Ladies with Tradies - WORKIN' THE TRADE, LIVIN' THE LIFE!
Grab a cuppa, or go through the coffee drive through, press play and buckle up Tradie business owners! We will cover things in this podcast that don't shy away from the raw honest truth about business. It is hard, it is raw, and we also wanna deliver you all the tips and tricks you need to learn about business too.
IN LOVE: How are you trekking in your relationship as a couple in business? Are you respecting each other? Are you finding it hard to toe the line between business and home? Do you squabble like husband and wife like you do at home when you are in 'work mode?' It is not easy to maintain a relationship and business at the same time. But the relationship should be #1 at all costs! Learn how to improve on this.
IN LIFE - do you have one or is your business taking over? Many couples need permission to actually have a life. The tradie thinks if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid - but you need some semblance of balance too. So how do you strike it?? First you need to be clear about what you want and how you want your life to look both now and into the future. Otherwise - you can just wander aimlessly with no real plans as to what you want your business to provide.
Ladies with Tradies - WORKIN' THE TRADE, LIVIN' THE LIFE!
EP 50: BENDERS, BEERS & BREAKING HABITS: A REAL CHAT ON MENTAL HEALTH WITH NICK BLAIR
In this episode, Kate sits down with Mind Health Bender founder and tradie-turned-mental-health-coach, Nick Blair, for a brutally honest chat about the stuff most people avoid — booze, bags, and breaking bad habits.
They dive into how tradies and their partners can take small, realistic steps toward better mental health (without pretending they’ll never touch a drink again). This isn’t about guilt or going cold turkey — it’s about self-awareness, harm minimisation, and finding your own version of balance.
If you’ve ever said “I should probably cut back” but don’t know where to start, this episode is your sign to tune in.
Episode Show Notes:
Kate reconnects with long-time mate Nick Blair, founder of Mind Health Bender — a platform helping everyday Aussies rethink their relationship with drugs, alcohol, and mental health.
Nick opens up about his life as an electrician and footy coach, how he went from leading benders to leading conversations about mental health, and why “less can be better” is a more realistic approach than all-or-nothing sobriety.
Together, they unpack:
- How small habit tweaks (like Nick’s “calendar method”) can change everything
- Why traditional addiction advice misses so many people
- How identity and culture play a massive role in why we drink or use
- The truth about socially acceptable drinking (yes, even those “mum wine nights”)
- Why cutting back — not quitting — can still transform your mental health and relationships
Nick and Kate also get real about how “harm minimisation” can look inside trade families — and why it’s time to have more honest conversations without judgment.
Key Takeaways:
- Cutting back counts. You don’t have to go sober to make progress — any reduction is a win.
- Self-awareness is key. The real change starts when you ask, “Is this still fun, or is it getting too much?”
- Habits run deep. Drinking and partying are often tied to identity — that’s why change takes compassion, not shame.
- Balance looks different for everyone. What’s “too much” for one person might be fine for another — it’s about being honest with yourself.
- Community matters. Talking about this stuff out loud (without judgment) can be the difference between stuck and steady.
About Nick Blair:
Nick Blair is the founder of Mind Health Bender, a mental health initiative helping everyday Aussies — especially tradies — build healthier relationships with drugs and alcohol.
After years working as an electrician, footy coach, and weekend warrior, Nick hit a turning point that reshaped how he viewed his own habits and mental health. Through his workshops, speaking gigs, and social content, Nick brings raw honesty, humour, and hope to the conversation about balance, mental health, and making change that actually sticks.
👉 Follow Nick:
Instagram: @mindhealthbender
Website: mindhealthbender.com.au
Pause and discover our 200K+ Tradie Business Program for trades businesses turning over $200K to $750K. Weekly high impact after hours coaching with Kate Muldoon, a 10 module self-paced course, templates, resources, our private app and community plus a free business snapshot. Cut the chaos, win back time and grow with confidence. Visit ladieswithtradies.com to join the 200K+ Tradie Business Program.