My book - THE STRONGMAN.

My goal since retiring from the Australian Federal Police has been to devote my time to helping others and especially normalising mental health.

In 2015 following a series of suicides within the AFP I wanted to help... I wanted to let all those hard working employees of the AFP that if you're suffering with mental health there is light at the end of the tunnel. So, I sent out an email to the staff using my lived experience as hopefully a catalyst to raise awareness, but more importantly empower people to step forward and seek help - my mantra was and still is "It's ok not to be ok".

I wasn't prepared for the response let alone the desire for me to speak out further. Of course I wasn't the first to do so in the AFP, but as was later explained to me my 'backstory' would be the catalyst to broaden the message more publicly.

In 2015 I was based in Washington DC with the AFP. I was asked by the Canberra Times if they could run a story on me. My family and I considered the request in depth knowing that publicly exposing yourself metaphorically comes with the good and the bad. however, we decided to do so as the topic was too important not to. Following the article the ABC Australia wished to have me participate in their "Australian Story" a unique program that deals with unique situations of Australians. my family and I again thought long and hard, but the same result surfaced and we agreed.

Following the show I was approached by a number of publishers to consider writing a book. I really didn't think my story was that unique and struggled with the concept that others would enjoy reading about my story. I shelved the idea whilst I was in DC as I was extremely busy with work and just didn't have the time.

I'd not long completed my posting to the US in 2018 and an old school friend Richard Lane - now a highly accomplished opera singer reached out to see if I'd like to have a chat with his brother Daniel Lane, who also went to the same school. Daniel is a highly published and outstanding journalist, writer and biographer. It helped that both were friends, importantly whom I trusted. Daniel would explain to me that my story was 'compelling' and would help many. He talked me through the process and after man long discussion we would work together in crafting the 'Strongman'.

Daniel ghosted for me and was an outstanding at how he crafted the manuscript. I was so impressed with how he took a kernel and germinated it into a book and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

Below is written by Daniel and what readers might experience when reading the book.

Thank you Daniel, I'm forever indebted to you.

IF I was to tell you about a young boy named Grant who grew up in Sydney’s Western Suburbs in the 1970s, and whose father left his family after undergoing the controversial Chelmsford therapy – otherwise known as conversion therapy – to live with his same-sex lover, you’d probably think: ‘That’s interesting . . . ‘

If you were then told Grant’s mother turned to alcohol to cope with the breakdown of her marriage and had members of the notorious Sharpies stay at her family home where the gang members shot up heroin, you’d probably think ‘I’d like to know more about that story . . .’

If I then told you Grant grew to become an athletics champion, was awarded a scholarship to play American football for the University of Hawaii and then qualified for the 1992 Winter Olympics as a bobsledder, you’d probably think ‘Wow, this Guy has an AMAZIING story’

IF you then realised, he was Australia’s strongest man, and could pull steam trains and aeroplanes on his own, you’d probably want to know the story behind that story

If you then heard that as a member of the Australian Federal Police this Grant guy formed the Cyber unit which fought child exploitation on the internet, you’d probably think ‘I want to know more about that story’

IF I then told you as an AFP officer, he was personally seconded by the East Timorese government to help CREATE their police force you’d probably think, ‘There’s a story’

IF you realised that Grant was the second-in-command of the international police contingent that served in Afghanistan – and that his compound was attacked by the Taliban, and a RAAF Hercules he was in was Targeted by a ground-to-air missile . . . you’d probably be thinking to yourself, I definitely want to know more about this story

If I then told you Grant was the AFP’s head of the Americas, meaning he looked after Australia’s policing interests throughout North America, Latin America and South America, you’d probably think that guy has a great story

If I then told you this amazing achiever – Grant – considered taking his own life because of POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER you’d probably want to know why . . . you’d probably want to know the story of how he fought back . . .who overcame a tough start to make his life count and to make a difference.