AJ Williams grew up in public housing, surrounded by addiction, violence, and fear. By the age of 14, he was forced to leave home, carrying the weight of trauma no child should have to bear. But in this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, AJ shares how he found the courage to rise—not only building a successful business in the wellness space, but also becoming the kind of father, leader, and man he never had as a role model.

Kerrie Atherton sits down with AJ to talk about breaking generational cycles, discovering self-worth, and creating spaces—both physical and emotional—where people can begin to heal. From the power of sport and safe relationships to the moment he finally told his story publicly, AJ’s journey is a reminder that we are not defined by where we came from, but by the hope we choose to carry forward.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to rewrite your story, this episode will speak directly to your heart.

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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:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

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.