The former NRL player and professional boxer had just attempted suicide.
"Joe you're lucky to be alive," his doctor said.
"You've got a second chance at life now, what are you going to do with it?"
In the years prior, Williams had managed to kick his addictions to illicit drugs and alcohol. But he had fallen into a destructive pattern of prescription drug use, and was struggling with his recently-diagnosed bipolar disorder.
Williams says that day in Dubbo was one step in an ongoing journey to self-knowledge and recovery, but it marked a turning point.
"It was in that moment, I said to myself … 'I am so thankful to be alive, and every day I get to open my eyes, I'm going to treat that as a gift'," he said....
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Episode 22 - What a truly inspirational story Joe has and I feel so honoured for him sharing it with not only myself but on the imperfectly perfect campaign. Overcoming adversity, working through his emotional struggles and finding out what worked for him is the ultimate inspiration and to further move forward and help others - such a selfless act of pure humanity and kindness.