About the Author

Kim Beadman (nee Lester) is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Criminology at UNSW Sydney. Kim previously completed a nursing degree at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with post graduate qualifications in Drug and Alcohol Nursing (College of Nursing), Forensic Mental Health Nursing (Swinburne University) and Perioperative Nursing (UTS). Kim currently works as a Research Officer with the Centre for Social Research in Health (CSRH) at UNSW Sydney, coordinating projects for the Community Reference Panel (CRP). The CRP was established in 2016 to enable input from members of the Aboriginal community into research that either involves or affects their community. In her role with CRP, Kim recruits and inducts panel members, aligns panel members to the appropriate research, conducts interviews with panel members to obtain feedback on research design (including cultural appropriateness) and has ongoing contact with panel members to ensure their continued involvement. Kim works to ensure the voice of Aboriginal people is represented in research affecting themselves and their communities. Further to this, Kim is a Research Assistant with the National Alcohol & Drug Research Centre of UNSW working on the Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Treatment (IDAT) Evaluation project. Kim engages with and interviews individuals that have participated in the IDAT program. Kim enters the data collected and manages the data base to keep track of the interviews that are due. In 2017, Kim interned for the Women's Justice Network, doing a statistical analysis of the recidivism rates for Indigenous and non-Indigenous formerly incarcerated women and female youth in NSW. Kim also assisted with writing the submission for continued funding for the Women's Justice Network. As part of UNSW's Nura Gili team, Kim has worked as a supervisor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students who attend on-campus workshops. Kim coordinated faculty educational programs for the students, while also acting as an advocate for their personal welfare during their time on campus. Kim has over 20 years nursing experience, working in intensive care, sexual health services (including pre and post HIV screening counselling), drug testing, immunisations and oncology. Kim previously also worked as a volunteer on community outreach and engagement programs with vulnerable inner city Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Kim has personal experience with the disability community, raising a daughter with profound hearing loss. Kim has championed inclusivity and sensitivity in communications with both the disability community and Aboriginal community. Kim is an Aboriginal woman from La Perouse in New South Wales. Her mob originates from the Wadi-Wadi Nation of the South Coast of NSW and the Wonnarua Nation of Singleton, also in NSW. Darren Beadman still holds the record in Sydney for the most wins in a racing season. Inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2007, Darren embedded his talents into racing folklore as one of Australia's best. His international career was bought to a standstill in 2012 when he suffered a career ending fall in Hong Kong. Darren now works as an Assistant Trainer for the Godolphin Stable in Sydney Australia.

Reviews

Annette Rose: This book is truly a source of learning and inspiration written by someone who has been through some of the worst experiences any of us could imagine and over the course of her life been able to get back up and achieve remarkable things. In this book Kim shares her heart, encouragement, what she has learned and how you can take these lessons and apply them to your own situation / life. If you only read one book on how to overcome the challenges that life throws at you this should be it - highly recommended.Susan Brown: An honest and transforming account of a life filled with many obstacles.

Kim offers simple yet profound ways to change how you view your life and on overcoming self doubt.

This book will inspire and help you facilitate clarity and transformation. I highly recommend.Denise Hart-ChristieBeautifully written, challenging, engaging and hope filled. What a compelling and poignant autobiography told with courage and grace.Professor Carla Treloar: Congrats Kim! Such an authentic voice, drawing from your life, negotiating trauma, stigma, relationships, family, work, love, study, & the racing industry. Very proud to have you as part of CSRH @ UNSW & SPRC @ UNSW. Pam Brossman: Humility, Empathy and a Determination are three values that this amazing woman lives by. This book was so humbling and empowering at the same time. Life has thrown Kim Beadman more than her fair share of trauma, abuse and emotional lemons. But in her humility, she chose strength, courage and forgiveness, instead of anger, redemption and hate.
So many life lessons and wisdom within the pages of this book. If you are dealing with adversity in your life, feeling stuck or helpless, I believe Kim Beadman's story will help you to rewrite the next chapter in a positive light.Why?Because what I learned from Kim Beadman's amazing story is that... no matter what you experience in life, that's not how the story has to end.