At 19, Cody Carroll was on the verge of achieving the dream he'd worked towards since he was a little boy... becoming a professional footballer. He was captaining the Newcastle Jets youth team, training with the A-League squad and making his family proud. But when his dad was diagnosed with stage four cancer, everything began to change. Cody promised his dad he'd never miss a training session or game because of him. Not long after, Cody became seriously ill during an overseas football tour, and his dad passed away. What followed were some of the darkest years of his life. In this episode of The 100 Stories Project, I'm joined by Cody, his partner Jess and their 8-month-old son Hudson for an incredibly honest conversation about grief, addiction, mental health, parenthood and rebuilding a life you're proud of. Cody opens up about struggling with depression, gambling and substance use after losing his dad, and the moment he realised he needed to ask for help and make a change. Today, Cody and Jess are building The Pronto Junk Team, a Newcastle-based junk removal business grounded in empathy, community and helping people without judgement. We also hear from Jess about her experience with postnatal depression and anxiety, and how becoming parents changed the way they approached their business, their relationship and supporting each other. In this episode, we talk about: Cody's football dreams and the promise he made to his dad Losing his father at 19 and the years of grief and addiction that followed The turning point that led him to seek professional help Rebuilding his life through sobriety, discipline and a stronger sense of purpose How becoming a dad to Hudson changed what success means to him Jess's experience with a difficult birth and postnatal depression Making changes in their business so they could support each other as parents Why The Pronto Junk Team leads with empathy, kindness and giving back One of the most powerful parts of Cody's story is how his reason for changing has evolved. At first, he wanted to make his dad proud. Now, he wants to make himself proud and become the kind of father Hudson can look up to, just as Cody once looked up to his own dad. Connect with Cody & Jess The Pronto Junk Team Website: https://www.theprontojunkteam.com.au Instagram & Facebook: The Pronto Junk Team Servicing Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley. Be part of The 100 Stories Project The 100 Stories Project is an Unmuted Stories Original, created and hosted by Tash Miller. Through 100 honest conversations with business owners, we explore the experiences, challenges, lessons and defining moments that have shaped the people behind the businesses. Have a story you'd love to share, or know someone whose story deserves to be captured? Find out more: https://unmutedstories.com.au Follow: @100storiesproject DM Tash: https://www.instagram.com/iamtashmiller/ Produced by Unmuted Stories Founded by Tash Miller, Unmuted Stories is a Newcastle and Lake Macquarie-based podcast and content production company creating podcasts, video interviews, original shows and content series for founders, business owners, experts and organisations. From uncovering the stories worth telling to creative direction, production and content repurposing, Unmuted Stories helps turn genuine conversations into content people want to watch, read and listen to. Be a little more unmuted. https://unmutedstories.com.au About Your Host A former Police Officer, business owner and mum to Archie, Tash has navigated her fair share of life's unexpected turns. Today, she's a business and marketing strategist, speaker, podcast host and Founder & Creative Director of Unmuted Stories. Follow Tash: https://www.instagram.com/iamtashmiller/
