Showing results by author "Craig Semple" in All Categories

After nearly twenty-five years as a cop—riding high on the excitement, danger and stress of his work, feeling invincible—Craig Semple realised he could no longer outrun the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The sudden and devastating collapse of his mental health led to his medical retirement from the police force, the end of his marriage and, eventually, his attempted suicide. But in adversity, it is also possible to find opportunity. Getting Back Up Again shines a light on strategies for navigating, surviving and growing through life's challenges.

Before eighteen-year-old Craig Semple joined the New South Wales Police Force in 1988, he was someone who generally preferred to steer clear of trouble. But–like so many young police officers–he gradually built resilience to fear through a process of selflessly, and often recklessly, turning towards danger. By the time he started locking horns with some of the most notorious members of Australia's outlaw motorcycle gangs, Craig believed himself to be bulletproof.