This week on Stories of Hope: Worldwide, I sit down with Zac Jones—a young man whose life changed in an instant the night he got behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and drugs. That decision led to a devastating car crash, leaving four of his friends critically injured and Zac facing the consequences in jail for two and a half years.

In this deeply honest conversation, Zac shares what led him to that point: early struggles with bullying, addiction, and the spiral of shame that followed the crash. But this is not just a story of tragedy. It’s a story of ownership, growth, and transformation. From the hardest of places, Zac found purpose. Today, he’s using his voice to speak truth to young people, hoping to stop others from walking the same path.

We talk about addiction, emotional growth, accountability, and the power of self-forgiveness. Zac’s raw vulnerability is a powerful reminder that while our past may shape us, it doesn’t have to define us.

If you’ve ever believed that it’s too late to change, this conversation will shift something in you.

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Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (business@mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

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If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

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Here at Stories of Hope, Kerrie Atherton's mission is to give people a platform to share their stories of hope with the world and we also want to provide the same chance to businesses that are passionate about mental health and want to support the podcast. If you'd like to partner with Stories of Hope and advertise your services on this podcast, send a message to Kerrie@EmpowerLifeSolutions.com.au with your details.