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Guest Interview with Michael – March 2012

Q. So Michael – tell me how you found out about us here at Fountainhead?
A. I was very fortunate as the company I work for, ‘Lite and Easy’ had heard about the great work you do, and had already sent a member of their staff along – they were all very happy with the results.
So my manager called the retreat and organised for me to have a chat with Doug, who was just great and informed me of which program would be right for me.

Q. Was there something in particular you needed to address at the retreat?
A. Well I have been suffering with stress, depression and anxiety for a long time, but a recent relationship break up had caused things to resurface. I had a self-control problem which had led to anger issues, and this was the main reason for my stay here.

Q. Do you feel you have addressed this issue at Fountainhead now?
A. For sure, I learnt so much from my therapies and coaching sessions about where I had picked up my behaviour.
I had to dig deep, but I realised why I was reacting like I was and by having a greater understanding of this, I now know how to look through different lenses at the situations I felt I couldn’t handle before. This has led me to view life in a more accurate way.

Q. Did you feel comfortable discussing your issues with your coach – it can be quite a confronting experience.
A. As I mentioned earlier, I did have to dig deep during my sessions, and of course this is going to feel out of anyone’s comfort zone – but this is when the learning begins, and this was exactly what I needed. I felt fully supported by my own coach, Tamara who was great.

Q. Do you think you are equipped now to go back into the world and practice what you have learnt?
A. Look, what I have learnt is that life is a journey; it’s always going to have ups and downs. What I know now is that instead of reacting in the way I did before, I can take a moment to use the tools I have acquired here and look at the situation in a different way. Of course things aren’t always going to unfold the way you want – but it’s how you react to that that makes all the difference.

Q. Anything else you would like to share about your time at the retreat?
A. Well I could mention loads – but I must say that food was fantastic, the chefs were outstanding and in particular Matt had so much time for everyone, he would sit and talk to me about food and cooking for ages, it is a passion for him.
Mia was also fantastic to be around, always positive and happy – you can’t help but be happy when she is around you.

I’m really looking forward to taking home what I have learnt at Fountainhead, and using it every day in my life journey experiences.

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Guest Interview with Ryan

by admin on May 2, 2012

Guest Interview with Ryan
8 weeks Palladium Private – March/April 2012

Q. Hi Ryan, how does it feel to be at the end of your program, now that you’ve made Fountainhead ‘home’ for the past 8 weeks?
A. I’ve enjoyed my stay, every single person has been so positive and my cabin was more than comfortable… the only thing was the noisy frogs at night outside in the pond!
But no, I’m ready. I’m ready for the change of routine when I get back. I have new plans to change my career and I’m looking forward to that.
I’ve been in sales for an electrical company for 12 years, but I’m ready to do something different now – I’m going to do a personal training course, I’ll still have to do the sales job part time until I finished the course, but I’ll be glad of the change.

Q. Good on you Ryan, so you must feel a change in yourself since being here?
A. For sure, I feel more self-confident – yes, much more confidence in myself. I actually feel like I’ve become more human.
Before I came to Fountainhead I had been drinking heavily for about 10 years – I came along to quit the drinking and overcome depression, I guess I have really addressed this since I’ve been here. Well, I’ve not even wanted to drink since I arrived.
The Fountainhead Method has helped me understand how easily you can attach your self-worth to things, like relationships. I’ve now got a much greater understanding, I realise we all have 100% self-worth just for being ourselves, there is no need to attach anything to it.

Q. Which of the personal therapies do you think has helped you the most, or has it been a combination of all of them?
A. Oh yes, I got a lot out of the Journey Therapy sessions… a couple of sessions I struggled on, but mostly they were great.
I had Jasmin for both my Journey Therapies and my Life Coaching; the sessions were all really good.
I enjoyed the journal writing, but as I’ve been here for so long now, I can upgrade situations almost in my head – when I get any big events when I get back, I’ll use journaling to upgrade them though.
With the mindfulness, it took me a while to get into it, sometimes up to 45 minutes in the session, so I’m not sure I’ll keep on with that one when I get home – although I might give it a go!
What I did learn from mindfulness is that I no longer have to dwell on the past – or worry about the future.

Q. What about the other therapies – you must have tried a whole range in all that time!
A. Yes, I’ve tried all types of the health and fitness activities, I had a few deep tissue massages with Gillian and Ayo and the Hot Stone Massage was good too.
I found the detox box to be a bit dry for me, it just wasn’t my thing – so I changed my sessions for the steam and plunge, which was great.
I tried mud wraps and seaweed wraps, the mud was fine – but the seaweed was a bit hard to get off… plus it stinks!
I really enjoyed the Scenar Therapy though, I found after a few sessions I had a better posture and my range of movement was much better too. Yes, I thought that was great.
I had a go at Yoga, which I found a bit challenging as I’m not very flexible!
But I have to say, the personal training sessions with Dom were fantastic, he really works you.

Q. Being on the Palladium Private Program gave you the option of being completely private if you wanted too, did you mix with the other guests, or were you happy to have the time to yourself?
A. No, I joined in with the others, although I was glad to have my own cabin – especially with the big screen TV were I could watch some of the retreats DVD’s in the evening.
My program gave me the option of having my meals brought up to my cabin, but I found if I went down to eat at the main building – I could get seconds… so I kept going down there!
But no, I joined in with lots of the activities, like the food school where I made pumpkin soup, that was good fun!
I also went to a few of the themed dinner parties; actually I think I went to every one…
The beach trips were good, well, the first one was ok – but I got dumped by a wave the next time!
I liked going on the bush walks and I sat in with the group discussions too, yes I got to know the others here alright.

Q. I’m sure you’re keen to get on with the rest of your day, so I won’t keep you any longer, but do you have any other comments you’d like to share before I go?
A. Oh well…. the grounds are beautiful, and the housekeeper Tina was fantastic – she even folded my clothes for me one day!
Jasmin and Craig have really stood out to me.
Yeah, it’s been great.

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The thinking behind the ADAA

October 31, 2011

I would like to provide you with some background on the Anti-Depression Association of Australia (ADAA), which I chair. The ADAA started two years ago and carried on from another organisation, the Anti Depression Institute, which was created while we were working out what we can do to help a wider audience. Take the case more »

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Our Patron – Tony Hakim

September 26, 2011

Tony Hakim is the patron  of the Anti Depression Association of Australia (ADAA), which I chair. He has been fantastic, he is one of the reasons it is all possible, particularly on the strategy. We have been planning what to do. It’s a big project. Neither of us have done a not-for-profit venture before, so more »

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Fixing depression

September 20, 2011

Fixing depression I am asked frequently how we define depression and how we go about trying to fix it. Well, our starting point is that everybody in life has goals. They may want to get married, have two children, finish their law degree, go and become a solicitor. As long as life goes to plan, more »

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Fountainhead Organic Retreat 27th August

August 15, 2011

Free Educational Open Day August 27th Are you interested in an educational program but not sure if it’s for you? Are you or a loved one suffering with Stress, Depression, or Anxiety? Is now the time to make a change? Fountainhead’s programs use the Fountainhead Method to give you new tools to deal with the more »

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Fountainhead Organic Health Retreat Open Day August 13th

July 31, 2011

Free Educational Open Day August 13th Are you interested in an educational program but not sure if it’s for you? Are you or a loved one suffering with Stress, Depression, or Anxiety? Is now the time to make a change? Fountainhead’s programs use the Fountainhead Method to give you new tools to deal with the more »

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Fountainhead Open Day Saturday 30th July

July 17, 2011

Open Day  Saturday 30th! Are you interested in visiting a health retreat, but not sure if it’s for you? Do you, or does someone you love, suffer from stress, anxiety or depression? Are you ready for a new perspective on life? Why not come along to the… Fountainhead Organic Retreat OPEN DAY Date: Saturday 30th July Time:  10am Address: Fountainhead Organic Retreat more »

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July 16th Open Day

July 11, 2011

Open Day This Saturday! Are you interested in visiting a health retreat, but not sure if it’s for you? Do you, or does someone you love, suffer from stress, anxiety or depression? Are you ready for a new perspective on life? Why not come along to the… Fountainhead Organic Retreat OPEN DAY Date: Saturday 16th July Time:  10am Address: Fountainhead Organic Retreat more »

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Wednesday 29th June 2011 – Wayne Parrott Awarded for his efforts

July 8, 2011

Wednesday 29th June 2011 – Wayne Parrott Awarded for his efforts Wayne Parrott, Hon. Chairman Anti Depression Association of Australia (ADAA) -and Founder Fountainhead Retreat, received an award from the Commonwealth government for his work with The development of Holistic approaches to the treatment of anxiety and depression, including The Fountainhead Method. A group of about more »

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The 28 Days to Beat the Blues - Education PackThe 28 days to beat the blues education pack


Introduction Price at $297


Using the exact same introduction to The Fountainhead Method as used at the retreat and packaging the tools and techniques used throughout the program into an easy to follow (but very intense) Self Help Education Program – we have been having great success.
In fact, the results have been astonishing.
 
We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to learn these proven successful strategies, not only for themselves but to assist with and prevent depression and anxiety from arising in our families and young people - So we have made it possible for all sufferers to get help straight away.


The pack will enable you to Help Yourself or a Loved One!
Start today to take a new step in Your Life’s Journey. Purchase the extensive 28 Days to Beat the Blues Education Pack, for only $297 and take the first step to Change.


Learn more about the Beat the Blues Education Pack


distance learning about stress management

Learn more about the Beat the Blues Education Pack


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