In this episode, we sit down with Wal Collins — the quiet achiever behind Wal’s Fried Chicken and one of the driving forces of our 600 km walk for mental health. A dad of five, a chef, and a bloke who leads through actions, Wal’s story is about loyalty, growth, and the kind of humility that sticks with you.
We dive into:
– The early pub days and how Wal’s Fried Chicken became a Bendigo icon
– Learning to look after himself so he can keep showing up for others
– Smashing the 28-Day Mindset Project (twice) and what it unlocked
– Running marathons, the Four Peaks Festival, and chasing that next challenge
– Facing anxiety, breathwork, and slowing down to find balance
– The 600 km walk — day nine to Shepparton, the final stretch home, and the community moments that made it all worth it
– Fatherhood, leadership, and raising kids who care as much as he does
Quote of the Episode:
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
If this one hits home, share it with someone who leads with actions more than words.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckern
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
In this episode, we sit down with Bendigo’s own Damien “Locky” Lock — a bloke who’s lived a few lives. From pulling on the navy blue for Carlton, to dominating country footy back home, to stepping into the boxing ring and now mentoring others — his story’s full of grit, growth, and a fair bit of fun along the way.
We dive into:
– Growing up in a hard-working family and what shaped his edge
– The jump from local footy to Carlton — and the lessons that came when it ended
– Life back in Bendigo and the 2008 grand final that became local legend
– The party years and the turning point that made him change gears
– Boxing, balance, and building something of his own with DL Boxing & Fitness
– Fatherhood, perspective, and why his kids became the reason behind everything
It’s a conversation about owning your story — the good, the bad, and the in-between — and finding peace on the other side of chaos.
Quote of the episode:
“If I could be half the man that Damien Lock is, I’d be a happy man.”
If this one hits home, share it with someone who’s grown through a few chapters of their own.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckern
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
From pouring pints at the Shamrock to building one of Bendigo’s most trusted real estate teams, Nekti has played the long game — leading with family values, high standards, and a community-first mindset. We get into the human side of real estate (grief, first homes, new chapters), what it really takes to merge two agencies without losing the culture, and why success shifts across seasons of life. There’s Greek hospitality, morning routines, a Pearl Jam detour, and yes — the famous gyro.
We unpack:
– Hospitality roots → leadership style: treating the team like family
– The merger done right: transparency, values alignment, and avoiding the 70% culture-clash trap
– The human moments: listening first when clients are at emotional crossroads
– Retention and belonging: why good people stay (and thrive)
– Morning non-negotiables: movement, solitude, and guarding your best energy
– Giving back: community as the backbone of a resilient business
– Advice to 25-year-old Nekti and how his definition of success has evolved
Quote of the episode:
“Treat people the way you’d want someone to treat your own mum and dad.”
If this one made you think, share it with someone who’s learning that real success starts with heart.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckern
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
It’s Mental Health Month, so we slowed down for a real conversation about how we actually cope and connect day to day. Our guest is Sean Spence, Director of Fundraising at the Bendigo Health Foundation — a former professional rugby league player whose career ended after multiple concussions, and who rebuilt his identity around purpose, service, and community.
We talk about the tension between fixing and listening, losing identity and finding it again, and why resilience can be as small as putting one foot out of bed. Sean shares the “two-minute bell” story from his playing days, the blackboard that reads Find the Reason, and how showing up — even to do the Woolies run — can change everything.
This one’s grounded, human, and a reminder that connection truly is medicine.
We unpack:
– Identity after sport: losing “who I am” and building what’s next
– Fixing vs listening: why most people just need to feel heard
– Resilience in small steps: one foot out of bed still counts
– Purpose you can feel: chasing that “two-minute bell” feeling again
– The power of showing up and doing the simple things
– Community impact: how Bendigo keeps showing up for each other
– The launch of Walk & Talk Bendigo
Quote of the episode:
“Sometimes people don’t need their problem to be fixed — they just need to be heard.”
If this one gives you something to think about, share it with a mate — or better yet, take the chat for a walk.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckern
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
(And if you’re in Bendigo, come say hi at Walk & Talk Bendigo—everyone’s welcome.)
In this episode, we’re diving into the stories we tell ourselves — the ones that whisper “you can’t,” “you’re not ready,” or “you’re not enough.”
We talk about how those stories sneak into our heads, why they feel so real, and how to flip them into something that actually moves us forward. From growth mindset and imposter syndrome to the simple act of keeping one small promise, this one’s about taking back the pen and rewriting your own script.
We unpack:
– Why action comes before confidence (and why waiting to “feel ready” never works)
– How imposter syndrome shows up — even for people who look confident on the outside
– The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset (and the magic of adding “yet”)
– The small daily actions that prove your new story true
– Why journaling and reflection help you catch your inner narrative before it runs the show
– How shared stories (like money, relationships, even nations) shape the world we live in
Quote of the episode:
“Your thoughts aren’t facts — they’re stories. And you get to choose which story to live by.”
If this one hits home, send it to a mate who needs it. Sometimes the right story is all it takes to shift someone’s week.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckernLuke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
In this episode, we sit down with Mark & Emma — the duo behind the gyms Tim works at — for our very first interview. It’s the real story behind the shiny surface: leaving safe careers, backing themselves when it didn’t make sense on paper, and building a culture that actually cares.
We talk sliding-door moments (including the deal that fell through and opened a better door), the three-day wait after Mark’s cancer diagnosis and how it reset priorities, and what it looks like to keep showing up while fitting out a new club, doing chemo, and raising three kids. There’s belief and mindset too — from Thailand psychics and angel cards to the power of backing your gut — plus the partnership piece: why choosing your life partner might be the single most important decision you make.
This one’s equal parts laughs and depth — a reminder that the journey matters more than the destination, and community is everything.
We unpack:
– Leaving the “safe” path: sparky & PT → owners
– Sliding doors: when a ‘no’ becomes the best ‘yes’
– Cancer, perspective, and deciding to keep going
– Culture > everything: how their clubs feel different
– Belief & mindset (manifestation, angel cards, trusting your gut)
– Parenting three kids while opening more gyms
– Partnership, values, and growing together
Quote of the episode:
“If you risk nothing, you’re actually risking everything.”
If this one hits home, send it to someone who’s on the fence about a big leap — they might need to hear it today.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @timmckern
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
In this episode, we’re diving deep into mental health — the real kind. The kind that hides behind “I’m fine,” and often goes unnoticed.
We talk about the pressure to have it all together, the masks we wear, and why it’s so important to check in on the people who seem “okay.” You’ll hear a raw conversation with Lisa from Lifeline, plus reflections on stigma, identity, and what actually helps when things feel heavy.
This one’s a reminder that no matter how it looks on the outside, most people are carrying something — and you never know the difference a real conversation can make.
We unpack:
– Why surface-level conversations aren’t enough
– The impact of stigma and why silence can be dangerous
– The pressure to always be strong — and what strength really is
– How to support a mate (even when you don’t know what to say)
– The simple things that ground us when life feels overwhelming
Quote of the episode:
“Most people aren’t looking for a fix — they’re looking to feel seen.”
If this one hits home, send it to someone you care about. You never know who might need it today.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoaching
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
In this episode, we’re diving into alignment — closing the gap between the values you say you have and the way you actually live.
We dig into what alignment really feels like — how your actions reveal your values, why discipline creates freedom, and the paradox of chasing growth but forgetting to live. Along the way, we share the unteachable lessons life only teaches the hard way, and why small choices beat big intentions every time.
We unpack:
– The invisible gap between values and actions (and the guilt that piles up there)
– Why structure isn’t restriction, it’s what gives you real freedom
– The unteachable lessons you can only learn by living them
– Why alignment is proof you’re steering your own life, not drifting through someone else’s
Quote of the episode:
“You don’t become aligned one day. You behave aligned today.”
If this one lands for you, share it with a mate who might need the reminder that alignment isn’t about rules — it’s about building a life that actually feels like yours.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoachingLuke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
In this episode, we’re diving into the power of discomfort — why leaning into struggle is where the real growth happens.
From walking 600km in 12 days for mental health, to paying off a mortgage in 4.5 years, to the small daily choices like always taking the stairs — we explore how hard things shape who you are. It’s not about punishment, but preparation: training your mind and body to handle more than you thought possible.
We unpack:
– Why the hardest part isn’t the pain, but waking up and doing it all again
– “You don’t have to do this, you get to do this” — a mantra that pulled Tim through the darkest kilometres
– How delayed gratification (and the 1972 marshmallow experiment) plays out in real life
– The brain’s ancient wiring (amygdala) that confuses discomfort with danger
– The line between healthy growth and burnout
– Why confidence comes from action, not affirmations
Quote of the episode:
“On the other side of discomfort is freedom.”
If this one lands for you, share it with a mate who might need the reminder that growth is supposed to feel uncomfortable.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoaching
Luke – @l_u_k_e_o_w_e_n_s
In this episode, we’re unpacking what it really means to feel “lost” — and why it might not be a bad thing at all.
Instead of being broken or behind, maybe you’re just in that powerful space between versions of yourself — where the old is falling away and the new is waiting to emerge.
We talk about identity shifts, uncertainty as a hidden superpower, and why the “in-between” often holds the most growth. Luke shares a raw story about losing his AFL dream overnight, and Tim opens up about leaving behind the pub life to step into the unknown.
We unpack:
– Why feeling lost can actually mean you’re growing
– How uncertainty can be reframed as possibility
– Signs you’re stepping into a new version of yourself
– Why fear often points to the right direction
– The power of unbecoming who you’re not
Quote of the episode:
“Feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re becoming.”
If this one hits home, share it with someone who might need the reminder that the in-between is exactly where they’re meant to be.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoaching
Luke – @lukeowensmusic
In this episode, we’re diving into the mindset shift from chasing goals to actually enjoying the ride.
We talk about what it means to stop living for the next achievement and start finding meaning in the present — even in the chaos. From overachieving to imposter syndrome and the power of gratitude, this one’s packed with honest reflections, small wins, and real-life lessons.
Tim also shares a powerful moment from last year’s mental health walk — and how it helped reshape his view of success and connection.
We unpack:
– Why the “be happy when” trap holds us back
– How to enjoy the process without losing momentum
– Overachievement, imposter syndrome & tall poppy culture
– The power of defining your own version of a meaningful life
– Why slowing down doesn’t mean losing direction
Quote of the episode:
“The journey is the destination. So live it like you mean it.”
If this episode made you think, laugh, or feel seen — share it with a mate who’s on their own journey too. We appreciate you being here.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoaching
Luke – @lukeowensmusic
In their first episode, Tim and Luke, pull back the curtain on who they are, why they’re launching Beyond the Noise, and what listeners can expect from the conversations ahead. They share their journeys so far, the lessons learned through real-life challenges, and why personal growth isn’t about waiting for a distant “destination” to make you happy — it’s about finding purpose and enjoying the process right now. Whether you’re chasing big goals, trying to get unstuck, or simply want to hear two mates navigating life in real time, this episode sets the stage for everything to come.
🎙 Follow us on Instagram:
Tim – @mckerncoaching
Luke – @lukeowensmusic
