A Wake Up Call
Hosted by Layne Beachley AO and Tess Brouwer, founders of Awake Academy, A Wake Up Call is a personal development podcast about living with greater awareness and intention. Each episode offers practical tools, honest conversations, and science-backed insights to help listeners stress less, feel more, and break out of autopilot. The show blends personal stories with actionable advice for reconnecting with yourself and living with purpose. New episodes are released weekly.
Episodes
Sam Fricker on Trust, Setbacks and Showing Up
If you have ever wondered:“Why do I still get so nervous when I have done this a thousand times?”“How do I stop one bad result from deciding who I am?”“What should I actually be thinking about when the pressure is on?”- this episode is for you.This week Layne and Tess sit down with Olympic diver Sam Fricker: Tokyo Olympian, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, founder of Sam’s Straws and one of Au
The Top 5 Needs of the Living
If you have ever wondered:“Why do I feel guilty every time I take an hour for myself?”“I know exactly what I should be doing. Why can I not make myself do it?”“How do I back myself when the results have not been going my way?”- this episode is for you.Episode 50 is a milestone and a launch. For six years Layne and Tess have surveyed every AWAKE workshop room before and after, and one question kept
Don't Wait for Symptoms with Dr Preeya Alexander
If you have ever wondered:“I feel fine, so why would I book a check-up?”“Is one glass of wine really affecting my sleep and next day?”“Which health checks am I actually meant to be having at my age?”This episode is for you.This week on Ask the GP, Layne and Tess put Dr Preeya Alexander, practising GP, author and AIA health expert, in the hot seat with the health questions high performers Google mo
Stop Carrying Other People's Luggage
If you have ever wondered:“I work with negative people and it really affects how I feel. How do I stop letting them influence my emotions?”“I am in my 50s heading into my 60s. How do I stay strong for the people I love as the years tick by?”“What do you do when things keep going wrong? Not one setback, the whole pile-on, all at once.”- this episode is for you.This week A Wake Up Call is a solo lis
They Told Me 50/50. It Was 5 Per Cent.
If you have ever wondered:“How does someone come out of the worst thing that ever happened to them more grateful, not less?”“What am I supposed to do with myself once I have finally got the thing I was chasing?”“Why does money stress leak into everything else, even when the numbers are not that bad?”- this episode is for you.Tristan Knowles OAM has been given his odds twice. At nine he lost his le
We Went Viral. Then We Read the Comments.
If you have ever wondered:“How can two people hear exactly the same thing and walk away with completely different stories?”“Why does disagreeing online get personal so fast?”“What do I actually do when something I read online gets under my skin?”- this episode is for you.A few weeks ago Layne and Tess posted a 49-second clip from the podcast. They thought they were sharing a conversation about per
Sam Gash on the Power of the Pause
If you have ever wondered:“How do people actually do hard things when I can barely find the energy for mine?”“Why does every achievement seem to cost me so much?”“Is pulling back going backwards, or is it the smartest move I can make?”- this episode is for you.Sam Gash was a corporate lawyer when she decided to test the limits of what she was capable of. That decision made her the first woman, and
When You Can’t Be Bothered: Motivation, Overwhelm & the Juggle
When You Can’t Be Bothered: Motivation, Overwhelm & the JuggleIf you’ve ever thought:“Why can’t I motivate myself, even when I know what I need to do?”“How do I keep everything going without burning myself out?”“Why does it feel like everyone needs something from me?”— this episode is for you.This week, A Wake Up Call is back with another listener Q&A, and Tess and Layne are tackling two q
Hamish McLachlan on the Last Three Percent
If you have ever wondered:“What do the most decorated people in the world actually do differently when no one is filming?”“How do you stay present with your own kids when your job is showing up for everyone else's biggest moments?”“What does your mother know about you that no highlight reel ever will?”- this episode is for you.For more than 20 years, Hamish McLachlan, sports broadcaster, journalis
Food is your Performance Tool with Kate Save
If you have ever wondered:💭 "Why am I gaining belly fat when I am doing everything right?"💭 "Why does the diet that worked at 30 stop working at 40?"💭 "What should I actually ask my GP for beyond the standard blood panel?"- this episode is for you.This week Layne and Tess sit down with Kate Save: accredited practising dietitian, clinical exercise physiologist and founder of Be Fit Food. Kate sits
Selfish Isn’t the Problem. Selfless Is.
If you have ever thought:“How do I get better at being selfish when I always put everyone else first?”“Why is saying no so uncomfortable, even when I know I should?”“How do I set boundaries without the guilt, or without letting everyone down?”- this episode is for you.This week A Wake Up Call is a solo listener Q&A (Part 2), and it goes deeper than Part 1. We asked the Dream Team what they wer
Who Are You Without the Fear?
If you have ever wondered:“How do I stop identifying with the scared version of myself?”“Why does my inner critic get louder when I am tired, overwhelmed or out of my depth?”“How do I stop comparing myself to others and become the person I actually want to be?”This episode is for you.This week, Tess and Layne answer questions from the AWAKE community about fear, identity, comparison and the relent
Have We Taken Optimisation Too Far?
If you have ever wondered:“Have I taken wellness and optimisation a little too far?”“Why does chasing the perfect sleep score leave me feeling worse, not better?”“Is outsourcing my life to AI making me more connected — or more alone?”- this episode is for you.This week A Wake Up Call is a solo Health Trends episode. Tess and Layne pull up the cultural wellbeing moments blowing up online and pressu
The Worthiness Episode: Why You're Always Worthy of the Ask (with Kemi Nekvapil)
Episode Description:If you have ever wondered:"Why am I so exhausted by my own competence?""How do I redefine success on my own terms instead of someone else's?""Who am I actually waiting for permission from?"- this episode is for you.In this warm, honest and quietly powerful conversation, Tess and Layne welcome Kemi Nekvapil - one of Australia's most respected executive coaches, Penguin author of
The Success Tax: How Burnout Sneaks Up on High Performers (with Dr. Kristy Goodwin)
If you have ever wondered:💭 "Why am I switched on all day, but never actually powered up?"💭 "Why do I feel guilty the moment I try to rest?"💭 "Why do I keep waking at 3am, wired and exhausted at the same time?"- this episode is for you.In this fascinating and deeply practical conversation, Tess and Layne welcome Dr Kristy Goodwin - one of Australia's leading neuro-performance scientists, a PhD res
From Lane 8 to Life - Kieran Perkins on Performing Under Pressure
If you have ever wondered: “Why do I give my best under pressure sometimes, and completely fall apart others?”“How do I stay calm when everything is riding on this moment?”“Is it possible to rediscover my fire after I have walked away from the thing I worked hardest at?” - this episode is for you. In this episode, Tess and Layne sit down with Kieran Perkins - Olympic gold medallist,
The Man Behind the Fighter: Masculinity, Self-Worth, and the Courage to Be Seen (with Harry Garside)
If you have ever wondered:"Why do I feel like I am performing a version of myself that has nothing to do with who I really am?""How do I separate who I am from what I do?""What does it actually take to be vulnerable and still feel strong?"- this episode is for you.This episode airs in Men's Mental Health Week, and it is one of the most important conversations we have had. In Australia, nine people
Behind the Mask - Performance, Identity, and the Courage to Take It Off (with Josh Piterman)
If you have ever wondered: 💭 "Why do I feel like I am performing a version of myself that is slowly suffocating me?" 💭 "How do I separate who I am from what I do?" 💭 "What does it take to stop chasing approval and start living from purpose?" - this episode is for you. In this raw, honest and deeply human conversation, Tess and Layne welcome Josh Piterman - the first Austra
The Body Episode: Pelvic Floors, Sexual Health, and the Knowledge You Were Never Given (with Heather Ford)
If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why does no one talk honestly about what happens to your body after having a baby?”💭 “How do I stop feeling like sex is the last thing on my list?”💭 “What does a healthy sex life even look like when everything in my body has changed?” - this episode is for you. In this honest, hilarious and genuinely eye-opening conversation, Tess and Layne welcome Heat
The High Performance Edit: Hard Work In Harmony (Not Hustle)
If you have ever wondered:💭 “Why am I working harder than ever and still feeling behind?”💭 “How do I stop the spiral in my head from running the show?”💭 “How do I actually perform at a high level without burning my life to the ground?”– this episode is for you.In this energising and practical conversation, Layne and Tess take you to high performance school. They strip back the myth that elite perf
Do It For Life - Damien Mu on Data, Burnout and Leading with a Healthier Heart
If you have ever wondered: 💭 “What if everything I thought I knew about my health was wrong?”💭 “Why do I keep pushing even when I know I’m running on empty?”💭 “How do I slow down without feeling like I’m falling behind?” – this episode is for you. In this candid and courageous conversation, Tess and Layne sit down with Damien Mu, CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia, for a con
Perimenopause, Burnout, Friendship and Letting Go
Episode Description:💭 “Am I going crazy, or is this perimenopause?”💭 “I’m exhausted all the time but I’m not depressed — what is actually going on?”💭 “Do I have to grieve who I used to be to become who I want to be?”— this episode is for you.In this warm, honest and genuinely funny Q&A episode, Tess and Layne open the listener inbox and answer the questions you’re too afraid to Google in dayli
Reinventing Yourself at Any Age - Identity, Change, and the Courage to Begin Again (with Mel Doyle)
If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Who am I without the role I have held for years?”💭 “How do I start over when everything I knew has changed?”💭 “What does real reinvention look like – not in theory, but in real life?” – this episode is for you. In this honest and deeply human conversation, Tess and Layne welcome broadcaster, author and mentor Mel Doyle to share the story of her reinvent
What Is Sustained Success? Values, Dream Teams and the Actions That Count
If you have ever wondered:💭 “Why does success feel hollow even when I have ticked all the boxes?”💭 “How do I build a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside?”💭 “What does it actually take to succeed without burning out, losing myself, or standing on the podium alone?”– this episode is for you.This is the launch of A Wake Up Call’s Sustained Success Series, and it starts wi
The Performance Brain - Psychological Flexibility, Trust and the Neuroscience of Peak Performance
If you have ever wondered:💭 “Why do I keep getting in my own way right when things are going well?”💭 “Is it really possible to train my brain to perform under pressure?”💭 “How do I stop overthinking and just trust myself when it counts most?”— this episode is for you.In this science-packed and surprisingly fun conversation, Tess and Layne sit down with Dr Roy Sugarman — applied neuroscientist, for
The Therapy Session - Self-Care, Separation, and Healing Your Inner Child
If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why do I feel so guilty every time I do something for myself?”💭 “Why does leaving my child feel like leaving a part of me behind?”💭 “How do I stop my childhood pain from running my parenting?” – this episode is for you. In this brave and deeply personal episode, Tess and Layne sit in the hot seat with therapist Lael Stone for a live mini therapy session
Trust, Surrender and the Power of Owning Your Story – with Lael Stone
If you have ever wondered:💭 “What happens when I finally stop running from my pain?”💭 “How can I trust my life when I have been hurt so deeply?”💭 “What does it mean to truly own my story?”– this episode is for you.In this vulnerable and transformative conversation, Lael Stone joins Tess and Layne to unpack the moment that changed everything: the traumatic birth of her third child, Tali, and how sh
Olympics Episode - Pressure, Perspective and a (Surprise) Letting Go
If you have ever wondered:💭 “Why do I feel so crushed by pressure, even when I am doing well?”💭 “How do I find perspective when I feel like I have let myself or others down?”💭 “How do I know when to keep pushing and when it is time to let go?”this episode is for you.In this honest and moving conversation, Tess and Layne explore what the Olympics can teach us about greatness, pressure, emotional re
Human Connection Saved My Life with Barry Du Bois
When life forces you to slow down, it can feel like everything is falling apart. But sometimes the hardest seasons become the very moments that reconnect you to what matters most.In this episode, Tess and Layne sit down with Barry for a deeply moving conversation about the wake-up calls that changed the course of his life. From infertility, miscarriage and depression, to two life-threate
The Soul Map: How to Reconnect When Life Looks Fine But Feels Off
When you feel flat, overwhelmed, or quietly disconnected, it’s often not because something is “wrong” with you. Sometimes it’s simply a signal that parts of your wellbeing need attention.In this episode, Tess and Layne introduce the Soul Map, a framework designed to help you reconnect with yourself and rebuild wellbeing from the inside out. The conversation starts with a feeling many people s
Retrain Your Brain with Sue Langley
When you understand what your brain is trained to notice, you can start choosing a life that feels richer, lighter, and more yours. In this episode, Tess and Layne welcome back positive psychology expert Sue Langley for a science-packed deep dive into what actually helps humans flourish, and why most of us are wired to cling to the negative. Sue breaks down positive psychology as the sci
Drop the Blame Game: How to Stop Blaming Yourself (and Others)
What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t your circumstances… but who you’re blaming for them? In this episode, Tess and Layne unpack the blame game through sport, injury and a very real-life moment between the two of them. From sand sprints, stress fractures and the Australian Open final to world titles and wounded egos, this conversation dives into what happens when we look everywhere but w
Become the Creative Director of Your Life
What if the real glow-up isn’t a new face, a new body, or a new role… but a new voice? In this episode, Tess and Layne sit down with actor and creator Erika Heynatz for an honest, funny and empowering conversation about rejection, ageing, identity, and finally owning your voice. They rewind to sunrise walks in Mona Vale, where a slow-burn friendship helped both women navig
Burnout, Injury, and the Days You Can’t Cope: How to Recover Without Pushing
What if your best self isn’t the version that pushes through… but the one that knows when to soften? In today’s episode, Tess and Layne get real about the days where life is lifing. Injury. Pain. Fatigue. The spirals. The inner critic turning the volume up to stadium levels. And the big question underneath it all: can you still be your best self when you’re not coping? They ope
Manage Energy, Not Time with Holly Ransom
What if self leadership isn’t about doing more… but about learning to listen sooner?Today, Tess and Layne sit down with global leadership expert, author, and “conversation architect” Holly Ransom for a deeply human chat about resilience, purpose, and the tools that stop high performers from quietly burning out behind the scenes.They rewind to the sliding doors moments that shaped Holly’s life, fro
The Seven Doctors
What if the healthiest version of you is built from the simplest things?Today, Tess and Layne kick off a powerful 7 week challenge built around what they call the Seven Doctors, a set of science backed, everyday habits that can transform your energy, mood, focus and wellbeing without needing an overhaul of your whole life.Layne shares the personal story behind this framework, the tools and rituals
Rewriting the Story That’s Holding You Back (Bonus Ep)
What if the story you’re telling is the thing keeping you stuck?In this special bonus episode of A Wake-Up Call, Tess and Layne revisit a deeply personal moment that reveals how powerful our internal stories can be, and how quickly they can pull us out of alignment with who we really are.Layne shares the story of a competitive surf event that spiralled into weeks of self-judgement and withdrawal.
Growth at the Edge of Discomfort with Dr Michael Gervais
What if your next breakthrough is on the other side of being seen?Today we’re joined by world renowned performance psychologist Dr Michael Gervais for a conversation that will change how you think about confidence, vulnerability, and what it really means to grow.Tess opens the episode with a raw intention, navigating a heavy season with family and teenagers, and the ache of knowing you have the to
Rest Without Guilt: Regulating Your Nervous System
Today we respond to a powerful listener question that so many people silently struggle with: why does rest feel lazy, selfish, or wrong… even when we know we need it?A working mum of three writes in to share her guilt around slowing down, filling her own cup, and prioritising self-care without feeling like she’s letting everyone else down. Tess and Layne unpack why this guilt is so common, how it’
Dr Stacy Sims: Menopause, Training & Energy Hacks
This one is a must-listen.Today we’re joined by one of the most requested women in the world of female performance and health, Dr Stacy Sims, who is changing the conversation around perimenopause, menopause, women’s training, and energy with science-backed tools that actually work in real life.This episode is deeply personal for Layne, as Stacy’s work helped her feel like herself again, and brough
Reflection, Intention & Our Words for 2026
As the year comes to a close, we’re slowing things down and doing something a little different.In this episode, Tess and Layne reflect on the year that was, unpack what it really means to reflect rather than rush into resolutions, and explore how intention setting can create more ownership, clarity, and agency in our lives.Layne shares openly about a year defined by growth and frustration, energy
Magic in the Mess: Mediumship, Intuition and Trusting Yourself (with Jess the Medium)
When you stop looking to be saved, life opens up.In this episode, we sit down with Jess the Medium for a conversation that’s part spiritual, part science, and fully grounded in what we’re actually here to do: wake up, trust ourselves, and live with more ease.We talk skeptics, signs, near-death experiences, grief, dementia, forgiveness, and the “mic drop” moments that remind you… you already know m
The Best Burnout Hacks Aren't What You Think
If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why am I so exhausted, even from the things I love?”💭 “How do I stop saying yes to everyone else and start saying yes to myself?”💭 “Is it possible to be ambitious without burning out my body, my relationships and my joy?” This episode is for you. In this honest and energising conversation, Tess and Layne dive into the big B word: bu
The Root Cause Of 'Imposter Syndrome' & How To Overcome It
If you have ever wondered: 💭 “Why do I feel like a fraud even when I am achieving so much?” 💭 “How do I quiet the voice that tells me I am not enough?” 💭 “How do I finally own my seat instead of shrinking from it?” – this episode is for you. In this honest and energising conversation, Tess and Layne dive deep into imposter syndrome, tracing the moments in
The Art Of Holding Space (with Tess' Husband Chris)
If you have ever wondered: 💭 "What does it feel like to be truly seen in a relationship?"💭 "How do you sit with someone you love when they are in deep pain?"💭 "How do you stay connected when your instinct is to fix or run?" – this episode is for you. In this intimate conversation, Layne turns the spotlight onto Tess and her husband Chris, tracing their love story from a rehab reunion in a pu
A Simple Question That Can Change Your Relationship With Your Body
If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, 💭 “I'll love myself when I lose the weight.”💭 “Why can't I just feel comfortable in my own skin?”💭 “Everyone else seems confident — what's wrong with me?” —this one's for you. In this episode of A Wake Up Call, Layne and Tess dive into one of the most personal and powerful topics yet: body image, self-
Turning Pain Into Purpose with Mitch Wallis
This conversation sits where many of us are living right now: caring for kids and partners while also preparing to say goodbye to the people who raised us. Tess and Layne open with a real life audit, naming the season they are in as the sandwich generation. They invite guest Mitch Wallis (Heart On My Sleeve – https://www.mitchwallis.com) to help untangle grief with honesty and practical tool
Energy Hacks That Give You Your Life Back
What does well-being actually look like when you're exhausted, parenting, flying, speaking, working… and still trying to be a decent human? This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how Layne and Tess really weave habits, supplements, sleep, and rituals into messy, modern life – without pretending it's perfect. From Layne sprinting on the sand, flying to a keynote half-asleep, smash
Sue Langley Shares The Science-Backed Tools For A Happy Life
THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS – with Sue Langleyhttps://langleygroup.com.au/ If you've ever wondered, “Why can't I stay happy even when things are good?” “Is there actually science behind wellbeing?” “Can I really rewire my brain to feel better?” —this episode is for you. In today's episode of A Wake Up Call, Layne and Tess sit down with Sue Lan
OPPOSITES ATTRACT – Layne & Kirk’s Wake-Up Call to Love
If you've ever thought, “Love shouldn't be this hard.” “We're so different — can this really work?” “How do you stay connected when life gets loud?” This episode is for you. In this heartfelt, laughter-filled conversation, Tess sits down with Layne Beachley and her husband, INXS legend Kirk Pengilly, to unpack the real story behind their 23-y
If you’ve ever used the words ‘I’m fine’ - this is for you.
If you've ever said, “I'm fine,” when you were anything but… this one's for you. In this raw, honest conversation, Layne and Tess unpack the tiny, two-word lie that so many of us use to avoid what we're really feeling. Because the truth is, every time you say “I'm fine” when you're not, you push your real self a little further away. You'll learn: How to feel it
The Bright Side of Burnout
Tess Brouwer and Layne Beachley share how life's toughest wake-up calls led to more laughter, energy, and purpose. From burnout to bounce-back, they dish out simple tools (hello water, sunshine + protein!) and heartwarming stories that prove healing doesn't have to be heavy. Connect with Awake Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses Get Awake's transformative book: Know
