Brandon Muir has lived through more than most — losing his father, grandfather, and uncle to suicide, and stepping into the role of “man of the house” before he was even a teenager. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Brandon opens up about his journey through grief, trauma, and healing.

We explore why men often suffer in silence, how childhood wounds shape our adult relationships, and why taking full responsibility for your life can be the first step toward freedom.

From navigating societal pressure to managing expectations and understanding that no one really has it all figured out — this episode is a heartfelt reminder that empathy, vulnerability, and ownership can change everything.

If you’ve ever struggled with loss, identity, or the pressure to “have it all together,” this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Coffee Charged Conversations, I sit down with Greg Risely, the founder of Rise Wellness, to talk about the power of cold therapy and why doing difficult things can change your life.

\We dive into the mental and physical benefits of stepping into discomfort, and how the simple act of getting into an ice bath can help you build consistency, discipline, and a stronger mind.

We cover:

•The mental and physical benefits of cold therapy

•Why doing difficult things daily builds a stronger mindset

•The ideal time and temperature for an ice bath

•How cold exposure helps boost dopamine and combat depression

•Breathing techniques to stay calm in high-stress situation

•Why Greg entered The Comrades Ultramarathon

•Why consistency is key—in cold therapy and in life

In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly Eyre, Pedagogy Lead for Dibber International South Africa, an expert in both education and mental health. Kelly, who is autistic and a mother to a child on the autism spectrum, brings invaluable insights from both a personal and professional perspective. With her background in counselling psychology and education, Kelly shares her expertise on childhood trauma, autism, and mental health.

Here’s what we cover:

1. Childhood Trauma:

• How childhood trauma shows up in our adult lives

• Effective ways to heal from childhood trauma

• The long-lasting impact of childhood experiences on who we become

• Kelly’s own journey with childhood trauma

2. Autism & Neurodiversity:

• Is everyone on the spectrum?

• What it’s really like being autistic

• The struggles and challenges of growing up with autism

• Why autism can be a superpower

• The connection between autism and self-harm

• Recognizing symptoms of ADHD

3. Mental Health:

• The stigma surrounding mental health

• Practical ways to stop negative thinking patterns

• The life-changing benefits of therapy

• How to manage and respond to criticism

This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone wanting to understand the lasting effects of childhood trauma, the complexities of autism and ADHD, and how to break free from mental health stigma. Kelly’s expertise and personal story will leave you feeling empowered to take control of your mental well-being and approach life with a new perspective.