Meet Rafael Caso, our dynamic Program Lead. With his extensive background as a Health & Safety Manager and Civil Works Project Manager, Rafael brings practical expertise and a genuine passion for fostering a healthy work environment. He's all about building strong connections and inspiring tradies to prioritise their mental and physical well-being. Beyond his professional pursuits, he's a devoted family man, navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood with his teenage kids. And when it comes to staying fit, he hits the gym with enthusiasm, training alongside his children. Rafael truly embodies the values of a healthy lifestyle, both at work and at home.
Grant is the Professor of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology and the Director of the university’s Human Potential Centre. With unwavering passion, he revolutionises well-being on a large scale. Grant's expertise spans psychology, behavior change, and mental health. He has made significant contributions as NZ Advisor for Movember, a founding board member for the Health Promotion Agency, and Chief Health Advisor for the Ministry of Education. Additionally, he serves as the Chief Science Officer for Prekure, training health coaches in Australia and New Zealand.
Hugh has extensive experience in managing mental health services and developing programs for mental well-being, From preventing mental illness to promoting mental well-being, he has held senior management roles across public health, hospitals, and community services. As an independent consultant for workplace well-being programs, Hugh continues to make a significant impact. His expertise also extends to advising the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand on well-being science and policy. At a personal level, Hugh loves adventuring in the outdoors and keeping a strong focus on mental and physical fitness.
We believe mental health is like physical health. It can leave us feeling well, unwell or somewhere in the middle. The Live Well Build Well approach to improving mental health is positive and proactive. We work with leading industry partners in the health and well being sector.
This week, I had the privilege of interviewing a passionate young builder named Ben. He shared his inspiring journey of resilience and strength, particularly how he overcame a significant challenge after falling from a ladder and severely injuring his knee. Through dedication to a daily routine and the support of those around him, Ben was able to recover quickly, complete his apprenticeship, and become a successful site manager in the residential construction sector.
Ben said he lived by the motto "Just Keep Swimming" from the loveable Pixar animation "Finding Nemo". This quote has stuck in my mind and when I searched it online I found the following explanation:
Every person will face a situation where they feel they have no control. But Dory reminds us there is one thing we always have power over: our actions. She introduces a positive outlook on the idea that no matter how hard things seem, we must keep moving if we are going to get through it. “Just keep swimming.”
It is such a great quote and is at the heart of the LIVE WELL BUILD WELL program. Life is unpredictable and can be tough but with strong purpose and commitment, we can reach our goals and confidently navigate difficult times.
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL/
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
This week, I had the privilege of interviewing a passionate young builder named Ben. He shared his inspiring journey of resilience and strength, particularly how he overcame a significant challenge after falling from a ladder and severely injuring his knee. Through dedication to a daily routine and the support of those around him, Ben was able to recover quickly, complete his apprenticeship, and become a successful site manager in the residential construction sector.
Ben said he lived by the motto "Just Keep Swimming" from the loveable Pixar animation "Finding Nemo". This quote has stuck in my mind and when I searched it online I found the following explanation:
Every person will face a situation where they feel they have no control. But Dory reminds us there is one thing we always have power over: our actions. She introduces a positive outlook on the idea that no matter how hard things seem, we must keep moving if we are going to get through it. “Just keep swimming.”
It is such a great quote and is at the heart of the LIVE WELL BUILD WELL program. Life is unpredictable and can be tough but with strong purpose and commitment, we can reach our goals and confidently navigate difficult times.
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL/
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A big shoutout to the team at Tradestaff. Introducing the LIVE WELL BUILD WELL program to some of your West Auckland tradies was a pleasure. I introduced the concept of Mental Fitness and its strengths-based approach to avoiding illness and becoming more confident in facing difficult times. It was great listening to all of their ideas about the activities they are doing to keep resilient and robust. 💪 Thanks for the pizza.🍕
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gaK9_q4u
Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gESjHQyc
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A big shoutout to the team at Tradestaff. Introducing the LIVE WELL BUILD WELL program to some of your West Auckland tradies was a pleasure. I introduced the concept of Mental Fitness and its strengths-based approach to avoiding illness and becoming more confident in facing difficult times. It was great listening to all of their ideas about the activities they are doing to keep resilient and robust. 💪 Thanks for the pizza.🍕
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gaK9_q4u
Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gESjHQyc
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A great big shoutout to young passionate builder, Ben Sellwood. @bennies_builds05
Ben describes how he overcame a tough time after falling from a ladder and having to pause his building apprenticeship. LIVE WELL BUILD WELL`s main message is in Mental Fitness, builders and tradies share what they are doing to become resilient and robust. 💪
Full interview to come.
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A great big shoutout to young passionate builder, Ben Sellwood. @bennies_builds05
Ben describes how he overcame a tough time after falling from a ladder and having to pause his building apprenticeship. LIVE WELL BUILD WELL`s main message is in Mental Fitness, builders and tradies share what they are doing to become resilient and robust. 💪
Full interview to come.
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
Five steps to good listening
1. Put your judgements to one side. This builds trust and will get people talking more.
2. Don’t jump in with your solutions. If you listen openly without interrupting, people will
often find their own solutions as they hear themselves talk through a problem.
3. Make sure you are really listening and not distracted by phones or your own thoughts.
Use body language to show you are really listening.
4. Focus totally on what they are saying, not rehearsing in your own mind what you want
to tell them when there is a pause in the conversation.
5. Allow for pauses in the conversation without getting uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter if
there is some silence at the start. Leave space for people to feel comfortable and start
talking.
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
Five steps to good listening
1. Put your judgements to one side. This builds trust and will get people talking more.
2. Don’t jump in with your solutions. If you listen openly without interrupting, people will
often find their own solutions as they hear themselves talk through a problem.
3. Make sure you are really listening and not distracted by phones or your own thoughts.
Use body language to show you are really listening.
4. Focus totally on what they are saying, not rehearsing in your own mind what you want
to tell them when there is a pause in the conversation.
5. Allow for pauses in the conversation without getting uncomfortable. It doesn’t matter if
there is some silence at the start. Leave space for people to feel comfortable and start
talking.
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
Mental fitness is our ability to perform at our best each day, navigate challenges, and support a state of positive mental well-being, especially during tough times. What small lifestyle habits can you start today to become the best version of yourself?
Mental fitness is our ability to perform at our best each day, navigate challenges, and support a state of positive mental well-being, especially during tough times. What small lifestyle habits can you start today to become the best version of yourself?
A big shout out to the team at TSI Māori and Pasifika Trades Training. I look forward to supporting your trade students with the tools of Mental Fitness to guide them in navigating the ups and downs of working in the dynamic and hugely challenging construction sector. Thank you to Atarau Pouwhare-Ellis and Folau Tu’inukuafe for reaching out to get the ball rolling.
Have a story of how you keep strong and resilient as a tradie to share? Reach out.
Share how you are investing in your health and mental fitness by using the hashtag hashtag
hashtag#LWBW
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A big shout out to the team at TSI Māori and Pasifika Trades Training. I look forward to supporting your trade students with the tools of Mental Fitness to guide them in navigating the ups and downs of working in the dynamic and hugely challenging construction sector. Thank you to Atarau Pouwhare-Ellis and Folau Tu’inukuafe for reaching out to get the ball rolling.
Have a story of how you keep strong and resilient as a tradie to share? Reach out.
Share how you are investing in your health and mental fitness by using the hashtag hashtag
hashtag#LWBW
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A big shout out to the team at Jalcon Homes who will embrace the LIVE WELL BUILD WELL Mental Fitness program to support their office and on-site teams. Leadership at Jalcon Homes was in agreement that a strengths-based approach to mental health was needed to help their workers bounce back faster from challenging times. A big thank you to Deryn Newman for reaching out. We look forward to getting behind your team.
Have a story of how you keep strong and resilient as a tradie to share? Reach out.
Share how you are investing in your health and mental fitness by using the hashtag #LWBW
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
A big shout out to the team at Jalcon Homes who will embrace the LIVE WELL BUILD WELL Mental Fitness program to support their office and on-site teams. Leadership at Jalcon Homes was in agreement that a strengths-based approach to mental health was needed to help their workers bounce back faster from challenging times. A big thank you to Deryn Newman for reaching out. We look forward to getting behind your team.
Have a story of how you keep strong and resilient as a tradie to share? Reach out.
Share how you are investing in your health and mental fitness by using the hashtag #LWBW
Listen to Kiwi tradies explain what works for them to stay resilient & robust:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl5Jn5ykxQ7QPAC0D8EuGpA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LIVEWELLBUILDWELL
Organise LWBW to present at your next Toolbox Talk: [email protected]
Subscribe and stay informed for the materials you need to build up mental fitness today!
