Expelled From 3 Schools, Retired From Footy At 19: How LJ Silulu Rebuilt Himself | EP180

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He grew up in a biker-gang family where being seen meant being hard, and it took a bloody nose in an under-9s scrum to earn his father's first "proud of you". LJ Silulu, founder of Your Legacy Project, was expelled from three high schools, lost his rugby league identity to a snapped ankle at 19, and spent his twenties drinking and fighting in mining camps before a black-vomit morning in a donga made him look in the mirror and ask if he could do better…

Get in touch with LJ Silulu

https://www.instagram.com/thriving_sons/

LJ's Quick Fire Answers

What does success mean to you?

"Once upon a time success looked like financial success. Now that I have a family, success to me is to have raised beautiful children who are living their greatest lives, and to be on my deathbed and have them around me. That would be a successful life."

What does happiness mean to you?

"Always family. Happiness is myself and Shirall. She's my best friend, greatest supporter, greatest love, who gave me these three children. Happiness is our life together."

What's your normal morning routine these days?

"I stopped focusing on morning routines at baby number two. I stick to non-negotiables now: daily cold showers, gym three times a week, and nightly walks my oldest son and I started the last two weeks. We walk the three boys, the youngest falls asleep in the pram, and my oldest and I just talk."

What piece of advice would you put on a billboard for the world to see?

"We need more good men to stand out and more fathers to be present. You might be raising your own sons, but there are other sons out there that need you. And it's not about raising hard, strong boys. Boys are allowed to be compassionate. You can't talk about it, you have to show it."

Who would you suggest as a future guest on the show?

"My friend Ryan Tyrrell, an ex-professional rugby union player. We grew up in the same town and our egos didn't let us be friends. We reconnected a few years ago and it was 'dude, me too, my dad, me too.' He's been on a big journey and more men need to talk about their struggles."

Listen To The Podcast

https://pod.link/1683066164?view=apps&sort=popularity

Find Us On Social Media https://www.instagram.com/sxhpod

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Introduction

(00:00:45) – Chapter 1 | Otara, The Stormtroopers And Learning That Being Seen Meant Being Hard

(00:09:36) – Chapter 2 | The Uppercut That Made Dad Proud, Three Expulsions And The Principal Who Saved The Footy Boys

(00:19:00) – Chapter 3 | Snapped Ankle At 19, The Black-Tar Mirror Moment And 100 Push-Ups Before A Drink

(00:30:33) – Chapter 4 | Becoming A Father And Unlearning The Warrior

(00:35:10) – Chapter 5 | Walking Out Of The Gym, Healing Eight-Year-Old LJ And Building Your Legacy Project