The Roads We've Walked Podcast

Ep.67- Billy Derksen - Former NSW Firefighter, Supercross Motorbike Rider

Billy Derksen’s story is one of adrenaline, survival and rebuilding life after the storm. Raised in Western Sydney, motorbikes were more than just a hobby — they were part of the family. While school wasn’t where his focus sat, racing was. Billy travelled up and down Australia’s east coast chasing the thrill of competition and making a name for himself in the racing world, until a long list of injuries eventually forced him to step away. Looking for a new purpose, he joined the NSW Fire Service as a volunteer before turning that passion into a career as a full-time firefighter. But the job would test him in ways few people could imagine. During his service, Billy survived two near-death situations while battling bushfires — one ending with a rescue helicopter extraction and another with his crew forced into life-saving emergency procedures inside their fire truck. The aftermath of those experiences changed everything. Diagnosed with PTSD and medically discharged from the service, Billy and his family made the move to Brisbane in search of a fresh start. Even away from the front line, the battles didn’t stop. Through dark periods, professional support and rebuilding himself piece by piece, Billy found his way back. Today, he’s thriving in a new career, is a devoted husband and father of three, and still carries a passion for the service that shaped him — with hopes of one day returning in a training role to help prepare the next generation. A story of survival, identity, and finding purpose again after everything changes. This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Ep.66 - Robin Tinholt - Norwegian Country Music & Pop Artist Singer Songwriter

Born and raised in Norway, Robin Tinholt grew up with music always playing a part in his life. With his father performing in a band, music was never just background noise — it was part of the environment he was raised in. While he attended school like everyone else, his mind was always drifting toward melodies, lyrics and a dream that felt bigger than where he came from. From an early age, he knew music wasn’t just something he enjoyed, it was something he wanted to build a life around. Like many people chasing a dream, Robin took a more traditional path first, attending trade school to become a carpenter. But the pull of music never disappeared. Feeling that passion getting stronger, he made the decision to leave early and take his music journey seriously. That decision eventually took him all the way to Los Angeles to record music — a moment that gave him a glimpse of the life he had always imagined. Returning home to Norway only lit an even bigger fire inside him and strengthened his belief that he was meant for more. Along the way, Robin faced one of his toughest battles when a medical episode forced him to step away from the thing he loved most. For many people, that could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became another chapter. Determined to get back to doing what he loved and what he does best, he fought his way back with the same drive that had carried him this far. Inspired by Keith Urban and the way he tells stories through music, Robin has continued shaping his own sound and identity. His mission is simple — “Norway to Nashville.” It’s the story of a kid from a country where country music isn’t the biggest genre, refusing to let location, obstacles or setbacks decide his future. A story of persistence, passion and proving that no matter where you start, dreams don’t care about borders. This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Ep.65 - Brad Wood - Radio Announcer The Fox 101.9, The Dolphins Gameday Host

Growing up in Melton, Brad Wood was the shy kid who struggled to fit in. Living with Autism made school difficult socially and academically, but while the classroom never felt like home, he found an escape in media, radio and the power of storytelling. Starting out at a local community radio station, Brad slowly built confidence behind the microphone. What began as a solo radio show eventually turned into bigger opportunities, opening doors across Australia in places like Muswellbrook, Ballarat, Adelaide and Brisbane. Every move meant taking risks, stepping into the unknown and proving to himself that he belonged in the industry he loved. Along the way, Brad built strong connections, earned respect in radio circles and refused to let fear or self-doubt hold him back. After moving back to Melbourne, another huge opportunity came his way… becoming the gameday announcer for the Dolphins, standing in front of packed stadiums doing what once felt impossible for the shy kid from Melton. Today, Brad is a radio announcer with The Fox and continues to carve out a career built on resilience, persistence and taking every opportunity life threw at him. This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Ep.64 - Jesse Koorey - Low & Slow BBQ Lover, Freestyle Motobike Rider

Born in New Zealand and brought to Australia at a young age in search of greater opportunity, Jesse Koorey grew up in the northern suburbs of the Gold Coast with a strong sense of drive and adventure. While he enjoyed school, it was motorbikes that truly captured his attention. What started as a passion for riding quickly evolved into a fearless pursuit of freestyle—learning tricks, hitting jumps others wouldn’t dare attempt, and travelling up and down Australia’s east coast chasing that adrenaline-fuelled lifestyle. During his teenage years, Jesse balanced that passion with a school-based carpentry apprenticeship, laying the foundations for a career that would later become his focus. After one too many injuries in his early 20s, he made the tough call to step away from freestyle riding and fully commit to life as a chippy. But Jesse’s competitive edge never disappeared—it just found a new outlet. Later in life, he discovered a deep passion for BBQ, especially the art of low and slow cooking. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something more, competing with teams and earning placings in competitions along the way. He even launched a small side hustle selling brisket beef patties, bringing his love for BBQ to others. Today, Jesse is a contracted carpentry supervisor, a dedicated husband and father, and proof that while passions may evolve, the fire to chase them never fades. This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Ep.63 - Abbey Willcox - Australian 2026 Winter Olympian, Aerial Skier

Abbey Willcox’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics is a story of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to give up on a dream. Born and raised in Gosford, New South Wales, Abbey began her athletic career in gymnastics, excelling from a young age. But a chance encounter while on holiday changed everything—she was told she had the potential to become an aerial skier. From there, she committed to the sport, quickly progressing through training camps and development pathways. Her first major setback came when she missed selection for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, still considered too inexperienced. Determined to prove herself, Abbey moved to Switzerland to fully immerse herself in training and take her skills to the next level. But the challenges didn’t stop there. A serious knee injury during the 2020/21 World Cup season derailed her progress, and despite pushing to qualify, she narrowly missed selection again for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Stepping away from the sport, Abbey returned to Australia and began working with the Brisbane Broncos, eventually becoming a game day coordinator at Suncorp Stadium. Yet the drive to compete never left. Answering that call, she made a comeback with her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Through relentless hard work and determination, Abbey achieved what once felt out of reach—earning her place on the Australian team and competing on the world stage. A journey shaped by setbacks, but defined by the courage to keep going. This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast