MAWS Group

27/03/2026

🧠 YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES CAN BE YOUR BASELINE TO SUCCESS.

​Hi everyone, I feel the time is right to begin my dream of coaching those who experience mental health challenges.
​Nearly 10 years ago, my life hit a total stop-work order.

Sitting in a psychiatric ward with a Bipolar 1 diagnosis and psychosis, I was told my career was over. My foundations were cracked, and the site was considered condemned.
​They were wrong.

​I have been my own "first student," and by applying the same Method I use to manage multi-million dollar building sites to my own mind, I’ve reached achievements I didn't think were possible:
​📺 Featured on two major TV networks (Channel 7 & Channel 9)
🏆 Channel 9 "Best of the West" Winner
🏆 Channel 7 "Sports Champion" Winner
🏗️ Site Manager of the Year (Residential Construction)
🎓 Diploma of Mental Health & Youth Wellbeing Facilitator
🧠 10 Years of Lived Experience & Mental Stability
📘 Published Author of The Life of Little Nick

​I’m officially launching MAWS Coaching 2020.
​I’m taking the exact system that took me from a psychiatric ward to being featured on two major TV networks and showing men—tradies, athletes, and leaders—how to do the same. This isn't just "talk"; it’s a tactical rebuild.

​The 6-Week "Life Rebuild" Pilot Program covers:

​The Site Audit: Pinpointing your structural triggers.

​The Slab: Establishing non-negotiable daily routines.

​The Framework: Hard boundaries at work and home.

​Practical Completion: A long-term maintenance plan for high performance.

​I am only opening 5 spots for this initial intake to ensure every "build" gets my full focus.
​👇 Comment "BUILD" or DM me to book a 15-minute Site Induction call. Let’s look at the blueprints.
​

05/12/2025

2025 marks a cycle of 7 years living with the illness of type 1 bipolar disorder. It has and always will be a hard battle but with the right support, sleep, medication and routine life can just be as normal as everyone else.

I have worked very hard on my illness to make it a manageable condition over the years and im so proud of how far I have come.

The snap shot of the last 7 years are as follows and I can't wait to see what I can achieve in the next 7 years.

2018 diagnosed bipolar 1 disorder after coming off medication from my first episode of psychosis.

2019 created MAWS ( mental awareness with sports)

First surf trip to meet professional bodyboarder with same illness

Invited onto 100.9fm radio

First maws meeting created

Got fired for disclosing my illness to my boss

Completed Mental health first aid course

Maws bowling launched

Challenged myself in carpentry

Created t shirt brand and stickers

2020

became a dad

Became a qualified surf coach and taught surfing, skateboarding and bodyboarding

Featured on channel 9

Best of the west channel 9 nomination with 5k from BankWest

Created custom surfboard

Hosted skateboard birthday parties

2021

Commonwealth bank cheque

Met with politicians

Continued lessons

2022 published a children’s book

Interviewed by channel 7

sports champion winner through channel 7

Featured in stm magazine

Qualified as a mental health facilitator

2023

Diploma of mental health

Won a grocery shop full trolly prize

Broke my shoulder

2024

trained as a construction site manager

shoulder recovery

Started to focus on loosing med weight 10kg to loose

2025

Received my first bonus

Received a pay rise

Awarded site manager of the year.

Lost all medication weight

Had another child

Built a patio and deck combo when i was told it might not be possible due to my shoulder reconstruction

Started at a new builder with 4 day weeks to spend more time with family.

Thanks for all those that have supported me along the way :)

02/08/2025

I won site manager of the year :). Its been a journey managing bipolar disorder for the last 7 years but I have never let the illness define me or limit my potential for success.

Never stop believing in yourself no matter the set backs :).

10/07/2025

After months of training i have lost all my medication weight.
84kg to now 75kg
Med weight is always hard to loose, I'm so glad I have achieved this goal.
Now to maintain it :)

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas everyone, hope everyone has a great day :).

Another podcast is now live :)

In this enlightening episode, Nicholas de Graaf discusses the therapeutic benefit of social sports on mental health. Nick is the founder of MAWS: Mental Awareness W…

17/04/2024

Hi everyone

I have been approached by wisdom yoga to see if any children would be intrested in free yoga classes

I would need to find a venue or public space to run the classes from but need confirmation of numbers for weekend yoga classes.

Please read below :)

Are you a young person struggling with mental health issues? Are stress and anxiety weighing you down?

We're here to offer you a serene sanctuary, where you can find solace, strength, and balance through the power of yoga!

At MAWS Group and the Wisdom Yoga Institute, we understand the importance of mental well-being, especially during challenging times. That's why we're thrilled to announce FREE yoga classes specifically for youth facing mental health hurdles.
🧘‍♂️ What can yoga do for your mental health? 🧘‍♀️
1. Stress Relief: Yoga helps to release tension from both the body and mind, promoting relaxation and reducing the harmful effects of stress.
2. Anxiety Reduction: Through mindful breathing and gentle movements, yoga can alleviate anxiety symptoms, fostering a sense of calm and tranquility.
3. Improved Mood: Engaging in yoga practices boosts the production of serotonin and other feel-good hormones, lifting your spirits and promoting emotional well-being.
4. Enhanced Self-Awareness: Yoga encourages self-reflection and mindfulness, empowering you to become more attuned to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
5. Better Sleep: Practicing yoga regularly can improve sleep quality, helping you to feel more rested and rejuvenated each day.



Please send me a message if your children would be interested in these free classes.

Kind regards

04/04/2024

Hi everyone

Today marks the day I launched my first meet and great for maws at mindarie.

Now 5 years on ill be on a podcast tonight to discuss all the challenges and achievements of living with type 1 bipolar whilst juggling life :)

I'll post the link once received

02/03/2024

Hi everyone

Since my injury to my shoulder and being forced out of my career as a carpenter, I have started a new career as a construction site supervisor for a residential builder.

If you are looking at building in the northern corridor of perth I could steer you to the right person to talk to and I will be supervising your build from slab to key hand over.

I have recieved some great references from past clients and have a lot of experience in the building industry.

Kind regards
Nick

04/02/2024

Hi everyone

I have just set up some support services through mable as a support worker :)

24/12/2023

Hi everyone

Merry Christmas and have a wonderful new year.

I'm planning on putting MAWS lessons on hold in the new year whilst I focus on my family and my current work commitments.

Thank you for all the support this year.

Kind regards
Nick

10/12/2023

All up to date except for my bronze medalin as I wait for strength in my shoulder:)

06/12/2023

Hi everyone

Skateboarding won't be going ahead today due to no bookings :(. If any last minute bookings are made a full refund will be sent.

Kind regards
Nick