Joe Williams is a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu 1st Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra, raised in Wagga NSW having lived a portion of his life as a professional athlete. Joe played in the National Rugby League for South Sydney Rabbitohs,
Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional Boxing in 2009. As a boxer Joe was a 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight champion and
also won the WBC Asia Continental title.
Although forging a successful professional sporting career, Joe battled the majority of his life with crippling mental health challenges. Throughout this road of
challenges, Joe felt his purpose was to help people who struggle with similar obstacles. On the back of this, Joe founded mental health & wellbeing organisation, The Enemy Within in 2014. Joe’s autobiography titled Defying The Enemy Within.
In 2017 Joe was named as finalist for the courage award in the National Indigenous Human Rights Awards, 2018 awarded the Suicide Prevention Australia Life Award
& In 2019 Joe was awarded Australia’s highest honour in the Mental Healthfield, announced as a co-winner of the National Mental Health Prize.
On Wine with Wita, Joe openly discussed how he navigates parenting but in particular, the changes you implement to support not only mental health but also his children.
Joe raw insight into self-discovery, being your authentic self and parenting challenges was truly genuine.
Recently, Joe hosted an online boot camp created for fathers; Being a dad in the modern world. This program is available for all fathers via parent tv online platform.
Conversing with Joe was a wonderful way to wrap up the fathers series. He discussed many powerful points that parents especially dads can relate to.
Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy.
You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's speech, language and communication skills.
