#68. Former Head Bodyguard For The Prime Minister - Gary Fahey

Discover the extraordinary story of Gary Fahey, a former Australian Federal Police officer whose career included leading the personal protection detail for former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Beneath his professional success, Gary faced a hidden battle with major depressive disorder and a gambling addiction that cost him nearly $2 million. Gary shares how his identity, deeply tied to his role in law enforcement, unraveled under the weight of personal struggles, leading him to a rock-bottom moment that became a turning point. Through brutal honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to rebuilding his life, Gary discovered the power of self-awareness and the importance of aligning actions with core values. In this inspiring conversation, he provides actionable insights into reclaiming identity, fostering resilience, and creating habits that drive lasting personal transformation. About our guest: Gary Fahey is a mental strength and performance specialist, mental health and addiction counselor, highly sought-after speaker, and bestselling author who embodies the mantra of “Lived it, Learned it, Earned it.” His unique Brutal Honesty brand was forged through 18 years with the Australian Federal Police, leading the Australian Prime Minister’s Personal Protection Team, directing the strategic and operational responsibilities of the Office of Commissioner as the AFP's Executive Officer, and managing international operations - all while (silently) battling a deep, dark and destructive battle with mental health. Combining his ‘on the job’ lived experience with a Master's in Brain and Mind Sciences (specialising in peak performance and leadership), an MBA (specialising in organisational strategy and culture) and a work ethic that turned his personal struggle into his greatest success, Gary has worked with, studied under and learned from experts around the world to develop his own practical systems and evidence based strategies, helping high performing individuals, teams and companies build identity, purpose and sustained success. Follow Our Guest: Website: https://garyfahey.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong.mend LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyfahey/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrongMend Follow Us On: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 02:50 - Finding Value in Every Story 04:09 - Creating a Life You Can Be Proud Of 06:42 - Mindset in High-Pressure Roles 10:17 - Mental Health Sacrifices in High-Pressure Jobs 15:24 -  What People Misunderstand About High-Profile Leaders 18:28 - How to Find Yourself Beyond What You Do 21:27 - How the Brain Justifies Harmful Behaviors 23:47 - Addressing Identity and Purpose to Overcome Addiction 32:25 - Advice for Current AFP Officers 39:22 -  Vulnerability as a Superpower 46:38 - Daily Habits for Success 48:56 - The Role of Journaling in Recovery 57:09 - Overcoming the Comfort of Inaction