In this transformative episode, host Brad Minus sits down with Dr. Mark Hicks—author, counselor, and relationship expert—to explore how personal pain and spiritual growth can intersect to redefine love. From the heart of small-town Tennessee to leading ministries and navigating painful personal transitions, Dr. Hicks shares how grief, emotional intelligence, and intentional living helped him cultivate deeper, healthier relationships.

Listeners will gain profound insights into Dr. Hicks’s five components of love, inspired by wisdom literature and his journey through divorce, healing, and remarriage. Whether you're in a thriving relationship, recovering from heartbreak, or searching for clarity, this episode will challenge your perspective and empower your heart.

⏱️ Episode Highlights:

[1:45] - Mark’s wholesome upbringing and family dynamics in small-town Tennessee
[8:10] - Early career path: seminary life, counseling, and ministry
[17:33] - The unraveling of his first marriage and the emotional toll
[24:50] - The harsh realities of divorce as a public spiritual leader
[31:22] - Meeting Heather and how healthy love reshaped his outlook
[39:17] - The origin story of his new book Learning Love
[42:35] - A breakdown of the Five Components of Love: Grief, Emotion, Practicality, Acceptance, and Passion
[56:02] - Why everyone should consider therapy—even in healthy relationships
[1:01:20] - Where to find Dr. Hicks online and get his new book

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Book: Learning Love by Dr. Mark A. Hicks – Available on Amazon
• Website: www.markahicks.com
• Follow Dr. Hicks on YouTube & LinkedIn

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Love is not just emotion—it’s a skill built from five core components.
• Healing from grief is foundational to building future healthy relationships.
• Seeking professional help early can prevent long-term emotional damage.
• Passion isn’t optional—it’s the fuel of lasting connection.
• Learning to love yourself is crucial for building stronger external relationships.

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
Instagram: @bradaminus
Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
LifeChangingChallengers.com

Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this soul-stirring episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus welcomes Tim Thomas, former Australian Special Forces soldier, professional fighter, and founder of Breathwork in Bed. Tim takes listeners on a raw and riveting journey through his upbringing in remote Australia, military career, near-death experiences, and eventual transformation into a coach and breathwork guide.

Tim shares how growing up in an Aboriginal community and navigating dyslexia shaped his resilience, how his service in Afghanistan reshaped his relationship with fear and mortality, and how a shark attack nearly took his life but unlocked profound spiritual insight. Most importantly, Tim dives deep into the healing power of breathwork—how a single breath at rock bottom saved him from self-destruction and led to the birth of Breathwork in Bed, a global resource for reclaiming sleep, mental clarity, and spiritual sovereignty.

Episode Highlights

• [2:00] – Tim’s childhood in remote Australia and integration into Aboriginal culture
• [15:00] – Living with dyslexia and overcoming the “stupid” label
• [30:00] – Discovering his physical gifts and path into professional fighting
• [45:00] – Entering Australian Special Forces through a direct recruitment program
• [1:00:00] – The emotional decision to miss his child’s birth for military selection—and what happened next
• [1:10:00] – Deployment to Afghanistan and discovering the roots of fear and spiritual resilience
• [1:15:00] – Surviving a shark attack and experiencing a life-altering moment of clarity

Key Takeaways

1. Your Past Doesn't Define You – Tim overcame being labeled “stupid” to join elite forces and become a thought leader.
2. Fear Comes from Attachment – True courage is the ability to surrender what you cling to in the moment.
3. Your Body Is a Radio – Tim teaches that we are energetic beings who must tune into our own frequency to find clarity.
4. Breath Is a Superpower – A single breath at rock bottom can interrupt the spiral of despair and spark transformation.
5. Sovereignty Begins Within – Reclaiming internal resources like breath can break dependency on external solutions like medication.

Links & Resources

• 🌐 Website: Breathwork in Bed – Access guided breathwork audios and sleep support
• 📱 Follow Tim Thomas on Instagram: @breathworkinbed
• 🎙️ Listen to Tim’s Other Interviews: Breathwork Magic
• 📺 TikTok: @breathworkinbed
• 📱 Facebook: @breathworkinbed

If Tim’s journey lit a spark within you, pleas

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Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
Instagram: @bradaminus
Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
LifeChangingChallengers.com

Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.

In this transformative episode of Life-Changing Challengers, host Brad Minus welcomes Ash Perrow, a musician, coach, and podcaster who shares his remarkable story of survival, self-discovery, and living with purpose. From a harrowing near-death experience following a spinal surgery gone wrong to discovering his biological family and exploring the healing power of music and plant medicine, Ash’s journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Ash opens up about growing up in a military family in Australia, his early struggles with identity as an adopted child, and the life-changing experience of meeting his birth family. He also recounts the moment his life was nearly taken during a spinal surgery, a profound experience that forever altered his perception of life, death, and the purpose of living from the heart. This episode is a compelling exploration of trauma, healing, and how to align with one’s true self through heart-centered living.

Episode Highlights

• [2:00] – Ash’s childhood in Australia and growing up in a military family
• [15:00] – The chilling story of a deadly snake encounter in Papua New Guinea at age four
• [30:00] – Discovering his biological family and finding his musical roots
• [45:00] – How playing guitar became his lifelong passion and creative outlet
• [1:05:00] – The catastrophic spinal injury and the near-death experience that redefined his purpose
• [1:20:00] – Rebuilding his life, exploring plant medicine, and learning to live from the heart
• [1:45:00] – Ash’s current work as a heart-centered coach and musician, blending music, spirituality, and personal growth

Key Takeaways

1. The Heart Is Your Compass – True purpose is discovered by tuning into the heart and allowing it to guide your actions.
2. Near-Death Experiences Can Transform Lives – Ash’s brush with death led him to reevaluate his life and align with his true purpose.
3. Trauma Can Be a Teacher – Challenges like spinal injury, adoption, and personal loss can be catalysts for profound transformation.
4. Music as a Healing Tool – Music became Ash’s way of processing emotions and connecting with his true self.
5. Living from the Heart Is a Choice – Every day is an opportunity to choose heart-centered living over fear-based thinking.

Links & Resources

• 🌐 Website: AshPerrow.com – Access resources, workshops, and coaching sessions
• 📱 Connect on Social Media:
  • Instagram: @ashperrow
  • Facebook: Ash Perrow
  • YouTube: Ash Perrow Channel
• 🎙️ Podcast: Beyond Turning Points – Explore more heart-centered conversations with Ash and

Have an idea or feedback? Click here to share.

Contact Brad @ Life Changing Challengers
Instagram: @bradaminus
Facebook: @bradaminus
X(Twitter): @bradaminus
YouTube: @lifechangingchallengers
LifeChangingChallengers.com

Want to be a guest on Life-Changing Challengers? Send Brad Minus a message on PodMatch, here.