In this powerful episode of Mental Hunts, we journey deep into the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, high in the rugged Southern Alps for a four day adventure in search of a mature Chamois buck. From crystal-clear skies to heavy rain and punishing winds, nature throws everything at us.

We’re joined by Luke Direen, a man who’s faced one of life’s toughest battles and near-fatal struggle with severe depression. Off the back of our corresponding raw and honest podcast, (Luke Direen: Getting Through Depression) We take to the hills with Luke to go deeper into the wild, and into his story.

Over four days on the hill, we reflect, laugh, listen, and open up about life and the strength it takes to come back from the edge. Luke shares what he’s learned and what he’d do differently. This is about breaking the silence, showing up for each other, and reminding ourselves that no one has to walk alone.

This episode is a tribute to Greg’s late partner, Kate Aynsley. In June 2023 Greg lost the love of his life in a tragic hunting accident. We set out to honour Kate’s legacy by pursuing a Fallow buck, the animal Kate was hunting on the day of her accident. Greg reflects on Kate’s life, their shared love of hunting, and the healing power of nature.

It’s more than just a hunt, it’s a story of one man's grief, a celebration of love, loss, and finding peace in the mountains. This episode is in conjunction with the podcast we also did with Greg during this trip.

To hear the full story and how Greg found ways to deal with his grief, head over and watch the podcast on our channel - Greg Fagg: Dealing With Loss and Extreme Grief