Episode Two of Beers, B******t & Bonfires, the official podcast of Auswide Adventures, introduces the second founding member of the brotherhood: Damo Young. By day, Damo is an accountant—a bloke who understands numbers, balances the books and probably knows exactly how much money the boys waste on fuel, beer and unnecessary camping equipment. But behind the spreadsheets is a motorbike rider, surfer, traveller, loyal mate and lifelong adventurer who believes the best parts of life are not measured by money. They are measured by experiences, memories and the people standing beside you when the road gets rough. From Footy Mates to Auswide Adventures Damo first met Auswide founder Steven “Jags” Jaeger through Masters football at Coolangatta. After years spent building careers, raising families and dealing with everyday responsibilities, Masters footy gave Damo something he had been missing—the feeling of belonging to a team again. It brought together blokes from completely different backgrounds, including accountants, tradies, doctors, lawyers and business owners. Once they stepped onto the field, none of that mattered. They were simply teammates. That same feeling eventually became part of the foundation of Auswide Adventures. A group of mates travelling together, riding motorbikes, tackling difficult tracks, getting lost, laughing at each other’s crashes and sharing stories around the campfire. One Word for Mateship: Reliable When asked to describe the Auswide brotherhood in one word, Damo chose: Reliable. It might not sound like the most exciting word, but to Damo, it means everything. It means knowing the blokes beside you have your best interests at heart. It means knowing that when someone is struggling—physically, mentally or emotionally—the crew will stop and help. Real mates are not only there for the beers, motorbike trips and laughs. They are there when life turns serious. They send the message, make the call, sit beside you and help carry the load. The Trip That Stands Out For Damo, one of the most memorable Auswide trips was the Gibb River Road, travelling through the Kimberley between Darwin and Broome. The riding required constant concentration, with difficult surfaces, remote country and the possibility of coming off the bike if attention slipped for even a moment. But it was also one of the most unique and spectacular landscapes Damo had ever experienced. The water, the wilderness and the sheer size of the Kimberley made it a trip he will never forget. Of course, no Auswide adventure would be complete without someone falling over in the sand, bringing too much equipment or taking the wrong turn. According to Damo, P-Mac’s hatred of sand has become legendary, while Boltsy remains the crew member most likely to bring something completely unnecessary—although the coffee machine in the support vehicle may have eventually proved useful. A Routine Check That Saved His Life The episode takes a serious turn when Damo shares the story of his recent open-heart surgery. Damo felt healthy and had not been regularly visiting a doctor. Before an overseas motorbike trip, he needed vaccinations. During the appointment, the doctor checked his blood pressure and noticed it was unusually high. Instead of simply prescribing medication and moving on, the doctor wanted to understand why. Further testing eventually revealed an enlargement and dangerous weakness in Damo’s aorta—the major blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart. Damo still felt completely normal. However, doctors warned him that if the weakened area ruptured, the consequences could be immediate and fatal. Within weeks, Damo underwent major open-heart surgery. His sternum was opened, his heart was temporarily stopped, and the damaged section of his aorta was replaced. It was an enormous operation for a bloke who had not felt sick. Why Blokes Need to Get Checked Damo’s story delivers an important reminder. Blokes will service their cars, maintain their motorbikes, replace worn tyres and prepare their equipment before a trip. But many will go five, ten or even twenty years without properly checking their own health. Damo’s condition was discovered by chance. Without that routine blood-pressure check and a doctor willing to investigate further, the outcome could have been very different. Getting checked is not weakness. It is one of the strongest and most responsible things a bloke can do—for himself, his family and the mates who want him around for the next adventure. Money Means Nothing Without Time Facing major surgery also changed Damo’s perspective on money and success. Lying in hospital before the operation, he realised that wealth, property and money in the bank mean very little when you are unsure whether you will wake up the next morning. What matters is how you use the time you have. Damo believes time is precious, but it should not be hoarded. It should be used to create experiences, take the trip, spend time with good people and make memories that remain long after the adventure finishes. What Comes Next? Once fully recovered, Damo plans to get back on his motorbike and return to the adventures he loves. Potential trips include Kangaroo Island, the Great Ocean Road, the Otways and Tasmania. At 61, Damo says he may have “ten good summers” ahead of him—and he plans to make every one of them count. That means more riding, surfing, four-wheel driving, campfires, memories and experiences with the people who matter most. Listen to Episode Two Now Episode Two of Beers, B******t & Bonfires is more than a conversation about motorbikes and camping. It is a story about friendship, health, mortality, recovery and the importance of continuing to live—even after life delivers a major warning. Listen now on all major podcast platforms. Follow Auswide Adventures, download the app and join a growing community built around mateship, adventure, memories and getting more out of life. Check on your mates. Book the health check. Take the bloody trip. And never let the truth ruin a great campfire story.
