This is an ABC podcast.

There are a few sensations as primal, as fundamental to our very survival, as pain.

To me, it speaks to the power of the brain, which is a good thing, that it is so powerful

that it's going to take any messages it receives that are threatening and try to protect

you, like it's our survival instinct.

But for a fifth of Australian adults, that useful protective mechanism lingers as persistent

or chronic pain. It can be incredibly stressful and

debilitating, and for many, it takes a huge toll on their quality of life. But what if you could

dial down the pain, or even extinguish it altogether by retraining your brain?

You know, there's a small leap of faith at the beginning.

You know, maybe it's like putting on a jacket for the first time that we're not used to

wearing and it feels a little different and uncomfortable at first.

You know, let's try it on and try it on for size and give it a whirl.

This is All In The Mind, I'm Sana Khadar, and we're back from our month-long hiatus.

This week, producer Belinda Smith looks at whether we can unlearn chronic pain

and what the TV show Survivor can teach us about the power of the brain.

Haley Leak was so close to winning, she could taste it.

Haley had spent seven weeks in the Queensland Outback,

competing in the reality TV show Australian Survivor.

And now, just one challenge, the final challenge,

stood between her and victory.

But when she laid eyes on the tasks she would have to endure to win,

...