A Colourful Past Podcast

In this powerful episode of A Colourful Past, host Danny Shannon sits down with Lee Stewart, the founder of the "Let’s Get Grounded" Facebook community. Leigh’s story is a masterclass in radical accountability and turning a negative situation into a positive empire.

Leigh opens up about his recent "wake-up call"—a drink-driving charge that landed him on four and a half months of home detention with an ankle monitor. Instead of letting the restriction break him, he used the time to launch three businesses, begin a diploma in mental health counseling, and commit to a life of total sobriety.

We dive deep into Leigh’s "colourful past," exploring:
Early Roots: His introduction to substance abuse at age nine and the impact of the foster care system.
The Height of Addiction: Surviving an $1,800-a-day meth habit, heavy gambling, and the dark reality of drug-induced psychosis.
The Turning Point: A near-fatal rock bottom that led to rehab and a spiritual encounter that saved his life.
Business as Therapy: How Lee applies a "solution-focused" mindset to both entrepreneurship and personal healing.
The "Better Better" Philosophy: Why creating new, positive memories is the only way to kill the bad ones from the past.
Lee is now dedicated to mentoring others through "Let’s Get Grounded," aiming to become an NDIS-registered recovery coach to help people navigate their own paths out of the "hood" and into greatness.

Key Quote:
"Don’t hold on to what’s behind, as that will not lead you into the future. Create new memories to kill the bad ones that hold you backwards." — Lee Stewart.
About Our Guest:
Leigh Stewart is an entrepreneur, qualified chef, and mental health advocate. Through his Facebook page, "Let’s Get Grounded," he provides a space for connection, guidance, and raw honesty for those struggling with addiction and mental health.

Connect with the Show:
Host: Danny Shannon
Sponsor: Rewire and Realign
Theme: Your past does not define your future.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. You don't have to do it alone.

In this episode of A Colourful Past Podcast, host Danny Shannon sits down with Prince to explore his powerful transformation from a high-profile criminal case to becoming a successful entrepreneur and mentor.
Prince discusses surviving over a year in solitary confinement, the moment he realised his potential, and how he used his eight-year prison sentence to shift his focus from building an empire to creating a lasting legacy.
Now the founder of Purple Prince, a thriving acai business, and a qualified NLP coach, Prince shares his insights on personal branding, authenticity, and the importance of turning pain into purpose.A Colourful Past Podcast, Danny Shannon, Purple Prince, Criminal Rehabilitation, Prison Transformation, Personal Branding, Legacy Building, Mentorship, High Risk Offender, Solitary Confinement, Acai Business, NLP Coaching, Authenticity.#acolourfulpast #prisonreform #personalbranding #legacy #transformation #purposethroughpain #purpleprince #podcast

From being raised in the brutal world of the Melbourne Painters and Dockers to becoming a multi-millionaire property developer while leading a double life, Ron Isherwood has seen it all. In this gripping episode of A Colourful Past, Ron joins host Danny Shannon to share the raw, unfiltered truth about his journey through the Australian criminal landscape.

Ron details his incredible 1977 escape from Milson Island prison where he swam seven miles against the tide, his time locked up with infamous figures like Chopper Read, and the moment he realized the brotherhood of crime was nothing but a lie. Now 40 years clean, Ron discusses his complete transformation from a schizophrenic psychopath diagnosis at 17 to a published author and dedicated recovery mentor.

This is a story of extreme violence, addiction, and ultimate redemption. Learn how Ron turned his life around to help thousands of others find their way out of the darkness and why he believes your past does not have to define your future.

Timeline of Episode Scenes:
00:00 - 01:26: Introduction: Losing a $5 million fortune and a family to a drug conspiracy.
01:27 - 02:54: Growing up in Victoria: The violent motto of the Painters and Dockers.
02:55 - 05:25: Principles of the underworld and finding a new high in helping others.
05:26 - 07:44: 40 years of sobriety and the cycle of prison detoxing.
07:45 - 10:24: First major shooting at age 16 and a father's brutal reaction.
10:25 - 13:48: Life inside Pentridge Prison with Chopper Read and surviving at age 17.
13:49 - 15:43: Moving to Sydney and falling into heroin addiction.
15:44 - 17:22: The 7-mile swim: Escape from Milson Island prison.
17:23 - 21:00: Becoming a street junkie and the first 12-step intervention.
21:01 - 25:10: Relapses, the "Pied Piper" of recovery, and leading a double life.
25:11 - 28:27: The 2002 arrest and the true cost of arrogant criminal choices.
28:28 - 34:33: Starting an autonomous rehab unit (C12) inside the prison system.
34:34 - 37:35: Release in 2012 and the realization that crime does not pay spiritually.
37:36 - 42:55: Ron today: Running recovery companies and building a legacy of gratitude.
42:56 - 45:54: The ultimate self-contract story: When life meant nothing.
45:55 - 47:35: Closing remarks and honoring those lost to addiction.
Keywords:

True Crime Australia, Prison Escape, Recovery Story, Underworld History, Addiction Redemption, Melbourne Gang Wars, Chopper Read, 12 Step Program, Transformation, Motivational Story
#TrueCrime #PrisonEscape #Recovery #AustraliaUnderworld #Transformation #AColourfulPast #Inspiration #Redemption #AddictionRecovery #MelbourneCrime

In this powerful episode, Kimmie Jeans shares her incredible journey from a childhood of severe physical abuse to celebrating over 21 years of sobriety. Kimmie discusses the traumatic "discipline" she faced growing up and how she began using drugs at age 13 to mask her pain. She details the harrowing experience of losing her best friend to a drug-induced heart attack at age 16 and her subsequent time in prison.

The ultimate turning point came at nine weeks pregnant, when Kimmie made a vow to go cold turkey to ensure a better life for her daughter. Now a proud mother and advocate, Kimmie has earned a Bachelor of Business and dedicated herself to volunteer work, including literacy programs for children. Her story is a testament to the fact that the only person who can stop you from being the best version of yourself is you.

Sobriety, Recovery Journey, Overcoming Addiction, Childhood Trauma, Domestic Abuse Survivor, 21 Years Sober, Cold Turkey, Parenting in Recovery, Volunteerism, Mental Health Awareness.

 Listen to the inspiring story of Kimmie Jeans, who broke the cycle of abuse and addiction to build a successful life for her daughters. Discover how a life-changing realisation during pregnancy led to over two decades of sobriety and a passion for community advocacy.

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✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/
👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

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#AColourfulPastPodcast #RecoveryStories #Sobriety #OvercomingTrauma #Inspiration #AddictionRecovery #CleanAndSober #Parenting #MentalHealthMatters #SuccessStories

In this moving episode, Lucas Forbes shares his powerful transition from a high-functioning addict in the entertainment industry to the founder of a community-focused recovery movement. Lucas opens up about his darkest moments, including a near-suicidal night in a high-rise apartment where a desperate call to a helpline saved his life. He details the boozy lunch culture of Sydney's media world, where cocaine and alcohol were normalised in the workplace, leading to a decade of frequent rehab miles and eventual homelessness.

Now nearly seven years sober, Lucas discusses how he finally cracked the nut through an intensive three-month program in Thailand—funded by accessing his superannuation—and the unwavering support of his wife, Stephanie. Today, Lucas is dedicated to helping others find connection without the war stories of traditional fellowships through his organisation, Reconnect Movement.

Key Topics and Highlights

  - The High-Functioning Trap: How Lucas managed a successful media career for decades while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol.
  - A Life-Saving Call: The critical role of emergency services and helplines like Beyond Blue during a mental health crisis.
  - The Cycle of Rehab: A candid look at completing over 14 rehab stints and why traditional methods did not initially stick.
  - Financial Resources for Recovery: Discovering the option to use superannuation to fund life-saving treatment.
  - Building Community: Introducing the Reconnect Movement, a family-focused initiative designed to foster social connection through simple fun like backyard cricket and picnics.

✅ Important Links: 

👉 Explore Rewire and Realign Rehab: https://rewirerehab.com.au/
👉 Visit Encapsulator. A safe video journal space for growth, reflection, and honest self expression: https://encapsulator.io/

✅  Stay Connected With Me: 

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acolourfulpastpodcast
👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C2rFHNtDa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
👉 Facebook (Danny Shannon): https://www.facebook.com/share/14N3vG76yA3/
👉 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colourfulpastpodcast

📩 For business inquiries: [email protected]
#RecoveryJourney #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #LucasForbes #Sobriety #ReconnectMovement #BeyondBlue #HighFunctioningAddict #EntertainmentIndustry #SuccessInSobriety