The Desert Swimmer

Mental health speaker, author and living proof that asking for help works

His Story

Brendan Cullen doesn't have a speaking coach, a script or a slide deck. He's got red dirt, a hell of a story and a way of telling it that makes strangers feel like mates.

He spent his life on sheep stations around Broken Hill - working harder, saying "nah, I'm fine," and quietly falling apart. In 2015 he walked into Broken Hill Hospital and asked for help. What came next, nobody saw coming: the English Channel, the Catalina Channel, a book.

These days Brendan speaks full-time. He's a Lifeline Regional SA & Farwest NSW Ambassador, a Royal Flying Doctor Service We've Got Your Back Champion, and author of The Desert Swimmer.

A yarn that hopes to save a life

Keynotes, panels and Q&As for corporate events, field days, schools and community groups. No buzzwords, no lecture - just a bloke telling the truth, and rooms that go quiet listening.

From severe depression on an outback sheep station to swimming the English Channel. The story of how it all started - co-written with Paul Mitchell, published by Allen & Unwin.

The Desert Swimmer

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