In Episode 7, we're venturing into an intensely personal journey with our guest, Nick Ocky.

Prepare to be captivated as Nick takes us through his tough upbringing, marked by the devastating loss of his mother and the subsequent hardships that followed. His story is one of confronting serious challenges, ranging from dealing with a thyroid condition and bullying, to falling into the grips of addiction and criminal activity, which nearly led him to serve a 45-year prison sentence.

Despite hitting rock bottom, Nick reveals how he turned his life around, focusing on self-improvement and education, harnessing the power of strength training not just to rebuild his body, but his entire life. Now, as the owner of Oki Strength Conditioning in Sydney, he dedicates his life to empowering others, teaching them how to find mental and physical strength, and most importantly, how to embrace change.

Get ready to be moved by Nick's story of redemption and transformation in today's episode. Learn how one man's regret and resilience propelled him to make a profound positive impact on his community and himself.

Overview & Timeline

00:00 Healthy upbringing, early diagnosis, fortunate despite loss.

06:58 Childhood responsibilities taught valuable life lessons early.

10:57 Struggling with bullying, blaming, and self-esteem.

16:56 Desire for success and family responsibility.

23:16 Honesty is best, regret dishonesty's havoc.

29:37 Podcaster and guest share experiences of addiction.

35:43 Ego drove drug and gambling behavior, then profit.

39:05 Unusual encounter with Mitsubishi Outlanders on quiet street.

47:22 Realization of impending jail and heartbreaking family support.

55:27 Took training to heart, stayed out of trouble.

56:16 Maintained trouble-free by projecting strength and confidence.

01:03:57 Seeking forgiveness, acknowledging the impact of drugs.

01:08:29 Regretful moment leads to impactful life change.

01:13:00 Overcoming challenges changes perspective and aspirations.

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Ash;s Story - Part 2.

In this episode, we delved into Ash's tumultuous childhood, touching upon the challenges of growing up in foster care and the darkness that followed, leading her to question the very essence of her existence. Today, we peel back the layers of what it means to rise from the ashes of despair. Ash recounts the torrent of emotions faced when learning of her biological mother’s sudden death through the flicker of a social media post — an event that catalyzed a profound spiral in Ash's mental and physical health.

We'll follow the heartrending, yet uplifting, narrative as Ash juggles the complexities of parenting two children, one of which, young Harlequin, is diagnosed with type one diabetes - a condition that tests the limits of Ash's strength and resolve. From the intimate moments in Brisbane's hospitals, we learn of the transformational power of support, love, and the unwavering bond with a partner from high school days, Mr. Ash. Through her vulnerability, Ash gifts us a raw look into the life-shaping experiences that include heavy drinking, a suicide attempt, and the ultimate journey back from the brink led by the guiding light of her partner's love.

Today's episode promises to be an emotional ode to the power of perseverance and the indomitable human spirit. It's a tale that Ash hopes will reach out and touch the hearts of those walking similar paths, and to echo the belief that there's always a glimmer of hope, no matter how faint.

Timestamps & Overview

00:00 Unbreakable me podcast discusses resilience through hardship.

06:37 Understanding and empathizing with different thought processes.

12:54 Frustration with foster care system's impact.

20:18 Transition from long relationship to brief one.

23:06 Moved to town, struggled, found independence, encountered stranger.

28:56 Acknowledgement of past trauma; hopeful change ahead.

36:34 Choosing positivity, living life with loved ones.

41:53 Struggled with love, attempted suicide, facing consequences.

47:48 No bad blood, shock over false death news.

52:25 First impression, then bond, and challenges.

58:57 Foster care challenges, but you'll be okay.

01:00:30 Thank you, Ash, for sharing your powerful story.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning - This episode delves into sensitive subjects, including child abuse, neglect, foster care, and self-harm.

"Ash Story - Part 1," The Monster's that Created me Started my Story but I get to Finish It!

Ash's upbringing was anything but ordinary, marked by instability, constant upheaval, and hazardous living conditions. Their reality was one of extreme neglect and abuse, cleverly concealed behind a veneer of normalcy that remained unnoticed for years, despite warning signs seen by teachers and healthcare professionals.

During this episode we'll uncover life in the most secluded corners, where isolation became a tool for concealment, and basic needs were often neglected, forcing Ash and her siblings to navigate dire circumstances on their own. The family's illusion of normality shattered when law enforcement and Child Protective Services unveiled a shocking level of maltreatment.

In this narrative, Ash revisits the defining moments of their youth, including the impactful day when they were liberated from their perilous environment, marking the beginning of a bittersweet journey towards hope and healing in foster care.

Get ready to embark on a journey that might shake you to your core but will also illustrate the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

This is the UnBreakable Me Podcast, and this is Ash's stark, unfiltered truth.

Timestamps & Overview

00:00 Ash's traumatic story will continue in future.

09:57 Limited family ties, devoid of typical memories.

16:00 Financial difficulties lead to childhood abuse experiences.

18:20 Conflicted support for older sibling, personal struggles.

23:30 Siblings suffered from severe abuse and trauma.

30:24 Living in dire conditions without basic essentials.

33:59 Unsanitary living conditions due to lack of plumbing

40:02 Pregnant woman establishes firm boundaries with biological parent.

46:22 Law enforcement and medical vehicles reached isolated location.

49:18 Isolation, coercion, squalor, and deceased animals - a disturbing situation.

58:15 Briefly describe the experience with the first foster mom.

01:04:45 Arrival fraught with anxiety, reassurance, trust.

01:09:23 Challenges with hygiene, living conditions, therapy, seeking justice.

01:12:05 Defendant found guilty of serious child abuse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 4, 'Motherhood's Cruellest Test: Surviving Anorexia' , we travel a path paved with pain, resilience, and hope.

Today's guest is a very special person in my life, my mother, Carol. Our conversation straddles some tough terrains: my battle with eating disorders, the tumultuous journey to recovery, and the profound effects it had on our family life.

From a normal life with private schooling, family holidays, and joyous moments, we dive into the darkness that descended upon our lives with the onset of my anorexia. Motherhood got its cruellest test, as my mom witnessed the painful transformation from a healthy teenager to a medically unstable child in just five months.

This episode is an honest portrayal of countless hospital admissions, my resistance to treatment, and the pressure it put on our family dynamic. We discuss the trials of the treatment approach, negative impacts, and how we weathered the storm as a family.

Join us to learn about the harsh reality that is anorexia, and how one family’s resilience and love helped me reach to where I am today. Let's start the conversation.

Timestamps & Overview

00:16 Unbreakable Me: Mom Edition, Eating Disorder Recovery.

08:46 Teenager's traumatic experience led to medical instability.

13:40 Exclusion and dependence on one person.

16:54 Memory, meetings, instructions, occasional failure, persistent efforts.

25:56 Inconsiderate nurses, upsetting environment in hospital.

29:16 Negative experience in severe eating disorder rehab.

37:37 Start water, see psychiatrist, maintain weight.

39:22 Eating disorder. Hospital not best, would kill.

46:59 Immature behaviors followed new-found freedom: partying, drinking.

53:18 Being institutionalized shapes your identity until change.

01:00:30 Mum thanks for support, future episodes addressed.

01:01:18 Grateful for mom's love and support.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's heartfelt episode, I share part 3 of my personal journey to overcome methamphetamine addiction, a struggle that was magnified by the devastating loss of my father to suicide.

I explore the harsh realities of hitting rock bottom, the challenges faced when trying to get clean, and the fallout left behind as a consequence of addiction.

Sharing raw and intimate insights - from daily injections of meth to the mental health crisis and even into the world of homelessness - I hope my tale of recovery will serve as a beacon of hope for those still finding their footing on their path to recovery.

Prepare yourself for an emotionally charged narrative that lays bare the reality of addiction and its aftermath.

Timestamps & Overview

01:26 Struggles of addiction and self-image conundrum.

06:13 Mental illness ruined all my relationships.

09:33 Dangers of meth use and sleep deprivation.

11:29 Homelessness, addiction: can't force recovery, wasted effort.

13:37 Big property, four dogs, fresh start. No connections, no drugs, no people, no money.

17:48 Anxiety attacks required mom's hour-long phone help.

21:13 Life's accomplishments: family, business, farm, helicopter.

23:55 Homeless individuals: Share your stories for hope.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful 1st episode of the Unbreakable Me Podcast titled "Breaking the Silence: Confronting the Shadows of my Past," I, Maddie, open up about my deeply personal journey of overcoming adversity.

As the host, heart & voice of this podcast, I believe that rock bottom has the power to shape heroes, even more so than privilege ever could.

Join me as I vulnerably share my story, from a privileged upbringing to a life-altering incident at the age of 13 that forever changed my perspective. Through the raw and heartfelt narration, I Delve into the long-lasting effects of trauma, reliance on movement as a means of coping, and the ultimate journey of healing and self-discovery.

This episode aims to shed light on the importance of breaking the silence, finding compassion, and reclaiming one's power despite the darkest of shadows. Stay tuned for an emotionally impactful and empowering conversation on Unbreakable Me.

Timestamps & Overview

00:01:11 Privileged life, faced adversity, compassionate and patient.

00:03:20 Using movement and food to cope excessively.

00:06:41 Charges filed, person labeled sexual predator. Coping mechanisms masked emotional turmoil.

00:11:50 Weekly appointments with dietitian psychologist, sudden hospitalization

00:15:39 Guilt and illness led to dad's suicide.

00:17:41 From privilege to tragedy, but triumphing afterward.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Unbreakable Me Podcast where Rock Bottom has built more hero's than privilege ever could.

This quick intro episode is an outline of who I am and what is to come.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.