Defining Moments with Chris Beattie

#50 Dad Shot Mum in Front of Me: Rawson Kirkhope on Surviving Domestic Violence & Living with C-PTSD

Defining Moments with Chris Beattie

Show Notes

Content note: This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, trauma, and PTSD, which may be distressing to some listeners. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or the equivalent in your region.

Two years after appearing as the very first guest on The Bondi Podcast, Rawson Kirkhope returns to dive a bit deeper into his story.

At just 13, Rawson witnessed his father shoot his mother. Decades later, he’s learning to live with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and using his voice to help others break cycles of trauma and silence.

In this powerful conversation, we talk about: Growing up in a home defined by fear and violence Understanding Complex PTSD and its lifelong impact How trauma shaped his self-belief and relationships Healing through kinesiology, therapy, and community Finding purpose through fitness, structure, and service to others

This is a story of courage, recovery, and the power of taking ownership of your healing.

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