Meet Ben
Occupational Therapist and Leadership Coach
I help men in midlife rediscover who they are, what they stand for, and what truly matters.
My work is grounded in a simple belief: every man deserves to live with purpose, clarity, emotional strength, and meaningful connection. But too many men reach midlife feeling lost, dissatisfied, or disconnected from themselves.
I’m a men’s leadership coach, occupational therapist, mental health professional, and founder of the Southern Men’s Gathering (https://www.southernmensgathering.com)
Across more than 15 years of running men’s programs, coaching individuals, and facilitating transformative experiences, I’ve guided hundereds of men to reshape their identity, break unhelpful patterns, improve their wellbeing, and build lives they are proud of.
My coaching blends leadership science, solution-focused coaching, and mental health research — combined with an authentic, challenging, honest and supportive approach.
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Qualifications
Graduate Certificate Social and Organisational Leadership
Charles Sturt University // 2025
Master of Science (Chiropractic)
Macquarie University, Sydney // 2009
Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
University of South Australia // 2002
Graduate Diploma (Exercise Physiology)
University of Adelaide // 1996
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
University of Adelaide // 1994
About Me
The Life I Thought Made Me a Man
In my younger years, I lived hard and fast because I thought that’s what being a man was. I worked doors as a bouncer, mixed with gangsters and outlaw motorcycle clubs, engaged in combat sports, used drugs, took steroids, and leveraged violence and intimidation.
Living a Life That Wasn’t Mine
The truth was simple: I was pretending. I wore a mask every day, seeking acceptance by displaying the qualities expected of "real" men: stoicism, aggression, dominance, not asking for help, not sharing my struggles, hiding my fears and vulnerabilities, withdrawing when life felt dark.
Underneath the aggression and the armour, I felt alone, isolated, and misunderstood.
Turning Point — Hitting the Wall
The breaking point came after several dangerous incidents that made me genuinely fear for my life, and I was looking at the likelihood of ending up seriously hurt or locked up. I moved interstate to escape, but the chaos followed me in different forms.
I eventually hit rock bottom—fired from a job, a relationship falling apart, completely isolated. No direction. No purpose. No brothers to lean on.
Thankfully, In addition the courage to reached out for help, and I found a wonderful psychologist.
He directed me pointed me to a men’s social support group.
Walking into that room was the turning point of my entire life.
For the first time, I met men who were real. No bullshit. No masks.
Men who had each other’s backs. Men who could challenge hard but support harder. Men who knew that strength and vulnerability weren’t opposites—they were both required.
For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged.
Reclaiming Myself & My Purpose
Through that community, I stripped away the expectations of what I thought a man should be and discovered who I actually was.
I became more authentic, more grounded, more confident in the man underneath the armour. I formed deeper friendships than I had ever experienced. I learned I could be both the warrior and the nurturer—strong and compassionate.
And for the first time, I felt a genuine sense of purpose.
Today, my mission is clear:
To help men in midlife cut through the bullshit, rediscover who they really are, and build lives filled with meaning, purpose, strength, and genuine connection.
I’ve lived the life of a man pretending to be bulletproof.
I’ve also lived the life of a man who’s finally true to himself.
And I know which life is worth fighting for.