The day Bowie came to my outback town
An alien lands in Carinda, NSW.
BACKFLIP
In this 12-part series for ABC Radio National’s Life Matters, Mike Williams attempts to ‘flip his health upside down’ by learning to do a backflip.
To pull it off he’ll show you how he learns to exercise, establish good eating habits and build the confidence required to take a final leap of faith.
This series was broadcast between July-December 2019.
1. 'It would be a miracle'
Mike visits his parents for advice about his journey towards learning to do a backflip. Their thoughts? Give up.
2. Risk and reward
Wait. Is Mike allowed to do this? What does his doctor think? Who in their right mind will train him? Before he flips, he needs to jump through some hoops.
3. You are what you eat
There’s no question that Mike can afford to lose a few kilos. To be able to backflip, he’ll have to. But how can he improve his eating when junk food tastes so good?
4. Survival mode
The trouble began nine years ago when Mike got his dream job at the ABC. He’s always struggled to prioritise health over work.
5. Going back to go forward
Several types of fear threaten Mike’s ability to improve his health.
6. Laugh it off
Mike wrestles with his identity as he considers ending the backflip project.
7. Danger zone
Fatigue and work commitments collide as Mike enters the ‘danger zone’.
8. Man vs wedge
A foam wedge plays mind games as Mike seeks more motivation, but is it the right type of motivation?
9. Feels like a backflip
Mike relies on the sum what he’s learnt so far to make it through a long-awaited trip to the vein specialist and a surprise visit to a trapeze school.
10. Sisyphus
Mike’s burst of inspiration is short-lived after he finds out the results from his vein specialist.
11. The boy who lived
While recovering from a fall, Mike reflects on the entire backflip journey.
12. I'm writing the story
It’s the final episode. Will Mike Williams backflip?
Running after Lulu
A missing cat poster sends Mike down a rabbit hole.
An occasion for tears
A reflection on fatherhood and the several devices required to remove snot.
Who gives a fork?
Across Australian tea rooms staff are wondering, where are all the forks?
Johanna’s Christmas
A rare Australian native plant is thought to be lost for decades until a Crown prosecutor gets involved.
Who’s going to make the gravy?
Five previously incarcerated people share their experience of being on the inside for Christmas day.
