Becoming Badass

In the introductory episode of Becoming Badass, Carly Box highlights what you can expect in upcoming episodes. She discusses the importance of fitness for Defence Force applicants and how this podcast will help you with your own preparation.  Head over to www.thebarracksgym.com.au for more information.

Michael Cross is the founder and co-owner of The Barracks Gym. We have been training Defence Force Applicants out of this gym in Brisbane for over 2 years now. Michael spent 13 years in the Australian Army before deciding to get out and travel. Once he returned home from travel he knew he didn't just want a 9-5 job. He wanted to take everything he'd learnt over his 13 year career along with the lessons he learnt whilst travelling and turn this into a business.  He went into this with zero business knowledge. All he knew was that his idea was awesome and that it would work. So with no Plan B, he decided to throw everything he had into starting The Barracks Gym.  Lucky for you... his idea worked and it's the reason that so many of you have been able to enlist into your dream jobs. Fast forward to over 2 years later and the facility sits in Albion, Brisbane (Australia). We have put through hundreds of applicants both in the gym and online. We have had a hand in assisting countless individuals through to enlistment with our mentoring and knowledge.  Learn more about The Barracks Gym at www.thebarracksgym.com.au (Please note, there will be the occasional swear word throughout this episode. Ensure you adjust your surrounding audience accordingly).

Lance & Richard* both train at The Barracks Gym. One of them heads to RMC very soon and the other hasn't even applied for the Army yet. They are good mates.  They didn't know each other prior to coming to TBG. They gravitated together due to being surrounded by chicks in the gym. Now they are the ultimate training team and have been dominating in the gym for months.  In this episode we talk about the unlikely friendships that can come about whilst you're in the Military. How having a common goal can bring people together and make it feel like you've known each other forever. We talk about drinking, TV shows, squatting PBs and partying.  Enjoy as we uncover how having a solid training buddy can change your fitness progression epically. Theres a few swear words thrown around here so avoid listening to this when there are small humans around who might repeat those words at inappropriate times.  *- Names have been changed for security purposes. (Names have also been blanked out during the episode where real names were used accidentley! Oops) Learn more about The Barracks Gym at www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Belle* is a 23 year old Navy Gap Year Applicant. She applied for the Navy before she left school but it didn't go according to her plan. 6 years later, she is finally enlisting. We discuss the Gap Year Program, applying as a 16 year old, the importance of 'life experience', fitness, having a supportive gym community, the excitement of a new career after a Uni degree and how having the worlds more loving and supportive family has meant the world to her.  Please note- Swear words have not been beeped out. I like to swear and I'm not ashamed of that. If you're listening to this episode with small humans around, I would suggest using headphones.  *Names have been changed to preserve the security and privacy of gym members.  To learn more about The Barracks Gym, please follow us on IG- @thebarracksgym or head over to the website www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Frankie* has been with TBG for about 6 months. She's enlisting into the Army in January as a Cargo Specialist.  She's a dominant, confident personality and came to us with a bit of attitude. We found a way to curb this to a level that helped her excel in her training. We talk about how TBG has helped her work through the mind games that come about with exercising. Those mindset blocks that a lot of chicks experience. Now she looks back and realises that her body is capable of so much more than she ever realised. It's pretty cool.  We chat about socialising with people at TBG, drinking, boys, dogs, family, friendships, 'normal' families, what not to study at uni and how to pass the time until you figure out what you want to do with your life... at 25 years old.  *Names have been changed to preserve the privacy and security of gym members.  Swearing has not been beeped out because I like swear words. Don't listen to this around small humans who may repeat what I have to say. Especially if they are capable of saying the words in context and you've got to try not to laugh at them. Find out more at: www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Gee is a serving member of the Royal Australian Navy. She also train at TBG prior to enlisting.  She's completed her Recruit Training at Cerberus and she is now part way through her IETs. She's back home in Brisbane on Christmas leave so I grabbed her for a quick chat.  We talked about life at Cerberus. Fitness requirements as a Navy recruit. How TBG changed more than just fitness for her. We also talk about how she became the push-up coach for everyone in her cabin. #tbgrocks   It was soooo good to have her in the gym for the few weeks that she was back. I hope that all the Navy recruits out there enjoy this one! It's a real life insight into what you can expect!!  Swear words occur. Don't listen to this in front of impressionable ears.  To learn more about The Barracks Gym head over to www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Russ is in the RAAF. She's recently finished 1RTU and she's about to start IETs.    She's come back for Christmas and she's been hanging out with us at TBG. I grabbed her before she headed back to talk about life at 1RTU and how she handles being away from her family.  Russ is married to a serving member and her kids are so rad and resilient.  She's a really really good friend of mine and it was fun to sit down and have a chat and a laugh. I miss her heaps so I'm glad I can listen to this podcast whenever I miss her haha ENJOY!!!  To learn more about The Barracks Gym head over to www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Have you even wondered what happens when you get your period at Kapooka? This might seem like a ridiculous question for some of you. However it's one of the most popular questions I get asked as a Military Mentor at The Barracks Gym.  In fact, it's so popular I even wrote a blog article about it- https://www.thebarracksgym.com.au/blog/youre-not-the-first In this 'Quick Chat' episode of Becoming Badass, I have ever so eloquently discussed why it's not a big deal during 'that time of the month whilst at basic training.  I talk about the BMI standards, beep tests and a few other issues that arise when people are preparing themselves for the Military.  For more info, make sure you head over to The Barracks Gym website- www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Mila is a BUSY single Mum who works a full time job with ridiculous shift work hours.  I'm exhausted just typing that.  She's gotten herself ready for the Army with the help of TBG, her family and her epic organisation skills. If you're a single Mama... then this one is for you. Hear her little tips and tricks to stay organised and how she prioritises her fitness without missing out on quality time with her son.  Mila is a total Badass and I LOVED having her on this podcast!  Learn more about The Barracks Gym at: www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Deborah is joining the Army Reserves.  She's from South America and moved over here as a teenager with her Mum. She talks about study, Aussie slang, boyfriends, fitness, life and all sorts of other stuff.  If you're joining the Army Reserves and looking for some inspiration with your fitness, you'll love this episode!  To learn more about The Barracks Gym, head over to- www.thebarracksgym.com.au

It's interesting that in our current society where equality is at the forefront of everything... plenty of people still believe that they should be excused from certain activities due to their gender.  Males & Females can now apply for any roles in the military, they just need to meet the required standards. It's all about the right person for the job. So why do so many chicks ask about 'female' push-ups and use statements like 'I won't have to do that because I'm a girl'.  I hate to break it to you but there is only one standard of push-up that will be accepted and you WILL be expected to do everything the boys can do.  In this episode I give an insight into my own experiences and why I believe that 'being a girl' is horse shit when it comes to Military life. You're a solider first. The end.  To read more about this, head over to- https://www.thebarracksgym.com.au/blog/ohbut-im-a-girl ENJOY! 

Renee came to TBG with a decent level of fitness. She's highly involved in sports and her body moves well. She's a high performer but she still knew that she needed more help. Enter TBG.  She found us via a FB add and decided that this was exactly what she needed. So she came in... and has spent pretty much every day at TBG ever since. Like a pet.  She's an epic human. She's a country hick and we love her. Listen to her story and see how to came from being a sporty singer.... to a Navy Sailor!  Learn More about The Barracks Gym at www.thebarracksgym.com.au 

Shin Splints is a very common injury for those conducting any form of lower body training such as running.  SO many people continue to train even when they are experiencing shin pain. It's imperative to know how to manage shin pain so that it doesn't become worse. If you manage the pain properly at the first onset, you'll have a better chance of recovery.  In this instalment of 'Quick Chat', I talk you through shin splints and how to best manage this. All info can be found over on The Barracks Gym FB page.  https://www.thebarracksgym.com.au/blog/should-you-train-with-shin-splints If you'd like some guidance on how to train with this injury, then please feel free to contact us directly- team@thebarracksgym.com.au Make sure you jump in our FB group for additional support and info.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/ADFrecruitfitness/  

At TBG we often have mothers bring their kids in during training sessions. This episode I chat with one such Mother & Daughter combo! These guys have been coming to The Barracks Gym for 18 months so we've gotten to know them pretty well.  It's pretty cool to watch these two. They have a relationship that everyone considers to be 'goals'. It's got to be pretty cool when you're biggest supported is your own small human.  This episode will reveal how to make all of this work when you have a kid and a busy life. A lot of tips and tricks to staying organised and making sure you can keep on top of everything without having to let other parts of your life suffer. To stay on track with your training and help keep accountable, download one of our programs today!  https://www.thebarracksgym.com.au/resources.html  

Brook is a Navy Submariner. She was the first person to ever enlist into the ADF from TBG and she's been kicking ass ever since.  She talks about her training from Cerberus to obtaining her Dolphins at the end of IETs. She tells us why being posted to Perth is AWESOME and why she loves Submariner life so much.  We talk a BIT about fitness but we mostly crack the code on what it's like to work UNDER water and still maintain a rad lifestyle.  Brook has told us that she absolutely LOVES her job and wouldn't change it for the world. As much as the extra allowances are great, she reckons she'd do this job regardless. Listen in as she tells us why!!  To learn more about Online Coaching at TBG, head over to- https://www.thebarracksgym.com.au/services.html  ENJOY! 

The minute you decide that you want to join the ADF is the minute you should commence your training.  Don't leave it to the last minute. There is no magic that can be done at that point in time.  In this Quick Chat we discuss the importance of commencing training YESTERDAY so that you're not at a mad panic 2 weeks out from a PFA.  For more notes on this topic head over to this link- https://www.thebarracksgym.com.au/blog/why-you-should-have-started-your-fitness-training-yesterday

Indiana is joining the Army. Actually by the time this episode goes live she would have already enlisted!  She was already pretty fit prior to joining TBG but has found that her strength has improved beyond belief.  Indiana talks to us about being a black sheep, her extra curricular activities beyond TBG and how fitting in your Military lifestyle can sometimes have an impact on your family... even before you join!  For more info about The Barracks Gym head over to www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Nemo comes from a family with a really specific cultural background. Due to this background her family has pretty strong expectations on what she should and shouldn't be doing with her career.  She felt pressured to keep them happy and do what they expected of her. So she went to Uni. She hated it. She didn't bother trying to get a job at the end of it because she KNEW it just wasn't for her.  She saw an add for Defence and wanted to see what was on offer. She knew right away that this was more 'her' and it was what she wanted to do. Breaking this to her parents wasn't easy and it took a long time to convince them that this was right for her.  In this episode she talks us through the cultural expectations she came up against. She's spoken really openly about this in the hope that other people from similar backgrounds will find the courage to go against the norms if it's what they truly want.  Nemo was a total legend in this episode and I really hope you enjoy this!  To learn more about The Barracks Gym head over to www.thebarracksgym.com.au

Ginger is one of the longest standing TBG members. She's honestly worked her ass off. Like.... literally. She's looking bloody good and it's evident that her hard work has paid off.  This is her THIRD enlistment. I actually said at a recent enlistment 'this is a once in a lifetime thing... it's such a big deal'... then looked over at Ginger and was all like .... 'um.... well... for most people anyway'.  She's done RAAF Gap Year, back for another round of RAAF life and then now going into the Navy Full Time. She cannot fucking wait.  She's so ready for this. She's matured so much over the last few years and she knows that this is all she wants.  She is also a really good friend of mine and I really enjoyed this episode.  ALSO I HAVE TWO MICROPHONES NOW SO THE AUDIO IS LESS SHIT! 

Without giving too much away, Amelia is 17. She's joining the Navy and she's going into the Gap Year Program.  She's a former Navy Cadet yet she's still ready to expect the unknown once it comes to life in the real Navy!  She actually enlisted two days ago. We chatted about all sorts of stuff. From unique family situations, turning 18 at Recruit School (we actually got everyone at the gym to vote for what her first legal drink should be), being fearful of fitness once she gets down there, wishing she started at TBG long before she actually did and Justin Beiber.  This was quite a ride and we had a lot of fun whilst chatting!!  Please subscribe if you enjoy this and leave a review if you really enjoy it!  www.thebarracksgym.com.au