Over the Fence Conversations

Over the Fence Conversations with Danny Jeffery

We sit down with Danny Jeffery to 'have a chat' and explore the profound transition following his 35-year career in the Royal Australian Air Force, which included multiple deployments and his medical discharge in 2018. Danny opens up about the immense challenges of living with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety—a journey that led him through moments of deep despair to finding new direction. He shares how the Invictus Games offered a path to recovery and the crucial realization that helped him survive his darkest days: "I just didn’t want to live the way I was living." Now, as an Emergency Department Peer Navigator, Danny is dedicated to offering support and mentorship, showing that acceptance of the "new me" is the key to finding hope. Learn more about Men's LENS and become a member: https://rosesintheocean.com.au/mens-lens/ -- Danny Jeffery was medically discharged from the Royal Australian Air Force in 2018 after serving the Defence Force for 35 years. Danny deployed on nine separate ADF Operations and suffered multiple physical injuries and has adapted his life to suit them. He is also living with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder. His mental health is the biggest struggle and diversity he has ever faced in his life. Danny’s mental health first fell apart in 2013 after returning from 8.5 months in Afghanistan. After 85 combat missions, Danny returned home claiming mission success, so he thought. Mentally his world fell apart without the pace of war to distract him. He finally had time to process things and just could not. ‘I just didn’t fit in back here at home, flashbacks consumed my days and nightmares consumed my sleep. I just wanted to go back in the hope that would help’. In 2014 Danny discovered the Invictus Games. He felt that good he deployed to the Middle East again in 2015.  Danny suffered a major mental health episode and returned in Nov 2015 to never wear a uniform again. In 2015 Danny was not going to give up on his pathway to recovery and successfully returned to the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 and Sydney 2018. After long term rehabilitation he was medically discharged in 2018. Throughout these dark days Danny experienced what he calls his ‘suicide chapter’ and is a proud survivor. ‘Finally in life I was not good at something, and it helped me realise that it wasn’t that I didn’t want to live anymore, I just didn’t want to live the way I was living, and I had the power to make changes.’ Danny is now a Licensed Mental Health First Aid instructor and is currently the Emergency Department Peer Navigator at Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney. He is embedded within a clinical team which is a first for NSW Health. Danny encourages hope for recovery and offers support and mentorship to those struggling with their mental health. He is passionate about removing the stigma and barriers people face when struggling with mental health and wants everyone to have the realisation that ‘it is possible to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. The biggest thing for me when I reached the light, was accepting the new me and I actually like this version’. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Over the Fence Conversations with Steve Rothwell

Steve Rothwell is a writer and experimenter who lives on the waist-deep pasture country of the Atherton Tablelands, 65km southwest of Cairns, Far North Queensland. Originally hailing from Derbyshire, England, Steve migrated to Australia in '86 and set about exploring our remote tropical coastlines by any available means. Initially writing about paragliding and sailing, Steve moved into freelance travel writing - eventually lecturing in journalism at UWA. Later Steve moved into motorcycle tourism and engineering - but always knew something wasn’t quite right. Steve had spent decades trying to run from his mental health problems and in 2023 tried to take his own life. Soon after, he was diagnosed with OCD, ASD, ADHD, CPTSD, Bipolar 2 with major depression and anxiety. During a six-week stay in a psychiatric ward Steve describes as ‘revelatory’, he met many who shared his diagnoses and learned new ways of writing about mental health to help others – a practice he has resolved to continue for the rest of his life. -- Insightful conversations every month that dive deep into men's lived experience of suicide and mental health challenges! The casual, opportunistic chats that happen over the fence, so to speak, or between two passing neighbours, or colleagues over coffee, they're just as valid and important as an opportunity to connect and create support. This podcast is brought to you by Roses in the Ocean, the Australian Men's Health Forum [https://www.amhf.org.au/] and the National Men's Lived Experience of Suicide Network. [https://rosesintheocean.com.au/communities-events/national-mens-lived-experience-of-suicide-network/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Over the Fence Conversation with Nieves Murray

This month we are excited to be sharing time Nieves Murray, the driving force behind Suicide Prevention Australia since 2018. Nieves has led the national peak body’s transformation with an ambitious goal: a world without suicide. With a background in psychology, public health, and years on the mental health and homelessness frontline as a Lifeline volunteer, Nieves offers unparalleled insight. Nieves is also Chair of Beehive Industries, a social enterprise in central Sydney whose mission is to address loneliness and social isolation in the city.  Over the Fence Conversations is a space for conversations that can challenge myths and misconceptions around suicide and bring people on the journey of inspiring people who have a lived experience of suicide. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Over the Fence Conversations with Steve Jones

Join us this month for an incredible conversation with Steve Jones, a man who's turned his profound lived experience with suicide into a powerful message of hope.  Steve shares the pivotal moments that led him to the brink and the miraculous transformation that reshaped his life. Discover his inspiring concept, "Each One Can Reach One," and learn how he's now dedicated to helping others find their way forward. This episode is a must listen for anyone seeking insight, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose. -- Steve Jones is the Comeback Coach and Life Mentor to many from all communities and walks of life. Steve is fast becoming known as the real life Comeback Coach, championing people from all backgrounds who are willing and wanting to turn their current situation of a setback into a comeback. Steve's journey is testament to resilience and hope. After facing the depths of suicidal despair and thoughts, Steve transformed his suicidal setback into a cultivated comeback, reconnecting with life through a miraculous mindset, the exact mindset that he firmly believe is innate in all of us. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Over the Fence Conversations with Nathan Bolton

This month, we had the privilege of sitting down with Nathan Bolton, a former Special Operations Engineer who served two tours in Afghanistan. Nathan has faced life's toughest challenges both on and off the battlefield, including his own lived experience of suicide. In this raw and honest conversation, we delve into Nathan's experiences, his wisdom on navigating life's storms, and the importance of being a good mate. You'll gain valuable insights into mental health, resilience, and the power of human connection. Nathan is a passionate mental health advocate and author of "Trigger Warning | A Special Operations Engineer in Afghanistan." To learn more about his journey and his book, click the link below. Trigger Warning | The New Book By Nathan Bolton [https://www.nathanbolton.com.au/product-page/trigger-warning] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.