Life Journey TV

From a simple gesture of kindness, Juliette Wright began her charity GIVIT in 2009 and since then has donated over 2 million items to those in need. 

GIVIT's unique concept quickly captured the attention of the Government.  When Queensland flooded in 2011, Premier Anna Bligh turned to Juliette for help.  Givit became the state government's official website for managing donations during disasters.  They are now recognised as the National Disaster and Emergency Partner.

During the devastating bushfires earlier in the year, the Duchess of Cornwall reached out to the GIVIT team to make a donation.  Camilla is now Patron of the Charity, something Juliette is justly proud of!

This week's podcast is an oldie, but a goodie. I sit down and interview Ben Dobbin, Dobbo (as everyone knows him). Ben has led such an interesting life. From growing up in the middle of Sydney, to working in the Northern Territory on a remote cattle property, he is now a well known media personality. ⁣
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Dobbo even shares a bit of life advice with me.⁣

I hope you enjoy this interview. 
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Jules Galloway had a troubled childhood.⁣⁣⁣
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Her adopted parents kept her locked away in their home, only allowing her to go to school with all hell breaking loose if she was just minutes late home in the afternoon.⁣⁣⁣
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By the time Jules was 16, being homeless seemed a better option than staying where she was.⁣⁣⁣
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Despite everything, Jules has managed to put her dreadful childhood behind her to become a compassionate and successful person. ⁣⁣⁣
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Jules helps her clients live healthy lives and even lends her time to the organisation, Involvement Volunteers International, helping bring better health to underprivileged countries.⁣⁣⁣
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I hope you enjoy Jules story as much as I did!

I was fortunate enough to catch up with the incredible Steven Bradbury last year.⁣
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To take his gold medal victory in Salt Lake City in 2002 at face value, would be to seriously underrate the enormous effort he put into his career in the years leading up to that spectacular moment.⁣

Julie Cross is a passionate speaker and brings a strong message of hope and empowerment to all who hear her speak.⁣
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Julie's own life hasn't been easy. She lost her husband when their two boys were little and their youngest child has lived his 19 years with autism. ⁣
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Julie fills her life with so much positivity and humour, its difficult not to feel happier in her company. ⁣
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I hope you enjoy our interview!⁣

The battle began every morning for Kyle Andrews when he climbed out of bed.⁣⁣
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Kyle always knew he was gay, but it wasn’t until he was 13 and his parents found out, that things became really difficult for him.⁣⁣
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Thrown out of home and ostracised by his peers, things couldn’t have been worse for a young gay person growing up in a small rural community.⁣⁣
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Somehow though, Kyle found the courage to stand up and be true to himself. He did so with humility, kindness, and hope.⁣⁣
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I have met Kyle several times now and I thoroughly enjoy his company. He is witty, sometimes vulnerable but filled with love and hope. He is grateful, considerate and lives his life with a deep sense of integrity.⁣⁣
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He is one of the bravest young people I know.⁣⁣

"It's hard to imagine how you would react if you were tragically struck down in your youth. Why would you? It's not like that is ever going to happen."⁣
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So reads the first paragraph in Col Mackereth's memoir, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. A book I had difficulty putting down. ⁣
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Col's story is one of overcoming unimaginable odds and doing so with courage, humility, and love. He does not just live a good life but has found deep peace and understanding within himself. ⁣
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I had goosebumps speaking with Col. I hope you enjoy his story. ⁣
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To learn more about Col head to his website: https://www.8keys.com.au/

"Run Forrest Run". That is the most memorable line for me from Forrest Gump (apart from 'Life is like a box of chocolates'). Forrest is sitting on a park bench as an adult telling a very bored woman - 'You wouldn't believe me if I told you I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere I was running'.
Why am I telling you this? Well it reminds me so much of Sarah Foster. Not that Sarah has ever been in callipers and is actually a very smart woman - unlike Forrest who 'may not be a smart man but knows what love is'.
But, Sarah found herself running and forgot to stop! Sarah lives on a remote cattle property in the Gulf of Australia and amongst many things, is an ultra marathon runner. She recently won the Delirious W.E.S.T, a leisurely 350km run in Western Australia.
In our interview, Sarah shares her story of struggle, sacrifice and triumph with a little bit of love thrown in!

Shanna Whan's raw, brutal honesty about her alcoholism, is testament to the courage and strong desire she has to help others suffering from addiction in our country. Shanna explains Sober in the Country below in her own words.
I hope you enjoy Shanna's story.

Sober in the Country (SITC) is a national charity with a focus on positively impacting and shifting the bush alcohol culture through grassroots conversations among mates that it's “OK2SAYNO” to a drink. Charity founder and CEO Shanna Whan has worked relentlessly in this space since early 2015 with the sole aim of using her own lived-experience as a recovered alcoholic to drive overdue change, awareness, and support for others. Specifically she addresses the rural demographic (like her) that works to feed and clothe the rest of the nation but often does so minus adequate support during times of need. When Shanna's episode of Australian Story went to air in late 2019 in the same week that SITC transitioned from 'solo volunteer' to national charity, the conversation went national and international.

During my interview with David Hanlon from The Right Mind, I was reminded how important our own personal growth is to live happy, contented lives. ⁣