelines. Hans opens up about the long road to rebuilding his life—how it took 18 months to fully feel like himself again and why relapse prev...

Jan 11, 202541 minSeason 4Ep. 9

Jeanette Allom-Hill: From Trauma to Triumph – Building Lionhearted Women

Jeanette Allom-Hill’s life story is as powerful as it is inspiring. In this emotionally charged episode of Pure Grit , Jeanette opens up about her journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a transformative leader. From surviving unimaginable personal tragedies to facing corporate bullying, Jeanette’s resilience and grit have driven her to create Lionhearted, a foundation dedicated to empowering women and fostering safe leadership. Jeanette recounts growing up in South Africa, losing everyth...

Jan 11, 202556 minSeason 4Ep. 3

Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton: Resilience Beyond Injustice – Her Journey Continues in Part 2

Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton’s fight for justice didn’t end with a courtroom. In Part 2, she reveals how she survived prison, reclaimed her life, and inspired a nation. Don’t miss it. In Part 2 of Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton’s gripping story, we dive deeper into her extraordinary journey of resilience. After the tragic loss of her baby Azaria, Lindy faced years of wrongful imprisonment, intense public scrutiny, and unimaginable personal challenges. This episode of Pure Grit reveals the untold str...

Dec 21, 202437 minSeason 4Ep. 2

Hanz Gustafsson’s Raw Journey Through Addiction: From the Depths of Ice to Redemption – Part 1

Crystal meth doesn’t just steal lives; it rewires them. In Part 1 of this gripping series, Hanz Gustafsson reveals the brutal realities of addiction and how he began his journey back from the brink. Hanz Gustafsson doesn’t hold back in this brutally honest first part of a two-episode series. Once caught in the destructive grip of ice (crystal methamphetamine), Hanz takes us deep into the world of addiction, revealing the peer pressure, spiraling dependencies, and devastating consequences that co...

Dec 21, 202441 minSeason 4Ep. 8

Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton: A Dingo, A Nation Divided, and A Mother’s Fight for Justice – Part 1

“A dingo’s got my baby.” These words changed Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton’s life forever. In Part 1 of this gripping two-episode series, she opens up about the tragedy, the media storm, and the fight for justice. Don’t miss it. Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton’s story is one of Australia’s most infamous miscarriages of justice. In Part 1 of this two-episode series on Pure Grit , Lindy shares her harrowing experience as the target of one of the nation’s most publicised trials following the tragic loss ...

Dec 21, 202451 minSeason 4Ep. 1

Jamie Dunn and Agro: The Mischievous Duo Behind Australia’s Favourite Puppet

Agro wasn’t just a puppet; he was chaos personified. Jamie Dunn spills on what made the cheeky character a TV legend, and why some stories are too wild for children’s television! Jamie Dunn and Agro, names synonymous with Australian TV and radio nostalgia. In this laugh-out-loud episode of Pure Grit , Jamie takes us on a trip down memory lane, sharing the wild, hilarious, and sometimes outrageous moments behind Agro’s antics. From iconic interviews with celebrities like Jason Donovan to the chao...

Dec 21, 202443 minSeason 4Ep. 6

Dr Torna Pitman Reveals the Hidden Scars of Coercive Control - The Abuse You Can’t See

Coercive control is the abuse that leaves no bruises but breaks the spirit. Dr. Torna Pitman uncovers its hidden dangers and how to fight back in this must-hear episode. Dr. Torna Pitman is a leading expert on coercive control, an often invisible but devastating form of domestic abuse. In this powerful episode, she dives into the dynamics of coercive control, sharing insights from her PhD research and years of counselling experience. As the founder of Talking Wise and author of Tangled Web of Wo...

Dec 21, 20241 hr 3 minSeason 4Ep. 4

Grant Monaghan: From SAS Sniper to Healing Veterans – The Maritime Warriors Story

Grant Monaghan went from elite SAS sniper to creating Maritime Warriors, a free program that’s saving veterans’ lives. Hear how he’s using the water to rebuild resilience and hope. Grant Monaghan’s story is one of courage, resilience, and reinvention. A Navy clearance diver turned SAS sniper, Grant has lived a life that few can imagine. From jumping out of planes at 26,000 feet with oxygen tanks to diving out of submarines, his military career included missions in East Timor, Afghanistan, and be...

Dec 21, 202444 minSeason 4Ep. 7

Bruce Morcombe: From Tragedy to Triumph – A Legacy of Hope and Safety

In this deeply moving episode, Paula McGrath sits down with Bruce Morcombe, a father, grandfather, and co-founder of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Bruce shares his family’s journey of unimaginable loss and their unwavering fight for justice following the tragic abduction and murder of his 13-year-old son, Daniel. Bruce discusses his life before that fateful day, the years of resilience it took to secure justice, and the monumental task of turning pain into purpose. The Daniel Morcombe Foundati...

Dec 21, 202454 minSeason 4Ep. 5

Matt Golinski's Recipe for Resilience: Overcoming Life's Darkest Hour!

Join us in a profoundly moving episode with Matt Golinski, an Australian celebrity chef with an extraordinary story of resilience and hope. 🌟🍳 Matt's life changed forever on Boxing Day 2011, when a tragic fire claimed the lives of his wife and daughters and left him with severe burns. After spending weeks in a coma and undergoing numerous surgeries, Matt faced the monumental task of rebuilding his life from the depths of despair. In this episode, Matt opens up about his journey through mental ...

Dec 20, 202344 min

Carrying her son to new heights :Niki Antram inspiring story of parental grit

Dive into the heartwarming world of Niki Antram, a supermom who redefines the essence of parenting. 🌟 At just 17, Niki faced what many would see as an insurmountable challenge: raising a child, Jimmy, who is blind and has physical and mental disabilities. But for Niki, this was just the start of an extraordinary journey. 🧗‍♀️❤️ From carrying Jimmy on her back to climb mountains to embarking on incredible adventures, Niki's story is a testament to unconditional love and the power of a mother's ...

Dec 13, 20231 hr

The Woman Who Makes Hackers Tremble - Inside Connie McIntosh's World of Cybersecurity!

Dive into the digital fortress with Connie McIntosh, the cyber guardian angel at Ericsson Market Area and a global cybersecurity expert. 🌐💻 In this thrilling episode, Connie shares her journey from working with Australian Government's Computer Emergency Response team to being named among the top 100 women in Cybersecurity by US Cyber Defense Magazine. Her expertise spans from securing classified networks to mentoring the next generation of cyber warriors. With a Master's in Information Systems...

Dec 05, 202335 minSeason 4Ep. 5

ADHD, Tourette's, & TV Stardom: The Seamus Evans Story You Can't Miss!

Dive into the riveting story of Seamus Evans—a classroom clown who spun his struggles into stardom! Once grappling with disengagement at school, Seamus's passion for television never waned. Despite facing challenges with ADHD and Tourette Syndrome, he emerged as a beloved figure on shows like Toasted TV and Totally Wild. Today, as an ambassador of Tourette Syndrome Australia and a sought-after keynote speaker, he crisscrosses the nation, leaving audiences both in stitches and teary-eyed with his...

Nov 22, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 6

Dive Deep with Sandy Forster: From Welfare to Millionaire to Oprah's Aussie Secret!

Join us as we uncover the magnetic journey of Sandy Forster—an internationally celebrated author, speaker, and business tycoon. Dive into her book, "How to be Wildly Wealthy Fast," and witness her miraculous transformation from being buried in debt and relying on Centerlink to achieving millionaire status. With accolades that include being named Business of the Year in Australia and Mentor of the Year in New York, her achievements are undeniable. As Australia's foremost expert on the Law of Attr...

Nov 15, 202338 minSeason 3Ep. 5

Meet the Athlete with No Arms and Boundless Determination: Kerry Lee's Mind-Blowing Story!

Dive into the exhilarating world of Kerry Lee Gockel, the "Wingless Warrior" who constantly defies all expectations. Born with congenital amelia, Kerry Lee might not have arms, but she’s packed with grit, determination, and a heart full of passion. Her feet? They’re not just feet—they’re her superpower. Whether she's swimming vast distances or driving a car, Kerry Lee showcases that limits only exist in our minds. This episode not only uncovers her awe-inspiring athletic feats but also her immen...

Nov 08, 202354 minSeason 3Ep. 4

Beyond the Olympic Glory - Geoff 'Skippy' Huegill's Unbelievable Comeback Journey!

Geoff Huegill , affectionately known as 'Skippy', is the embodiment of resilience and determination. With a staggering 72 international swimming medals, including 8 world records, his athletic prowess is legendary. However, it's his monumental comeback that's truly awe-inspiring. After the Athens Olympics 2004, Geoff's weight challenges seemed to set his fate. But, defying expectations, he reclaimed his health, shedding a jaw-dropping 49kg! This transformation led him to swim a 51.9-second 100m ...

Nov 02, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 3Ep. 3

From Olympic Coach to Cancer Warrior: The Mick Miller Story You CAN'T Miss!

Discover the incredible journey of Mick Miller, an esteemed performance and conditioning coach who's trained Olympians across six games. Beyond his sports accolades, he's an author and filmmaker with a profound story. Mick's life took an unexpected turn when a routine swim led to a throat cancer diagnosis. What followed was not just a fight for life but a transformative journey around Australia. Dive into his heartwarming tale of resilience, self-discovery, and healing. Unravel his written maste...

Oct 25, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 3Ep. 2

What Cameron Smith Won't Tell You: Grant Field's Untold Stories!

Dive deep with Grant Field, the acclaimed golf maestro and genius behind Australia's golfing sensation, Cameron Smith. As an expert in short-game golf and a prominent figure in the Australian PGA, Field's expertise extends beyond the green. With a decade of nominations as QLD PGA Coach of the Year and four wins, he's a force to be reckoned with. As the driving force behind Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open Championship Winner, Field reveals the secrets of the game. From being the Head Coach for Golf ...

Oct 18, 202335 minSeason 3Ep. 1

The Brain Surgeon You’ll Never Forget – An Intimate Chat with Prof. David Walker!

Professor David Walker is a neurosurgeon ,spinal surgeon, genius and father. He has a special interest in brain tumours and is actively conducting research to help find a cure for this insidious disease. He is also in the Australian Army Reserves and when he is not doing brain surgery and saving lives you will find him unwinding with his other passion golf. On a golf course not hacking away but with an impressive handicap of 8 for you golfers. It is a year ago this week I lost my dear friend and...

Oct 18, 202256 minSeason 2Ep. 55

Stepping Into Your Power with Tory Archbold – The Publicist to the Stars Tells All!

Tory Archbold is one of Australia's most successful well-connected entrepreneurs CEO and Founder of Powerful Steps, Podcast host of Powerful Stories and Mum. Tory has had a huge career at the top of her field . She was the most powerful publicity agent and worked with world famous celebrities and their brands like Drew Barrymore, George Clooney' s Nespresso, Victoria Secrets and Zara....oh to look at her little black book. We have a very honest and inspiring chat about our connections her challe...

Oct 10, 202233 minSeason 2Ep. 54

The Red-haired Angel of Cambodia – Geraldine Cox’s Tale of Love and Grit

Geraldine Cox AM is a humanitarian , mother and author. She is extremely well travelled and has lived a very full and colourful life . Working for the Department of Foreign Affairs which she was posted all over the world.It was her first posting to Cambodia when she was 25 when the country was in turmoil from the Vietnam War , it was this posting that she fell in love with the country and its children.We all know Geraldine with her flaming red hair tied up in a chopstick surrounded by smiling ch...

Sep 16, 202251 minSeason 2Ep. 53

Sooshi Mango Unplugged – The Hilarious Minds Behind Australia’s Viral Sensation!

People think the Sooshi Mango boys have come out of nowhere but they’ve been doing comedy since they were school kids. Their talent, hard work and persistence has paid off and they’re now one of Australia’s funniest and most-loved comedy acts. The trio's rise in Australian comedy has been nothing short of meteoric, with their viral online videos amassing over 120 million views and counting. Most of these views came during Covid when we all desperately needed a laugh. On this episode of Pure Grit...

Aug 09, 202244 minSeason 3Ep. 52

Part 2 – More From Kylie Moore-Gilbert – The Untold Story of Resilience and Renewal!

This is one of the most personal and candid episodes of Pure Grit yet. Kylie Moore-Gilbert is a scholar from Cambridge University and she was a lecturer for Middle Eastern Studies, history and politics at Melbourne University. Her University sponsored her when she was invited to speak at a conference in Iran. It was there her nightmare began… Arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for espionage. She was completely innocent. I followed her plight to be ...

Aug 02, 202227 minSeason 3Ep. 51

Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s Shocking Ordeal – Two Years in an Iranian Prison!

This is one of the most personal and candid episodes of Pure Grit yet. Kylie Moore-Gilbert is a scholar from Cambridge University and she was a lecturer for Middle Eastern Studies, history and politics at Melbourne University. Her University sponsored her when she was invited to speak at a conference in Iran. It was there her nightmare began… Arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for espionage. She was completely innocent. I followed her plight to be ...

Jul 26, 202248 minSeason 3Ep. 50

Endurance, Politics, Charity – The Triple-Threat Life of Pat Farmer!

PAT FARMER AM ULTRAMARATHON RUNNER, EX-MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, CONSULTANT, KEY NOTE SPEAKER, Author Pat Farmer is a multiple world record holder for endurance running. In his 30 year ultra marathon running career , has run from the North Pole to the South Pole taking 10 months 13 days with not one day off. He as run the length of India and Vietnam , through the Middle East, across America and Australia . Pat also served 8 years as a Member of Parliment. He has raised millions of dollars for charit...

Jul 19, 202247 minSeason 3Ep. 49

Steve Pullen’s Race for Life – The Ironman Who Defied a Death Sentence!

Steve Pullen Is a former Australian Ironman Champion. He is now business owner and father. He started his professional career as an athlete at the young age of 17. I grew up seeing him not only in the Uncle Toby's Iron Man series and Nutri Grain Iron Man series but at 23 he was crowned Australian Iron Man Champion, yes one extremely fit athlete. Then I recall one day seeing him not able to walk, I knew something was seriously wrong. Steve was diagnosed with something so rare he was only the 111t...

Jul 12, 202247 minSeason 3Ep. 48

Meet the Voice Inside Your Phone – Karen Jacobsen AKA Siri Tells All!

Karen Jacobsen was destined to be on stage as she dreamed of being just like Olivia Newton John as a young girl and she sure did moving to New York and becoming an award winning singer and songwriter. What she didn't expect was to go for an audition to record a text to speech voice system...that would then make her world famous ! " Siri" ' Is your name Karen?" From that moment on she became a legend in pop culture and also has been getting us to our destinations and giving us directions via GPS ...

Dec 15, 202142 min

John Paul Young Talks Losing It All and Coming Back Stronger!

John Paul Young OAM is one of the most iconic artist in Australian music history, with over 4 million worldwide record sales, induction into the Aria Hall of Fame and he received an Order of Australia Medal . He co-hosted the most famous music show in Australia's history Countdown with Molly Meldrum. He was actually the first person to ever call Ian Molly Meldrum " Molly " on television ...introducing his segment like this " Here's boring old Molly with boring old humdrum" We talk about his jour...

Dec 08, 202142 minSeason 2Ep. 46

From Home and Away to Hollywood – The Incredible Rise of Dan Ewing!

Dan Ewing is an Australian Actor a leading man like many other actors that have gone from Home and Away to Hollywood. Following likes of Chris Hemsworth, Heath Ledger, Ryan Kwanten Melissa George and Naomi Watts to name a few. Dan was Heath Braxton, a tattooed River Boy on the popular Australian drama Home and Away. Now Dan Ewing is currently gracing big billboards on Hollywood Boulevard advertising his No 1 Netflix movie Occupational Rainfall which also stars Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Crazy Rich...

Oct 28, 20211 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 45

You Can’t See Her Pain – Tanya Young Reveals Her Invisible Disease!

Tanya Young lives with an invisible disease and invisible pain. She was such a successful business woman with her business The Lash Angel then at the height of her success was struck down so young with what she thought was a sore back but her diagnosis was life changing and disabling. She was diagnosed with CIDP, Chiari 1 Brain Malformation, Vestibular migraines and a degenerative spinal condition Coccydynia. With incredible grit and determination Tanya is fighting back from this disabling pain ...

Sep 29, 202134 minSeason 2Ep. 44
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