A life beyond recognition

Fifteen years ago my life looked nothing like it does today.

I was still reeling from the betrayal of my ex-husband which influenced the collapse of my industry-leading business. The shame and embarrassment of subsequent bankruptcy had me hiding from everyone. I was unemployed and receiving job rejections more times than I could count.

I was on the brink of a second bankruptcy. Fighting a very acrimonious (second) divorce. And I was at the start of what was to become a 10-year legal battle to be recognised as my son’s primary carer and having to prove I was the victim of coercive control, before coercive control was legally recognised.

I was drinking too much, eating too little, and suicidal ideation wasn’t just a fantasy, it was a cast iron plan that I was ready to act upon.

However, on that night I made a decision that changed my life.

Many would call it reckless, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it.

But it was my decision and it saved my life.

It was the turning point

It was also the decision that led me to pursuing some childhood dreams;

I earned my professional actor credentials – my Equity card and Spotlight membership – at 42.

I started studying for a psychology degree and graduated at age 53.

And I began the slow, gritty, sometimes painful, but always beautiful, work of building my own Blockbuster Life.

If you’re in a dark, scary place, and feel like nothing will ever improve, please know this: it can get better. You can rise. You can rewrite your story. I’m living proof.

Wherever you are starting from, it’s always possible to start to create your Blockbuster Life, one tiny step at a time.