The Recovery Project
Step into The Recovery Project for hope, inspiration and ideas for transformation and recovery!
Join hosts Ritchie Barnett and Mel Abbott on a journey fuelled by their own recovery successes and their desire to transform the narrative that chronic illness is incurable. Together, they illuminate a path to healing by interviewing 26 people who have conquered diverse challenges through an array of methods. From tales of resilience to strategies for success, each episode is a beacon of inspiration for those seeking their own path to recovery. Let's embark on this transformative quest together!
#1 Mel Abbott's Concussion & CFS Recovery
In this first episode, Richie Barnett interviews Mel Abbott about her own recovery from both concussion and chronic fatigue after 11 years of being on an Invalid Benefit.
#2 Richie Barnett's CFS recovery story
Richie Barnett (former NZ Rugby League Captain) talks about the 12 year CFS battle that ended his sporting career and what he did that finally helped him to recover.
#3 Bronchiectasis, near death and avoiding a partial lung removal
Shannon was only 12 years old when she was in ICU and nearly died from double pneumonia. Years later, her specialist recommended partial lung removal due to severe bronchiectasis. She recovered naturally instead!
#4 Mark Stafford recovers from severe car crash, MS and cancer
Mark Stafford, radio host and sports commentator, shares his triple recovery story! He died twice and was revived from a head on collision, he also recovered from both multiple sclerosis and testicular cancer.
#5 Lyla recovers from CRPS complex regional pain syndrome
Lyla shares about her recovery from CRPS - complex regional pain syndrome. Lyla was unable to even touch her affected leg, but has now made a full recovery and can attend school and play sport as much as she likes.
#6 How to heal an autoimmune disorder, and let's talk about forgiveness
Jonathan resolved his autoimmune disorder, ankylosing spondylitis, and forgiveness was a big part of his journey. Hear about Jonathan's journey through so many treatments until he found the method that healed him.
#7 A recovered drug addict
Richie Barnett and Mel Abbott interview Amira about her journey of recovery from addiction. We explore the emotional work that she needed to do in order to heal.
#8 Steve Gurney, athlete, recovers from lepto, fibromyalgia and depression
Steve Gurney, adventure racer who won Coast to Coast 9 times, has recovered from three significant illnesses including leptospirosis (that nearly killed him) and fibromyalgia and depression. He shares his insights about what he learnt and which strategies he has used.
#9 Living positively with disability, and dealing with bullying
John Coutis was born with a disability that required the removal of both of his legs. He is now a motivational speaker internationally, talking about how to be resilient, to deal with the bullies and to make the most of the life that you do have.
#10 Long-COVID Recovery
Kezia had long-Covid for 10 months. She was so ill that she had to quit work, abandon her OE and move back to NZ to live with her parents. She is all better now, and has learnt so much along the way that has helped her whole life...
#11 Overcoming Fertility Issues Naturally
Nadine talks about her three years of fertility struggles and the journey she went on naturally, physically and spiritually to achieve her desired wonderful outcome.
#12 Possible brain tumour and BodyTalk
Mel Abbott and Richie Barnett share recovery stories every week to inspire people about many ways to heal. This week is Mel's own near miss with a brain tumour, and how BodyTalk resolved the issue.
#13 The Mad Butcher talks about dyslexia, cancer and positivity
Sir Peter Leitch, the Mad Butcher, shares about his approach to life by living with full positivity, and how he found his confidence after growing up with dyslexia, plus his important message to men - go to the doctor!
#14 How to Deal with Grief
Nikki Bray lost her 16-year-old daughter in the Mangatepopo Canyoning accident - a mother's worst nightmare. Having said she could never cope with losing a child, Nikki has shown incredible resilience and has some wonderful tips for you all on how to move through the grief process and find a way back to happiness.
#15 Kim Crossman, actress, talks about depression and anxiety
Richie Barnett and Mel Abbott interview Kim Crossfield, actress, about her journey with depression and anxiety, what works, what she's learnt, and where she's going next.
#16 Gaining self-esteem and losing 42 kilos!
Lorraine dropped 42 kilos and maintained her weight loss by dealing with her self-esteem issues, changing her beliefs about herself, food and exercise, and changed all the self-talk that was causing her to comfort eat and drink.
This story is fascinating not just for people with weight issues. It's really about how to shift your thinking and beliefs to create the version of yourself that you always wanted to be.
#17 Resolve blocks and have GREAT SEX!
Lorraine Macguire, sex therapist, talks about her own journey from sexually blocked and avoidant to loving sex and having multiple orgasms. She talks about the role of beliefs, good communication and boundaries, plus activities she particularly enjoys.
#18 How to heal from loss
Rugby league champion Tawera Nikau lost his wife to suicide and lost his leg to a motorbike accident, yet he has come through these experiences and LOVES his new life. He shares his insights into how to work through loss with Richie Barnett and Mel Abbott.
#19 Concussion and Self-Love
Greg had a head injury mountain biking and experienced concussion symptoms for a year. He then not only resolved all his concussion symptoms in a matter of days, but he also ended up learning to love himself, be himself, feel his feelings and deal with life situations with ease.
#20 ME/CFS Recovery
Anaya had ME/CFS for 3 years and then felt it "leave her body". She made many lifestyle and behavioural changes to allow her body to heal.
#21 Rheumatoid Arthritis Recovery
Mel Abbott interviews Anaya about her recovery from rheumatoid arthritis using the Paddison Programme, which is designed especially for RA healing.
#22 Breast Cancer Recovery
Shona did all the mainstream treatments for her breast cancer, and then discovered lifestyle, emotional and spiritual healing as well. She now sees her cancer as a blessing that helped her to heal from the loss of her husband and live life more fully and gratefully, and she helps others with cancer.
#23 Chronic fatigue recovery
Chenin shares about how she used many different methods that all factored together to create her recovery from chronic fatigue, and how she now helps others by doing workplace coaching for stress. She has observed that many illnesses stem from unhealthy workplaces.
#24 Eating Disorder Recovery
Alex shares her great story about overcoming an eating and exercise disorder by learning to Switch her thinking patterns, accept her emotions and love herself more. Now she helps others to recover also.
#25 Olympic Dream Restored After Recovery!
Jessie Hodges had just competed in her first Olympic Games when disaster struck. Going from her being at her fittest and cycling for 5 hours a day, she was gasping from walking up one flight of stairs and she could not ride her bike at all. Eight months later, she found an answer to her recovery...
#26 CFS, chronic pain and bullying recovery, cerebral palsy improvements
Stephen was born with cerebral palsy which affected his speech and meant that he was badly bullied at school. He also developed chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain that meant he could not work and had to crawl to get around his house. He rose above all that to be a confident happy man living the life of his dreams with no fatigue or pain, and significant improvements to his cerebral palsy symptoms.
The Recovery Project Season Finale
Richie Barnett and Mel Abbott discuss the learnings from a year of 26 recovery interviews, as well as show highlight clips from several of the episodes. Be inspired by the best ideas and moments from The Recovery Project!
