Dave is a 40-something father of twins who grew up in southern New South Wales, Australia.

He is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, which began at age 7 and continued between ages 11 and 13. After carrying this trauma in silence for over 32 years, he first disclosed it just over two years ago. Since then, Dave has been on a rollercoaster of a healing journey, recently receiving a diagnosis of Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and learning what that means for his mental, emotional, and relational wellbeing. This journey has involved confronting painful memories, reclaiming his story by returning to his childhood hometown, and rebuilding trust and safety in his life. Part of Dave’s healing has also involved reclaiming back both his mind and physical body - through fitness, healthier eating, and connecting with supportive male communities. For the first time, he has experienced genuine safety and brotherhood through survivor groups, men’s retreats, and close friendships, and he now mentors younger men navigating similar journeys. Alongside his personal healing, Dave has recently stepped into child safety advocacy, collaborating with other survivors of childhood sexual abuse to advise various university research projects focused on safeguarding and abuse prevention within educational environments and community sport. Through sharing his story and contributing to meaningful change, he hopes to give voice, encouragement, and hope to others on their own healing journey.

If you want to see the VIDEO 🎥 version of this podcast, you can watch from either Spotify or Youtube.

Suicide is talked about in this episode. If you are experiencing feelings of suicide or you know someone who is, don't hesitate to get in touch with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the US available 24/7 to provide free, confidential emotional support to people in suicidal or emotional distress. Their number in the US is 988 or 1-800-273-8255 or at https://988lifeline.org/ – in other countries, reach out to your local suicide prevention hotline which you can find at https://findahelpline.com/.

FULL Show Notes: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CKA205Xu_Hm4WcTVapYCV9CheEE8JvQP22HzgZ9rOG0/edit?usp=sharing