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Johnny Debnam | Adventurer & Researcher

@johnny_debnam

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1487

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🌎 Exploring the world & human potential
🧠 Mental health & happiness
🎬 Shipwreck Hunters | Disney+
🚀 Founder @terra_australis @joyd_foundation

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This is a story I’ve never told publicly.
Only my closest friends and family know what I went through.

I was very close to leaving.
I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m still here.

I feel compelled to do something with that.
Because I found a way back, and I had no idea the best years of my life were ahead of me.

Please join us on this journey. #joyd727k
#joyd_foundation #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness by @johnny_debnam

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9 months ago

One of those memories I’ll never forget, sharing the underwater world with our two year old son. His mind was blown, whilst filming for season 2 of @shipwreckhuntersaustralia 💙⚓️🌊 taken in Busselton Jetty by @johnny_debnam

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a year ago

Our second born son Levi Chance Debnam, your passion for life is inspiring. 💙💙💙 we love you and Jydey more than all the water in the ocean. by @johnny_debnam

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2 days ago

Today is World Mental Health Day.

I’ve spent some time today thinking about my two sons and what I’d tell them when they’re older.

If I could pass on just five lessons from over a decade of lived experience, personal struggles, and the privilege of learning from some of the world’s leading mental health researchers, what would they be?

I don’t think it’s possible to avoid every difficult moment in life, but we can learn how to ride and grow from storms. I don’t think life is suppose to be easy, I think we need to connect and learn from each other. One of our super powers as humans is one another.

These are the five lessons I’d want them to know. by @johnny_debnam

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8 days ago

The speaker line up for Wellbeing in the Workplace Conference is here!

On 21 October, these are the voices leading the conversation on healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

Our Keynote Speakers:

• Casey Beros
• Dr Jenny Brockis
• Johnny Debnam
• Samantha Jackson

Our Panellists:

• Amber Anthony
• Janice Wong
• Matt Thomas
• Michelle Leach
• Robbie Figg
• Sarah Fordham

🔗 Final seats remaining. Secure yours via the link in our bio. by @johnny_debnam

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18 days ago

Season 2 of Shipwreck Hunters Australia is here!

Dive into a new season.
Season 2 of Shipwreck Hunters Australia streaming August 27 exclusively on Disney+.

Created and Produced by the legends at @terra_australis @vam_media @barking_mad_productions

The dream team @bubbahutcho @_ryanchatfield @johnny_debnam @andrererekura @nushfreedman @rosegrandilepizzi 🚀🚀🚀

Exclusive to @disneyplusau @disneyplus 💫

With the support of @screenwest_ @screenaustralia @westernaustralia @wamuseum taken in Western Australia by @johnny_debnam

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a year ago

I can’t wait for this one!

On the 21st of October, I’ll be a keynote speaker at the AIM WA Wellbeing in the Workplace Conference, presenting my talk, “Optimising Your Mental Health Naturally.”
l’ll be sharing practical insights and everyday habits we can use to support and optimise our mental health.

Importantly, I’ll also share why I believe learning how to look after your mental health can have positive ripple effects through almost every part of your lite.

In a world flooded with instant information, my aim is to cut through the noise and share practical advice and the motivation to actually put it into action, showing how changes to our lifestyle and everyday habits can make a meaningful difference to how we feel, live and experience life.

The talk will bring together lessons from my own lived experience, along with what I’ve learnt from spending time with mental health leaders in our community and researchers working in the field.

Really looking forward to this one!

A link to the conference here: https://Inkd.in/
d4NGD2Dn by @johnny_debnam

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a month ago

I am living proof you need to keep going. Storms do pass even if you’re in the depths of it for a long time.

All thoughts are mine alone and personal experiences. No AI assistance.

I felt like I experienced hell for 2 years. Every day felt like torture and towards the end I was just so tired from fighting. I was knocking on heaven’s door to end the pain.

Now all my dreams have come true.

Science shows you can wreck your mental health in a matter of weeks from bad habits, but amazingly you can turn your mental health around in a few weeks of positive habits.

Here’s what helped me and what has been proven to optimise mental health and existence:

🔹 Have a strong life purpose
What am I working towards for my best life? I was told I was brain damaged and would be heavily medicated for life. If I can turn my life around, so can you. I am not special.

🔹 Healthy habits
This is the foundational pillar. Good clean food, movement, healthy sleep, limiting screen time and playing in nature.

🔹 Connection & people
Probably the most important pillar for a long and meaningful life. Surround yourself with people that lift you up and the ones you belly laugh with the most.

🔹 Exercise
Nothing transformed my mindset from “this is awful” to “I’ve got this” more than moving my body. Run, walk, swim, workout, play, move whatever you can. A recent study from UniSA showed exercise is 1.5 times more effective than many traditional therapies and medications.

🔹 Supplements
These helped me replace prescription medication with natural compounds that supported my recovery:

• Saffron (Affron) 15 mg twice daily
• Fish oil
• Curcumin (Meriva) 500 mg twice daily
• Magnesium glycinate at night

If you need help with something specific, I’m happy to share more information via PM about other supplements I used.

There is a place for prescription medication. Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are real-life superheroes who save lives every day. Work with them if you want to start Supplementation.

Big love to you all 💙💙💙 by @johnny_debnam

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4 months ago

I’m grateful for the opportunity and really looking forward to speaking at @fremantle_ports R U OK? Day next month.

I’ll be sharing some of my lived experience, what I’ve learnt along the way, and some of the lessons I’ve picked up from the researchers and inspirational people I’ve been lucky enough to learn from.

Something I’m really trying to bring into my public speaking is practical, evidence-based advice that people can actually use to look after their mental health.

Most of us know what to do if we get a physical injury. But do you know what your go-to is when you feel your mental health starting to decline?

For me, it’s exercise. Nothing resets me as quickly or as effectively as going for a run or getting through a solid workout. It can shift my whole mindset.

The amazing thing is that we’re all different. There are evidence-based strategies and lifestyle habits we can experiment with and build into our lives to support our mental and physical health.

And when we get those foundations right, it has the potential to improve almost every other part of our lives.

Eddie the therapy dog will be there too! 💙 by @johnny_debnam

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2 months ago

It was an amazing opportunity to speak at the @bunburygeographecci Southwest Leaders Conference recently.

In a world flooded with digital information and with more people struggling with mental health, now more than ever we need to connect in person and learn from each other’s lived experiences. I love meeting people, following my curiosity and hearing their stories. The best lessons I’ve learnt have come from conversations and life experiences, not a device.

Public speaking has also given me a lot of personal growth. I’ve gained confidence through doing it, and I feel pretty lucky to have the opportunity to share some of what I’ve learnt on my journey.

As a father, I feel compelled to do my part to contribute to our community and, more importantly, to be the best role model I can be for our boys.

Like all of us, I’m still working on myself and working on the future.

A quote I heard recently has both inspired and haunted me:

“If you don’t fight your demons, your children will have to.”

Thank you for the photos @spindrift.media 🫡 taken in Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse by @johnny_debnam

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2 months ago

We had this guy follow us for a little while on a recent shoot. Incredible to be able to document their natural behavior. 🙌 Wait to the end to see how quickly he can accelerate. 🦈👍 Epic by @johnny_debnam

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a year ago

I’m excited to be speaking on a panel, at In Your Head 2026, WA’s largest youth mental health forum, presented by @zero2heroau

🎤 I’ll be speaking on a panel session about Purpose and Passion, this matters to me because Purpose has helped me shape my life in ways I thought was never possible. Purpose pulled me out of some of the darkest times I’ve ever experienced, I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learnt to young people as they are our future and I want to help give them the best chance of making the most out of their lives and every opportunity.

In Your Head is a one-day youth wellbeing education event for high school students across Perth on 18 August, bringing together young people and educators for a day of real conversations, practical wellbeing tools, and learning the skills to positively maintain their own mental health, and look out for their friends and communities.

If you’re a teacher, school, or know a young person who’d benefit from a day filled with inspiring speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and practical takeaways, I’d love to see you there!

🎟️Tickets available from zero2hero.com.au
📅 18 August 2026 📍Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre by @johnny_debnam

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2 months ago