Aaron Thomas farms with Paul & Lisa Mumford in South East Gippsland, starting in a farm hand role and slowly progressing, taking on more responsibility and every opportunity to gain experience and knowledge as a self proclaimed sponge. He believed he was ready to take the next step and when Lisa & Paul purchased a second farm, Aaron was given the full reins to manage the operation. But it was here that his relationship with alcohol became increasingly damaging to his mental and physical health and detrimental to the farming business.  I had goosebumps for the entire chat, so for part 1 this week he shares incredibly openly and honestly about his mental health and relationship with alcohol, his 2 failed suicide attempts, how it was Paul and Lisa who saved his life and how completing the Australian Rural Leaders Course changed it.  And just a heads up we do discuss mental illness, alcohol dependency and suicide, and how Aaron is working to normalise the conversation around mental health, with one conversation at at time, but if you are struggling with your mental health or dependency on drugs or alcohol I do urge you to chat with someone you trust and seek help from a GP or healthcare professional.  In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP  Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, providing an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Save the Date for the 30-31st of July in Echuca Moama. Tickets and the full program will be released soon, so keep an eye on Instagram  or Facebook   or check it out on the Website  If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you.