Coffee with Luke series

Welcome back to  Coffee with Luke ! Today’s chat is one I’ve been really excited to share. It’s not about coffee beans or café vibes this time—it’s about movement, healing, and one of the key people helping me live a better, more mobile life:  Travis Masters , my physiotherapist at the  Queensland Sports Medicine Centre (QSMC) . 🧠 Why Physio Matters to Me Living with physical challenges like arthritis in my spine (T12), shoulder and neck issues, and plantar fasciitis means my body often needs a bit of extra support. Physiotherapy has become an important part of my weekly routine—not just to relieve pain, but to keep me moving, functioning, and feeling my best. That’s where Travis comes in. 🧑‍⚕️ Who Is Travis Masters? Travis is one of those rare professionals who truly listens. From the moment I stepped into his room at QSMC Woolloongabba, I felt understood—not just as a patient, but as a whole person. He took the time to learn about my diagnoses, my lifestyle, and how m...

Hi there, friends and readers! It’s your mate Luke here – fruit and veg enthusiast, proud Apple product collector, passionate cook, photography lover, and mental health advocate. Many of you already know me from my blog series,  Coffee with Luke , where I sit down – virtually or in person – for a chat over a cuppa with some of the most interesting, inspiring, and down-to-earth people I know. Over time, this series has grown from a simple blog idea into something incredibly meaningful. It’s not just about the coffee. It’s about  connection . It’s about hearing real stories from real people. It’s about learning, sharing, and growing – together. Why I Started "Coffee with Luke" "Coffee with Luke" began as a way for me to break out of the everyday routine and connect with others on a deeper level. I wanted to create a space where people could be themselves – where we could talk about the highs and lows, the lessons, the laughs, and everything in between. Life isn’t alwa...

  Published: April 25, 2025 By Luke Ransley There’s something about a warm cup of coffee that feels like a hug for the soul. It’s not just the taste or the aroma, though I’ll happily admit I’m a sucker for a smooth flat white with a caramel twist. It’s the  moment . The pause. The invitation to breathe, think, and connect. Whether I’m catching up with my cousin Jacqui in Bulimba, people-watching in the city, or sitting on my porch with an Apple device in hand and a camera slung over my shoulder, coffee has a way of bringing the world into focus. This week, I want to take you on a walk through my world—a little deeper than usual. This isn’t just about what’s in my cup, but what’s on my mind, in my heart, and shaping the days ahead. 🌤 Brisbane Mornings & Hobart Memories I’m 29 now, living in Brisbane, but my roots stretch all the way to Hobart. And even though the weather is warmer here (most of the time), I often find myself chasing that crisp, clean Hobart air. Especially...

Coffee with Luke ☕️ | April 23, 2025 Hey friends, This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about the art of slowing down. Life’s been a whirlwind lately — between shifts at the fruit and veg shop, therapy sessions, and catching up with family and friends, it’s easy to feel like I’m always on the move. But in the middle of all the busyness, I found a pocket of peace — and that’s what I want to share today. One thing that’s really helped lately has been my physiotherapy sessions with  Travis Masters at QSMC . He’s been working with me on techniques that really get to the root of my physical pain, and I’ve noticed how much it’s helping me feel more in control of my body. Travis has a way of explaining things that makes it all click — and his support means a lot. I’ve also had some powerful moments in psychology with  Jodi Ord . We’ve been diving into how the body holds tension and the way memories can play a role in how we feel. She showed me a diagram of the brain the other day, and ...

Hey everyone, welcome back to another post in the  Coffee with Luke  series. Today, we’re doing something a little different—we’re turning the camera around and focusing on someone very close to this blog… me! That’s right, it’s time for a little heart-to-heart about something I’m deeply passionate about: photography. So grab your favourite mug, settle in, and let’s have a chat. Where It All Began 📸 My photography journey officially kicked off in 2012. I still remember the feeling of holding a camera for the first time and realising I had a tool that could freeze a moment in time. That was it. I was hooked. It started small—snapping shots of family gatherings, landscapes around Hobart (where I’m originally from), and those little everyday moments that are so easy to forget. But the more I shot, the more I realised photography was more than just a hobby—it was a way of seeing the world, a way of telling stories. The Heart Behind the Lens ❤️ For me, photography isn’t just about...

Let’s be honest—some days feel heavy. The kind of days when getting out of bed takes effort, when every small task feels like climbing a mountain, and when the world feels a little colder, a little harder. We all have them. But even on those days—or  especially  on those days—there’s one simple force that can cut through the fog:  kindness . It might sound soft or idealistic, but kindness is  powerful . It’s not just about smiling at strangers or offering compliments—though those count. It’s about intentionally showing up with compassion, for others and for yourself, even when it feels like the world doesn't deserve it. Because here’s the truth: kindness wins. Always. 💛 The Ripple Effect of a Simple Act Think about it. Have you ever been having a rough day—maybe you spilled your coffee, missed a bus, got a piece of bad news—and then a stranger holds the door open for you, or someone lets you go ahead in line, or you get a text that just says,  “Thinking of you”...

Let me start with a truth I used to be afraid to say out loud:  mental health isn’t just something I care about—it’s something I live with every single day. People often see me with a coffee in hand, a camera slung over my shoulder, maybe a cheeky grin on my face. But what they don’t see is the internal work, the quiet battles, and the courage it takes just to show up—sometimes even for the smallest things. This episode’s not about a bench, or a walk, or a photo I took. It’s about what happens behind my eyes and under my skin. It’s about  living with an invisible storm,  and learning not just how to survive it, but how to grow inside it. 🧠  Diagnosis, but Not Definition When I was officially diagnosed with an intellectual disability last year, it wasn’t a shock—but it  was  a moment. A moment where my whole life made a little more sense. The struggles, the overwhelm, the way my brain processes things a bit differently. The anxiety. The self-doubt. The nois...

Welcome back to another chapter of the  Coffee with Luke  series! Today, I'm thrilled to share something truly close to my heart – my photography. Photography has always been a creative outlet for me, a way to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty and the quirkiness of the world around us. So grab your coffee, settle in, and take a walk with me through a visual gallery of some of my favourite shots. 🦙 "Tooth and Attitude" This is one of those moments where the personality of the animal just shines through the lens. I met this alpaca on a quiet day trip – its confident stare, goofy grin, and bit of straw sticking out made it an instant favourite. There's something raw and honest about animal portraits. No posing. Just presence. 🎨 Street Art Soul One of the things I love most about photography is how it connects us with the pulse of the local community. This vibrant frog mural – complete with lotus flowers floating in the water below – captures the fusion of s...