• Shop

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Shop Women
    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    • Sponsor a conversation
    Shop Men
    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    Shop Kids
    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    Customer Support
    • Order enquiries & returns
    • Help Desk & FAQ's
    • Shipping policy
  • Help Us

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Donate
    • Donate to LIVIN
    • Regular Donation
    • One-Off Donation
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leaving a Gift in your Will
    Fundraise
    • Create your own
    • Join an Event
    • In Celebration
    • In Memory
    Volunteer
    • Volunteer for LIVIN
  • Book Now

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Face to Face Programs
    • LIVINWell In Work
    • LIVINWell In School
    • LIVINWell In Sport/Community
    Online Programs
    • e-learning Mental Health Awareness Program
  • LIVIN Hub

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK
    Facts & Guides
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Addiction & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions
    Media & Events
    • Podcasts
    • News & Blogs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Your Stories
    • Past Events
    Seeking Help
    • When & where to seek help
    • Find a Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Forum
    Resources
    • Downloadable Fact Sheets
    • LIVIN App download
    • Newsletter Signup
  • About Us

    Rep The Cause, Break The Stigma.

    #ITAINTWEAKTOSPEAK

    • About Us
    • Our Values
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
    • Media Enquiries
    • Contact Us
Donate
  1. Home
  2. Podcasts
  3. #4: David Higgs Speaks On What He Learned From Getting Coronavirus

Podcasts

#4: David Higgs Speaks On What He Learned From Getting Coronavirus

5 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN | Posted during April 12, 2020

                                   

There are currently over 1 billion people in lockdown around the globe.  Millions of people have lost their jobs and tens of thousands of people have died during what has become a global pandemic in 2020.  Coronavirus has impacted us all, forcing us into isolation, and yet somehow it has given us the opportunity to unite.  

If you have turned on the news for even a few short minutes lately, you would have been bombarded with the latest Coronavirus updates.  With so many voices speaking, so many uncertainties and concerns about the future, it can be easy to let your mind go into a state of panic and fear.  

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with David Higgs who not only contracted Coronavirus but came out the other side with a whole new perspective on life and a deeper understanding of himself.      

David is an Australian fashion and celebrity photographer who has been living and working in LA for the last 3 years.  He was lucky enough to win the Green Card lottery but luck only gets you so far and David shares a little about the struggle of his transition and how he coped while forging his career in LA.  Little did he know, the perspective he gained during that time of transition would actually help him to dig deeper into himself during his time of sickness and isolation.

As you can imagine, contracting Coronavirus in the midst of worldwide panic was quite a shock for David.  Fortunately his symptoms were mild and like many people diagnosed, he has returned to full health. David talks about his experience after contracting the virus and how he managed his mental and physical health whilst in isolation.  

David’s perspective is an inspiring one as he speaks about the importance of looking at the positive side in each situation. Whilst in isolation, he took the opportunity to connect with his own heart on a deeper level and began to understand himself in a whole new way. 

With so much fear consuming the globe, it’s so important to set our minds on the positive side. We might be physically isolated, but that doesn’t have to stop us from reaching out to others. What if this was a catalyst for change and we learned to evolve our relationships into something more personal? We are all in this together. We all have the opportunity to reflect on our lives, to grow and change, deepen our understanding and reach out to others in need.

TOPICS DISCUSSED AND WHEN TO FIND THEM

  • [5:20] – Higgsy’s origin story
  • [6:30] – What it’s like living in LA and the move from Melbourne
  • [7:40] – The differences between USA and Australia
  • [9:20] – How the people in LA are open minded and willing to talk about mental health
  • [10:56] – The unique struggles for creatives chasing their dreams in LA
  • [12:17] – Why organisations like LIVIN are so needed in the world right now
  • [13:00] – Higsy’s specific symptoms of coronavirus
  • [15:35] – Feelings when he received a confirmed case diagnosis
  • [19:43] – Why it’s important to donate infected blood to help with the research
  • [20:15] – The recovery process
  • [21:00] – The stigma attached to those that have had coronavirus and how they feel in society
  • [22:50] – How creating the videos that Higsy shared on his Instagram account helped others
  • [24:00] – How the media is creating panic and ambiguity
  • [25:25] – What Higgsy has learned about himself through this process
  • [26:11] – The social connections that have been made during this time
  • [27:00] – The fact that this situation has allowed people to focus on things that perhaps they’ve always wanted to do, but they’ve never had the time or space to try
  • [27:16] – How the isolation started to take its toll
  • [28:04] – Focusing on what you can control
  • [30:00] – Focusing on your own back yard and thinking about the things you can do for others around you
  • [32:30] – The best thing about the situation for Higgsy is the connections that he’s been able to make to help each other feel less alone and less afraid
  • [33:20] – Tips to help your mental health when you start to spiral downwards
  • [38:34] – Try to think of one or two people a day that might need a message or checking in with
  • [40:00] – Thinking towards the future and all the creativity that will come from this

For any questions, topics you’d like us to cover, interview requests shoot us through an email to: [email protected]

Thank you for listening into another episode of It Ain’t Weak to Speak with Sam Webb.

If after listening to this episode, you don’t quite feel right or you want to reach out to someone to talk to, we have provided some useful resources below. 

For immediate support please call one of the following 24/7 hotlines. Someone will be ready to take your call. Remember, ‘It Ain’t Weak to Speak’

If you are in Australia:

  • Emergency – 000
  • Lifeline – 13 11 14
  • Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800

If you are in the United States:

  • Emergency- 911
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 1-800-273-8255
  • Crisis Text Line: Text LIVIN to 741741 in the United States.

If you would prefer to speak with someone face-to-face, we recommend visiting your local GP (doctor) who will be able to have a chat with you about what is going on in your life and refer you to a mental health professional if need be.

For some tools to help you with things like stress, low mood, general worries, please check out our LIVIN tips and tricks here: https://livin.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/LIVIN-Tips-Tricks.pdf

If you would like to learn more about LIVIN, join the movement, or help spread the word, please visit us at the links below:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin 

Shop Our Merch to support the cause and start a conversation that could save a life.

Get Involved in one of our upcoming events or book a program for your school or workplace.

Donate to support the mission and help us spread the message.

Join us on our Facebook Group to continue the conversation with Sam and to help grow the community so that we can reach more people and save more lives.

Subscribe to our Newsletter so you can follow our journey.

Leave a comment

More ways to keep up to date:

Join the newsletter:

Keep up to date with everything LIVIN – news, podcasts, events, tips, products, and special discounts.

Want to get involved?

Buy apparel
Donate
Fundraising
Volunteer

Get more from the blog

    • About Us
    • Shop
    • Podcasts
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Addiction & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions
    • Seeking Help
    • Find a Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Forum
    • Covid-19 & Mental Health
    • Customer Support

Podcasts

Related Articles

4 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN

#46: Simon Hill Speaks on The Proof is in The Plants

Thanks for listening to another episode of It Ain’t Weak to Speak with Sam Webb. Please rate the podcast and leave a review if y...

Continue reading
4 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN

#23: Ross Clarke-Jones Speaks On Surfing the Biggest Waves Ever & Staying Calm In Crisis

Our guest today is a man well acquainted with...

Continue reading
5 Minutes Read | Posted in LIVIN

#45: Gregg Champion Speaks On Addiction and His Journey to Sobriety

Thanks for listening to another episode of It Ain’t Weak to Speak with Sam Webb. Please rate the podcast and leave a review if y...

Continue reading
  • Shop

    Shop Women

    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All
    • Sponsor a conversation

    Shop Men

    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All

    Shop Kids

    • New Arrivals
    • T-Shirts
    • Accessories
    • Sale
    • View All

    Customer Support

    • Order enquiries & returns
    • Help Desk & FAQ's
    • Shipping policy
  • Help Us

    Donate

    • Donate to LIVIN
    • Regular Donation
    • One-Off Donation
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leaving a Gift in your Will

    Fundraise

    • Create your own
    • Join an Event
    • In Celebration
    • In Memory

    Volunteer

    • Volunteer for LIVIN
  • Book Now

    Face to Face Programs

    • LIVINWell In Work
    • LIVINWell In School
    • LIVINWell In Sport/Community

    Online Programs

    • e-learning Mental Health Awareness Program
  • LIVIN Hub

    Facts & Guides

    • Depression
      • Signs and symptoms?
      • What is Depression?
    • Anxiety
    • Addiction & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions

    Media & Events

    • Podcasts
    • News & Blogs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Your Stories
    • Past Events

    Seeking Help

    • When & where to seek help
    • Find a Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Forum

    Resources

    • Downloadable Fact Sheets
    • LIVIN App download
    • Newsletter Signup
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Values
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
    • Media Enquiries
    • Contact Us
Join the Newsletter

Keep up to date with everything LIVIN - news, podcasts, events, tips, products, and special discounts.

Connect with us
  • ABOUT US
    • #itaintweaktospeak
    • Our Values
    • Our Impact
    • Our Partners
    • Media Enquiries
    • Contact Us
  • THE FACTS
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Addictions & Substance Use Disorder
    • Trauma & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Other Mental Health Conditions
  • GET HELP
    • Seeking Help
    • Find A Professional
    • Tips & Tricks
    • COVID-19 & Mental Health
  • ENGAGE
    • Book a Program
    • Fundraise
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Upcoming Events
  • LIVIN HUB
    • Podcast
    • News & Blogs
    • Your Stories
    • Upcoming Events
    • Resources
    • Customer Support
  • SITE LINKS
    • Contact
    • Donate
    • About Zip
  • SHOP
    • View All
    • Mens
    • Womens
    • Unisex
    • Kids
    • Accessories
    • Order Enquiries & Returns
    • Shipping
Head Office

Burleigh Heads, Queensland Australia 4220

Postal Address

Po Box 370, Burleigh Heads, Queensland Australia 4220

In loving memory of our friend Dwayne Lally, we miss you mate.

Donate

© 2021 LIVIN. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Wellbeing Policy
  • Shipping Policy
  • Returns Policy

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE Lifeline: 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK Emergency: 000 Open Arms – Veterans & Families: 1800 011 046 MensLine: 1300 789 978