Join me as I share my Journey Through Abuse, Murder, & Triumph in my new series, “Against All Odds.” Meet Matt Charles and hear his inspiring story of resilience and strength. In this powerful and heart-wrenching Part One episode of Leading Our Own Way, Matt Charles, the owner of Casey Elite Martial Arts, opens up about his incredible journey of overcoming unimaginable physical and emotional abuse challenges. Born with a narrow spinal canal and diagnosed with spinal stenosis, Matt endured multiple surgeries, all while facing the trauma of childhood abuse, neglect, and tragic loss. Despite physical limitations and violent abuse from his own family, including attempts on his life by his mother, Matt found healing and purpose through martial arts.
Matt courageously shares his raw, vulnerable story—from his mother’s attempt to erase his identity to the shocking family tragedies that shaped his life. But through resilience, determination, and an unbreakable spirit, Matt turned his pain into purpose. Today, his martial arts school is a safe haven and source of empowerment for athletes, regardless of their background or trauma.
This episode is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Matt’s story is a living example of how you can rise from adversity to build a life of purpose, leadership, and hope. Against all odds, Matt inspires others to believe in themselves, proving that no matter how dark life can get, there’s always a way to choose hope and create a better future.
Tune in to this emotional and uplifting episode to witness how Matt Charles defied the odds and transformed his life into one of triumph and inspiration.
Viewer Discretion Advised:
This episode contains discussions of physical and emotional abuse, including violence, neglect, and sensitive topics such as attempted murder, sexual abuse, and family trauma. Some viewers may find the content disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Guest Information:
https://www.instagram.com/caseyelitemartialarts/
https://karatecranbourne.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/matt.charles.98499
https://www.facebook.com/caseyelitemartialarts
Part One: https://youtu.be/nZuDsbGbyqI
Part Two: https://youtu.be/94IRNbLzkeE
Part Three: https://youtu.be/vAokaDch1X4
Part Four: https://youtu.be/RtWk__EzoQw
Part Five: https://youtu.be/f1lyj6378y8
Takeaways
– Physical challenges caused by spinal stenosis and multiple surgeries.
– He endured childhood abuse and neglect, including attempts on his life by his mother.
– Martial arts became a source of solace and empowerment for Matt.
– He built a successful martial arts business, Casey Elite Martial Arts.
– Matt’s story is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and finding purpose. – Matt’s mother tried to coach him to hide his identity, possibly to put him into foster care.
– Matt experienced early instances of abuse, including being left naked and cold in a laundry.
– One of Matt’s aunties was murdered by her husband, and another auntie became sick and eventually died while living with their grandmother.
– Martial arts provided structure and discipline in Matt’s life, giving him a sense of purpose and a safe space.
– Despite the challenges, Matt was determined to avoid a life of crime and make better choices. Meeting his wife was a pivotal moment in Matt’s life, as it gave him a sense of worth and happiness that he had never experienced before.
– Despite his experiences with violence and training in martial arts, Matt still struggled with anxiety and fear.
– Matt’s journey to healing and coping with his past trauma is a daily battle, but he has learned to work on it and not let it control him.
– The loss of his siblings, who were also victims of their traumatic upbringing, reinforced Matt’s determination to break the cycle and create a better future for himself and his family.
– Matt’s martial arts school has become a platform for him to give back and make a positive impact on the lives of others, regardless of their background or trauma. Resilience and hope are essential in overcoming adversity and achieving success.
– Discipline and adaptability are key to personal growth and embracing opportunities.
Creating a community and fostering leadership are important aspects of Matt’s martial arts academy.
– Matt’s purpose is to prove that anything is possible and inspire others to believe in themselves.
Chapters
00:00 Physical Challenges and Surgeries
16:52 Connection with Jake Ward and Martial Arts
31:43 Impact on Speech and Neurological Damage
38:10 Subscribe and you don’t want to miss part two tomorrow
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