The Strong Man
A Powerful Story of Life Under Fire and One Man's Journey Back from the Brink
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The Strong Man
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Narrated by:
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Grant Edwards
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Steve Shanahan
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By:
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Grant Edwards
About this listen
A powerful story of life under fire and one man's journey back from the brink
Grant Edwards was once an elite athlete, Olympics qualifier and Australia’s strongest man. His Guinness Book of Records feats of strength were acclaimed internationally, and as a high ranking police officer he spent decades protecting vulnerable people around the world. But nothing could shield him from catastrophic harm in the line of duty.
Rising above his tough beginnings in 1970s suburbia, where he was bullied for his father’s decision to live as a gay man, Edwards found sanctuary in sport. But he found his true calling with the Australian Federal Police, rising swiftly through the ranks to Commander and personally establishing cybercrime units to fight child exploitation and human trafficking. A highly sought after and disciplined security advisor for governments around the world such as East Timor, Afghanistan and the Americas, Edwards was considered the last person to "crack" - but a narrow escape from a deadly attack in Kabul pushed him to breaking point. This is the story of an extraordinary man and his extraordinary battle back from the brink.
©2019 Grant Edwards (P)2019 Simon & Schuster AustraliaCritic Reviews
"As a Foreign Diplomat I have had the honour and privilege of seeing Grant working in different nations, cultures, and languages where there are no barriers for his noble dedication: to make the world a better one for us all. He is truly a citizen of the world." (Fernando de la Cerda Bickford, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Guatemala)
“Anyone who has ever met Grant Edwards is immediately impressed by the physical size of the man - but that’s only half the human that he really is. Grant’s physical strength is matched by his ability to care for fellow humans. In his career, he has leapt more hurdles than most of us have been forced to but he’s done with seeming ease as he's a natural leader. Leadership, though, carries an unseen burden and Grant has had to deal with that for too long. The mark of the man is opening himself to fully disclose his weaknesses and not everyone has the inner strength to do that. For that is what I am most proud of him for. And, because of that, I turned to Grant for guidance with some of my own demons. We have been mates for over 25 years and I am pleased to say that his job and journey has changed him but at the core he’s never changed. A true inspiration and a bloody, great bloke! It’s an honor to call Grant Edwards a friend.” (Leigh Diffey, NBC sports broadcaster)
"The aspect of Grant that I am most thankful for is his courage.
I noticed a significant change in his personality when he returned from tours of duty with the AFP in Afghanistan and Timor or leading investigations into child exploitation and trafficking. In many instances he shielded younger officers from exposure.
It was obvious he was struggling, he was stressed, he was withdrawn and distant and he wasn’t the same person. During conversations he would often stare into space.
It took courage for Grant to admit that he was dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When he first opened up to me about the issues he was facing I wasn’t shocked. I was relieved. I knew there was a long road ahead. But like everything Grant took on, I knew this one conversation would lead to him accepting the challenge. I knew he was a strong man, but facing this challenge showed me strength was much more than pulling a train or plane which he had done on many occasions. This admission was real strength. It wasn’t easy for Grant, here was this athlete of incredible physical strength battling mentally because of situations we was exposed to while on duty. In the past you didn’t talk about your vulnerabilities, in the force it was seen as a sign of weakness.
Because of his status in the force, Grant’s decision to go public with his PTSD altered thinking within the AFP and globally, about the issues facing our first responders and officers in the field." (Andrew Colvin, Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police)
What listeners say about The Strong Man
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Infragelis
- 23-05-2020
If you only read one book this decade ......
I’m uncertain how to write a review for what has to be the best book I have ever read. Grant and Lordy are now on my bucket list to hopefully meet one day. If ever there is a book written about resilience-this is the holy grail. I’m so damn proud of Grant and I’ve never met him. His astounding story carries no self pity, simply messages of resilience and logic. Grant’s book is a book of lessons, lessons of failure, wisdom, success, defeat, friendship, resilience, love, Lordy loyalty, introspection, reflection, betterment, growth, learning, letting go and embracing - I could go on. Despite being a voracious reader possibly only four books have been simultaneously life altering and provided self introspection and improvement experience. This is now a new one to that very small list. Grant and Lordy, thank you for your story, resilience and love.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kyle
- 07-10-2021
Wow
listening to the life story of Grant Edwards has been an amazing experience. It takes a lot to step up, acknowledge your mental health and speak out in a policing environment so my hat comes off for you Grant.
You really have had quite the journey in life both iOS and downs and your career progression is inspiring!
Thank you for writing this book, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and will remember your advice !
Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patricia Collins
- 25-08-2019
Deeply heartfelt and encouraging
Grant Edward's story is deeply moving. I was impressed with his insight, his observations of human nature, world affairs and events, as well as the damage, physical and emotional, that life can inflict. The support he has received (and given) should encourage all Defence Force, AFP, and Emergency Services personnel to look after themselves, as they look out for others. Well done and thank you to you all.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brett A
- 22-08-2019
An extraordinary story from an equally extraordinary human being
As someone who has ambitions to serve within the Australian Federal Police (AFP) one day I found his story insightful into the various roles within, and functions of, the AFP both at home and across the globe together with the opportunities that are available.
Grant didn’t hide the fact that the work the AFP does can be incredibly confronting and extremely challenging (there are some very dark chapters within Grant’s story) – but at the same time, how that work is rewarding in the sense that you know you are doing what you are doing to help save and protect those who need it the most and for those who can’t fight their battles alone.
As a senior leader within the AFP, it is refreshing to see how open Grant was in telling his story (flaws and all) and ensuring the message was well received that “help is always available when you need it”; and that the support comes from the top down. He shares his frustrations with a system built on the traditions of old, but acknowledges that the force was moving in the right direction and continues to do so to this very day.
Listening to Grant’s story only fuels the fire within me to want to serve my country more and I eagerly await the day when I get that opportunity to continue his good work with the men and women of the AFP.
This truly was a powerful story, it shows that those serving on the front line are people too; we all have our demons, but that it is about rising above those demons, asking for help and accepting it to allow us to be the best person we can be not only for ourselves, but those who love us and support us through life.
I would highly recommend Grant’s story to all and should be on the reading list for all AFP (and other policing or military forces) recruits.
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