Let’s not wait for people to reach out in tough times… let’s reach in
SAMHC Featured Blogger:
Joe Williams
Professional sportsman, Boxing champion, Published author
My name is Joe Williams and I am a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu man. I was born in Cowra into a loving and caring family.
I can honestly say that during my upbringing – although not perfect and with not a great deal financially – I was always loved, looked after and put on a good path.
My journey with mental illness and mental health struggles has been quite public, which I am now grateful for; because if it were still in the dark, I may not be here to write these very words.
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an NRL (National Rugby League) player, just like my Dad before me. Showing a bit of promise as a young player, I was signed by the Sydney Roosters at the age of 13 to a scholarship contract by the great Arthur Beetson.
Things were going fantastic. My life was on the path I always hoped for, until around the same age, I was on the end of a serious concussion that left me unconscious. On the back of that concussion, I started a conversation in my head; a dialogue that began to second guess and question every decision I made. It said I was worthless, that I didn’t deserve to be alive and it planted ideas of suicide in my head every single day.
This dialogue got worse over time and although I was using substances to quieten the inner demon, those substances of alcohol and drugs soon became a problem too. I didn’t like drinking, or drug taking, but it was the only thing that kept my mind quiet.
I realised that wasn’t the answer and I walked away from a life of alcohol and drugs.
I also walked away from the NRL, walked into a boxing ring and began a journey of not only boxing, but building resilience and mental strength. To this day, I still attribute boxing to my mental resilience. As a professional boxer, I had a career of 12 wins, 3 losses and one draw. Without doubt, boxing helped me to fight outside the ring, even more than inside it.
Fast forward a few years, a rugby league career, boxing career, failed relationships and separation from children, I made an attempt to end my life.
I am so very thankful that I survived what was the toughest day of my life.
In my recovery, I realised one thing, I was so grateful to be alive but I also I needed to do some work on myself and prioritise my wellbeing.
From that day forth, I made a promise to myself that every day I open my eyes, I’m going to make a positive impact on someone else’s life and help those who are in the silent struggle and to work hard physically and emotionally on myself.
I have dedicated my life to helping others and, through helping others, my organisation The Enemy Within was born.
In my work with The Enemy Within, I have been fortunate enough to deliver to over 150 communities in the past five years, in Australia, NZ & 55 states across USA.
I don’t tell you this to brag; I tell you this because I am keeping that promise I made to myself, to help those in need who are struggling in silence.
First Nations people have one of the highest rates of suicide in the world but we aren’t dying from mental illness; we’re struggling to navigate our way through the generational trauma that we are born into, and in many cases acting out behaviours as a result of trauma.
I work in communities with individuals and organisations, to better identify trauma, and put in place structures and practices to help heal trauma.
The Enemy Within is dedicated to connecting with communities to alleviate mental, emotional and spiritual distress by connecting to our core values: Learning to live with more Love, Care, Respect, Humility and Compassion in our lives
I am extremely lucky to be a man who has been involved in and had a professional sporting career for some 15 years, both NRL & Boxing, but being a Dad to five beautiful children, two of whom were born post suicide attempt, is without doubt my greatest gift and achievement all in one.
In finishing, let’s not wait for people to reach out in tough times; it’s too hard. Let’s reach in by showing more attention to each other, interacting and connecting more with every person in our circle, every single day.
By Joe Williams
Professional sportsman, Boxing champion, Published author
Joe Williams forged a successful professional sporting career, playing in the National Rugby League before switching to professional boxing in 2009. He is a two-time WBF Work Junior Welterweight champion and winner of the WBC Asia Continental Title. Joe’s personal struggle with mental illness led him to reach out to others and help them deal with adversity and addiction. In 2018, Joe was awarded Suicide Prevention Australia’s highest honour, a LiFE Award for his excellence in community within the suicide prevention sector. In 2019, he became a dual winner of the Australian Mental Health Prize. A published author, Joe’s autobiography is called Defying the Enemy Within.
SAMHC Featured Bloggers
The SAMHC presents our series of guest featured bloggers who generously share their personal thoughts and experiences of mental health and wellbeing.