What happens when everything you’ve built your identityaround suddenly disappears?
In this episode of Tumble Upward, we sit down with Luke, who spent nearly two decades chasing his football dream—only to lose it all after being deceived by a fake agent.

Luke shares the emotional reality of losing identity, facingbullying and self-doubt, and how his mental health was tested at every turn. But instead of letting it define him, he transformed that pain into purpose.

Today, Luke is an award-winning global coach and community builder, helping others rebuild confidence, resilience, and belonging.

This is a raw and deeply inspiring story about identity,failure, and the power of reinvention. Luke reminds us that even the darkest chapters can become the foundation for our greatest growth.

This conversation dives deep into:

• The emotional impact of losing identity and purpose
• How failure can become a catalyst for transformation
• Finding meaning beyond business
• The power of community and helping others rise

Luke’s Social Media & Podcast

• Instagram: @lukebeastall
• Facebook: Luke Beastall
• Podcast: Beyond The Boardroom

This week on Tumble Upward, I’m joined by Helen — a bright, thoughtful, and brilliantly self-aware writer and project manager who grew up believing that love was earned through achievement.

Raised in China under high cultural and parental expectations, Helen spent most of her life chasing perfection — academically, creatively, professionally. Her identity was built on “never enough”, even when she was excelling.

From studying art and fashion to pivoting into international management, Helen pushed herself beyond limits… until burnout hit hard. More than once.

But today, she’s rewriting the rules she grew up with.

In this episode, Helen opens up about:

• ​🌟 How her strict upbringing shaped her perfectionism
• ​🔥 What burnout really looked like behind the scenes
• ​🚪 The moment she realized success without peace isn’t success
• ​✍️ How writing became her safe space for healing
• ​🧘‍♀️ The small mindset shifts she uses now to maintain balance and self-kindness

This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt like their worth is measured by their productivity.

🔗 Connect with Helen

• ​Instagram: cjhelen_
• ​Articles & Writing: http://linktr.ee/ExploreWithHelen

In this episode of Tumble Upward, John shares the life-altering moment that changed everything—a fall from a rock climbing wall that shattered his hip and led to emergency surgery, months in a wheelchair, and the daunting challenge of learning to walk again.

John opens up about both the physical and emotional hurdles of his recovery, including:

• The accident and hip surgery

• Navigating life in a wheelchair

• The long, painful journey through rehab

• The mental health battles that came with losing independence

• The mindset, resilience, and support that helped him rise again

This conversation is a raw and inspiring exploration of what it truly means to rebuild—not just your body, but your sense of self—after trauma. John’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is never linear, and sometimes the hardest climbs happen within.

In this episode of Tumble Upward, I sit down with Jesse, whose life took a dramatic turn while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. A training accident left him with multiple injuries, including an acquired brain injury, and his heart stopped seven times during the ordeal.

Against the odds, he fought his way through rehab to graduate, only to be medically retired from service soon after. The years that followed were marked by struggle — weight gain, loss of identity, and the challenge of finding purpose beyond the military.

But this is also a story of turning it all around. Jesse rebuilt his life, went to university, and today runs a high-performance program at Norths Rugby Union while continuing his own rehab journey. His story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of refusing to give up.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• The day of the training accident and its aftermath

• What it means to fight back through an acquired brain injury and physical trauma

• The challenges of medical retirement and life spiralling afterward

• The turning point that sparked his transformation

This is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest chapters, we have the ability to rewrite our story.

In this deeply moving first episode of Tumble Upward, Pera shares her story of unimaginable heartbreak and resilience. After losing her baby at 32 weeks and nearly losing her own life from a severe haemorrhage during childbirth, she faced grief and trauma that no parent should have to endure.

Through her journey of healing and with the arrival of her rainbow baby, she discovered strength, hope, and a renewed perspective on life. Her story is one of survival, love, and the power of community support.

⚠️ A note for listeners: This episode discusses pregnancy and infant loss, birth trauma, and recovery. Please take care while listening.

Below are the links that Pera talks about in the episode. If you or someone you know needs support, these organisations can help:

• Bears of Hope: https://www.bearsofhope.org.au/

• Precious Wings: https://www.preciouswings.org/

• Red Nose: 1300 308 307

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Hummingbird House: https://hummingbirdhouse.org.au/

• Heartfelt Photography: https://www.heartfelt.org.au/