Between 1980's - 2015, Dave Vass was one of New Zealand's leading mountaineers, rock climbers and guides, establishing numerous first ascents in the country's hills and canyons. He was at the cutting edge of climbing in the Wanaka area in the late 90's and established the first canyoning business in New Zealand.

However in 2015, everything changed. Coming out from a climbing trip in the Central Darran Mountains during a storm, Dave slipped whilst walking downhill, catastrophically breaking his neck. A daring helicopter rescue ensued as Dave struggled to survive.

Dave talks about the challenge of nearly dying of hypothermia and persistent lung infections during the early months of his recovery. Then coming to terms with a life now lived in a wheelchair as an incomplete tetraplegic, far from the mountains and the life he loved.

With insight, Dave shares how he has discovered a love and passion for writing and the journey of finding his path to publishing a book:

'Not Set In Stone - The passion and consequence of a mountain life'.

This has been a complete change of direction, forcing him to seek a life of the mind - a new adventure full of challenges and personal growth.

How amazing it was to have a conversation with Sarah Mills about her 'death experience'.

Three years ago Sarah was out for a paddle board adventure down the Clutha River in Wanaka, New Zealand. She fell off at the mouth of the river and her board leash and board became tangled in the chain of a 5-knot marker buoy. The relentless current of the river kept her face down under the water as she underwent a terrifying struggle for her life.

Sarah died and experienced a visit to another place or dimension. This is her raw and honest account of that day, of dying, of feeling very alive elsewhere and then the traumatic re-entry into her body after a gruelling fight by friends and paramedics to bring her back.

Thank you Sarah for your courage in sharing your story and for continuing to live each day with gratitude and appreciation for the life you have.

"We are all angels walking around in bodies and we are experiencing living here with this spark that is life". Sarah Mills

Join me as I have a wonderful conversation with the vibrant and creative Chrissie LaHood. Chrissie shares stories of 'that moment' when big and small events changed the direction of her life and shaped who she is today.

She talks about her early beginnings raised in a family of 11 children, to working as a top marketing executive, discovering her sexuality amidst marriage and divorce, then experiencing a deeply personal tragedy that changed her life completely.

A move to a small alpine village in the heart of the Sth Island of New Zealand to set up a restaurant - Chrissie's love of people and food helped heal her broken heart. She inspires us with her openness, honesty and courageous personal transformation to living a life that's authentic and joyful.

In this episode I have a conversation with the very brave and inspiring Hazel Milligan. 18 months ago she was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour and given one year to live.

Hazel shares what she's learning about herself and life as she prepares to die. She is cherishing the time she has left with her family and friends and her words are a profound message of surrendering to and accepting those moments in life we don't expect!

Note: Beautiful Hazel passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday 10th March 2022 ❤️