Gene Moore grew up in a fundamentalist Christian household where his sexuality was framed as sin. He married, became a pastor, and spent 14 years denying who he was before a near-suicidal crisis forced him out of the closet. After losing his partner Victor to a plane crash in 1994, Gene channelled his grief into studying gay identity and eventually transforming military and police cultures by reframing homophobia not as prejudice against gay people but as a masculinity enforcement system that damages all men. His paradigm shift, grounded in research by David Plummer on homophobia phobia (the fear of being labelled gay), has proven effective in the most resistant institutional environments, creating what he calls a fellow victim paradigm where straight and gay men become allies against a common enemy. After 20 years of silence driven by safety concerns, Gene has begun publicly sharing this work.

Gene Moore is a scholar, former pastor, and cultural change specialist whose decades-long career has focused on understanding and eliminating homophobia in military and police organisations across New Zealand and Australia. Born in Texas into a fundamentalist Christian home, Gene came out as gay after years in the closet, a trauma that sparked his lifelong mission to dismantle the systems that damage both queer and straight men.

In this Kintsugi Heroes conversation with John Milham, Gene shares the story behind the moments below.

🎙️ IN THIS CONVERSATION:

• The closet is not a secret kept by individuals but a performative system that damages everyone in an environment, particularly in hyper-masculine institutions like the military and police.

• Homophobia phobia (the fear of being labelled gay) is the invisible driver of toxic masculinity enforcement, and naming this fear breaks its power by making the mechanism visible and absurd.

• Straight men…

🕒 CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Gene's Interdisciplinary Mosaic

05:09 From Texas to the Pacific: Geographic and Intellectual Wandering

08:42 Fundamentalist Upbringing and the Denial of Desire

14:46 The Closet as Performance: Crisis and Escape

19:02 From Grief to Academia: The Birth of a Mission

25:28 The Military Paradigm Shift: From Tolerance to Attitude Change

32:27 Homophobia Phobia and the Fellow Victim Framework

44:00 Operational Effectiveness and the Rational Case for Change

50:17 Twenty Years of Silence and the Decision to Speak

01:02:14 Victor Neo: Love, Fate, and a Plane Crash

01:10:09 Breaking the Silence for Suicide Prevention

01:13:05 The Unpublished Book and the Path Forward

🎧 If this story moved you, follow Kintsugi Heroes in your podcast app so you never miss an episode.

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ABOUT KINTSUGI HEROES

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Welcome.

We're glad you found your way here.

Kintsugi Heroes was created from a simple belief: every person has a story worth sharing, and sometimes the story we need to hear arrives exactly when we need it most.

Our name comes from the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold. Rather than hiding the cracks, they are honoured as part of the object's history. We believe people are much the same. The experiences that challenge us, break us, shape us, and help us grow are often the very things that connect us to one another.

This channel is home to honest conversations about resilience, hope, grief, recovery, courage, love, and what it means to keep moving forward when life doesn't go to plan.

Here you'll find six podcast series, each sharing stories through a different lens:

• Kintsugi Heroes, hosted by John Milham

• Animals & Us, hosted by Natalie Stockdale

• Grit Diaries: From Grit to Grace, hosted by Simone Allan and Maryan Bova

• From There to Here, hosted by Emma Bellamy-Dodd

• Golden Threads: Stories of Disability & Resilience

Every story shared here is offered with the hope that it helps someone feel a little less alone. A little more understood. A little more connected.

Whether you're navigating a difficult season, supporting someone you love, or simply looking for meaningful conversations, you're welcome here.

New episodes are released every week.

If you'd like to help us continue sharing these stories and keeping them freely available to everyone, you can support our work here: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate#donate

Thank you for being part of this community.

We help people tell the stories they need to share so others can discover the story they need to hear.

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CONNECT WITH US

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🌐 https://kintsugiheroes.com.au

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#KintsugiHeroes #KHMainFeed #FirstPersonStories #masculinity #homophobia #mentalhealth #suicideprevention #culturalchange #lgbtq #military #toxicmasculinity

EPISODE SUMMARY

Not every journey to purpose is a straight line. For Matt Tulle, it wound through stigma, addiction and some of the darkest corners of mental health — all while growing up queer in rural Queensland.

Matt didn't just survive that journey. He transformed it. Today he works as a peer worker in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) support, walking alongside men who are exactly where he once was. In this honest, generous conversation, Matt unpacks ten years as a "functional drug addict", the cocaine years in a Melbourne ops manager role, the breakdown that followed, and the night he felt his late father's presence and chose a different path.

This is a story about lived experience as a connection multiplier — and why peer work might be one of the most important roles in modern recovery.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

LIVED EXPERIENCE IS A CONNECTION MULTIPLIER

Matt explains why "me too" lands in a way no textbook can — and how peer work uses it with intention, not as a trauma dump.

SHAME TO GUILT IS THE MOVE

"I'm a bad person" becomes "I had a bad moment." Matt walks through how that single reframe rebuilt his self-worth.

ADDICTION CAN BE THE THING HOLDING IT TOGETHER

For ten years, the drugs weren't the problem — they were the unprocessed solution. Real recovery meant doing the harder, slower work underneath.

THE WORK TAKES AS LONG AS IT TAKES

Eight years into healing and still going. Matt's view: time doesn't matter, you'll do it when you're ready.

YOU MAY NEED A NEW POT

On outgrowing people, redrawing boundaries, and why moving on isn't betrayal — it's growth.

GUEST BIO

Matt Tulle is an AOD peer worker based in Queensland, supporting men through addiction, mental health and recovery. A social work graduate, Matt brings a decade of lived experience to a workforce he believes belongs at every multidisciplinary table.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

- Lifeline Australia (24/7): 13 11 14 — https://www.lifeline.org.au

- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — https://www.beyondblue.org.au

- QLife (LGBTI peer support): 1800 184 527 — https://www.qlife.org.au

- 13YARN (First Nations crisis line): 13 92 76 — https://www.13yarn.org.au

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

03:11 Growing up queer in Gympie

13:20 Melbourne, burnout and cocaine

15:42 Breakdown, withdrawal and first attempt

22:00 Losing Dad and the cat moment

26:00 Uni, therapy and doing the work

30:48 Peer work — shame to guilt

52:21 Future of peer work and LGBTQI+ hopes

CALL TO ACTION

If this conversation moved you, share it with one person who needs it. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, and please leave a rating and review — it helps others find these stories.

Support Kintsugi Heroes with a tax-deductible donation: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

THE KINTSUGI CONNECTION

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes

If this resonated, you may also like:

- KH episodes on men's mental health and recovery

- KH episodes on lived experience and peer support

ABOUT KINTSUGI HEROES

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit storytelling platform sharing real stories of resilience, disability and transformation. Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing broken pottery with gold — we believe our breaks make us more valuable, not less.

PARTNER WITH US

Sponsorship and partnership enquiries: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

DONATE

Make a tax-deductible donation: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

CONNECT

Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes

Theme music: "Broken" by Colin Lilly, used with permission.

Donna carries memories from 18 months old, including repeated sexual abuse by her father beginning at age three. Through childhood and adolescence, she endured trafficking, gang rape, attempted abduction, and betrayal by peers. Two abortions—one illegal and traumatic, one legal—marked her teenage years. At 16, a suicide attempt by overdose nearly killed her. She married an abusive narcissist in her early twenties, escaped after years of rape and violence, and found safety with her second husband at 21. Real healing began at 38 when she finally disclosed her full story in a safe relationship. Hypnotherapy, EMDR, spiritual practice, and boundary-setting ('weeding the garden') became pivotal tools. At 44, just as she felt emotionally stable, her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died after 23 years together. Today she lives with peace and freedom, working toward a healing practice while helping others see hope beyond their circumstances.

Donna Kent is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, trafficking, and ongoing violence across her lifespan. Now in her late 40s, she works in bookkeeping and payroll while developing a healing practice as an intuitive guide and psychic medium, drawing on lived experience and multiple therapeutic modalities to support others in their recovery.

In this Kintsugi Heroes conversation with Natalie Stockdale, Donna shares the story behind the moments below.

🎙️ IN THIS CONVERSATION:

• Silence is the mechanism by which abusers maintain power; speaking up, even when terrified, immediately disempowers the abuser and opens pathways to help.

• Trauma survivors develop sophisticated masking behaviours early—suppressing inconsolable crying to avoid drawing attention—which becomes a lifelong pattern that prevents authentic help-seeking.

• Different therapeutic modalities work at different stages of healing; no single approach is sufficient, and survivors must remain open to trying new tools as they progress.

• The body archives trauma separately from emotion as a survival mechanism; EMDR and similar therapies work by reconnecting memory to emotion so it can be processed and archived rather than continuously relived.

• Healing requires conscious boundary-setting ('weeding the garden'), including the difficult work of removing or distancing from family members and lifelong friends who drain energy or perpetuate cycles.

• Survivors often dissociate into separate selves to survive; true integration requires bringing these fragmented parts back together, not just processing individual traumatic events.

• Empathy and the ability to help others see alternative perspectives is one of the most valuable gifts that emerges from having survived and recovered from trauma.

🕒 CHAPTERS:

00:00 Content warning and introduction

04:11 Early memories: hiding at 18 months, being trafficked by father's taxi to paedophiles

07:08 Gang rape at bus stop age 12: survival and silent continuation

13:49 Pregnancy at 15, rejection by family, illegal abortion in Tweed Heads

22:37 Meeting and marrying first husband: narcissist and abuser

27:38 Moving to Mount Isa, meeting second husband, safe relationship begins

34:43 Hypnotherapy: confronting father in safe space, writing letter

42:26 Mind games in trauma recovery: reliving events, self-blame, paralysis

50:41 Reintegrating dissociated selves: survivor and school-aged identities

54:43 Gifts from suffering: empathy, perspective-shifting, offering hope

57:36 Life now: peace, freedom, healing practice vision

01:00:22 Final message: draw on strength, you're not alone, keep moving forward

🌐 CONNECT WITH DONNA KENT:

Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

1800RESPECT: https://www.1800respect.org.au/

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🎙️ ABOUT KINTSUGI HEROES

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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience and transformation.

Named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — the philosophy that what's been broken can become more beautiful for the mending — every episode honours the cracks, the rebuild, and the human underneath.

We believe every story matters. Every scar has something to say. And every person quietly finding their way through deserves to be heard.

📺 Series on this channel:

– Kintsugi Heroes — real stories of resilience | hosted by John Milham

– Animals & Us | hosted by Natalie Stockdale

– Grit Diaries: from Grit to Grace | hosted by Simone Allan & Maryan Bova

– Golden Threads — stories of disability & resilience | hosted by Dan Dougherty

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🔗 CONNECT WITH US

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🌐 https://kintsugiheroes.com.au

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes

📘 https://www.facebook.com/kintsugiheroes

📸 https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes

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💛 SUPPORT THE NETWORK

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Kintsugi Heroes is listener-supported and run entirely by volunteers. Your support helps us keep sharing stories that matter.

❤️ Donate (tax-deductible): https://kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate

🤝 Partner with us: https://kintsugiheroes.com.au

🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week and join a community that believes in the power of human stories.

We're all in this together. 💛

#KintsugiHeroes #KHMainFeed #FirstPersonStories #RebuildingAfterFracture #TraumaSurvival #ChildhoodAbuse #SpeakingUp #HealingJourney #MentalHealth #EMDR #Boundaries #Empowerment

EPISODE SUMMARY

Harpreet Kalsi-Smith founded The Kindness Company after caring for her mum through end of life. Shaped by her own migration story and over 15 years working with First Nations, migrant and refugee communities, Harpreet walks alongside people approaching death — making space for grief, honouring culture, and proving that kindness is the quiet thing that changes everything when someone is saying goodbye.

TOPICS COVERED

End of Life Care • Kindness • Grief and Loss • First Nations Communities • Multicultural Health • Palliative Care • Community Healing • Stolen Generations • Advance Care Planning • Sound Healing • Compassionate Communities • Advocacy

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:00 — From Kenya to Brisbane: A Life Shaped by Community 06:00 — Losing Her Mum, Finding End of Life Work 11:00 — Walking Alongside: Trust, Time and First Nations Communities 16:00 — Why Kindness Is the Whole Point 26:00 — Grief, Witnessing and Community Healing 44:00 — One Small Act: Legacy, Advocacy and a Parting Message

KEY TALKING POINTS

● Kindness is not soft — it is the difference between being re-traumatised and being seen. Harpreet reflects on the one physician, among many, who sat with her family and treated them like people, not a case.

● Trust is not a transaction — it can take a year or more. A stolen generations uncle asked her to come to his home with the end of life paperwork — twelve months after she first raised it.

● Person-centred care only works when someone slows down enough to listen. Equity is not about treating everyone the same; some people need more time, more support, more context.

● We live in a death-phobic, life-prolonging society. Harpreet unpacks why so few healthcare conversations make room for "not prolonging", and why families suffer for it.

● Communities heal in community, not in isolation. From yarning circles to the tree of grief and strength, Harpreet shows what collective grief actually looks like.

"Healing happens when people are witnessed, not when they're fixed." — Harpreet Kalsi-Smith

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST

Website: kintsugiheroes.com.au Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube — search "Kintsugi Heroes" Instagram: @kintsugiheroes Facebook: /kintsugiheroes LinkedIn: /company/kintsugi-heroes

CONNECT WITH HARPREET KALSI-SMITH

Website: thekindnesscompany.com.au Location: Gold Coast, QLD — Yugambeh Country LinkedIn: Harpreet Kalsi-Smith Instagram: @thekindnesscompany Email: [email protected]

SUPPORT RESOURCES

● Griefline — 1300 845 745: National service offering grief, loss and bereavement support across Australia. ● 13YARN — 13 92 76: 24/7 culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ● Advance Care Planning Australia — advancecareplanning.org.au: Templates and guides for every Australian state and territory.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Kintsugi Heroes exists to help people tell the stories they need to share, so others can find the stories they need to hear. If this episode moved you, or you know someone whose story should be told, get in touch at kintsugiheroes.com.au/share.

Music credit: Thank you to Xavier Rudd for the use of "Follow the Sun".

🎙️ EPISODE SUMMARY

What happens when the thing you were told to hide becomes the very thing that shapes your purpose?

Jay Borthwick grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches — a life filled with ocean swims, surf lifesaving, and community. But behind that upbringing was a challenge that shaped everything: dyslexia.

In this episode, Jay shares how navigating school with a learning difficulty, being labelled early, and learning to adapt built the resilience, self-awareness, and leadership that now define his life and career.

From working in mainstream media to becoming a multicultural communications specialist at SBS, Jay’s work is centred on connection — helping people and organisations communicate across cultures, languages, and lived experiences.

This is a conversation about identity, inclusion, and what it really means to build environments where people feel seen, supported, and able to contribute.

It’s also a powerful reminder that sometimes the very thing you struggle with becomes your greatest strength.

🔍 TOPICS COVERED

dyslexia and learning difficulties, neurodiversity in the workplace, multicultural communication Australia, inclusion and accessibility, mens mental health, identity and resilience, surf lifesaving Australia, SBS multicultural media, personal growth and leadership, building inclusive communities

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Growing up on the Northern Beaches

05:00 – Early independence and life by the ocean

10:00 – Living with dyslexia and school challenges

15:00 – Being labelled and finding confidence through sport

20:00 – Discipline, resilience, and learning through adversity

25:00 – Career journey: Channel 9 to SBS

30:00 – Multicultural communication and inclusion in Australia

35:00 – Why connection matters across cultures

40:00 – Neurodiversity, awareness, and workplace change

45:00 – Building environments where people feel supported

50:00 – Fatherhood, mindset, and raising confident children

55:00 – Legacy and doing the small things well

01:00:00 – Final reflections

🔑 KEY TALKING POINTS

• Dyslexia is not a limitation — it’s a different way of processing the world
• Being labelled early can shape identity, but it doesn’t have to define it
• Confidence is built through action, not perfection
• Inclusion starts with understanding and curiosity
• Communication goes beyond language — connection is human
• Small, consistent actions create long-term impact
• Leadership is about creating environments where others can thrive
• Legacy is built through everyday actions, not big moments

🧩 EPISODE PILLARS

🌊 Growing Up & Identity

A childhood shaped by the ocean, independence, and community on the Northern Beaches.

🧠 Dyslexia & Resilience

Navigating school, labels, and learning differences — and turning adversity into strength.

🌏 Multicultural Communication

A career built on bridging cultural gaps and helping communities connect across language and experience.

🤝 Inclusion & Accessibility

Creating environments where people with visible and invisible disabilities feel supported and empowered.

👨‍👧 Family, Leadership & Legacy

Raising confident children, prioritising mental health, and building a legacy through small, meaningful actions.

Jay’s story reflects the essence of Kintsugi — embracing what once felt like a flaw and recognising it as part of what makes us whole.

His journey shows that resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges, but about learning how to adapt, grow, and contribute in meaningful ways.

To explore more stories like this, visit:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes/videos

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

Navigating Identity & Adversity:

Explore more conversations on resilience, lived experience, and personal growth across the Kintsugi Heroes series.

🌏 ABOUT KINTSUGI HEROES

Kintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the power of storytelling.

We believe that lived experience is something to be shared — creating connection, reducing isolation, and building resilience through real human stories.

🤝 PARTNER WITH US

Align your organisation with resilience, inclusion, and social impact.

👉 https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/

❤️ SUPPORT KINTSUGI HEROES

Your support helps us continue sharing powerful stories across Australia and beyond.

👉 Donate: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

🔗 CONNECT WITH US

🌐 Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/

📢 SHARE YOUR STORY

Have a story of resilience, recovery, or growth?

👉 Get involved: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

What does it take to rebuild your life after losing everything you built together?

Kevin Holloway shares his deeply personal journey through grief after losing his wife of nearly 40 years. From overwhelming loss to finding meaning again, this is a powerful conversation about courage, identity, and what it truly means to keep showing up.

Through his experience as a leader, coach, and human being navigating profound loss, Kevin explores emotional resilience, presence, and the importance of connection and self-awareness.

This episode is a reminder that while life can break us, it can also reshape us — if we’re willing to do the work.

grief and loss, men’s mental health, emotional resilience, courage, vulnerability, identity, healing journey, leadership, personal growth

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Kevin’s story and loss

05:00 – Understanding grief

10:00 – Courage as a foundation

15:00 – Identity and being

20:00 – Love and forgiveness

25:00 – Men’s mental health

30:00 – Connection and support

35:00 – Surrender and control

40:00 – Presence and joy

45:00 – Redefining success

50:00 – Becoming who you want to be

• Grief is ongoing, not something you “get over”
• Courage is a daily choice
• You can feel fear and still act
• Presence creates space for healing
• Vulnerability builds real connection
• Growth requires honesty and self-reflection

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit organisation sharing lived-experience stories to build connection, dignity, and mental wellbeing across communities.

Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/

Donate: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

Partner: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/

"I’ve come out from under, from hiding, I suppose."

In this episode, we sit down with Gene Moore, a brilliant scholar, former pastor, and cultural change specialist whose life’s work involves dismantling the very walls he was once forced to live behind. Growing up in a fundamentalist Christian home in Texas, Gene faced the agonising conflict between his identity and his faith.

After a journey that took him from the deep South to the islands of the Pacific and finally to New Zealand, Gene transformed his personal struggle into a global mission. He now consults for international military and police forces, helping shift institutional cultures and saving lives by bringing people "out of the closet" and into their authentic selves.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Weight of the Closet: Growing up in a fundamentalist environment and the psychological toll of hiding one’s true self.
• A Journey of Transformation: From pastoring to becoming a specialist in history, anthropology, and human sexuality.
• Cultural Change in High-Stakes Environments: How Gene’s work with the military and police is redefining leadership and inclusion.
• The Philosophy of Identity: Why "being seen" is a fundamental human need and a catalyst for mental health recovery.
• The Power of Storytelling: Gene’s upcoming book and his mission to destigmatize identity issues for men worldwide.

• Website: www.thegaygene.org
• Topics: Sexual Identity, Cultural Change, Mental Health, Resilience.

If Gene’s story resonated with you, please consider supporting our mission to share stories of resilience:

• Website: kintsugiheroes.com.au
• Donate: Support our storytelling initiatives here.
• Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Share this episode: If you know someone struggling with identity or seeking the courage to be their authentic self, please share this conversation with them.

Topics Covered:

• Overcoming Religious Trauma and Fundamentalism
• LGBTQ+ Identity and Mental Health
• The Psychological Impact of "The Closet"
• Cultural Change in Military and Police Forces
• Masculinity and Vulnerability
• Trauma-Informed Storytelling and Resilience
• International Human Rights and Sexuality Policy
• The Philosophy of Kintsugi in Personal Identity

Hayley grew up in a privileged family where her parents worked hard and protected her from many hardships. She was a middle child who became skilled at noticing others and managing emotions.

During high school, Hayley faced difficulties processing big emotions and coped with them through an eating disorder. She did not often share her struggles and felt alone with her experiences.

After high school, Hayley tried multiple university courses and jobs, searching for meaning and a sense of purpose. She struggled with mental health and found comfort in helping others.

In her early twenties, Hayley saw an advertisement for a lived experience committee and joined in 2012. This helped her find language for her experiences and begin talking openly about suicide.

Hayley earned a degree in Suicidality and is finishing her PhD about people using their lived experience for suicide prevention. She has focused on changing conversations in the sector through research and advocacy.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Episode Title: From Terminal Diagnosis to the Cockpit: Cameron’s Journey of Repair and Resilience

Episode Summary Cameron faced a terminal cancer diagnosis with the same precision he uses as an airline pilot. In this episode, we explore how he reframed a "broken" prognosis into a life of deeper community connection, spiritual peace, and the successful raising of his two daughters. Cameron’s story is a living example of Kintsugi—where the repairs are made in gold.

Cameron faced terminal cancer with determination. He focused on daily strength and never gave up, taking each challenge head-on and finding ways to stay positive and realistic throughout his journey.

Raising two daughters as a single dad was Cameron’s proudest achievement. He gave his daughters love, guidance, and support, showing how family responsibility shaped his values and strengthened his spirit.

Cameron pursued his passion for aviation later in life. He became an airline pilot, proving that goals can be reached with hard work and persistence, no matter what obstacles stand in the way.

Cameron values his local community. He participates in group activities and service, believing in the power of giving and connection with friends and neighbours, making a positive impact wherever he goes.

Through hardship, Cameron has found comfort in spirituality. He believes in transitions beyond life, coaches his loved ones to stay connected, and accepts fate calmly, while focusing on remaining strong and true to himself.

Episode Pillars

1. Navigating the Storm: Facing terminal cancer with a "never give up" mindset.
2. The Proudest Achievement: The challenges and rewards of raising two daughters as a single father.
3. Taking Flight: Proving it’s never too late to pursue a passion for aviation.
4. Community & Spirit: Finding strength in local service and a calm acceptance of life’s transitions.

The Kintsugi Connection To see the visual story of Cameron's journey and explore more episodes of resilience, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes/videos

If Cameron’s story moved you, explore these related Hero conversations:

1. Dealing with Illness? Listen to Ian Westmoreland’s story of launching Kintsugi Heroes while facing melanoma.
2. Seeking Resilience? Discover how Daniel Lloyd’s human experience inspires millions to recover.

About Kintsugi Heroes Kintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the power of storytelling. We believe that lived experience is a gift to be shared, not a scar to be hidden.

Partner with Us Align your organisation with resilience and social responsibility. Help us amplify voices that inspire change. https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/

Donate Your tax-deductible contribution helps us reach over 6 million Australians via community radio and continue sharing these vital stories. https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

Connect With Us

1. Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au
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Troy grew up in Bendigo, Victoria and studied sports science at university. He developed curiosity and appreciation for learning through diverse life experiences and family challenges.

After university, Troy travelled extensively, living in places like Greece, Iran, and South America. He worked in remote cattle stations, ski field management at Mount Buller, and even spent six months living in a zoo.

Troy built a varied career in banking, marketing, and sales, including roles as an executive and sales director. Corporate experiences taught him about values, leadership, and the realities of organizational identity and hierarchy.

Health and wellbeing became central for Troy after witnessing family tragedies, including his father’s mental health struggles and loss of his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Inspired by these experiences, Troy sought to understand habits and pursue positive change.

Troy founded Wellteam, focusing on building better habits in mind, body, movement, purpose, relationships, and nutrition. He now promotes learning, mateship, humility, and genuine connection to help others improve their lives and wellbeing.

Social Media and Links

Wellteam website https://www.wellteam.me

To run the Wellteam Scorecard tool https://www.wellteam.me/scorecard

https://www.facebook.com/wellteam.me

https://www.instagram.com/wellteam.me

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellteam-me

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.