Legless & Blind Duo Mike Rolls And Ben Pettingill Bring Mates On A Mission To Regional SA
Two mates who know more than most about adversity are hitting the road across regional South Australia, bringing a message they believe could save lives.
Mike Rolls and Ben Pettingill, better known to many as Legless & Blind, are returning with their Mates On A Mission tour, kicking off at the Magpie & Stump Hotel in Mintaro on Sunday, June 21.
Both men have faced extraordinary challenges.
Mike lost both legs below the knee after contracting meningococcal septicaemia at 18, while Ben lost 98 per cent of his vision overnight at the age of 16 due to a rare genetic condition.
Rather than allowing those experiences to define them, the pair have turned them into a platform to help others navigate life’s challenges.
Through Ski For Life, Mates On A Mission and their Talkin’ Tough podcast, they’ve spent the past five years helping people speak up, check in on their mates and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
Redefining What It Means To Be Tough
Through their Talkin’ Tough sessions, Mike and Ben challenge the long-held belief that being tough means keeping your feelings to yourself.
Historically, being “tough” often meant putting on a brave face, keeping your feelings to yourself, and avoiding difficult conversations.
Instead, they argue that real toughness comes from speaking up, checking in on your mates and building stronger support networks before problems reach crisis point.
“We’ve all grown up hearing things like toughen up, suck it up and get over it,” Mike said.
“It’s a positive thing to be able to get back up after being knocked down, but bottling things up is where mental health challenges can start to build.”
The message is particularly important in regional communities, where support services are often harder to access and suicide rates remain significantly higher than in metropolitan areas.
“Traditionally there’s been this perception that country people, especially country blokes, are tougher,” Mike said.
“But the reality is access to support is often harder, and that’s why having these conversations matters.”
Plenty Of Laughs, Powerful Stories And Practical Takeaways
Far from being a heavy or confronting night, Mike says people are often surprised by what they experience.
“People should expect a different sort of night out,” he said.
“It’s not your typical mental health session.
“There’s plenty of laughs, some powerful stories and a lot of practical takeaways people can use straight away.”
The sessions focus on simple, practical ways people can better support themselves and those around them, from recognising when someone might be struggling to knowing how to start a conversation.
Over the past five years, Mike and Ben have delivered programs across South Australia, regional Victoria and outback New South Wales, reaching communities where these conversations are often needed most.
Together they’ve built a reputation for delivering honest, relatable conversations that cut through stereotypes and encourage people to speak openly about mental health.
As well as community events, the pair will also spend time in schools throughout the tour, delivering sessions focused on resilience, wellbeing and mental health awareness.
For Mike, real change starts with a conversation.
“If we can help people feel more comfortable having those conversations with their mates, family or workmates, then we’re heading in the right direction.”
Mates On A Mission South Australian Tour Dates
MAGPIE & STUMP HOTEL – SUNDAY SESH
Sunday June 21 5:00pm
BALAKLAVA FOOTBALL & NETBALL CLUB
Tuesday June 23, 6:30pm tea for a 7:30pm start
CENTRAL YORKE FOOTBALL CLUB
Wednesday June 24, 6:30pm tea for a 7:30pm start
KADINA FOOTBALL CLUB
Thursday June 25, 6:30pm tea for a 7:30pm start
PORT WAKEFIELD RISING SUN HOTEL
Friday June 26, 6:30pm tea for a 7:30pm start
Keep up to date with tours and learn more about Mates On A Mission on the Ski For Life website.
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