Gotcha4Life in partnership with Black Magic Woman podcast launch the first ‘Mental Fitness Conversations’ series focused on reclaiming First Nations mental wellbeing.
Gotcha4Life Foundation, Black Magic Woman, Joint Media Release, 13 August 2025
Australian health promotion charity, Gotcha4Life Foundation, has today launched a powerful new podcast series centred on First Nations voices, exploring what truly shapes and sustains mental fitness – in culture, in community, and in individuals.
The inaugural series is hosted by award-winning Indigenous businesswoman and Gotcha4Life Board Member Mundanara Bayles and produced in partnership with award-winning Black Magic Woman podcast.
The launch comes at a critical time, with suicide remaining the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 15 to 441, with Indigenous men 2.6 times more likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous males2.
The 10-episode series features honest, powerful and moving conversations with guests such as:
- Shantelle Thompson OAM, Three-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion, founder of the Kiilalaana Foundation and author
- Matty Mills, Presenter, podcaster and Queer Indigenous advocate
- Quaden Bayles, Actor and youth advocate
- Dr. Clinton Schultz, Psychologist and Director, First Nations Strategy and Partnerships, Black Dog Institute
- Steph Tisdell, Comedian, actor and author
In each episode, guests share their lived experiences, the strength they draw from community, and their culturally grounded approaches to emotional wellbeing. The conversations are aimed at highlighting First Nations-led approaches to staying strong, connected, and mentally fit.
“Mental fitness is like physical fitness – it’s something we can all build with small, everyday actions”, commented Belinda Elworthy, Gotcha4Life CEO.
“This podcast is about giving people the tools to do that, in a way that’s culturally safe and community led.”
A proud Wonnarua, Bundjalung, Gangulu and Birri-Gubba woman, Bayles is a nationally recognised educator and serves on the Gotcha4Life Board, helping shape the organisation’s inclusive, preventative approach to mental health.
Many mainstream services remain inaccessible due to a lack of cultural safety. Bayles fills this gap with her warmth, wisdom and deep cultural understanding to hold space for open, community-led and transformative conversations.
“This series is about truth-telling, healing, and celebrating the strength of our communities,” says Bayles.
“We’re creating space for First Nations people to lead the conversation on mental fitness in our voices, on our terms.”
- Podcast launch date: Wednesday 13 August 2025
- Available on: iHeart, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms, and the Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness Gym app
1 https://healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/learn/health-facts/latest-information-and-statistics/mortality/
2 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/life-expectancy-deaths/deaths-in-australia/contents/summary
