Episode #03 - Joel Thompson - NRL Player, Presenter, Mentor & Inspirer

An Uncommon Dialogue

This one ‘Dialogue’ hits home for me and I’m sure for many others around the world who have had to have experienced what Joel has seen. I really wish from the bottom of my heart I could call this one particular interview ‘Uncommon’. Meet Joel Thompson, he is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who has played for Melbourne Storm, Canberra Raiders & he currently plays for St. George Illawarra Dragons of the NRL. An Indigenous All stars and NSW Country Origin representative, Thompson primarily plays at second-row and centre. He talks of once being an “angry” young lad who had a rough upbringing, who was headed down a dark path where many have been lost, including his own relatives. The St George Illawarra star's most recent community projects have involved being a mentor at Mission Australia, Mentor at the Rieby Juvenile justice Centre, and has become a NRL 'State of Mind' ambassador… plus much more. But to understand where that built-up anger came from as a youngster, the NRL player takes us back a little, to his dark past. For Joel it's was his grandmother, who helped keep him on the straight and narrow during a turbulent childhood surrounded by domestic violence, drug & alcohol abuse & getting involved in juvenile crime. A dedicated father & positive role model to three young daughters, a very loyal & loving husband to wife Amy, Joel has accumulated numerous life achievements & honors than I can even mention here! To hear Joel’s story & the ‘gold nuggets’ he chooses to share with us, take a listen here.