Inspirational Tales

In her early 20s, Jane was diagnosed with melanoma. Since then, Jane has undergone many tests, treatments and surgeries to help her fight the cancer. After struggling with many IV insertions, she eventually received a port, a device implanted in her chest which allowed direct access to her veins for her tests and treatment. This experience led her to begin designing clothes that allowed easy access to ports and more recently PICC lines and she has since founded the adaptive clothing line Brighter Day.

 

CONNECT WITH JANE AND BRIGHTER DAY

- Website: www.brighterday.com.au

- Instagram, Facebook and TikTok: @brighterdayau

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

When Ashlee was a teenager she was diagnosed with anorexia. Whilst she was in hospital for treatment, her Mum began a Facebook page to update Ashlee’s family and friends on her progress. This Facebook page was the beginning of what is now The Secret Burden, a business starting conversations and making change for those with eating disorders and mental health challenges.

In this interview Ashlee shares a raw and honest account of her time living with anorexia, the support that her parents gave her and the surprising turning point that led her to deciding she wanted to recover. She then explains why she started sharing her story and the work that she does with The Secret Burden.

 

CONNECT WITH ASHLEE AND THE SECRET BURDEN

- Instagram: @ashlee.thomas

- Facebook: The Secret Burden

- YouTube: The Secret Burden

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Alex is the founder of the Melbourne not for profit Urban Bushland Initiative. Urban Bushland Initiative revegetates urban spaces with indigenous flora, to create habitat for local wildlife and encourages community involvement in the process.

In this interview Alex discusses the reasons why he began Urban Bushland Initiative, the challenges that they have faced over the past couple of years, why it is important to include the community and the many people that are involved in the process from start to finish.

 

CONNECT WITH URBAN BUSHLAND INITIATIVE

- Instagram: @urbanbushland

- Facebook: @urbanbushland

- Join the volunteer mailing list: https://forms.gle/kUhK4r6wLYHJLC2i7

 

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

In 2017, when she was only 22 years old, Holly was involved in a major car accident. She sustained many injuries, including a brain injury and has required multiple surgeries since. Although her recovery is still continuing today, Holly has come a long way since the day of the accident and she is now using her experience to help others. She is a mentor to those with brain injuries and this year in 2022, she was named the first road safety ambassador for the South Australian police.

But Holly is only just getting started. Having found her direction and purpose in life, she has many plans for the future.

 

CONNECT WITH HOLLY

- Instagram: @hollyscott.roadsafety

- Facebook: Holly Scott - road safety advocate

 

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses disordered eating and touches on suicide. If you need help or support please contact one of the below organisations.

The Butterfly Foundation: 1800 33 4673 butterfly.org.au

Lifeline: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au

EPISODE NOTES

Dee has lived with chronic illness for most of her life. For many years her physical conditions were left undiagnosed and dismissed by medical professionals. This, along with other issues in her life, resulted in Dee suffering from mental ill health and an eating disorder. Now, at 23 years old, Dee’s mental health is much better. She has finally received a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which explains the many physical ailments that she has experienced for most of her life, and she is an advocate for herself and others in the chronic illness and mental health spaces.

Dee’s experiences have led her to understand the importance of standing up for herself and her own health. If you are listening and have a chronic illness yourself, then I’m sure you will relate to parts of Dee’s story. If you don’t, then I hope it will help you to understand many of the realities faced by those living with chronic illness.

 

Connect with Dee on Instagram @dee.zoe

 

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

My guest on this episode is Damien from Little Warrior Shields. Damien makes items of distraction (including foam shields and helmets) for sick children in hospital. What started off as Damien making a foam shield for his son, has turned into him giving away hundreds for free to sick children.

 

Connect with Damien and Little Warrior Shields on Instagram @littlewarriorshields

 

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Mark is a Sergeant with Victoria Police, where he has worked for over 25 years. In 2003, Mark attended a call out, which changed his life. This incident, began a decade long decline in Mark’s mental health, before he was hospitalised and diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression in 2013. Following his diagnosis and return to full time work 2 and a half years later, Mark founded The Code 9 Foundation to support first responders and their families who are impacted by PTSD.

In this interview Mark shares an honest account of his mental health journey, including the signs he missed at the time and why it is so important to reach out for help if you need it. He emphasises the importance of self-care and that there is always hope, even in the dark times.

Mark is so down to earth, with a positive attitude and sense of humour and I have so much respect for him for shining a light on this very important subject.

 

CONNECT WITH MARK

- Website: markthomas.com.au

- Facebook: @aftericemelts

- Instagram: @aftericemelts

- Twitter: aftericemelts

CONNECT WITH THE CODE 9 FOUNDATION

- Website: code9ptsd.org.au

- Instagram: @code9ptsd

- Facebook: @code9ptsd

 

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Growing up, Grant was always seen as the happy kid. As an adult, and following periods of depression and then being hospitalised in a mental health ward for a manic episode, Grant was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Grant’s lived experience and learnt coping strategies, led him to become the founder of One Wave Is All It Takes, a global community which raises awareness for mental health through wearing fluro, surfing and salt water therapy, as well as creating a safe space to talk and support each other.

In this interview Grant shares so many gems about mental health and I’m so thankful for the work that he is doing within this space.

 

CONNECT WITH GRANT AND ONE WAVE

- Website: onewaveisallittakes.com

- Instagram: @onewaveisallittakes

- Facebook: @onewaveisallittakes

 

PODCAST DETAILS

- Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

- Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

Being born in the country and moving to the city as a child, Felicity understands the differences and challenges that come with living these 2 different lifestyles. To help our Aussie farmers, she founded The Bush Bundle, providing farmers with a bundle of luxury/non-essential items, which they otherwise would not purchase. It is her goal to put a smile on their faces and also to help connect the country and city.

 

CONNECT WITH THE BUSH BUNDLE 

Website: www.thebushbundle.org 

Facebook: @thebushbundle.org

Instagram: @thebushbundle/

 

PODCAST DETAILS

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses gambling and briefly touches on suicidal thoughts. If you need support please contact one of the below organisations:

- Gambler’s Help - Ph: 1800 858 858 Website: gamblershelp.com.au

- Lifeline - Ph: 13 11 14 Website: lifeline.org.au

 

EPISODE NOTES

For 12 years, Kate struggled with a gambling addiction to the pokies, on which she gambled half a million dollars in total. After hitting her rock bottom and almost taking her own life, she found help and began her recovery.

Kate now uses her lived experience and training as a recovery coach, to coach, educate and inspire others. She is an advocate for gambling reform and the founder of The Hope Project.

In this interview Kate shares her own journey through gambling and recovery, as well as her knowledge of the industry and how we can support those who are impacted by gambling harm. This is such an insightful conversation and I hope after hearing Kate’s story that you gain a much better understanding of this topic.

 

KATE’S DETAILS

Website: thehopeprojectnow.com

Facebook: @thehopeprojectnow

Instagram: @the.hope.project

Twitter: @seselja_k

 

PODCAST DETAILS

Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

Website: inspirationaltales.com.au