by Kerrie Atherton | May 5, 2025 | lived experience, Mental Health, Podcasts
In this deeply personal and empowering episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton sits down with Jen Hamer—a writer, speaker, and academic whose journey through the depths of an eating disorder has not only shaped her life but now serves as a guiding light for others navigating similar paths.
Jen’s struggle began early. By the age of 12, she had already fallen into the grips of a life-threatening eating disorder—an illness that stole her energy, identity, and nearly her life. For years, Jen battled in silence, buried beneath the weight of impossible expectations, perfectionism, and the belief that her worth was tied to how little space she could take up in the world. Her story is one of pain, but also of awakening.
Now, Jen is completing a PhD focused on eating disorders in athletes—a group often overlooked, yet uniquely vulnerable to body image pressures and performance-based identity. Her research is personal, rigorous, and driven by a desire to create tangible change in how we understand and treat disordered eating in high-pressure environments.
In this episode, Jen speaks about the moment she chose recovery—a crossroads where she had to choose between surviving and truly living. She discusses the core beliefs that fueled her illness, the myths that kept her trapped, and the moment she realized her body was not the enemy but a partner in healing.
With vulnerability and strength, Jen also opens up about her upcoming book, Goodbye Anna—a powerful memoir in which she personifies her eating disorder as “Anna,” and writes a final farewell to the part of her life that tried to consume her. The book is not just a goodbye to pain—it’s a hello to purpose, compassion, and renewed self-trust.
Through her words, Jen sends a message to anyone who is struggling: that healing is messy, nonlinear, and never instant—but it is possible. That your value does not come from your appearance or achievements, but from your humanity. And that your body, no matter how long it has been at war with your mind, can become your home again.
Whether you’re living with an eating disorder, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to rebuild your relationship with your body, Jen’s story offers insight, empathy, and hope. It’s a reminder that recovery isn’t about returning to who you were—it’s about becoming who you were meant to be.
by Kerrie Atherton | Mar 10, 2025 | Addiction, Mental Health, Podcasts
In this courageous and deeply human episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton sits down with professional rugby league player Liam Knight—a man known for his strength on the field, but whose greatest battles were fought far from the spotlight. Once a rising star in the NRL and now continuing his career in the UK Super League, Liam opens up about the private chaos that existed behind the public persona.
With honesty and vulnerability, Liam shares his experience of battling addiction to drugs and alcohol—an invisible war that escalated silently as he navigated the intense pressures of professional sport, injuries, and the emotional toll of living up to public expectations. He talks about the slippery slope that began with prescription medications after injury, and how it quickly spiraled into dependency, isolation, and self-destruction.
But this story is not just about what was lost—it’s about what was found. Liam describes the pivotal moments that led him to finally ask for help: the honest conversations, the mirror moments, the quiet realization that something had to change if he wanted to survive. He speaks about entering recovery, the discomfort of facing life without substances, and the support systems—teammates, professionals, family—that helped him rebuild from the ground up.
In a culture where masculinity is often equated with silence and stoicism, Liam’s story is a powerful disruption. He speaks directly to the stigma that surrounds mental health and addiction in sport and among men more broadly, challenging the outdated belief that vulnerability is weakness. Instead, he reclaims it as strength.
Now in recovery, Liam not only continues to pursue his athletic career, but also uses his voice to advocate for mental wellness and emotional honesty. His story is one of transformation—a testament to the fact that it’s not where you start or even where you fall, but how you rise that defines the life you live.
For anyone struggling with addiction, mental health, or the shame of feeling alone in their pain, Liam’s words are a lifeline. His journey is a reminder that help is not only available—it works. That sobriety isn’t the end of something, but the beginning of something better. And that even after the darkest nights, it’s possible to play again, live again, and hope again.
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 | Dec 2, 2024 | lived experience, Mental Health, Podcasts
On November 13, 2015, the Bataclan theatre in Paris became the site of one of Europe’s deadliest terrorist attacks. Among the survivors was Ferry Zandvliet, whose life was forever changed in those terrifying moments. What followed was not just the struggle of survival, but years of battling PTSD and searching for healing and meaning.
In this gripping episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Ferry recounts the night of the attack with raw honesty. He describes the chaos, fear, and the long-lasting scars it left on his mental health. But his story does not end with trauma. Through therapy, community, and self-discovery, Ferry has found a way to rebuild his life and transform his pain into purpose.
Today, Ferry is an advocate for resilience and human connection. By sharing his journey publicly, he offers hope to others facing the weight of PTSD, reminding them that recovery is possible even after the darkest of nights. His perspective highlights that trauma can shape us, but it doesn’t have to define us.
Ferry’s story demonstrates the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. From the depths of fear and loss, he has risen with a renewed commitment to life, compassion, and courage. This episode invites listeners to consider how adversity can lead to unexpected strength and how hope can emerge even from tragedy.
by Kerrie Atherton | Nov 11, 2024 | lived experience, Mental Health, Podcasts
Madeleine Black’s story is one of profound courage. As a teenager, she endured trauma that left deep scars on her life. For years, silence and shame weighed heavily on her. But through the journey of healing, forgiveness, and hope, she discovered not only her own strength but a powerful voice that has inspired countless others.
In this moving episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Madeleine shares her experience with raw honesty and compassion. She opens up about the lasting impact of her trauma and how the decision to forgive became a turning point. Forgiveness, she explains, was not about excusing the harm but about reclaiming her life and refusing to let pain define her future.
Madeleine’s resilience turned her from victim to advocate. By choosing to speak openly, she has given others permission to find their own voice, no matter how heavy the burden they carry. Her journey demonstrates that while trauma can break us down, it can also become the soil from which empathy, strength, and new beginnings grow.
This episode is more than a story of survival—it is a message of hope. Madeleine shows us that forgiveness is a radical act of self-love and that even in the darkest chapters, healing and light are possible. Her voice echoes the truth that we are never defined solely by what happened to us, but by the courage with which we rise.
by Kerrie Atherton | Nov 4, 2024 | Mental Health, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
For generations, men have often been taught to stay silent about their struggles, carrying heavy burdens in isolation. Mike McCarthy knows this reality too well. In this compelling episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, he shares his journey of confronting stigma, speaking openly, and building spaces where men can find strength in vulnerability.
Mike’s story shines a light on the hidden battles men face—depression, anxiety, and the crushing expectation to “tough it out.” By daring to break his silence, he discovered that openness is not weakness but courage in action. His honesty invites other men to step beyond outdated cultural norms and find freedom in telling their truth.
Throughout the conversation, Mike explains how speaking up reshaped his relationships and his own mental wellbeing. He also shares the importance of community and safe spaces where men can support one another without judgment. His message is simple yet powerful: silence keeps us trapped, while honesty and connection open the door to healing.
This episode stands as both testimony and call to action. Men everywhere are reminded that they do not have to fight their battles alone. By sharing his story, Mike McCarthy helps dismantle stigma and inspires a movement toward healthier, more open conversations around men’s mental health.
