About

Joe paints a raw image of what life was and is like for indigenous Australians, and he reminds us about the importance of community. Joe makes a really interesting point about genetic memory and intergenerational trauma, and how our ancestors and their experiences really do play a part in shaping who we are as people. We also go deeper into his experiences with mental health and the things he’s learned to help manage. He is definitely someone on the front line, fighting in the trenches on the issue of suicide prevention. In fact, the afternoon this interview took place, he only just found out about someone in his community committing suicide, which shows just how real it is for him on a day-to-day basis. Joe is a proud Aboriginal man. He played in the NRL (for our international listeners that’s the national rugby league here in Australia) for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional Boxing in 2009 where he was crowned a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion WBC Asia Continental Title holder. Outside of the spotlight he was battling mental illness, as he had done for most of his life. In 2012 Joe tried to take his own life. Despite a successful career, he has lived with bipolar which has challenged him to his greatest lengths, far beyond any physical world contests. Through that experience he found his true calling – which is to use his personal and professional experiences to help other people. Recently Joe has also been involved in filming of the worldwide documentary, "Suicide the Ripple Effect" from director and fellow advocate, Kevin Hines (the man who survived jumping off the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco). He is a published author with his book “Defying The Enemy Within”. In 2018 Joe was conferred the highest honour of Australia's most eminent Suicide Prevention organisation, Suicide Prevention Australia's LIFE Award for his outstanding work in communities across Australia.  

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