Talk Out Loud Australia

RAW&REAL ARE LOOKING FOR NEW TEAM MEMBERS!!!

For the last 2 weeks you have been reading our RAW&REAL posts (longer if you used to read my posts a few years ago)

We are looking for expressions of interest for you to join the RAW&REAL team of regular posters and be an inspiration to others reading your stories!

Expressions of interest are open NOW to anyone who is 18+ and we invite anyone to apply, the more diverse the team the better!

If this is something you would like the opportunity to be a part of then please complete the expression of interest form linked below!

We look forward to having you on the team!!

Kerry 💚💙

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQmE5RS_BVpkHVNccrZX-RGA1wcKl79RwrNsaQqaTESQpDFA/viewform

Hey guys, Nico here.

This week in RAW&REAL I’ll be introducing myself and giving you a glimpse into my life

Some of you have heard my story at TOL’s 'Check In Not Out' Fringe show and some of you are hearing it for the first time

I've been struggling with my mental health since I was about 7.

I've tried a lot of things since then; some worked, most didn't. The skills that stuck with me are the ones that worked and they have gotten me through some really dark times.

Recovery takes time, and it's not linear.

This segment is called RAW&REAL so I'll be honest…Lately, I've found myself struggling with a lot of fear and grief. Fear of what comes next, and grief about what has been.

I think about the time I wasted, and I carry grief. Missing the person I was and wondering about the person I could have been had things been different.

On the other hand, I think about how much time I have left, and I have a deep fear of the unknown. I feel stuck between thinking I am not doing enough and worrying that I have taken on more than I can handle.

In times like these, I find it easy to fall into the lies my head makes up, but I know that isn't the right place for me to be.

While it's normal to struggle, and I know that my fears are widely shared amongst many people, I also know that allowing it to consume me is not healthy.

So, I talk about it, I write about it, and I take the steps I need to move forward. Fear is natural. I have experienced a lot of it over the years.

The time I am scared of will pass anyway, so I have two options. I can do the things that scare me and become what I have always wanted, or I can let it eat me alive.

That is probably the biggest thing I have learned in my journey. I have to choose to do better, to be better. To have the choice is a privilege.

All in all, things are going well for me. I have an incredible support system around me, and I know exactly how to support myself through these thoughts.

While I am scared of everything that could go wrong, I am so excited about everything that could go right. I'm going to take the leap of faith, knowing if I fall, I will be caught.

This is your reminder that life is going to be hard sometimes. It’s not always fair, and sometimes it's difficult to know what to do next. But there is always someone there, willing to listen and to hold the space you need.

Hard times It will pass, and the hard times will become a memory and you will get up, look back and be so proud of yourself for making it to the other side. Every light that is off can be turned back on. Keep fighting and reach out for support because you’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to help! You never, ever, have to do this by yourself.

So yeah, that's where I’m at. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. I will be passing the baton to Montanah for your next instalment of RAW&REAL.

See you in the next one !
Nico 🫶

⭐ TALK OUT LOUD SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT ⭐

This week we shine a spotlight on Iannace Refrigerated Transport, who have been proudly supporting Talk Out Loud for almost two years.

Angelo and his family generously supported our Gala Ball last year, and Angelo’s daughter Stella courageously took on the Adelaide City Plunge a few weeks later, raising over $2000 for our cause.

Just last week, Mary and I had the chance to catch up with Angelo and some of his incredible team, and honestly, every time we walk away feeling like we’ve gained a second family.

Their ongoing support, kindness, and belief in what we do means more than words can say. It’s relationships like these that remind us we’re not doing this alone, and we’re so grateful for the connection and collaboration we continue to build together.

Thank you Angelo and the entire Iannace team for standing beside us and helping us create real impact in the community ❤️

Kerry 💚💙

Today we had the pleasure of meeting Catherine, Allan and Sophie from Varney Wines who allowed us to hold space with them and share the origins of Talk Out Loud and where TOL are now and more importantly about the young people we support!

Catherine, Allan and Sophie can see the why of Talk Out Loud and generously donated 2 cases of their wine for the 10th Anniversary Gala Ball coming up in October

If you own a winery or know someone that does or a hospitality venue and you would like to support us, please get in touch!

Kerry 💚💙

Purchase Earlybird tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/talk-out-loud-tenth-anniversary-gala-your-story-isnt-over-yet

RAW&REAL Update!

On Friday I told you all that I’ll be passing the baton to the next generation but what I didn’t tell you is we are opening up expressions of interest from all of you to join the RAW&REAL Team!

Each week a different person will do their RAW&REAL post and depending how many people we have on the team will determine how often you hear from us individually.

If you have something you would like to share, then consider filling out the form below to express your interest!

We would love to have you on the team!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQmE5RS_BVpkHVNccrZX-RGA1wcKl79RwrNsaQqaTESQpDFA/viewform

Kerry 💙💚

Form for Google Forms

Hey TOL family!

It’s been more than a hot minute since I’ve done a RAW&REAL post but I am back to share some exciting news with you all!

Moving forward I am going to be passing the baton to the next generation who will share their RAW&REAL stories each week!

Before I do though, let me bring you up to speed a little on all things Kerry…

My sudden exit from RAW&REAL was brought about by someone very close to me embarking on the biggest and scariest health battle someone can face - Cancer.

The last few years have been incredibly difficult and scary to say the least and at times have tested everything within me and there were moments I really did feel like I was going to break, but I didn’t! However that doesn’t take away that at the time, it felt like my world was imploding!

I have cried more than I would like to admit and I have also found incredible strength within myself to be able to remain positive and support my loved one in this roller coaster of a journey which of course has been harder on them than me.

Fast forward to today and they beat the big C’s butt and they are healthy and living their best life!

Throughout this time my mental health has stuck to its bipolar form and has been a roller coaster with highs and lows being a constant companion on this journey but compounded by life events.

Anxiety has well and truly kicked my butt especially over the last few years and something I’ve recognised in myself is that when I’m challenged by life changing events I tend to dissociate my way through it but my mind and body have other ideas and before I know it the panic attacks arrive and I’m reminded of the enormity of what’s happening in my life.

Sometimes things are just too heavy and it feels like the only solution is time and maintaining the basics of self care and close relationships as well as the belief that eventually things will be ok!

Late last year I had 2 life changing surgeries, that have had such a profound impact on my every day life that I can’t even put into words how much better I feel now compared to before.

One of my surgeries was a gastric sleeve for weight loss and while the first few months were a massive adjustment, I’m happy to say that I’ve dropped over 20kg so far and I am feeling great!

The effect on every single aspect of my life is almost indescribable. At Christmas I bought a size 14 pair of jeans… a 14! I’ve not been able to do that since I was 14 years old!

It’s not just about the size of my clothes, it’s about me feeling a million times better about myself! My confidence has increased along with my self worth, I know the number on the scales isn’t the be all and end all but the overall feeling of pride and happiness means more than any number!

As I write this today though I am not feeling the greatest. I didn’t go to work today due to something that happened yesterday, and I literally stayed in bed until after 1pm.

I’ll be ok after a few days of processing what has happened but for now I’ll sit with my emotions and try to make sense of it all.

I recognise my need to take time out for myself so much better than I used to because I am a lot more self aware and I know what triggers me and I know what makes me feel better and I wish this for all of you when you are experiencing hard times in your lives.

Along with this, there’s been loads more stuff going on in my life, not all bad as there has been plenty of good!

I might pop back in every now and then with more updates but for now I’m handing the baton over to Nico for your next instalment of RAW&REAL

I hope that you have all been well and I look forward to seeing you all at upcoming TOL events, especially the 10th anniversary Gala Ball… I’ll be wearing something purple to match my hair! (link below - early bird pricing until June 30th)

https://events.humanitix.com/talk-out-loud-tenth-anniversary-gala-your-story-isnt-over-yet

Kerry 💙💚

These amazing humans are cooking up a storm right now at Bunnings .Modbury. Come and down and make our day!

🌟 This Volunteer Week, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible people who give their time, energy, and hearts to make a real difference. Our amazing volunteers and our wonderful students on placement deserve every bit of recognition coming their way.
Watching volunteers and students come together is something truly special. The knowledge shared, the connections made, and the support given to the people we work with never gets old. We are so incredibly proud of every single one of you.
You show up not just this week, but all year round. Quietly, consistently, and with so much dedication. You might not always see the full impact of what you do, but we do, and the people you support certainly do.
To our volunteers, thank you for choosing to give your time to us. It means more than words can say.
To our students on placement, watching you grow, learn, and thrive has been an absolute privilege. You are the future, and the future is in very good hands.
Here's to you all this week and every week. 💛