Blind Magic in Alice Springs

Episode 1085 The Golden Era of Voices: A Nostalgic Journey

Welcome to episode 1085 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs, hosted by Murray Stewart. Join us as we take a delightful trip down memory lane, celebrating the golden voices of the past that have left an indelible mark on our auditory senses.This episode features a nostalgic afternoon in Alice Springs, where Murray revisits some of his favorite tracks and iconic voices. From the chilling tones of Vincent Price in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" to the majestic timbre of Richard Burton in "War of the Worlds," this episode is a tribute to the art of beautiful diction and expressive voice.We also reflect on the era when voices like Audrey Hepburn's set the standard for phonetic clarity and expression. Contrasting this with the visual-centric performances of later years, Murray discusses the evolution of voice in cinema and broadcasting.Join us as we celebrate the timeless quality of voices that have captivated audiences and explore the possibility of rekindling the tradition of voice competitions in Alice Springs. Tune in and let your ears be serenaded by the echoes of the past.

Episode 1084 Coaching Challenges: Truth, Ethics, and Managing Expectations

Welcome to episode 1,084 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs with your host, Murray Stewart. Today, we dive into the multifaceted world of coaching young junior athletes. Murray shares his insights on the most challenging aspect of coaching: people management.
Discover how managing the expectations of parents, athletes, and even oneself can be a complex yet rewarding endeavor. Learn the importance of sticking to the truth and relying on wisdom and experience to guide athletes and their parents towards the best decisions.
Murray discusses the significance of scientific facts, injury management, and the hierarchical structure in coaching. With 50 years of experience in junior athletics, he emphasizes the importance of strong ethics and principles in achieving the best outcomes for athletes.
Tune in for valuable advice on navigating the intricate dynamics of coaching, and remember to stick to what works—truth, core values, and well-learned principles.

Episode 1083 Rising from the Depths: Embracing New Methodologies for a Better Tomorrow

Good morning from Alice Springs, Central Australia! In this inspiring episode of Blind Magic in Alice Springs, host Murray Stewart shares his personal journey of overcoming significant challenges. As he faces brain injury deficits, Murray emphasizes the importance of developing new skills and methodologies to rise higher than ever before.
Drawing from his own experiences, Murray provides encouragement for those feeling low, assuring them that the lower they fall, the higher they can rise. He discusses the transformative process of acquiring new capabilities, which not only help in regaining equilibrium but also pave the way to a brighter future.
Join Murray in episode 1083 as he outlines the basic principles of his innovative methodologies and offers hope to listeners, assuring them that their current struggles will soon be a distant memory. Together, let's embrace these new skills and fly higher than we've ever flown before.

Episode 1082 Resilience and Innovation: A Second Life's Journey

Hi everyone, welcome to episode 1,082 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs. I am your presenter and host, Murray Stewart. In the last couple of episodes, I've spoken about my second life, my new life. That's right following my strokes the heart attack and of course the seizure that arrested my heart and my breathing and through the agency of magnificent first aiders and of course an ambulance crew I have been brought back I have and thank you thank you to all of our first aid and emergency responder workers throughout this nation. They're helping all sorts of people to maybe have a second chance. And in my case, as a Christian man, I know that Christ saved me for a purpose. I know he did. And so here I am.
So in terms of my second life, I'm wasting absolutely no time, because I want to achieve incredible things for me, first of all. But also for my family, my friends, but also for you. So with that in mind, I know in the most recent times, with my battle with my brain injury, that I have developed an incredible understanding of how the brain works. This has happened because of my seizures, but it's also happened through consultation with a neurological specialist and through discussions with people that I trust. But most importantly, the qualities that I have begun to develop in fighting my brain injury have been because I have walked toward my fears.
That's right, in more recent times, I was in Darwin. And the biggest challenge in Darwin was not at the athletics track at the Northern Territory Athletics Championships as an athletics coach. It was at the room of the hotel that myself and my support worker was staying in. Yeah, that was my biggest challenge. Honestly, it was so, so foreign to me. I've never experienced this before. Since my acquired brain injury, my spatial awareness has been my greatest deficit. That's right, my greatest deficit. Combined with total blindness, it makes being in unfamiliar environments very, very unfamiliar, very, very unique, I can assure you. And it's not easy. It's absolutely not easy.
So you've just got to keep trying and trying and trying again until you start to get things right with that new environmental context. And although I didn't master at this time in Darwin, I know I didn't, it does not discourage me from putting myself in those sorts of positions into the future because the more I keep trying, the more I can develop brand new neuro pathways in my second life utilizing the brain's magnificent neuroplasticity. That's right. The neuroplasticity of the brain is so, so pliable, so workable, and lends itself to neuroimprovement. It does. And so not only do I intend stabilizing the decline of my neurocapacity and my spatial awareness, I also intend to improve beyond the current position that I now find myself in.
That's right. In my second life, I intend to make maximal improvement from the current circumstances I find myself in. I am so, so determined to do that. I have a second life. I have, therefore, a second chance, and I am going to make the most of it. I truly am. And in doing so, I'm developing brand new skills that I can pass on to you, to pass on to my friends, to pass on to my family, and to pass on to the athletes that I coach.
Okay, so I've often spoken about the fact that I am the only totally blind athletics coach in the world, and I am. Well, throw something else into the mix. Now I am not only totally blind, I am also brain injured, but I am still an athletics coach, and I intend bringing the skills that I have acquired as a result of attempting to challenge my acquired brain injury to my coaching table. Yes, I do. And therefore, delivered straight to my athletes. And that is exactly what I'm doing.
In the last 48 hours, I've developed a brand new method method. That's right. Aimed at giving my athletes the edge. And it's based not only on my blindness and my history as an athlete and having to listen to an athlete's footfall and listen to an athlete's breathing to decide if I had an athlete broken or whether I needed to push harder, to break off the athlete who was competing against me. But also, of course, I've had to, in my own life, develop these skills as a totally blind person of touch and of hearing in order to be a survivor in life. And therefore, I've passed on those skills to my athletes. But now I have a whole new set of brand new skills that I can now pass on to my athletes.
Yeah, my greater understanding about the brain and how it works is. And spatial awareness and the absolute need to create continuity between the left and right hemispheres of the brain have all married together, in order that I am now developing some brand new methodologies that I will lend my athletes in order that they can get the edge. Oh, yes, I have, in order that they can and will get the edge over any other athlete that they are competing against. I won't give away too much more because that will be a secret held between me and my athletes here in Desert Australia. That's right. They will be Desert Australia secrets between myself and my wonderful junior athletes who you will hear of in the future, I've got no doubt.
Yeah, listen out for athletes such as Bula Akundu, Harry Mircec and James Lloyd. Yeah, those names you will hear into the future. Because they will have the secret powers from the desert delivered by me to them in order that they can achieve, because it's absolutely about those athletes first, second, and third.
This has been episode 1082, and it has been a Blind Magic Communications production.

Episode 1081 The Unique Edge: Coaching with Sensory Mastery

Hi everyone, away we go. This is episode 1081 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs. I am your presenter and host Murray Stewart. And you know, if you've seen my profile, that I am the world's only totally blind track running coach. I say that because I'm proud of it. I'm very, very proud of it.
So what do I think I can lend to athletes that other coaches find difficult? Well, what I lend is based on the fact that I have been totally blind all my life. Other qualities that I have are that I have studied applied science as a myotherapist. And I've also been an athlete. Yes, I have been out there running hard, trying to win running races. And with all of this, I have always had to use my other senses in order to be good at everything I do.
As an athlete, not only was I out there running my own race, I was listening to the footfall of the other athletes. I was. I was listening to them as they came closer and closer or as I was able to break away from them. And with their footfall, I was able then to establish establish what their gait was like. That's right. Were they running confidently or was their style falling away because they were getting tired? I was also able to establish that by listening to their breathing. Yes, the rhythm of their breathing. Were they panting or did they have control of their breathing. And once again, that gave me all of the information I needed to either continue putting the pressure on by upping the pace or to relax and enjoy what was happening.
Yeah, so being able to listen to someone's footfall and being able to listen to someone's breathing breathing is very important when it comes to coaching. And that is a quality that I absolutely bring to the table as a totally blind person because listening is what we do to survive. The other thing I bring to the table is my touch skills. That's right, not only as a myotherapist, but also as a blind person who needs to employ tactile skills every day of my life. And this being the case, I can employ those skills to ensure that an athlete's body is in very, very good shape, their muscles, their hard tissue.
And it's not just about their biomechanical integrity. It's also about their emotional integrity, because tension in the muscles tells me that they are getting, you know, stress episodes occurring, emotional stress episodes. Perhaps the nervous energy is building. So there's a lot you can gauge through having good sensory awareness, both of hearing and of touch.
Yeah, combine all of these things together, whether experience as an athlete, experience as a myotherapist, experience as someone who has lived with a vision impairment all my life, I think I'm in an excellent position to be a good coach. And belatedly, in the last couple of years since my strokes, I think I've added a new dimension to my coaching. Yes, the fact that my brain has had to utilize neuropathways, I've developed techniques to strengthen those neuropathways, to find brand new neuropathways in what I am calling my second life. Once again, I have developed brand new skills that I can now lend my athletes.
So yes, I may be blind and I may be brain injured, but wow, can I lend my athletes some unique skills that belong to me that now can belong to my athletes. I treasure that. I truly do.
All right, folks. I hope you've also treasured this episode. This has been episode 1,081, a Blind Magic Communications production.

Episode 1080 Surviving Against All Odds: Embracing a Second Life

Good afternoon from Alice Springs, Central Australia! In this inspiring episode 1080 of "Blind Magic in Alice Springs," we delve into the extraordinary journey of survival and resilience. Our host reflects on the incredible challenges faced, from surviving a massive stroke during a quintuple bypass surgery to overcoming various life-threatening conditions. Drawing parallels to the remarkable swimmer Alexis Lira, the host explores the factors contributing to their second lease on life.Through a combination of past athletic fitness and the extraordinary adaptability of a brain developed through blindness, the host shares insights into how these elements have played a crucial role in their survival. Emphasizing the importance of maximizing one's potential, this episode encourages listeners to focus on their strengths and capabilities, despite any deficits they may face.Join us as we witness the host's journey in their second life, aiming to make it as fruitful and impactful as possible. The upcoming episodes promise to track their progress, with listeners serving as the ultimate judges of their success. Tune in for a powerful message of resilience, determination, and the limitless potential of the human spirit.

Episode 1079 Back to Alice Springs: Triumphs and Trials

Back to Alice Springs: Triumphs and TrialsIn episode 1079, "Blind Magic in Alice Springs," we return from the vibrant city of Darwin to the serene landscapes of Alice Springs. The episode captures the dramatic shift from Darwin's humid heat to the unexpected rain and cool temperatures in Central Australia.Our host reflects on the recent journey, highlighting the athletes' remarkable achievements, including personal bests by Bula Akundu and Harry Mircec. The episode also delves into personal challenges faced due to spatial awareness issues stemming from an acquired brain injury.Despite the hurdles, the host embraces the neuroplasticity of the brain, aiming for stabilization and potential improvement. Now back in the comfort of a familiar environment, the focus shifts to living life fully and overcoming obstacles with determination and resilience.

Episode 1078 Rising Star: James Lloyd's Golden Triumph in Darwin

Welcome to episode 1078 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs, hosted by Murray Stewart. This week, we're on tour in Darwin, wrapping up our journey at the Darwin Airport Resort. The spotlight is on an emerging talent, James Lloyd, a young athlete who's making waves in the Northern Territory Championships.Join us as we delve into James's remarkable achievements, including his impressive feat of clinching three gold medals and running under one minute for the 400 meters at just 12 years old. Hear from his proud father, Jim Lloyd, about James's journey, his dedication, and his aspirations for the future.Tune in to discover why James Lloyd is a name to watch in the world of athletics and how his recent victories mark just the beginning of an exciting career ahead. Don't miss this inspiring episode of Blind Magic Communications!

Episode 1077 Exploring Culinary Delights in Darwin: A Journey from Alice Springs

Join host Murray Stewart in episode 1077 of "Blind Magic in Alice Springs" as he takes you on a captivating journey from Alice Springs to the bustling city of Darwin. Discover the transformation of the Darwin Airport Resort and the unique experiences it offers, from luxurious amenities to diverse dining options.
Murray, along with Heather, young Harry Mieczek, and his mum, explore the culinary delights at the Lazy Susan Chinese Restaurant. They savor dishes they can't find in Alice Springs, with a special focus on the mouth-watering sweet and sour barramundi.
The episode also highlights the athletic achievements of Harry Meechek and Bula Akundu, aka Black Lightning, who have smashed their personal bests in various events. Murray shares the challenges he faced due to his vision impairment and spatial awareness deficit, providing a heartfelt glimpse into his personal journey.
As the trip concludes, Murray looks forward to returning to Alice Springs and reuniting with his beloved dog, Santa. Stay tuned for more adventures in the next episode, back in Alice Springs.

Episode 1076 Blind Magic in Alice Springs: Harry's 800-Meter Triumph

Welcome to episode 1076 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs. Join host Murray Stewart live from the Marara Athletic Stadium in Darwin as he coaches athlete Harry Meechek through an exhilarating 800-meter race.
With Heather, the dedicated producer, and Helen, the timing assistant and Harry's mother, this episode captures the intense moments of the race. Experience the strategy, the surges, and the final push as Harry aims to beat his personal best time of 2.52 minutes.
Will Harry's endurance and tactical running secure him a new record? Tune in to find out!