Interviews

From Homeless Teen to Young Australian of The Year with Zack Bryers

Published

August 15, 2019

Zack Bryers interview on Hustle & Motivate, a podcast presented by Joker Mag, the home of the underdog

Credit-Canberra/Joker Mag Illustration

Zack Bryers has been a homeless teenager, a soldier in Afghanistan, and a football player for Australia in the IFAF World Championship in Canton, Ohio.

After leaving home at just 15-years-old, Zack spent time on the streets before he set a goal to join the army which turned his life around. He fought in Afghanistan before post-traumatic stress disorder saw him medically discharged.

That’s when Zack set another goal – to make the Australian national football team within 18 months. Incredibly, he made the team in 17 months and played in the World Cup in the Canton, Ohio.

Zack Bryers won the 2018 Young Australian of the Year award. — Credit-National Australia Day Council

In 2018, Zack was named ACT Young Australian of the Year for his work with at-risk youth. Today, he juggles professional speaking with running Bryers and Associates, a company that helps small businesses grow and leave a lasting legacy.

Listen to Zack’s story by tapping the play button below. Or tap the icon of your favorite podcast platform to listen on the go!

Show Notes

[5:25] A near-deadly scuffle

[10:10] Out of school and onto the streets

[14:30] What Afghanistan was really like

[20:15] How he made the Australian national team in 17 months

[31:22] The secret power of being undervalued

After Listening…

You can find out more about Zack Bryers on his speaking website, ZackBryers.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening!

Check out these related episodes:

Persevere Past Your Paralysis with Dr. James Perdue

Taking Over Las Vegas with VIP Host Manny Kess

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Written By Tyler O'Shea

Division III baseball alum (McDaniel College), founder of Joker Mag, and author of The Underdog Mentality: Sports Stories That Will Change How You See the Game (And Yourself). Since launching in November 2017, my stories have been featured on platforms such as FOX Sports, SB Nation, and The Sporting News, reaching over 1.5 million readers worldwide. The seed was planted way back in 7th grade when I got cut from the baseball team. Instead of giving up, I found hope and inspiration in stories of undersized athletes who defied expectations. I ultimately played baseball through college, earning Honorable Mention on the All-Centennial Conference team in my senior season. Today, my mission is simple: To share stories that give people the same feeling I felt when I was that undersized ballplayer searching for hope, inspiration, and evidence that my dream was possible. Like my mom always told me, you can do anything you set your mind to. Sometimes we just need a little extra push. And that’s why I’m so passionate about sharing these stories with the world.