CHAT SESSION 66 with Bardie
Topic- Bardie genuinely believes that we all have the power to be the change we wish we had. Change starts with us.
Catch up and listen to our chat session https://megaphone.link/LCRUI7558162868
Monday 29th July 2024 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Bardie is a carpenter, creator of ‘The Shift’, and overall, someone who just loves giving life a crack. Her blog gives you an insight into her life’s journey thus far.
From a young age, Bardie faced many challenges. Over time those challenges led her into a profession where finding her authentic voice was both crucial and daunting.
She grew up on a farm outside Lismore NSW, with her mum and sister. Looking back, it’s hard for Bardie to remember a lot of her life growing up. As a young adult she could not have anticipated how the experiences she had as a young person would in time set the stage for a career within the construction industry.
One of her favourite quotes that has held her in good stead is “life is like a wild tiger, you can let it lay its paw on your head, or you can get on its back and ride it”. She reflects on this quote often and utilises it as an integral part of her learning and growth both on a personal and professional level. In Bardies words “in life we have many choices, and I like to think for the most part I’m riding the wild tiger”.
When Bardie first stepped into the construction industry at 18 years of age, she quickly realized the importance of staying true to oneself. But, as someone who had lived the greater part of their life shaping themselves to suit the environment around them, for Bardie learning to adapt into her new surroundings was challenging. She didn’t know where to begin, how to fit in or who to turn to. She encountered barriers that challenged not just her skills but, also her identity.
Her first day on the job Bardie remembers getting out of her car and her dad saying “mate, make sure you wear your thick skin”. If that didn’t set the tone for her entrance into the industry, then what would have? She didn’t know how to be herself onsite, so she became the typical tradie. She fell into a habit of drinking but because so many people she worked with did the same, nobody took notice. Her health spiralled down in every possible way. Bardie’s life came to a standstill. She genuinely believed she had nowhere to turn and felt that there was no purpose for her on this earth.
As someone who had struggled on and off with mental health issues from a young age, being faced with setbacks and struggles wasn’t new to Bardie until one day without warning she hit rock bottom, worse than ever before.
One night at a party she was drinking and got a text message that really upset her. In that moment Bardie felt as though her time on this earth was coming to an end. She went home and attempted to take her own life. She remembers crying and feeling as though she had no one to write to or leave a note for. She also believed at the time she had no one to send a message to. Looking back Bardie knows now that she had people around her who cared. But at that time, she had become so depressed and detached from herself that she lost all hope, about everything and everyone in her life. The next day she woke up feeling disturbed and ashamed of what she tried to do. That terrible and frightening moment scared Bardie. She didn’t talk about it to anyone for years because she was so afraid to take the mask off and let people see her vulnerability and her struggles.
The following Monday after the terrible ordeal, Bardie went to work as usual. That day she booked herself into Headspace, a mental health organisation that provides treatment for people aged 12-25 years of age. This is when she started one on one therapy and group therapy. She started to become more aware and conscious of her health and wellbeing and tried to get herself back on track, and in a happier state of mind.
Life continued to present Bardie with unexpected ups and downs. Her state of mind was constantly being challenged and her thoughts and feelings would fluctuate from negative to positive. But she also began to build resilience and show up as herself believing that she was worthy of living her best life and being happy.
Making small changes that were achievable, and taking time to ask herself who she was and what she really liked made all the difference. Bardie started to recognise herself, love who she was becoming, and began to embrace and value the importance of who she was in this world.
A few years ago, Bardie moved to Melbourne and started working as a site manager. Her focus shifted beyond traditional roles, and she found fulfillment in creating an environment where everyone could thrive and contribute authentically. By implementing initiatives that foster a connected and collaborative environment, she could see the positive impact on morale and productivity.
‘The Shift’ program emerged from her journey in the workplace. Aiming to redefine wellbeing within the industry, empower individuals to lead authentically in challenging environments and focusing on enhancing well-being through various components became Bardies purpose. Focusing on genuine connection and community, giving tradies real tools for their wellbeing and teaching tradies how to check in with themselves was important and a gap within the industry that needed attention. Bardie quickly noticed that communication within the workplace, a basic life skill was lacking. Bardie wanted people to start talking about how they were feeling but noticed that most people barely stop to check in on themselves let alone anyone else. “Most people don’t even know what checking in on yourself feels or looks like” says Bardie.
Since the implementation of ‘The Shift’, Bardie has been on a constant journey continuing to upskill her learning to ensure she can provide the best possible program to all her participants. This has become her focus. She also became a breathwork facilitator after recognising how much she personally benefited from having a regulated nervous system. Bardie also realised that most people don’t have a regulated nervous system, let alone know what it is. Breathwork has been an influential part of Bardies healing and now she is all about creating accessible change for not only herself but for others.
Bardie is so passionate about the building industry. She loves it. But what she loves more than the building industry itself, is the people in it. She owes so much to the men who taught her how to become a professional carpenter and is forever grateful to the men who also taught her many important rules for life.
If Bardie can help one person, then it’s worth her time. It makes her sick to think anyone is experiencing what she went through or doing it alone without the tools to help themselves.
Bardie wants things to change and believes that by working together we can all make a difference. She also knows first-hand what it’s like losing people within the building industry. It must stop.
On her journey she has learnt there is nothing we can’t achieve or get through if we have the right support and tools around us. Bardie genuinely believes that we all have the power to be the change we wish we had. Change starts with us.
Let's inspire and lead authentically together.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
Let's continue to define and establish authentic leadership, not just in our industry but as a universal standard for success and fulfilment.
For further engagement, you can reach Bardie via email bardiesomerville1@gmail.com
For more insights and to connect with Bardie, follow her on Instagram
My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the
‘The Daily Mirror’
YOU SMILE
EMBRACE BEING YOU
AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!
To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com
'The Daily Mirror' acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.
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