soberawkward
soberawkward
Joe Williams: Finding My Purpose Through Sobriety
Joe Williams: Finding My Purpose Through Sobriety
Joe Williams: Finding My Purpose Through Sobriety
Sunday 2nd June 2024
Joe Williams' journey from NRL player to mental health advocate highlights resilience, cultural pride, and the power of self-discovery.
59 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
About this podcast
Author:
soberawkward
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
Creative Recovery Journeys
Financial Health in Recovery
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
215 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Joe Williams: From Rugby Star to Mental Health Advocate
Episode Overview
- Joe Williams' journey from professional NRL player to finding purpose in boxing and sobriety
- The impact of childhood fame and pressure on mental health and addiction
- The role of sobriety in Joe's decision to retire from professional sports
- Connecting with cultural roots and the importance of family support in sobriety
- Embracing storytelling and community engagement for mental health advocacy
I can't say I have any regrets with anything that I've done. Every decision we make is the exact decision we wanted to make at that moment.
Ever wondered how someone can go from the highs of professional sports to the depths of mental health struggles, and come out stronger on the other side? Meet Joe Williams, a multi-sport Australian athlete and proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu First Nations Aboriginal man. Joe’s journey is anything but ordinary. After living his dream as a professional NRL player, Joe faced a tough battle with drugs, alcohol, and bipolar disorder.
His rugby career ended after just four seasons, but that was only the beginning of his story. Enter the boxing ring. Boxing gave Joe the discipline and structure he lacked in rugby, leading to a successful career in the sport. But sobriety wasn’t a magic fix for his deeper issues. In 2012, Joe found himself in a psychiatric ward after a suicide attempt—a day he now calls the most important of his life.
This pivotal moment set Joe on a path to find his true purpose: helping others who struggle with mental illness. Today, Joe is an author and advocate, using his story to inspire and support those facing similar battles. If you’re looking for a tale of resilience, cultural pride, and the power of self-discovery, Joe Williams’ story is one you won’t want to miss.