One to the Power 3

The Power of a Mother's Love ft. Dr. Dinesh Palipana

What do you do when life changes in an instant? When a car accident at 25 leaves you quadriplegic, facing a future you never imagined? For Dr. Dinesh Palipana, the answer came from an unexpected source: his mother's unwavering love. In this profoundly moving episode, Dean sits down with Dr. Dinesh Palipana OAM—doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, researcher, and Queensland Australian of the Year 2021—for a conversation about resilience, mental health, and the transformative power of unconditional love.

Dinesh takes us back to that life-altering car accident in Brisbane that left him quadriplegic at just 25 years old. He opens up about the crushing depression that followed, the dark times when survival felt impossible, and how his mother's love became the anchor that pulled him through again and again. This isn't a story about bouncing back, it's about being built back up, piece by piece, by the people who refuse to let you fall.

Against all odds, Dinesh became the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland and now works in the emergency department at Gold Coast University Hospital. But what makes this conversation truly remarkable is Dinesh's infectious attitude of positivity despite ongoing adversity. His philosophy? "I don't have bad mental health days" and "I don't believe in being busy." These aren't just motivational quotes, they're principles he lives by, and he explains how.

Throughout the episode, Dinesh’s powerful autobiography Stronger is referenced, sharing insights on disability, achievement, and redefining what's possible. From being named Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service's Junior Doctor of the Year in 2018, to receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019, to becoming the third Australian awarded the prestigious Henry Viscardi Achievement Award, Dinesh's accolades are staggering, but it's his humanity, humility, and heart that will stay with you long after this episode ends.

This is a conversation about maternal love as a lifeline, mental health after trauma, disability advocacy, working in emergency medicine with quadriplegia, and choosing positivity as a daily practice. Whether you're facing your own challenges, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a reminder of what the human spirit can endure, this episode will move you.

What You'll Learn:

• Surviving and thriving after a spinal cord injury and quadriplegia
• The role of family support (especially mothers) in trauma recovery
• Battling depression after life-changing accidents
• Insights from the book Stronger by Dinesh Palipana

If you've ever questioned your ability to overcome, if you've ever doubted your worth after loss, or if you simply need to be reminded of the incredible strength that lives within you, this episode is essential listening.

Available now on all Spotify, Apple Music & YouTube.

About the Guest: Dr. Dinesh Palipana OAM is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, and researcher. He was the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service's Junior Doctor of the Year (2018), awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (2019), recipient of the Henry Viscardi Achievement Award, Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year (2021), and Queensland Australian of the Year (2021). In 2022, he was listed as #33 in the Courier Mail's top 100 most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography Stronger was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.

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Episode #8 The Power of Purpose ft. Angelo Villson

From multiple overdoses to the bodybuilding stage. From following his father's self-destructive path to discovering a purpose bigger than himself. This is Angelo Villson's story, and it might just change yours.

In this raw and transformative episode, Dean welcomes his friend and former personal trainer Angelo Villson for a conversation about addiction, loss, redemption, and the moment everything shifted. Angello opens up as he shares his journey through excessive drug use as a teenager, MDMA, cocaine, GHB and the terrifying reality of overdosing multiple times while his mum remained his unwavering rock through it all.

Find out how Angelo discovers his true purpose: serving others and being guided by his faith.

This episode also explores the unique relationship between our host Dean and Angelo, meeting at World Gym Burleigh and Glow Church, Dean became Angelo's spiritual teacher while Angelo became Dean's personal trainer, eventually coaching Dean for his first bodybuilding show. Two men, two different goals, one shared mission: finding strength through purpose, and through this journey they form an unbreakable bond.

Today, Angelo is living proof that no matter how dark the path, redemption is possible when you find your why.

Available now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Music.

If you need support with addiction or mental health, please reach out to a professional or contact a helpline in your area.

Call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833

The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015.

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Episode #7 A Heart of Compassion

In this episode we explore more of Ajit & Alfeen’s powerful story as they take us through their time in India setting up a neo natal ward and the challenges they faced. We also learn about their many moves and what eventually brought them to Australia.

This captivating story is a reminder that the sun will always rise no matter how dark the night is.

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'Building Something Beautiful'

"You've spoken negatively about yourself for long enough."

In this deeply personal episode, Dean sits down with Liz McLeish, who takes us through her journey from self-destruction to self-love, one positive affirmation at a time.

Liz opens up about hitting rock bottom with binge eating, losing complete control over her relationship with food, and the relentless cycle of negative self-talk that kept her trapped. But this isn't just a story about struggle, it's about the small, seemingly silly practices that changed everything.

What started as forced affirmations in front of a mirror became the foundation for rebuilding her life. "You look beautiful today." "Look at your beautiful smile." "I am a kind person." Simple words that felt awkward at first, but compounded into something powerful. Liz shares how she learned to stop picking herself apart and started building something beautiful instead, not just physically, but from the inside out.

This conversation is raw, hopeful, and a reminder that healing doesn't always come from grand gestures. Sometimes it starts with looking yourself in the eye and choosing kindness, even when it feels impossible.

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What does it take to love someone who's hurting you? To hold onto your dreams while honouring your commitments? To face hardship without backing down?

In this profound episode, Dean welcomes married couple Alfeen and Ajit for an intimate conversation about the intersection of courage and compassion. Two forces that, when combined, give us the power to demonstrate true empathy even in our darkest moments.

The takeaways from the conversation are:

1.⁠ ⁠Dreams vs Commitment. It courage to dream and courage to holdfast to our commitment.

2.⁠ ⁠Courage to endure hardship - face our challenges don't back down.

3.⁠ ⁠Courage in the midst of Compassion allows us to love those who are hurting us with grace and mercy.

Please share with us on our socials what resonated with you in this episode, we’d love to hear from you friends.

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‘Greater Purpose’

In Part Two of Callum Hinze's story, we go deeper into the mental battles beneath the surface. Callum opens up about the internal struggle he kept hidden for years, the OCD-like symptoms, the mental superstitions, the rigid patterns he created before every big moment. Whether it was stepping onto the footy field, prepping for a bodybuilding show, or even just hitting the gym, anxiety would take over and Callum would grasp for control in ways that only made things worse. This is a vulnerable, powerful conversation about recognising when our coping mechanisms become our cage, and learning to let go of the control we never needed in the first place.

Please share with us on our socials what resonated with you in this episode, we’d love to hear from you friends.

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'Finding My True Purpose In Life'

In this episode, Dean sits down with Callum Hinze—Gold Coast-based IFBB Classic Physique Pro, online coach, and entrepreneur—who opens up about his unexpected journey from chasing bodybuilding glory to searching for something far more meaningful. From the dazzling stage lights of competition, where success left him feeling numb and lost, to a moment in Dubai that led him to discover the truth behind it all. Callum reveals how unexpected messages challenged him to ask the deepest questions: What is my true purpose? What is true joy?

This is a raw and honest conversation about purpose, faith, and the search for what truly matters in life. Callum’s story reminds us that success without meaning can feel empty, and that true joy often comes from looking beyond the ego. Whether you’re chasing goals, questioning your path, or simply curious about what drives fulfillment, this episode invites you to reflect on your own journey.

We’d love to hear what resonated with you—please share your thoughts with us on our socials and join the conversation.

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“Be brave and courageous.” Here, we explore Dean’s recovery in the months and years that followed his life-changing accident. We learn about the adversity he faced during this time, and how taking accountability was the only thing that would pull him out of the darkness.

So join us as we walk together through the storms, anchored in hope, powered to empower. Please share with us on our socials what resonated with you in this episode, we’d love to hear from you friends.

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"To die or not to die.” Here, we explore what it means to rebuild piece by piece: physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. Learn the raw truth about survival, loss, and finding light in the darkest moments.

On this week’s episode, Dean Durman shares his journey that began with a life-changing accident where he faced death head-on, and discovered that survival is only the beginning.

So join us as we walk together through the storms, anchored in hope, powered to empower. Please share with us on our socials what resonated with you in this episode, we’d love to hear from you friends.

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