by Kerrie Atherton | May 19, 2025 | Empower, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Jen Hamer—an inspiring young woman who battled a life-threatening eating disorder from the age of 12. Jen opens up about the core beliefs that drove her illness, the pivotal moment she chose recovery over death, and the ongoing journey of healing and rediscovery.
Now completing a PhD focused on eating disorders in athletes and preparing to publish her first book Goodbye Anna, Jen is using her lived experience to spark change, foster understanding, and bring hope to others still in the struggle.
This conversation is a raw and powerful reminder that recovery is possible—and that your body is not your enemy, but your home. Whether you’re facing your own challenges or supporting someone who is, Jen’s courage and wisdom will stay with you long after you listen.
In this deeply moving and unflinchingly honest episode of Stories of HOPE, I sit down with Jen Hamer—an extraordinary young woman whose journey through the darkness of a life-threatening eating disorder has not only shaped her, but now empowers others walking a similar path.
Jen’s battle began at the age of just 12, when what started as a seemingly innocent pursuit of control and perfection spiraled into a dangerous illness that consumed her body, mind, and identity. She courageously opens up about the painful core beliefs that fed her disorder: the need to be “good,” the fear of taking up space, and the shame that twisted her perception of self-worth. Her story is not simply about food—it’s about the fundamental human need to be seen, accepted, and loved, especially by oneself.
But this conversation is also about turning points. Jen speaks about the day she chose recovery over death—not because she had all the answers, but because something inside her whispered that she was made for more than mere survival. With raw vulnerability, she describes what it means to face your deepest fears, to rebuild a relationship with your body, and to find peace in the spaces that once held pain.
Now in the final stages of completing her PhD, Jen’s academic work focuses on eating disorders in athletes—a group uniquely vulnerable to body image pressures, performance demands, and societal expectations. Drawing from both her lived experience and scholarly research, Jen is becoming a powerful voice for change in both clinical and community spaces.
Her upcoming book, Goodbye Anna, is more than a memoir—it’s a manifesto of hope, a farewell to the eating disorder she personified as “Anna,” and a love letter to every person who believes they are too far gone to heal. With clarity, compassion, and grace, Jen is breaking silence, busting myths, and reaching into the lives of those who still feel trapped in shame.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that recovery is not a linear path—it’s a revolution of self-compassion, patience, and trust. It reminds us that our bodies are not battlegrounds to be fought with, but homes to be nurtured, respected, and reclaimed.
Whether you’ve walked the path of disordered eating yourself or know someone who has, Jen’s insight will leave you changed. Her courage is contagious, and her wisdom lingers long after the conversation ends.
🛒 Buy Jen’s Book – Goodbye Anna
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodbye-Anna-Jennifer-Ellen-Hamer-ebook/dp/B09PT6H3JQ
by Kerrie Atherton | Apr 21, 2025 | Addiction, Empower, Podcasts
In this profoundly moving and inspirational episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton sits down with Danny Shannon—recovery coach, motivational speaker, founder of Encapsulator, and a man who has defied odds that would have broken most.
Danny’s story is one of radical transformation. For 17 years, he was caught in the grip of heroin addiction. His life spiraled into homelessness, crime, and incarceration. He endured the revolving door of nearly 50 rehab attempts. Each time he tried to get clean, something pulled him back—a lack of self-worth, unresolved trauma, or simply the crushing weight of addiction. Yet, on Christmas Day 2009, Danny made a choice that would change the course of his life forever. A moment of clarity, a moment of surrender, a moment of hope.
In this honest and deeply human conversation, Kerrie and Danny unpack the complex realities of addiction—how it devastates not only the individual, but everyone around them. Danny opens up about the pain he caused those who loved him, the cycles of relapse and shame, and the terrifying vulnerability of early sobriety. His transparency is powerful, his storytelling raw and unfiltered, and his commitment to helping others unshakable.
What emerges is not just a story of recovery, but one of rediscovery. Danny talks about how community became his lifeline, how giving back became his fuel, and how helping others find their way out of the darkness became his mission. Through his organization Encapsulator, he empowers people in recovery to record video time capsules—documenting who they are, what they’ve survived, and who they’re becoming.
Danny’s mantra, “Don’t leave before the miracle happens,” serves as a powerful through-line for this episode. It’s a call to keep going when it feels impossible. A call to hold on, to stay one more day, to trust that something better is waiting on the other side of pain.
Whether you’re currently in recovery, walking alongside someone who is, or simply in need of a reminder that change is possible, this episode will meet you where you are. It’s a conversation full of truth, courage, compassion, and the unmistakable heartbeat of hope.
by Kerrie Atherton | Mar 24, 2025 | Empower, Family, Podcasts
In this powerful and tender episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton speaks with Michael Ray—a father, author, speaker, and advocate whose journey redefines what it means to be a man, a parent, and a role model. Michael shares with humility and heartfelt insight how fatherhood completely transformed his identity, priorities, and purpose.
Raised in a culture where toughness, stoicism, and self-reliance were markers of masculinity, Michael’s early life was shaped by expectations that discouraged vulnerability and emotional openness. But everything changed when he became a father for the first time—at 49 years old. That moment cracked open something deeper in him, revealing a tenderness, a patience, and a love that would challenge every definition of manhood he’d previously known.
Two years later, when his daughter’s mother stepped away from parenting, Michael found himself a solo dad at 51. With no roadmap and no precedent in his own life, he took on full-time parenting with courage, love, and a commitment to being the safe, constant presence his daughter needed. Along the way, he encountered challenges—some logistical, some deeply societal—including pushback from spaces that weren’t designed with single fathers in mind.
Michael also opens up about his battle with a life-threatening illness—an experience that shifted everything. It forced him to pause, reflect, and reevaluate what truly matters. That brush with mortality became a catalyst for living more consciously, more presently, and more generously. His bond with his daughter only deepened, rooted not in perfection but in presence.
In this episode, Michael challenges outdated gender stereotypes, especially those surrounding parenting roles. He speaks candidly about how schools, courts, and communities often overlook or undervalue the role of fathers—and how damaging that can be not just for dads, but for children and society as a whole.
But more than critique, Michael offers hope. His story is a reminder that we can evolve. That love, intention, and emotional availability are not bound by gender. That it’s never too late to become the parent—or the person—you needed growing up.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to fit a mold that didn’t reflect who they really are. It’s for dads doing the best they can. For parents navigating solo. For people reckoning with legacy, identity, and love. And most of all, it’s a reminder that strength is found in showing up—not with perfection, but with heart.
by Kerrie Atherton | Dec 9, 2024 | Empower, Mental Health, Podcasts
In this stirring and profoundly inspiring episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton welcomes Ben Farinazzo—a decorated veteran, Invictus Games gold medalist, and passionate mental health advocate whose story is a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the healing power of human connection.
Ben’s journey began more than 20 years ago when he served as an army officer in East Timor. Like many who return from combat zones, Ben came home carrying the invisible wounds of service—post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. For over a decade, he suffered in silence, trapped beneath the surface of a life that looked successful on the outside but was unraveling within. His battle with mental illness remained largely hidden, as he tried to live up to the ingrained expectations of stoicism and strength.
Then, in what he now describes as a pivotal turning point, Ben suffered a devastating mountain biking accident that left him with a broken neck and back. Immobilized and vulnerable, he was finally forced to confront the mental and emotional scars he had carried for years. It was in this moment—one of complete physical and psychological fragility—that Ben began his true journey of healing.
In this episode, Ben speaks openly about his time in a mental health hospital, the dark days that tested his spirit, and the turning point that led him to fight for his wellbeing—not just for himself, but for those who might walk a similar path. His honesty about the internal battles of PTSD, his periods of isolation, and the weight of unprocessed trauma is both sobering and incredibly moving.
What follows is a remarkable story of recovery, hope, and transformation. Ben shares how the Invictus Games became not just a sporting event, but a life-altering experience of camaraderie, acceptance, and purpose. Representing Australia in indoor rowing and powerlifting, Ben rediscovered his strength—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. The sense of belonging he found among other wounded warriors reignited his belief in the human spirit and what it means to be truly seen and supported.
Throughout the conversation, Ben emphasizes the importance of consistent self-care—sleep, movement, mindfulness—and the necessity of breaking down toxic notions of masculinity. He speaks passionately about the value of support networks, open communication, and asking for help without shame. His story challenges the idea that vulnerability is weakness, and instead, reframes it as one of the greatest forms of strength.
Ben Farinazzo’s voice is one of lived wisdom, compassion, and gentle courage. His message is clear: no matter how deep the struggle, hope is never out of reach—and sometimes, your lowest point can become the foundation for your greatest comeback.
by Kerrie Atherton | Sep 22, 2024 | Empower, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
In this powerful episode of Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, former reality TV star and dog-loving country farmer Dave Graham—known to many as “Farmer Dave”—shares his journey of overcoming early trauma, neglect, and alcoholism. Gaining international recognition through Big Brother Australia, Dave consciously transformed his fame into a force for good. He now uses his platform to break down LGBTQ+ stigmas, support at-risk youth, and lead mentorship programs that pair vulnerable teens with dogs, offering compassion, stability, and hope.
Dave’s own story isn’t sugar-coated: he reflects on years of untreated trauma and addiction and how these shaped his empathy and resilience. Rather than allow this hardship to define him, he chose to use it to uplift others—turning pain into purpose. Through vulnerability, consistent support, and heartfelt action, Dave models the powerful impact one person can have when they choose to lead with compassion instead of shame.
by Kerrie Atherton | Sep 16, 2024 | Empower, Focus, Podcasts
In Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, adventurer Michelle Lee shares her extraordinary journey as the first Australian woman to solo-row the Atlantic Ocean. With no prior rowing experience, she dedicated two years to intense preparation—fueled by a desire to break free from a life of routine. On the day her father passed away, she set out on this monumental voyage, confronting not only the vastness of the ocean but also the depths of her grief.
Throughout the pursuit, Michelle reflects on how fear can catalyze growth rather than hold us back. She recounts moments of doubt, aches, and uncertainty—but also of connection: the comforting embrace of nature and encouragement from her community. Her story is a powerful reminder that overcoming immense challenges is possible when resilience meets gratitude, and when we refuse to live with regret.
