He lost everything. Then he chose to give it all away.

Justin Elliott's story is not a clean, polished redemption arc. It's raw, honest, and at times confronting. From the depths of addiction and chaos to finding faith, purpose, and a relentless drive to serve Melbourne's most vulnerable, Justin is proof that the people who have been through the most are often the ones who give the most back.

In this episode, Justin opens up about the darkness he lived in, the moment everything shifted, and how forgiveness became the foundation of everything he built after it. Through The Short Straw Melbourne, he and his community now show up for those sleeping rough on the streets week after week. No fanfare. No agenda. Just people showing up for people.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation you do not want to miss.

Part 2 drops Wednesday. A bite-size episode drops Tuesday.

All episodes release at:

4:00am Melbourne (AEST)

7:00pm London, Monday evening (BST)

2:00pm East Coast USA, Monday afternoon (EDT)

If Justin's story moves you, the best thing you can do is share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Leave a review, hit follow so you never miss an episode, and check the links to connect with Justin and The Short Straw Melbourne. Every share helps this story reach the person who needs it most.

Connect with Justin:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_short_straw_/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShortStrawMelbourne

Key Topics

-Justin's childhood and early struggles

-The role of faith and forgiveness in his life

-His work supporting the homeless in Melbourne

-The impact of childhood trauma on adult life

-Community and mental health initiatives

Takeaways

-Faith can be a powerful catalyst for change.

-Supporting others can bring purpose and healing.

-Childhood trauma influences adult behaviour but can be overcome.

-Community efforts are vital in addressing homelessness.

-Personal stories inspire resilience and hope.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Welcome Justin Elliot to Leading Our Own Way

🔴 (04:32) Finding Faith and Transformation

🔴 (08:40) Community Engagement and Helping the Homeless

🔴 (12:24) Mental Health and Personal Growth

🔴 (16:39) Childhood Experiences and Family Dynamics

🔴 (21:15) Reflections on Trauma and Forgiveness

🔴 (25:21) Navigating Relationships and Loss

🔴 (29:11) Teenage Years and Rebellion

🔴 (33:15) Confronting Bullying and Personal Values

🔴 (35:18) Come back for Part 2

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 https://www.link.me/leadingourownway

🌐 https://www.leadingourownway.com

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare: https://www.eshuskincare.com/

Discount Code: ESHU15LOO

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6 📺

🎧 Apple: https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs

🎧 Amazon Music: https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C

Newsletters

📰 https://substack.com/@leadingourownway

#LeadingOurOwnWay #TheShortStraw #Melbourne #LOOW #JustinElliot #AndrewWhite