Dave grew up in Maroubra, a tough part of Sydney, raised by a single mother in an environment of poverty and violence, surrounded by people with difficult ideas and constant stress. His early childhood memories include feeling unsafe at home due to a father who left early and a mother who struggled with her own challenges after a troubled upbringing.

Dave endured psychological abuse and manipulation from his stepfather and mother, often feeling like a burden and facing daily situations that left him constantly under threat.

Despite this, Dave spent time hiding out in the countryside and later tried to fit in at school, forming friendships and throwing himself into rugby and surfing to stay away from home.

With little guidance or support, he missed out on opportunities like university and ended up working hands-on jobs, learning the value of finding his own way through information and experience.

Dave turned to reading, self-education, and online resources to understand the world, gradually building a sense of justice and wanting to fight against unfairness and mistreatment wherever he saw it.

Now, Dave openly shares his story, using what he has learned to help others facing tough journeys, and focuses on creating positive change and standing up for people who need a voice.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

Craig Goozee OAM grew up loving sport, always seeing himself as a sprinter and never dreaming he would one day run ultra marathons across some of Australia’s toughest terrains.

Craig spent nearly 24 years in the New South Wales police force, choosing proactive roles that kept him out in the field and, later, in covert operations such as the Anti-Theft Squad, Special Operations and the State Major Incident Group. In 1997, Craig joined an elite covert task force, working undercover to gather intelligence on crime syndicates and corrupt officers and keeping his work secret from friends and family.

Craig is a father of five children, but sadly lost his eldest, Jessica, after a two-year battle with cancer. To raise funds for children cancer organisations he has endured three ultra marathons raising more than 1.5 million dollars.

He faced incredible physical and mental challenges, from battling heat and wild animals in the Australian outback to feeling the isolation of secret police work and the toll of witnessing crime.

More recently, Craig has managed his own cancer diagnoses and treatments, started sharing his story through podcasts and writing, and continues to learn from every stage of his journey.

https://www.threeringcircus.com.au

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

John Broadbent grew up in Yorkshire, born into a low working-class family, before moving to Australia at age ten, which marked a big turning point for his life and perspective. He trained as an engineer and fully immersed himself in the world of science and logic, John spent his early career excelling in a technical environment, sometimes missing the deeper emotional side.

The early 1990s brought a significant shift, triggered by a relationship challenge and a life-changing trip to Monkey Mia, where an unexpected spiritual journey began to awaken John’s self-awareness.

Mentored by Stuart, a uniquely insightful teacher, John embarked on deep inner work, learning to feel, name, and process emotions, and discovering how much he had shut himself off.

During the following decade of traveling the world, supporting workshops and doing his own therapeutic work, John developed profound empathy, embraced vulnerability, and grew into a more whole person.

Stepping into leadership, John began guiding and supporting men’s groups and retreats, focusing on men’s mental health, emotional development, healing, and facilitating healthy connection among men.

Today, John shares his hard-won wisdom through writing, coaching couples, and facilitating men’s work, driven by his mission to help others create more meaningful, connected, and emotionally literate lives.

He wrote Man Unplugged: Exploring The Inner Man in 2014

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie