by Kerrie Atherton | Jun 15, 2026 | Depression, Family, Podcasts, Stories of Hope, vulnerability
TJ is the son of legendary Australian Ironman Trevor Hendy, and from a young age he knew what it was like to live close to the spotlight. But behind the achievements, the races and the expectations, TJ has walked through some incredibly hard seasons. Career setbacks, long COVID, physical health challenges and deep emotional pain all brought him to a place where he had to look beyond performance and ask, “Who am I without all of this?”
In this episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I sit down with Ironman TJ Hendy for a beautiful and honest conversation about identity, pressure, heartbreak, healing and what it really means to keep going.
What touched my heart so much in this conversation was TJ’s wisdom around feelings, fear and learning to stop tying our worth to what we do. He speaks so honestly about the moments that broke his heart, the pressure of being so close to a dream, and the way he has slowly found his way back — not just to Ironman racing, but to himself.
This is such a powerful reminder that we are not defined by our titles, our careers, our achievements or even our hardest moments. TJ’s story is one of courage, surrender, resilience and hope. And as he says so beautifully, sometimes giving up is harder than keeping going.
Get in touch with TJ Hendy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-hendy-34a3b6191/
Website: https://ironseries.com.au/meet-the-athletes/tj-hendy/
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Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.
Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about “Stories of Hope: Worldwide”, head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.
Purchase books in the “Stories of Hope” series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.
With thanks to:
Music: “Pilgrims” by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)
Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)
by Kerrie Atherton | Jun 1, 2026 | Addiction, Podcasts, sexual abuse, Stories of Hope
In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I speak with singer-songwriter and advocate Greg Gould about the courage it takes to speak the truth after years of silence. Greg shares his experience of surviving sexual abuse, the shame and confusion he carried for so long, and the way addiction became a place to hide from pain he didn’t yet know how to face.
With honesty, warmth and extraordinary bravery, Greg opens up about the moments that helped him begin to heal. From the kindness of a little girl offering him an ice cream on one of the darkest days of his life, to the love of family, friends, and his partner who believed in him when he struggled to believe in himself.
This conversation is tender, raw, and full of hope. Greg and I speak openly about trauma, addiction, recovery, music, and the power of giving shame back to where it belongs. Greg’s story is a beautiful reminder that speaking up can set others free, and that even after deep pain, it is possible to come back to life, love, purpose, and joy.
Get in touch with Greg Gould:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/greggouldmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greggouldmusic
Website: https://www.greggould.com.au/
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Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.
Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about “Stories of Hope: Worldwide”, head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.
Purchase books in the “Stories of Hope” series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.
With thanks to:
Music: “Pilgrims” by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)
Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)
by Kerrie Atherton | May 18, 2026 | Mental Health, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Jason Dasey – a broadcaster and journalist who lost his beautiful dad to suicide when he was only 15 years old. His dad was his mentor, his hero, and the person who encouraged him to follow his dream of becoming a journalist. To lose him so suddenly, just before Christmas, was absolutely heartbreaking.
But Jason’s story is also one of incredible resilience. Even after being told he would never make it in journalism or broadcasting, he kept going. He built an amazing career across Australia, the UK, America and Asia, interviewing some of the most well-known people in the world.
In this conversation, we talk about grief, addiction, men’s mental health, loneliness, connection, purpose and the importance of not giving up. Jason shares so much wisdom about finding joy, serving others, and living each day with meaning.
This episode really touched my heart, and I know so many people will resonate with Jason’s story. His message is a beautiful reminder that even through deep pain, healing is possible and anything is possible if we don’t give up.
Get in touch with Jason Dasey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondasey/
Website: https://www.abc.net.au/news/jason-dasey/12400644
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Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.
Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about “Stories of Hope: Worldwide”, head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.
Purchase books in the “Stories of Hope” series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.
With thanks to:
Music: “Pilgrims” by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)
Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)
by Kerrie Atherton | Dec 29, 2025 | Addiction, Depression, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
The Story of Andrea Simmons Ice Addiction Recovery Hope Transformation is a powerful reminder that no life is beyond repair. Once a successful businesswoman with a loving family, Andrea’s life spiralled into darkness after trying ice for the first time at 40. In just two short years, she lost everything — her home, her health, and nearly her life. Yet what could have been the end became the beginning of a remarkable journey of hope, faith, and transformation.
The Descent into Addiction
Andrea Simmons had what many would call the perfect life — family, business success, and financial freedom. But after a painful separation and a chance encounter, she was introduced to ice, unaware of its devastating power. Within weeks, addiction took hold. Her world descended into psychosis, fear, and destruction. She found herself isolated, broken, and consumed by shame — a shell of the woman she once was.
Rock Bottom and a Second Chance
After overdosing and losing consciousness, Andrea cried out for forgiveness, asking, “If there’s a God out there, don’t leave me here.” What followed was a profound spiritual encounter that marked the turning point in her life. With faith as her anchor, she began rebuilding from nothing — healing her mind, body, and spirit. Her Ice Addiction Recovery Hope Transformation journey shows the power of divine intervention, resilience, and a willingness to change.
Rebuilding Through Purpose
Determined to help others avoid the same trap, Andrea founded the Australian Anti Ice Campaign, a national organisation providing education, prevention, and peer support for those affected by addiction. Her lived experience has become a beacon of light for countless others — showing that even from the darkest places, new life can emerge. She now speaks in schools and communities across Australia, breaking the stigma around addiction and inspiring people to seek help without shame.
Why Her Story Matters
The story of Andrea Simmons Ice Addiction Recovery Hope Transformation is not just about survival — it’s about redemption. Andrea’s courage to turn pain into purpose reminds us that every setback can become a setup for healing. Her life stands as a message of unconditional love, second chances, and the truth that we are never too far gone to begin again.
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by Kerrie Atherton | Dec 1, 2025 | Depression, Mental Health, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
In this second part of my conversation with former undercover cop Todd Maguire, we go deeper into the double life he led as “Donny”: the persona he created to escape the unbearable grief after Karen’s suicide.
Todd takes us inside the hidden world of drugs, bikie clubs and constant danger, and shares honestly about the death wish that followed him into every risky situation. Behind the cool exterior was a broken young man who secretly hoped he wouldn’t make it home, because staying alive felt harder than the thought of dying.
Todd also opens up about the heavy cost of that life – the nightmares, PTSD, anger, isolation and the impact on his relationship with Peter, who would later become his wife. A powerful turning point came when he talked a man off a cliff and was suddenly confronted with the ripple effect of suicide and the pain it leaves behind.
Today, Todd is a husband, dad, coach and author, using his story to bring hope and understanding to others. If you or someone you love has been touched by suicide, depression or trauma, I truly believe Todd’s story will speak straight to your heart. He is a living example that even after deep loss, danger and despair, hope and purpose are still possible.
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Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.
Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about “Stories of Hope: Worldwide”, head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.
Purchase books in the “Stories of Hope” series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.
With thanks to:
Music: “Pilgrims” by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)
Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)
by Kerrie Atherton | Nov 17, 2025 | Addiction, Depression, Mental Health, Podcasts
In this first part of my conversation with Todd McGuire, we go back to what seemed like a pretty ordinary Aussie life. Todd grew up a Brisbane boy who loved his footy, his family and the freedom of riding his bike from sunup to sundown. He never set out to be a cop, and he certainly never imagined his life would one day be divided into before 2000 and after 2000.
Todd shares how he found his way from hospitality into the police force, and then into a relationship with Karen – the woman he describes as absolutely mesmerising – and the special bond he formed with her little boy. He speaks honestly about their unexpected pregnancy, the decision to terminate, and the quiet guilt and questions that followed.
Then Todd takes us to New Year’s Day 2000, when he came home from night shift and later walked downstairs to find that Karen had taken her own life. What he describes from that moment on is raw and heartbreaking – the shock, the trauma, the black dog of depression, and feeling like his own life had ended that day too.
This episode is tender and confronting, but it’s also an important part of Todd’s bigger story. In Part 2, we’ll meet “Donnie”, the undercover cop he became to escape his pain, and we’ll talk about how he slowly began to find hope again. If you’re walking through grief or feeling lost in the darkness, I want you to know as you listen: you are not alone, and there is always hope.
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Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.
Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about “Stories of Hope: Worldwide”, head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.
Purchase books in the “Stories of Hope” series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.
With thanks to:
Music: “Pilgrims” by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)
Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)
