Linda Rowley Consulting

29/09/2026

“I’m not really a carer. I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

Does that sound familiar?

When I facilitate Mental Health First Aid training, attendees often ask about self-care. It makes sense. Supporting others can be deeply meaningful and rewarding. It can also take energy, especially when you are balancing work, family and a long list of things that need doing.

For some people, even the suggestion to “make time for self-care” feels like one more demand.

My latest article is for the people who care for children, parents, partners, family members, friends or neighbours, whether or not they call themselves carers. It explores the barriers that can get in the way, including time, money and the feeling that your own needs should come last.

I share small, simple actions from my PRESENCE model that can fit into an ordinary day. They do not require a big budget or a complete change of routine. Over time, everyday habits can help support mood, memory and brain health.

And sometimes the most valuable action is asking someone else to share the load.

I hope you enjoy the article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/im-just-helping-out-when-caring-others-leaves-little-rowley-mapp--wpqof

What is one small thing that helps you feel cared for, too?

Lisa Sinha Natalie Barker Jennie Hyland Alison Skeldon Roz Rimes Lee Brien Debbie Conway Leanne Camilleri Lee Mackay Maree Keating Interchange Gippsland Brianna Waite Annie Whitlocke

24/09/2026

What can we do for our brain health today?

It is Dementia Action Week in Australia. For many of us, dementia is personal: we may know someone who is impacted by dementia, be supporting someone we love, living with a diagnosis, or wondering what the future holds.

There is no guarantee that any lifestyle change will prevent dementia. But there are practical ways to reduce some risks and support our wellbeing along the way.

My PRESENCE© framework, offers eight places to begin: Protect your head, Reduce risks, Exercise, Sleep well, Eat nutritiously, Nurture your mind, Connect with others and Engage your intellect.

This week is also an opportunity to recognise ambiguous loss. Families and friends may feel grief as a relationship changes through dementia, even as they continue to share meaningful moments with the person they love. That experience deserves understanding and support.

I explore both brain health and the human experience of dementia in my new article https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dementia-action-week-caring-brain-health-recognising-we-linda-itxof

You can also learn more about PRESENCE and my work on ambiguous loss at www.lindarowley.com.au

What is one small action you take to care for your brain health or stay connected with someone you love?

Annie Whitlocke Lisa Sinha Alison Skeldon Leanne Camilleri Amanda Simmonds Roz Rimes Jennie Hyland Natalie Barker

13/09/2026

Running a small business can bring purpose, freedom and enormous satisfaction. It can also bring long hours, uncertainty, isolation and the feeling that the work is never quite finished.

This can be especially challenging for people working in wellbeing and helping professions. We may know a great deal about supporting others, but that does not make us immune to stress or mean we should manage everything alone.

My new article explores the “entrepreneurial wellbeing paradox” and offers practical ideas for protecting recovery, reducing unnecessary pressure, building connection and finding the right kind of support.

I would love to know: what helps you look after yourself while also looking after your business?

Read the article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mental-wellbeing-entrepreneurs-small-business-owners-rowley-mapp--kjvgc

21/08/2026

Thinking about joining the October Carer Camino?

Now is the time to take that first step.

Expressions of Interest for our 10th Carer Camino close on Sunday 30 August 2026.

From Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 October, carers will walk approximately 40 kilometres from Fish Creek to Foster over four supported days.

It is a chance to step away from everyday responsibilities, walk through beautiful natural surroundings and spend time with people who understand the joys and challenges of caring.

There will be time to walk, talk, rest, reflect, learn, laugh and reconnect, with others and with yourself.

One previous carer described the experience this way:

“It was like somebody picked you up and just looked after you, and you didn’t have to think about anything.”

The Carer Camino is provided in partnership between myself and Interchange Gippsland, whose team takes care of the planning, logistics and support so carers can focus on their own wellbeing for a few precious days.

If you have been considering it, please don’t wait too long.
📅 Expressions of Interest close Sunday 30 August 2026
🥾 Camino dates: Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 October 2026
📍 Fish Creek to Foster, approximately 40 kilometres over four days

Contact Interchange Gippsland for more information or to submit your Expression of Interest.

Perhaps this October is your time to feel supported, reconnect and walk a little more lightly. 💚

Please share this invitation with a family carer who may need it.
Interchange Gippsland Lee Brien Annie Whitlocke Critical Info Jennie Hyland Lisa Sinha Alison Skeldon Deb Watson Tara Cantwell

21/08/2026

What a warm, engaging and uplifting evening with Communities of Wellbeing!

I recently had the pleasure of facilitating a PRESENCE© workshop, exploring simple and practical ways we can care for our mental wellbeing, brain health and healthy ageing.

Participants reflected on their current habits using the PRESENCE© Reflection Tool and explored new possibilities through the Healthy Habits Menu. There was plenty of learning, thoughtful discussion and connection, and some lovely moments of fun too.

Roz Rimes, together with wellbeing dogs Rafa and Ruby, added an extra layer of warmth, joy and engagement. Their gentle presence helped bring the ideas of connection, positive emotion and wellbeing beautifully to life.

I was delighted to receive this wonderful feedback:

“Roz and Linda’s session was fun, informative and insightful. Learning sticks when it’s applied, and their session gave us time for learning, reflection and discussion which meant we all walked away more enlightened and more connected.” – Adam Cooper, Coordinator Community Wellbeing, Maroondah City Council

“Healthy Brain, Happy Life was a wonderful Communities of Wellbeing event. Linda and Roz created a welcoming and inclusive environment where people could learn, reflect, connect and have some fun. Linda delivered an excellent, neuroscience-based workshop on understanding the many ways we can support our brain health and wellbeing throughout life. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and the wellbeing dogs, Rafa and Ruby, helped spark conversation and connection across the room. It was a memorable session that reminded us that caring for our brains can also bring more happiness, meaning and connection into our lives.” Maria Allison, Chair, Communities of Wellbeing

A heartfelt thank you to Communities of Wellbeing for the invitation, and to everyone who joined us with such curiosity, openness and enthusiasm.
Here’s to small, healthy habits that help us live, and age, well.

Leanne Camilleri Angela Chen Natalie Barker Lee Mackay Amanda Simmonds Annie Whitlocke Lisa Sinha Deb Watson Maree Keating Lee Brien Adriana Morland Roz Rimes Tara Cantwell

10/08/2026

The six pillars of health provide a powerful foundation, but is there more we can do to support our brains and minds?

Nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, social connection and reducing risky substances all play an important role in our health.

The PRESENCE© model incorporates these foundations while adding a particular focus on:
🧠 protecting the brain from injury
💡 continuing to learn, create and challenge the mind
🌿 building psychological resources such as hope, mindfulness, meaning and self-compassion
🤝 turning health information into realistic, sustainable action

PRESENCE© brings together evidence from lifestyle medicine, neuroscience, positive psychology and healthy ageing through eight interconnected lifestyle factors:

Protect your head
Reduce risks
Exercise
Sleep
Eat nutritiously
Nurture your mind
Connect with others
Engage your intellect
I’ll be exploring these elements in my upcoming online session:
PRESENCE© in Practice

📅 Wednesday 26 August 2026, 5 pm AEST
💻 Live online
⏱️ 60 minutes

Perfect for positive psychology practitioners, coaches, workplace wellbeing leads, or anyone with an interest in flourishing.

We’ll look at practical, evidence-informed ways to support mental wellbeing, brain health and cognitive reserve, without perfection, pressure or trying to change everything at once.

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the model and practical ideas you can use in your own life, workplace or professional practice.

Ready to put PRESENCE© into practice?

Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/DOADY

05/08/2026

Would you like to learn more about how your everyday choices can support your brain health, both now and as you age?

The University of the Sunshine Coast’s Thompson Institute is presenting a free online webinar, Healthy Brains for Life.

📅 Wednesday 23 September
🕛 12–1 pm AEST
💻 Free via Zoom

The webinar will explore how lifestyle factors can support cognitive function, influence brain ageing and help reduce the risk of dementia. Most importantly, it will offer practical, evidence-based strategies that we can apply in everyday life.

I’m particularly pleased to share this event because the Thompson Institute is where I completed my Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Neuroscience. My studies there strengthened my passion for making brain science understandable, meaningful and useful, not just in theory, but in the choices we make each day.

The webinar also aligns beautifully with my PRESENCE© model and its eight modifiable lifestyle factors for supporting mental wellbeing, cognitive reserve and healthy brain ageing.

It is never too early, or too late, to begin looking after your brain.
If you can’t join live, register anyway and you’ll receive access to the recording for one month.

Find out more and register here:
https://www.unisc.edu.au/thompson-institute/education-and-training-at-the-thompson-institute/brain-science-for-wellbeing-webinars

Please feel free to share this with anyone interested in brain health, wellbeing or ageing well.

Roz Rimes Leanne Camilleri Lee Mackay Angela Chen Natalie Barker Amanda Simmonds

Boost mental clarity, wellbeing and calm. Arm yourself with a research-backed approach to looking after your mental health and brain health, with our webinar series.