Chris describes his early years of low self-worth as a result of family and school issues. Then he became only the second male nurse in Queensland and then an anaesthetic technician and a successful corporate job.

He discovered martial arts which set him on a path and he eventually started a small martial arts school in Sydney and a new career in martial arts and helping people.

His business failed during the pandemic but he realised he wanted to help others in different ways by seeing people who were victims become survivors.

Biography

I’ve been preaching for years to the multitude, be authentic, face your fears but I kept my story to myself. I knew my beginnings shaped my life with lots of bumps and blind corners but I could feel a force pushing me to help others. A Martial Artist for 45 years, I didn’t just do martial arts, I let the philosophy of Martial Arts shape the part of me that was the most damaged. I let my Martial Arts save me to help and save others.

STAY SAFE Personal Safety AUSTRALIA

www.sydney-selfdefence.com.au

chriscoles@sydney-selfdefence.com.au

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here – https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,
The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: “Broken” by Colin Lillie

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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.

Named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — the philosophy that what’s been broken can become more beautiful for the mending — every episode honours the cracks, the rebuild, and the human underneath.

📺 Series on this channel:
– Kintsugi Heroes — real stories of resilience | hosted by John Milham
– Animals & Us — the human-animal bond | hosted by Natalie Stockdale
– Grit Diaries: from Grit to Grace — stories of struggle and strength | hosted by Simone Allan & Maryan Bova
– From There to Here — navigating life’s turning points | hosted by Emma Bellamy-Dodd
– Golden Threads — stories of disability & resilience | hosted by Dan Dougherty

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