Samwise Holmes was relentlessly and brutally bullied throughout his schooling years.

Living with Asperger's Syndrome, he says he always felt different, and so, he was an easy target.

But it was passion for drama and the arts that saved him, giving him purpose and a reason to keep going.

A few years after finishing high school, Samwise came up with a plan to try and prevent anyone experiencing what he did.

Backflips Against Bullying was born – a school program combining acrobatics to engage students alongside practical anti bullying tactics.

Beginning in New South wales, it’s now expanding to schools across Queensland and Victoria. and hopefully soon, every state in Australia.

This chat with Samwise was very special for me, it actually brings me to tears every time I think of some of the things he shared.

He's a beacon of strength, resilience and ultimately, forgiveness and he's saving lives.

A trigger warning - we discuss suicide and bullying.

A note:

When we recorded 2 months ago, few people knew what the coronavirus was, let alone the impact it would have.

Sadly, with schools closing and measures to prevent large groups gathering now in place, Backflips Against Bullying has been hit hard, with all its shows cancelled for the foreseeable future – it's heartbreaking.

You can show your support by hitting like on the Backflips Against Bullying Facebook page and sharing Samwise’s incredible program, and this conversation, with the teachers, principals and school-aged children you know, so that hopefully when schools reopen, the incredible team can resume performing and sharing their vital anti-bullying message.

As always, you can get in contact with me @elizabethanile
If you can share this chat on your social media and tag me, I'd be so grateful!
Also, if you've got a sec to leave a review, hit five stars, and subscrive, it'll help other people find Lemonade who perhaps really need it.
Stay safe and I'll be back with you on Thursday.

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Samwise Holmes \ Once brutally bullied, now helping kids fight back… with parkour 52:59 Share

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Samwise Holmes \ Once brutally bullied, now helping kids fight back… with parkour