Better Bloke

Lets rip into a deceptively simple question that’s been lighting up convo's everywhere: is life genuinely harder… or are we just getting softer? Modern life is packed with creature comforts, convenience, and safety nets, yet blokes are still stressed, burned out, and feeling like they’re carrying the world. So what gives?On this episode we compare today’s pressures to what our dads and grandads dealt with, and unpack the myth of the “tough old-school man” who never complained. Not because life was easy, but because talking about it wasn’t really an option. We dig into whether “soft times create soft men” is wisdom or just nostalgia, and whether we’ve lost resilience… or we’re simply facing a different kind of hard.If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “man up” and “I’m cooked” in the same week, this one’s for you.

Summernats 38 is done and dusted, and this week’s episode is exactly what it says on the tin: Summernats, Summernats, Summernats. After three years of sending it at this event, we stepped it up in a big way with the maiden appearance of the Better Bloke Pit Stop... a full-blown chill zone for the lads & ladies to reset in the blistering heat. We rolled in the marketplace couches, handed out free sunscreen, free water, free Lynx Africa, and threw in some fun stuff like the Hold On Challenge and an ice bath to keep the crew alive.We also break down the weekend’s best moments and the people that made it... Blokes Advice, the chats, and the new Morning Lap walk-and-talk for the campers who were keen for something a bit more grounding before the chaos kicked off again. Plus: the standout cars, the loose stories, and linking up with legends like Swifty and Luxifer, collaborating with Ozwheels, having Criss Cross at the stand!

We’re kicking off 2026 with a good laugh by looking back at the year that was bring back the 'Best Of Blokes Advice'. From the funniest moments and quirkiest posts, to the comment sections that turned into absolute gold, we’re rounding up the highlights that made the group what it is: chaotic, hilarious, and wholesome when it counts.It’s not all stitch-ups and one-liners... We also hit the feel-good stuff - the stories that reminded us why this community matters, from blokes showing up for each other to the big moments that genuinely changed lives (including reconnecting families and shining a light on some of the most legendary characters in the group).We zoom out and recap the Better Bloke year too... the wins, the milestones, and the moments out in the real world: automotive events, barber/beard expos, hunting experiences, and everything in between. Strap in.

Darcy holds nothing back... he started using hard drugs at just 11 years old, fell in with the wrong crowd, and before long he wasn’t just using… he was living the whole lifestyle: dealing, chaos, paranoia, and the consequences that come with it. Over time his body began to fall apart, and the people who mattered most slowly disappeared as addiction took over everything.Darcy opens up about just how dark it got... including an attempt on his own life, relationships breaking down to nothing, and eventually ending up behind bars. It’s the kind of story that forces you to face the reality of what addiction actually does: not the “party” version, but the slow grind where you lose yourself piece by piece.This isn’t just a warning story... it’s proof that change is possible when you decide you’re done. Darcy shares what rock bottom looked like for him, what finally made him choose life, and how he rebuilt from the ground up, becoming a personal trainer, stepping into entrepreneurship, earning back his self-respect, and making his parents proud again. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a loop you can’t break, this one will hit hard.

Jason Bluett, founder of the Primal Man Project has a unique way of explaining why so many blokes feel stuck, disconnected, or like they’re drifting... and it’s got nothing to do with “just toughen up and provide.” His work is built around the idea that men are wired for power, purpose, and pack... and when one of those is missing, life starts to wobble.We talk lived experience, the lessons that forced Jason to own his part in where his life was heading, and why accountability has to come before confidence. No saviours or shortcuts, just the decision to stop outsourcing your life and start acting like the bloke in charge of it. If you’ve been feeling a bit lost, a bit numb, or like you’re capable of more but can’t find the gears… this one will hit.Find Out More: https://action.primalmanproject.org/

This week on the Better Bloke Project podcast, we sit down with Andy, an Irishman living life at full throttle, who’s currently attempting something most people would call impossible: driving his drift car from Australia all the way back to Ireland, through countless countries, powered by pure determination, grit, and the willingness to ask for help.At just 31, Andy’s learnt a simple truth a lot of people ignore: most of us don’t chase the thing we actually want... whether it’s money, fear, or “the right time” holding us back. Andy reckons if you start the journey and back yourself, life has a funny way of working itself out. His passion might be drifting, but the message is bigger than cars: he’s trying to lead by example and prove that anyone can take a swing at their dream if they commit and keep moving.We dive into the moments that led him here, including his last challenge where he travelled the same kind of route with absolutely zero money, relying on meeting strangers and receiving acts of kindness along the way. We also talk content creation, the car scene, why he’s raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the stories, chaos, and mindset behind a mission this bigDonate To His Make-A-Wish Cause: https://www.gofundme.com/f/drift-across-the-world-makeawishFollow His Journey: https://www.instagram.com/driftacrosstheworld

Join us as we sit down with Australian tattoo legend Rhys Gordon, best known for his Japanese work and timeless full-body suits. Rhys has been tattooing since the early ‘90s, coming up through old-school street shops before founding Little Tokyo and becoming one of the most respected names in Japanese-inspired tattooing. We talk about how styles have evolved over the decades, which “old” looks are making a comeback, and much more about the ink.Rhys opens up about the relationship between artist and client... how spending hours, sometimes years, on big pieces turns the tattoo chair into something not far off a therapist’s couch. We dig into the stories, trust, and head noise that come out during long sessions, and how that space can help blokes process life, loss, identity and change. We also unpack how society’s perception of tattoos has shifted from “rough and tough” to a mainstream form of self-expression, and how social media has both helped and complicated the industry.See more from Rhys: www.instagram.com/rhysgordon/

Meet Big Chocky, AKA The Controversial Coach, the bloke who’s blown up online this year for calling out what he sees as pure madness in Australia’s political and cultural landscape. From governments, courts and politicians, through to the worst kind of grubs... Chocky’s built a following by saying what a lot of people think but won’t say out loud.In this episode we dive into the messy stuff most people avoid: immigration, patriotism, and what it actually means to be Australian in 2025. We unpack the truth behind the March for Australia rallies, talk about why some racists have tried to latch onto his message, and draw a hard line between extremists of any culture or faith and the everyday people who just want to get on with their lives. Chocky lays out exactly who he’s aiming at... and it’s not the vast majority.We also talk about where we go from here: corruption, accountability, and what us normal people can actually do to have a voice without losing their mind in the process. If you’re sick of feeling like something’s off in this country but don’t know where to start, this one’s for you.Feel like supporting Big Chocky's Christmas Giveaway? Do it here - https://www.gofundme.com/f/big-chockys-christmas-give-away

Let's sit down with Danny, the mad genius behind the International Brawling Championship... a brand new combat sport that mashes boxing and MMA into one brutal, high-octane spectacle. Built for the fans first, the IBC is all about showmanship, chaos, and those “holy shit” moments you usually only get from WWE entrances and highlight reels.We dig into why Danny created a fight promotion that puts the spectator at the centre, how he looks after his fighters while still serving up mayhem, and what he really thinks about the way combat sports are viewed by the media, the public, and even other fighters. From dozens of failures and “this will never work” to an event that went viral and gave him the green light to double down, Danny breaks down the mindset behind the madness.We also get personal... fatherhood, resilience, building tough kids in a soft world, and the standards he sets for anyone who steps into an IBC ring. If you love combat sports, wild ideas, and people who back themselves when everyone else calls them crazy, this one’s for you.The next event is Friday in Brisbane, get your tickets at: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=BRAWL25See more from IBC at: https://www.instagram.com/internationalbrawling/

Australian car culture is among the strongest in the world, and there's few who live and breathe it more than Jesse, the founder of Oz Wheels. After begging Hot Wheels for years to produce models that resonate with the Aussie scene, he decided to do it himself... and what he produced hit the spot!This episode dives into Jesse's deep passion for the Australian scene, finding his creativity in producing models, and how he established a collectibles company by sharing his own love for these machines. See more from Oz Wheels at https://www.instagram.com/oz_wheelsHelp us help the blokes who need it: https://www.betterblokeproject.org/pages/donate-now

This week we're sitting down with AJ Williams, founder of Revel Saunas & Ice Baths. Yes... we touch the science: how heat and cold hit performance, recovery, and mental health, but this is really about the bloke behind the brand. AJ grew up in housing commission, bounced between blended, messy family units, left school in Year 9, and watched his pro-athlete dream fade. Two decades later, he leads an eight-figure company and is determined to be the father he wished he had. He’s humble, allergic to victim mentality, and big on owning your hand... then playing it hard. We dig into being a Dad, what he’s seeing in Aussie youth from the hiring front line, and the roadblocks he smashed through on the way to building a life that actually means something.See More From AJ at https://www.instagram.com/iamtheajwilliams& be sure to check out what Revel has to offer at https://revelsaunas.com.au/

What does it actually mean to be “masculine”? This week, we cut through labels and buzzwords to build something men can live by. Fact check: most major dictionaries describe masculinity as qualities regarded as characteristic of men... a useful starting point, but it doesn’t tell you which qualities, which is why the debate goes in circles.We unpack traits versus behaviours, real differences on averages (not absolutes), and how context turns raw traits into actions. We chat masculinity across time... protector/breadwinner frames of the past versus modern realities at work, home, and in community, and ask what still matters, what doesn’t, and what needs a rewrite.The goal isn’t to police blokes; it’s to work out some form of compass and unpack why there is so much debate around what this word means.Find out everything you need to know about the 46 for 46 Challenge: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/382055/walking-46-hours-straight-for-46-lives-lost-every-week

Harry started out in Excel Series racing through his teenage years before stepping up to the Toyota 86 GR Series, a dream he shared with his dad... but only a few months after they began racing together, tragedy struck when he lost his Dad to mental health issues.Unsure if he’d ever get behind the wheel again, Harry did choose to return to the track... making his comeback at Bathurst, the place every racer dreams of, to continue what he and his dad had started.This chat isn’t just about loss... it’s about purpose, resilience, and doing what you love. It’s a mix of laughs, reflection, and insight from a young bloke without an ego, just out there giving life a red-hot crack.Follow Harry for some top-tier entertainment: www.instagram.com/harry_tomk1ns

Meet Kyle Van Der Poel - better known online as your mother’s favourite boxer - with an impressive 0–2 loss streak and a personality that more than makes up for it.What started as a bit of a shit talk fest turned into one of our most unfiltered, unpredictable conversations yet. We covered everything from Greta Thunberg to vaccines, climate change, immigration, and conspiracies, all while finding some glimpses into what makes a better bloke from Kyle's viewpoint.Between the chaos, we dove into what drive, self-improvement, and purpose look like when the cameras are off, and unpacked some alarming statistics about Australia’s gambling culture that every bloke needs to hear.

It's time to unpack two uncomfortable truths from psychology that hit closer to home than most people realise. The first... your brain lies, or at least doesn't get it right all the time. We break down how past experiences, neuroplasticity, and rumination warp your perception of reality, shaping beliefs that feel true but often aren’t.The second... you’re not who you think you are, you’re what you practice being. This one challenges the old “I think, therefore I am” idea. We explore how 'who you are' isn’t fixed, but built through what you actually DO. This episode cuts through the noise of self-help clichés and gets to the real, uncomfortable truths that are backed up by thousands of years of history's greatest thinkers.Help us help the blokes who need it by supporting the 46 for 46 Challenge: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/382055/walking-46-hours-straight-for-46-lives-lost-every-week

This episode marks the official launch of the 46 for 46 Challenge…. a brutal 46-hour walk representing the 46 men who take their own lives every week in Australia. It’s not just about endurance; it’s about standing up for every bloke who’s ever felt like giving up, and turning pain into purpose. Every step taken and every dollar raised will go directly into funding the programs BB has developed to keep blokes alive and not forgotten.They also share exciting updates on the Better Bloke Mental Health First Responder Program… a proactive, peer-led system that reaches men before crisis hits, and the Toolbox Talks that take honest, relatable conversations straight into workplaces. Together, these initiatives are the future of the Better Bloke Project's real-world impact.Donate to the challenge: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/382055/walking-46-hours-straight-for-46-lives-lost-every-weekFind us on socials:https://www.instagram.com/betterblokeproject/https://www.facebook.com/thebetterblokeproject/https://www.tiktok.com/@betterblokeproject

Let's dive into the advice men wish they could give their 20-year-old selves... pulled straight from real blokes in the BA community. We hit the biggies: money mistakes, choosing the wrong partner, ignoring red flags, family and fatherhood, partying too hard, skipping travel, and staying stuck on repeat.This is a straight-talk session on priorities, accountability, and growing up without losing who you are or what's actually important to you. If you’re sick of paying interest on dumb decisions (financially and emotionally), this one’s worth the listen.Help us help the blokes who need it: https://www.betterblokeproject.org/pages/donate-now

Meet Jock, the boxer and self-proclaimed degenerate who stared down addiction and built Soreheads to pull others out of the dark places. You’ve seen the Catch a Fade's... anyone, anywhere... but you haven't heard the whole story. We sit with the man behind the chaos: the bloke figuring out how to stay straight after battles with addiction.This episode explores the itch for trouble that many men feel, & how to overcome it even when you've given in. Jock breaks down how fighting gave him a reason to change and continues to keep him on track. Redemption isn’t tidy, but this is what it looks like...Follow his story (and fades): https://www.instagram.com/jockboxing

We’ve spoken with thousands of blokes, and the same reasons for avoiding therapy keep popping up. On this episode, we say the quiet part out loud: why men don’t book in, why some first sessions fall flat, and why it often feels like therapy wasn’t designed with blokes in mind.We dig into the big blockers... relatability in a female-dominated field, fear of judgment, not knowing what actually happens in the room, and the belief that “talking about feelings” won’t fix real-world problems. Then we get practical: how to pick a therapist who fits your style, what a first session really looks like, and bloke-friendly alternatives if the couch isn’t your thing.Whether you’ve never tried therapy, had a shocker first run, or you’re the partner/mate trying to help a bloke take the next step... this is a straight-up, no-fluff chat designed to make the whole thing less weird and more useful. Not an anti-therapy rant, just a map that actually helps men get help.

Meet Jamie, the ex-cop who was medically discharged after a PTSD diagnosis. The uniform came off, but the echoes stayed... panic, sleepless nights, and the weight that doesn’t clock off. We sit down with the bloke behind the badge: the partner, the mate, and the man learning how to live when the chaos stopped.This episode digs into what many blokes don't talk about... the maze of psychologists and doctors, the ups & downs of medication, and the power of sitting with other veterans who actually get it. Jamie talks about how a boat became his anchor - clear lines of sight, known surroundings, and nature doing its quiet work.