Inspirational Tales

My guest on this episode is Hamed Allahyari, who is a refugee from Iran. Hamed was in his early 20s when, fearing for his life, he fled his country and travelled to Australia by boat. After spending time in a detention centre, he arrived in Australia in early 2013. It took 2 years for him to receive his work/study right on his visa and even though he had extensive experience working as a chef in Iran, he found it very difficult to find a job. This became the driving force behind him opening his social enterprise restaurant a few years later. Cafe Sunshine and Salamatea is run entirely by refugees and asylum seekers, providing them with experience, training and employment here in Australia.

In this interview Hamed is extremely open about his whole journey, including why he had to leave his home country and the conditions he faced whilst coming to Australia. He then explains how he built his life here in Australia and used his own experiences to help other refugees and asylum seekers through his cafe/restaurant.

Hamed's Details

Salamatea: 21 Dickson St, Sunshine VIC 3020Website: salamatea.org Instagram: @salamateahouse @hamedsfoodFacebook: CafeSunshineAndSalamaTeaYoutube: Hamed's Persian Kitchen

Photo of Hamed in episode artwork by Sam Biddle @biddle.biddle

Podcast details:

Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses disordered eating. If you need support, please contact 1 of the organisations listed at the bottom of these show notes.

Episode Notes

My guest on this episode is Shreen El Masry. Shreen is a non-diet, body inclusive and Health At Every Size personal trainer, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor and the owner of Be You Be Free, a non-diet, body inclusive, fitness and wellbeing community based in Sydney, Australia.

Shreen struggled with dieting and body image from a young age, but it wasn’t until she migrated to Australia from the UK back in 2010 that her physical and mental health deteriorated, and she developed depression, anxiety and an eating disorder.

Shreen's turning point came when her counsellor warned her that she would hospitalise her under the Mental Health Act. This pushed her into recovery, where she discovered intuitive eating, health at every size and the non-diet community and became educated in all areas. The combination of all these elements ultimately led her to a full recovery.  The experience was life changing and this is what inspired her to set up Be You Be Free.

Shreen is passionate about changing the narrative that diet culture has ingrained in many women. She helps women break free from dieting and heal their relationship to food, exercise, and their body so they can have fun with movement, find food freedom and body peace through a supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate community.

Now an upcoming author, Be You Be Free, will be published by Simon & Schuster Australia early 2022.

Shreen's DetailsWebsite: beyoubefree.com.auInstagram: @shreen_beyoubefreeSimon and Schuster book press release

Podcast DetailsWebsite: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

Support ServicesButterfly Foundation- Ph: 1800 33 4673- Website: butterfly.org.auLifeline- Ph: 13 11 14- Website: lifeline.org.au

My guest on this episode is Michelle Errichiello.

When Michelle was 24 years old, she was hit by an out of control car, which instantly amputated her leg. With her wedding only 10 months away and whilst she was still in hospital, Michelle started setting herself goals. These goals initially started small but then she worked up to her 3 main goals, which were to walk down the aisle at her wedding, dance her wedding waltz and run. Michelle was told over and over again that these were not possible but she persisted until she found the right people who could help her.

Not only did Michelle walk down the aisle, dance at her wedding and run, but she went on to break the 100m and 200m sprinting world records in her class and represented Australia at the London 2012 Paralympic games. Michelle is a true testament for why it is so important to believe in yourself, to advocate for yourself and to set goals and go after them.

Please excuse the changing audio quality in this interview, as we did have some technical issues whilst recording and had to use multiple devices.

Michelle's details:Website: www.masteradvocates.com.auEmail: [email protected]

Podcast details:Website: inspirationaltales.com.au Instagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

CONTENT WARNING:This episode discusses pregnancy loss. If you need support, please refer to the services listed at the bottom of these show notes.

Episode NotesIn this episode, my guest Sydel, openly speaks about her fertility journey. She explains her initial treatments, the ins and outs of the IVF process, the multiple miscarriages that she had and how it was for her to finally bring her beautiful daughter home. She also discusses the psychological rollercoaster that she, and many others in the same position, face.

If you have ever wondered what it is like to go through IVF, then this is the episode for you.

Support Services:Lifeline - Ph: 13 11 14 Website: lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue - Ph: 1300 22 4637 Website: beyondblue.org.au

Podcast Details:Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Lisa Cox. At the age of 24, Lisa contracted an infection, which lead to her having a brain haemorrhage stroke. She spent 3 weeks on life support, 2 months in a coma, died and was resuscitated twice and spent over a year in hospital. She required multiple surgeries, including the amputations of her leg, fingertips and toes, open heart surgery and a total hip replacement. She also developed epilepsy and was left partially blind.

Lisa did not let any of this stop her from living her life to the absolute full. She is now a disability advocate, a model, a published writer and a professional speaker. She has taken on her challenges head on and now works tirelessly for disability inclusion, particularly in the fashion and media industries.

Lisa's details:Website: www.lisacox.coInstagram: @lisacox.co

Photo of Lisa in episode artwork taken by @katelukephotography for @stylingyouthelabel

Podcast details:Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

CONTENT WARNING:This episode discusses domestic violence. If you need support, please refer to the services listed at the bottom of these show notes.

Episode NotesMy guest on this episode is Stacy Jane.Stacy is a survivor of domestic abuse and the founder of the Australian charity Escabags. Stacy is originally from the UK but now calls Australia home, after an Australian family recognised her situation and took her under their wing.

Stacy began sewing tote bags to help cope with PTSD from the abuse that she endured and it wasn't long before Escabags was born. Escabags are now stocked in over 400 locations Australia wide and the number continues to grow each week.

Stacy is such a courageous and inspiring woman. She is so passionate about helping others and paying forward the kindness that she was and is still being shown by many Australians.

In this interview, she openly speaks about her journey from being abused, to escaping and now helping others with Escabags. She explains the issues that those trying to escape abuse face and why it is so important to be kind to others.

Escabags Details:Escabags is a registered Australian charity with DGR status. We provide free 'Escape Bags' for victims of domestic and family abuse. The tote bags themselves are handmade by volunteers and then filled with essential items that a victim and his/her children may need when initially escaping an abusive or dangerous situation.Website: www.escabags.orgFacebook - @escabagsInstagram - @escabagsTwitter - @WeAreEscabags

Support Services:1800Respect - Ph: 1800 737 732 Website: 1800respect.org.auLifeline - Ph: 13 11 14 Website: lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue - Ph: 1300 22 4637 Website: beyondblue.org.au

Podcast Details:Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

Please note: There is an Auslan interpreted video of this episode available to watch on our website. Click here to watch it or go to inspirationaltales.com.au and click on episode 4.

My guest on this episode is Kerrie Taylor. Kerrie is a teacher and a Mum, who is also deaf. In this interview, she discusses what it was like for her growing up, the many challenges that deaf children face and what helped her to ultimately embrace her deaf identity. She also explains how her experiences inspired her to publish bilingual children's books that include Auslan signs, to help support deaf children and their families. Her books have gone on to have such a positive impact on so many people's lives.

Kerrie's Details:Instagram: @auslanhubFacebook: www.facebook.com/auslanhubWebsite: www.auslanhub.com.au,

Podcast Details: Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is James Sheppard.James was in his mid 20s when he started having heart issues, which ultimately resulted in him going into heart failure and receiving a heart transplant. After being told that he needed to stay fit post surgery, James took up cycling. Within a year he had organised and completed a 200km bike ride to raise awareness for organ donation. Now, 3 years on from his transplant surgery, James is living an amazingly full life.

In this interview, he discusses what life was like for him leading up to the transplant, the extraordinary feats that he has achieved since then, as well as the ins and outs of what the process of receiving a heart transplant has been like for him. He also emphasizes the importance of becoming an organ donor and how much receiving this amazing gift has changed his life.

How to register as an organ donor:Fill out the short form at this link donatelife.gov.au/hearttrail

James' details:Instagram @jimmys860 and @hearttrailauWebsite: hearttrail.com

Podcast details:Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

My guest on this episode is Dr Neal Rennie (Chiropractor).When Neal was 18 years old he broke his back and injured his neck. After suffering for many years, he decided to become a chiropractor, to help other people who were experiencing similar issues to him.

In this episode he shares his words of wisdom about how he got through his darkest days and became the positive person that he is today.

Neal's Details:Website: renniehealth.com.auContact at: [email protected] 

Podcast Details:Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast

Welcome to the 1st episode of the Inspirational Tales Podcast!In this episode, Jessica (your host) shares her story of how her own hardships inspired her to start this podcast. I hope you enjoy!

Podcast Information:Website: inspirationaltales.com.auInstagram: @inspirationaltalespodcast