Joe Williams is a Wiradjuri former professional sportsman, who played in the NRL for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs. In 2009, he started professional boxing. He was twice an WBF World Junior Welterweight champion, and went on to win the WBC Asia Continental title.
Joe Williams has battled with bipolar disorder most of his life, and attempted suicide in 2012. Since then, he has found a new calling working as a motivational speaker talking about resilience, positive energy and mental health to primary and secondary school aged youth. He was a contributing author to the book Transformation: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph, also penning his own autobiography titled Defying The Enemy Within. Since its release, Joe has spent his time working to inspire youth in primary and secondary schools, and in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres. Joe has mentored both young people and adults, and conducts motivational speaking workshops.
