your story matters.
Game Changers On Display
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Jacqueline De Grussa
A Sociologist specialising in trauma and addiction, is the Founder/Managing Director of The Recovery Collective (WA) Limited and the Women's and Men's Recovery Communities. She also leads Project K, Dual-Advocacy project for Consumers and Providers in the Social Services sector. Jacqui has worked with over 3,800 individuals from diverse backgrounds and continues to advocate for recovery causes.
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Sarah Koeberl
A Mindset and Conscious Change Coach, Sarah is the Founder of Commit 2 You, where she combines her experience as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Time Line Therapy (TLT) Practitioner, and Personal Trainer, to help clients reprogram their minds, connect with their bodies, and overcome negative thoughts and beliefs through personalised programs and support.
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Carly Evans
Carly Evans, founder of Coach Carly, is a self-development enthusiast with a background in psychology (BSc, MSc in Forensic Psychology) and experience as a Probation Officer. She became a Reiki Master and founded Phoenix Transformation in 2006. Trained with The Coaching Academy and Sandy Forster’s Inspired Spirit Coaching Academy, Carly offers global coaching through online programs, workshops, and one-on-one sessions.
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Joel Iliffe
Joel Iliffe has three years of experience in mental health and substance use as an AOD support worker, NDIS support worker, youth mentor, and mental health speaker. With a Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drugs, he specialises in AOD rehabilitation and is trained in ASIST Suicide Intervention. Joel leverages his own experiences with addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and suicidal tendencies to uniquely connect with consumers as a Psychosocial Recovery Coach.
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Kerryn Ashford-Hatherly
Description goes hereKerryn holds a BA (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), Dip Clinical Hyp., and Dip Trans Personal Counselling. With over 30 years of mental health experience, she has specialised in addiction treatment since the late 1990s. In 2016, she studied the Matrix Model in the USA, leading to the co-founding of Ashcliffe Psychology in 2017 to offer the Matrix Program® in Western Australia.
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Heather Marropodi
Heather has over 25 years of experience as a Comprehensive Registered Nurse specialising in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD). She has worked across inpatient detox, home-based withdrawal, outpatient case management, youth services, and community nursing. At Ashcliffe Psychology, Heather provides individual case management and facilitates the Matrix Program® for addiction. She holds a Bachelor of Science in General and Mental Health Nursing.
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Caroline Brunne
Caroline Brunne, founder of Organise.Curate.Design, helps industry leaders maximise their time and create intentional lives. With 20+ years of entrepreneurial experience, her work has been featured in major media outlets. In 2022, she published her memoir, "More Than One Thing Can Be True," detailing her healing journey from childhood trauma. As a Survivor Coach, Caroline empowers others to transform their lives beyond trauma and embrace their voices and power.
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Steven J Whiteley
Steven J Whiteley is a well-known Australian comedian celebrated for his sharp wit and engaging storytelling. With a career spanning several years, he has performed across Australia and internationally, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humour and insightful observations on everyday life. A recovered addict from drugs and alcohol, Steven uses his platform to advocate for those battling addiction.
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Tina Meyer
Tina Meyer, founder of The Blue Butterfly Institute in Queensland, is a survivor of childhood sexual trauma and domestic violence. After 26 years as a high school English teacher, she now runs Akashic Healing. Tina holds qualifications in psychology, education, writing, and is completing her Master of Counselling. She is a certified Reiki Master, EFT Practitioner, Life Coach, and Holistic Counsellor with extensive board experience in local business and community organisations.
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Clare Macleod
Clare MacLeod, based in Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia, is a social worker and trainer with over thirty years of experience. She specialises in supporting womxn survivors of sexual abuse and trauma, and children with harmful sexual behaviours. Clare has received awards for her contributions to social action and violence prevention. After pandemic burnout, she now focuses on consultation, supervision, and training, sharing her knowledge to support other practitioners.
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Rachael Shiell
Rachael Shiell is a qualified mental health worker and founder of Here to Hear Australia. Driven by her own journey to parenthood, she supports individuals, parents, and families through life’s transitions and challenges. Rachael offers face-to-face, online, and phone appointments and has extensive experience in perinatal mental health and neonatal units. She is dedicated to providing essential support for those facing fertility issues, difficult pregnancies, and parenting stresses.
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Chris Horder
Chris Horder, aka Chuck LaFlange, battled addiction for over 25 years before finding recovery after his father's death. With his mother's "You are loved" mantra guiding him, Chuck started The Dopey Canuck Podcast, which became Ashes to Awesome - Rising in Recovery. Now, with co-hosts Ryan Bathgate, Karl the Atheist (KTA), and Dr. Lisa, he uses the podcast to support those affected by addiction and promote messages of hope and inclusion.
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David Riggins
David Riggins is a dedicated advocate for addiction recovery, with a powerful story shaped by a 20-year opioid addiction and the loss of his leg due to a severe burn. As the founder of the H.E.A.L Family community, he offers support and belonging to those affected by addiction. David speaks at events and on podcasts like Dopey and Locked In, and is currently building a van to travel nationwide, raising awareness and providing support to individuals in need.
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Danny Shannon
Danny Shannon, Founder of Encapsulator and sober since September 15, 2009, offers a unique video journaling tool to support personal growth and recovery. Encapsulator helps users express their innermost thoughts and track their progress. Danny’s own journey with addiction recovery fuels his dedication to raising awareness and providing hope through his platform and workshops, including the NDIS Life Skill Development Workshops and Dan's Hour of Power.
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Em Gee
Em Gee is a Best Selling Author, multiple business owner, and AI enthusiast who empowers women in business through strategic marketing, automation, and deep personal growth. Over the past eight years, she has helped thousands achieve long-term success. Her platform, The Biz Rebelution, provides affordable tools, coaching, and community support, promoting ethical business practices. Em's book, Uncertain to Unstoppable, explores harnessing the mind's power and personal development to overcome barriers and achieve unstoppable success.
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Emma Makepeace
Emma Makepeace is an Embodied Business Coach, podcaster, speaker, and author. She empowers women to create a business and life with big impact without sacrificing their wellbeing. As the co-creator of Embrace You, a women's empowerment event on the Sunshine Coast, she regularly connects with women whose stories reflect the stories and impacts of DFV.
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Conrad Tracey
Conrad Tracey is the founder of Addiction Coaching Australia, created after his ten-year battle with drug addiction. Dissatisfied with the outdated rehab system, Conrad used his lived experience, Psychology degree, and 15 years of corporate expertise to develop a modern solution for high-performing individuals. He has helped hundreds worldwide regain confidence and rebuild relationships, offering personalised care to those battling addiction.
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Ben Broadbridge
Ben Broadridge, founder of Beyond All Bounds, uses his personal journey and high-pressure work experiences to empower others in managing mental health challenges. Influenced by his parents' military service and his own struggles with depression and grief, Ben supports those facing mental health issues through education, compassion, and the MHFA framework, aiming to reduce suicide rates in Australia.
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Rhys Ross
Rhys Ross, diagnosed with HIV in December 2016, now works as a Senior HIV Peer Educator at WAAC and a client service officer at M Clinic in Perth. His personal journey drives his advocacy against stigma and discrimination. Recently, he earned a scholarship to the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, reflecting his dedication to advancing HIV awareness and support. Rhys is committed to improving the lives of those living with HIV and building a supportive community.
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John Cuturilo
John Cuturilo is an empathetic life coach from Australia, specialising in helping individuals navigate challenges and develop independence. With a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences and experience in mental health support, John blends traditional and contemporary therapies, focusing on personalised, evidence-based approaches. Known for his unique ability to connect with clients, he avoids pop psychology, aiming to be a relatable guide with his own journey and imperfections.
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Yani Foord
Yani Foord is an Empowerment Guide who helps women on their journey to self-discovery and embodying deeper love. She specialises in activating the Divine Feminine, using unique techniques to clear stagnant energy and help clients connect with their body, mind, and spirit. Through emotional intelligence and energy alchemy, Yani supports transformation, guiding women to raise their energetic frequency and express their true selves. With play and personal experience at the heart of her approach, Yani invites women to embrace healing and step fully into their authentic power.
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Sonya Johnson
Sonya Johnson is an addiction advocate and Program Coordinator for the Parents for Parents Program at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Having personally struggled with substance use, she lost custody of her children but worked through recovery to regain them. Now, she supports other parents navigating similar challenges, providing peer support and guidance through the mental health and addiction recovery system. Sonya also creates content to inspire others facing addiction, helping them find hope and healing through her own lived experiences​.
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Samantha Schulte
Samantha Schulte is a domestic violence survivor and advocate. After enduring psychological, physical, and verbal abuse from her estranged husband, she repeatedly sought help from the police, but her concerns were inadequately addressed. Her husband took his life during a siege on Christmas Day 2018. Following a coronial inquest, it was revealed that missed opportunities by police could have prevented the tragedy. Now, Samantha founded 'The Survivor Hustler' and now advocates for better domestic violence support and awareness, hoping to inspire change and help other survivors feel heard and protected.
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Tahlia Hasson
Tahlia Hasson is a mindset coach and podcast host dedicated to helping individuals reframe their mindset and overcome limiting beliefs. Through her podcast, Tahlia offers practical tools for navigating challenges while empowering listeners to stay grounded in their personal power. By sharing her own experiences of overcoming adversity, she provides relatable insights and support, encouraging growth through life's toughest moments.
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Jackie Durnin
Jackie Durnin is a trauma-informed practitioner and founder of Hinterland Health Retreat, where she blends Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) with cutting-edge therapies to help people heal deeply. Her own journey of overcoming trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles led her to train in EFT and work in rehab facilities worldwide, including Habilitat in Hawaii. Now, through Hinterland Health Retreat, she’s helping others break free from what’s holding them back and reclaim their health for good.
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Breanna May
Breanna May is an educator, entrepreneur, and mindset mentor redefining learning. A former teacher, she left the system to create The Mind School, where mindset, emotional intelligence, and self-leadership take centre stage. Through her programs and podcast, she helps individuals break through mental barriers and design a life of freedom and fulfillment.With expertise in law, communications, NLP, and shadow work, Breanna blends wisdom with practical tools to turn dreams into reality, because no purpose should go unfulfilled.
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Meg Appelgate
At 15, Meg Appelgate was taken from her home and placed in institutional programs where she spent years experiencing abuse she wouldn’t fully recognise until adulthood. Now, with over 17 years in nonprofit leadership, Meg uses her experience to empower fellow survivors and drive change. She is Vice President, Trustee, and Managing Director at the Gochnauer Foundation, and serves on the Boards of Laura’s House and The Shea Center.
