I have always been a Geelong boy. I grew up in Geelong, with three older siblings and attended Geelong Grammar.
Throughout school I wasn't a great student so I went overseas when I finished school and didn’t take life too seriously.
I got into real estate when I was 23.
I had been in real estate for 16-years and worked tirelessly to make a career of it and a name for myself. However over a period of time, I acknowledged that I was neglecting my mental health and my family. I recently made the difficult decision to move into a new role. It's still real estate related which is my passion professionally but I now coach and mentor other agents.
My Dad passed away fairly suddenly when I was 30. That was a turning point that pulled me into a horrible spiral of depression. My Dad was an alcoholic and I felt I was heading that way too. I made the decision to give up drinking when my Dad passed away. I've been managing depression for the past eight-years. It's been quite the journey and I've had some really dark and horrible times.
Managing my mental health has been a long term journey. I have been seeing a Psychologist fairly regularly for the past eight years. I am also on a low dose of anti-depressants.
I am very conscious of my body and health now so I spend a lot of time 'keeping tabs' on my own mental health. Exercise and diet help me a lot in managing it. Another passion of mine is running, it really helps me.
My family has been a very important part of this journey. My wife has been on this journey the whole time so she can identify when I'm pushing too hard and will often be the one to bring me back. She has been a tremendous support and shoulder to cry on in tough times. It's difficult at the best of times having young kids, it's never perfect, but we do our best to try and keep things as positive as possible.
I am positive about my future, however I acknowledge that this is something I will manage for the rest of my life, so it's a matter of keeping on top of it and when it does get on top of me, knowing the steps I need to take to come back out the other end.
Depression has taught me to get to know myself extremely well and to have an appreciation on the good things in life.. As the saying goes 'some of the best gifts come badly wrapped'.
This Father’s Day I will be taking time out with my family and spending time with my kids.
Fatherhood is an ever challenging, yet rewarding part of life. It's constantly changing and evolving and just when you think you've got it nailed, they grow up and throw more complexity at you. Its super rewarding watching them grow, fail and play.
I will never have fatherhood nailed. I figure that no one is perfect so just take it for what it is.
Some days are phenomenal and others are horrible but the sun always comes up the next day. The hardest part I found was that life isn't all about me anymore. It can really play on your ego. Kids are great teachers and are always teaching me about myself, the good and the no so good.
I am honoured to be an Ambassador to the Barwon Health Foundation’s Father’s Day Project.
Men's health has been something that has not really been recognised or spoken about in the past. I guess it's because of the stigma of males being strong and having this big bravado. Slowly, it's turning around and more men are starting to realise that there's nothing wrong with 'struggling'.
In actual fact, I think the stronger men are the ones who actually talk about it.
Please donate to the Barwon Health Foundation’s Father’s Day Project to support Men’s health right here in Geelong. Your donation will help local mental health patients just like me.
To support the Father's Day Project and donate to mental health, cardiac services or the Andrew Love Cancer Centre click here.
