Episode 164 of heCast features Dave Muller in one of the most powerful and unforgettable conversations we have ever had on the show. This episode explores survival, trauma, faith, family, PTSD, hostage recovery, healing, and the incredible true story behind Dave’s book Not Child’s Play. Dave Muller was born in South Africa, became an architect, and spent ten years building a steel-hulled yacht named Arwen with the dream of sailing around the world. In 1990, Dave, his wife Sandy, and their two young children set sail for the Bazaruto Islands in Mozambique. After running aground on the mainland, the family was captured by child soldiers from the Renamo group and forced into a terrifying ordeal that would last seven weeks. In this episode, Mike and Dave talk through the astonishing story of how a family sailing adventure became a hostage situation inside the Mozambican Civil War. Dave shares what it was like to protect his children emotionally while he and Sandy were carrying fear, uncertainty, and responsibility beyond anything most people can imagine. He also reflects on hope, despair, faith, survival, and the strange reality of being rescued while still carrying deep emotional wounds. This conversation is not only about what happened during those seven weeks. It is about what happened after. Dave opens up about PTSD, the long process of healing, returning to Mozambique, writing Not Child’s Play, and discovering years later how close his family had come to being killed. He also shares how the story eventually connected his family to Hostage International, with proceeds from the book being donated to support former hostages and their families. One of the most moving moments in this episode comes through Dave’s reflection on the bowline knot. No matter how tightly it has been pulled, a bowline can still be loosened. For Dave, that became a powerful metaphor for trauma, healing, faith, relationships, addiction, and the things men often believe can never be undone. This episode is for anyone carrying something heavy, anyone trying to heal from a chapter they did not choose, and anyone who needs the reminder that even the tightest knots in life can sometimes be loosened. About Dave Muller: Dave Muller is a South African architect, author, husband, father, and survivor. In 1990, he, his wife Sandy, and their two children were captured in Mozambique after their yacht ran aground and spent seven weeks held by Renamo during the civil war. Dave later wrote Not Child’s Play, based on the detailed diary he kept during captivity. His life after the ordeal has included architecture, sustainable development, mission work, healing from PTSD, and supporting Hostage International through proceeds from his book. Learn more about Dave Muller: Website / Not Child’s Play Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Listen to heCast, the official podcast of HeChangedIt. Download the HeChangedIt app for more tools, content, and support on your mental wellness journey.
