Triggered

Laura Tekaat was doing everything right on paper. Top-performing mortgage broker. Winning year after year. Building a life that looked successful from the outside. But behind it… she was burning out. In this episode, Laura opens up about the pressure of performance, the weight of perception, and the identity she built around being “seen” a certain way. We go deep into: → The moment she discovered her ex-husband’s affair through social media → How that betrayal shattered her identity and self-worth → The hidden link between performance, body image, and validation → Why success was never the real solution → And what it actually took to rebuild from the inside out After 12 months working through the NeuroFit process, Laura isn’t just performing at a high level… She’s operating from a completely different identity. This conversation is raw, honest, and will challenge the way you think about success, healing, and who you’re doing it all for.

Anton Matthews has been in the hospitality game long enough to see it all. From building multiple brands like Fush, Hustle Group, a catering company, and Joe’s Garage, to navigating the unseen pressures that come with it, this conversation goes way deeper than business. We unpack: → What it really took to start Fush → The reality of betrayal within the industry → The moments that could’ve made him walk away → And why he chose to keep building anyway This isn’t just a business story. It’s a raw look at resilience, loyalty, and what it takes to create something meaningful when things don’t go to plan. If you’ve ever been let down by people you trusted… Or questioned whether it’s worth pushing forward… This one will hit.

In this episode, I sit down with Malia Rose, a real estate agent, mum of three, and one of the most resilient people I’ve had the chance to talk with. Malia opens up about her childhood growing up in an abusive home and the moment everything changed when she ran away at just 14 years old. Living in survival mode forced her to grow up fast and make decisions most teenagers could never imagine. We talk about what survival teaches you and the toughness it builds, the fears it creates, and the strength it demands. Malia also shares her journey into motherhood, choosing to have her first child when many people around her disagreed with her decision. She followed her conviction even when it meant walking the road alone. It was scary, uncertain, and tested her in ways she never expected. But when Malia’s back is against the wall, she doesn’t fold. Today she is a mum of three and building a career in real estate, carrying the lessons from her past into the life she’s creating for her family. This conversation is about resilience, conviction, survival, and building a life despite where you started. If you’ve ever had moments where life felt stacked against you, this episode will hit home.

What happens when the life you planned doesn’t work out? In this episode, David Melse opens up about separation, moving back to New Zealand when his overseas plans collapsed, and what it really feels like to start again from scratch. We talk about: The identity hit that comes with separation The quiet shame of coming home when it “didn’t work” Rebuilding confidence when your world shrinks The hidden ways fear of rejection shaped his business decisions And how unresolved rejection can quietly limit your growth This conversation isn’t polished. It’s honest. Because starting over isn’t just a logistical reset, it’s an identity reset. If you’ve ever felt like you’re rebuilding while everyone else seems to be accelerating, this one’s for you.

In this deeply moving conversation, I sit down with Ingrid Gomez, a woman whose life has been shaped by both injustice and incredible resilience. Growing up in South Africa as a person of colour during the apartheid era, Ingrid experienced systemic racism firsthand unequal education, racial violence, and a constant message that people like her were less than. Fighting for equal education often meant going against the law, and living under a government that never treated her as fully human. In 2003, Ingrid moved to New Zealand believing she was leaving the past behind. But as she vulnerably shares in this episode, leaving a place doesn’t heal what lives inside you. Years later, after going through the NeuroFit programme, Ingrid finally processed the pain she had carried for decades. What followed wasn’t just understanding it was forgiveness. Forgiveness of the government, the system, and the weight she’d unknowingly been carrying most of her life. This episode is about: The long-term psychological impact of apartheid Why unresolved pain follows us, even across continents What real healing actually looks like later in life And how forgiveness can become an act of freedom, not denial This is not a history lesson. It’s a human story. And one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

In this episode, Rico sits down with Anton Tikao-Harkess, a father, partner and former professional rugby player, to explore the silent battles people don’t see, and how they influence behaviour. Together they unpack Anton’s journey with mental health, the anger that masked pain from the people closest to him, and the catalyst that took him from wanting to end it all, to complete freedom eight weeks later. In this conversation we go deep into mental health, trauma, revealing what happens when a significant trigger happens and what it takes to turn a situation 180 degrees. This is an unfiltered, and humbling conversation. If you are an athlete, a high performer, or someone who has ever struggled with identity, trauma, or suicidal thoughts, this episode will speak to you. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. Listener discretion advised. About the Host: Hosted by Rico Gomez, neuroscience coach and founder of NeuroFit. Rico helps people confront the emotional triggers that hold them back, build deeper self awareness, helping people win their mental game. Connect with Rico Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricogomez__/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricogomez-ment... Website: https://www.neurofit.co.nz/ Other ways to listen Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4uLZDlCFusMw... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/trig... Join the Conversation: Drop a comment below. What part of this story resonated with you the most? Your insights help us build a community of real people committed to growth. Disclaimer: This conversation discusses mental health and personal experiences. It is for informational and storytelling purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be taken as professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek a qualified mental health professional for support or guidance.

For our final episode of the year, I sit down with Oswald and James for a raw, unfiltered Christmas special — answering the real questions you sent in. Nothing scripted. Nothing polished. Just three guys having the kinds of conversations most people avoid… especially at this time of year. We dive into: • Self-sabotaging relationships — why we push away the connection we actually want • Parenting pressure — the weight mums and dads carry that no one sees • Porn & pain — the emotional roots behind the addiction and what healing can look like • Managing family tension at Christmas — how to stay grounded when everyone’s on edge • Identity, hope, and breaking the cycles that keep us stuck This episode is real, vulnerable, and grounding — the kind of conversation that feels like sitting with people who finally “get it.” If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed during the holidays, stuck in old patterns, or battling hidden shame, this one might meet you right where you are. Tune in, lean in, and let these conversations trigger a bit of reflection before the year ends.

In this episode, Rico sits down with James August, a business owner, creative, and co-owner of Christchurch café Rook, to unpack a story that started in a gang environment and led to genuine freedom. James shares what it was like growing up in a home shaped by gang culture and volatility, where both emotional and physical safety were constantly under threat. He opens up about the belief that became a script in his life, that he was “broken”, and how a moment that should have brought hope, walking out of a health professional’s office, actually reinforced that lie instead. They talk candidly about identity, self worth, and the cost of carrying that “broken” label into adulthood, business, and relationships, including life after divorce. James also shares what started to shift that inner narrative, and what freedom and healing look like for him today. If you have ever felt defined by your past, your family environment, or your darkest moments, this conversation will speak to you. About the Host Hosted by Rico Gomez, neuroscience coach and founder of NeuroFit. Rico helps people confront the emotional triggers that hold them back, build deeper self awareness, helping people win their mental game. Connect with Rico Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triggered__pod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricogomez-mental-health/ Website: https://www.neurofit.co.nz/ Other ways to listen Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4uLZDlCFusMwpIQFL1OrUb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/triggered/id1848724226 Join the Conversation Drop a comment below. What part of this story resonated with you the most? Your insights help us build a community of real people committed to growth. Disclaimer: This conversation discusses mental health and personal experiences. It is for informational and storytelling purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be taken as professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek a qualified mental health professional for support or guidance.

In this episode, Rico sits down with Jono Kitto, a former professional rugby player, to explore the part of an athlete's life the world rarely sees, the emotional battles behind the performance. Together they unpack his journey with mental health, the deep need for affirmation from his father and how that shaped the way he approached rugby, relationships, and his identity. In this conversation we go deep into mental health, identity, trauma, revealing what happens when a significant trigger happens and what it takes to move forward with clarity, courage, and truth. This is a raw, vulnerable, and deeply human story. If you are an athlete, a high performer, or someone who has ever struggled with identity, trauma, or the pressure to be perfect, this episode will speak to you. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse. Listener discretion advised. About the Host Hosted by Rico Gomez, neuroscience coach and founder of NeuroFit. Rico helps people confront the emotional triggers that hold them back, build deeper self awareness, helping people win their mental game. Connect with Rico Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triggered__pod/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricogomez-mental-health/ Website: https://www.neurofit.co.nz/ Other ways to listen Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4uLZDlCFusMwpIQFL1OrUb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/triggered/id1848724226 Join the Conversation Drop a comment below. What part of this story resonated with you the most? Your insights help us build a community of real people committed to growth. Disclaimer: This conversation discusses mental health and personal experiences. It is for informational and storytelling purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be taken as professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek a qualified mental health professional for support or guidance.

What happens when your calling starts costing you your peace? In this episode, Greg Burgoyne shares the raw truth about transitioning from full-time pastor to full-time business owner — and the deep internal battle that came with it. After a significant period of burnout, frustration, and questioning his faith, Greg went through the NeuroFit Programme, where he finally faced the beliefs that were keeping him stuck. What followed was a journey of rediscovering identity, redefining faith, and learning to live from authenticity — not expectation. 🎧 Triggered — Real people. Raw truth. Unfiltered growth.

In this episode of Triggered, Marcus Wolton opens up about the early days of building his business — and the silent weight of comparison that almost broke his confidence. We talk about what it’s really like to build something alongside a close friend or business partner when your strengths, pace, and personalities are completely different. Marcus shares how he learned to move from competition to collaboration, and how one clear, agreed-on goal became the turning point that cleared conflict and realigned their vision. If you’ve ever felt unseen next to someone else’s success or struggled to find your place in a partnership, this conversation will hit home. “Sometimes clarity isn’t about who’s right — it’s about what you’re building together.”

Jack Marshall’s story is a mirror for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to be everything for everyone. From the bright lights of acting to the high-stakes world of real estate, Jack’s journey is filled with pivots, heartbreaks, and hard truths. But beneath it all sat one relentless pursuit — the fight to feel “good enough.” In this raw and honest conversation, Jack opens up about: The internal war between performance and reality And how he’s learning to live from self-worth instead of being good enough for everyone This episode will hit home if you’ve ever looked confident on the outside while quietly battling your own reflection.

What happens when the person who defined your world is suddenly gone? In this episode, Ash Clutterbuck opens up about the raw journey of losing her mum — caring for her through her final months, watching her health deteriorate, and facing the pain that followed. Grief pushed her toward alcohol to numb the hurt, but it was through the NeuroFit Programme that Ash began to heal — discovering who she was without her mum, breaking free from people-pleasing, and rebuilding her confidence from within. Today, Ash is running her own business, living with purpose, and no longer seeking validation from others. This is a story of grief, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to find yourself again. 🎧 Triggered — with Rico Gomez “What’s on the other side of what triggers you?”

What happens when your need to be seen becomes the reason you burn out? In this episode, Dan Cooper opens up about the season he worked 80-hour weeks for 12 months straight — just to stay ahead. The drive looked like discipline… but underneath was a need for validation that wouldn’t stop until his body did. Burnout forced him to slow down. But it also gave him clarity — realizing that no one else gets to define his worth.   🎧 Triggered — Real people. Raw truth. Unfiltered growth.

What happens when the people you trust most are the ones who break you? In this episode, Anthony Anderson — a Christchurch property developer who came to New Zealand as a backpacker from Newcastle He shares the gut-wrenching story behind his success. From betrayal in business to sleepless nights, anxiety, and shame that nearly destroyed his health, Anthony opens up about the hidden cost of chasing success and how working with NeuroFit helped him rebuild his mind, body, and purpose. This is more than a comeback story — it’s proof that even in your darkest season, you can rebuild from the inside out. 🎧 Triggered — with Rico Gomez “What’s on the other side of what triggers you?”

In this raw and honest first episode, Rico Gomez opens up about his personal battle with chronic anxiety, depression, and the hidden weight of needing approval. He shares how his craving for validation nearly cost him his marriage, what it took to rebuild trust and connection with his wife, and how that pain became the foundation for NeuroFit — a movement helping others master their mental game. You’ll hear: The turning point that saved his marriage and restored purpose. The mental patterns that keep high performers stuck in anxiety and people-pleasing. Why Rico disappeared from social media and how that silence gave birth to Triggered, a new space for real conversations about what it truly costs to grow. The learnings, mindset shifts, and faith that turned breakdown into breakthrough. This isn’t a highlight reel — it’s a behind-the-scenes story of redemption, identity, and the power of facing your triggers head-on. 🎧 Listen now to discover what’s on the other side of what triggers you.