WILL MCINTYRE

My journey started long before I heard the whisper of my heart. It began in Thailand, where my dad was traveling the world in search of himself and his purpose. There, he met my mother on a bus,an encounter orchestrated by the universe. It was destiny. My dad was supposed to catch a train that day, but the line was flooded, and fate led him to my mother instead. Though they couldn’t communicate due to the language barrier, my dad had a special gift,an artist’s brain and through his drawings, he and my mother were able to connect.

That’s when they fell in love, and after all these years, they are still together.

My journey truly began in a little town called Nambour on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. But that chapter was short-lived when my parents decided to return to their roots in Thailand. Thailand is a country rich in culture and tradition, and growing up there was an incredibly beautiful blessing. It was in this vibrant, loving environment that the first whisper of my heart journey began.

During my childhood in Thailand, I began to see the world for what it was. I remember one of my dad’s first jobs working at the Bangkok airport. I went with him once to a meeting, walking into a boardroom filled with politicians and decision-makers. The meeting lasted all of 30 seconds. The men picked up their briefcases, filled with money, and left.

But despite all the chaos, I had an amazing childhood in Thailand. Life was free, and we lived simply. I didn’t have much, but I had community. After school, I’d run to my grandmother’s house, throw my backpack inside, and borrow my neighbor’s bike. He was a gamer who never used it. My friends and I would ride around the village to places like the rice paddocks, the watering hole, or the soccer field, just being kids and enjoying our freedom. Before sunset, an old lady would always remind us that our moms were calling us home before the streetlights came on. If we didn’t make it, we were in trouble. It was a safe place, where everyone looked out for each other, and everyone shared. That was where I first heard the whisper of my heart.

Fast forward to my second whisper. I was an 11-year-old boy in a new country,my home country, ironically,but I never felt more out of place. I couldn’t speak the language, and I couldn’t communicate with anyone. It was the same feeling my dad had 11 years earlier. I lost everything I knew,who I was, where I came from. My parents decided to return to Australia to give us a better education and lifestyle, and after 11 long years, we arrived here with nothing but a suitcase and the dream of a better life.

At first, I didn’t fit in. I hated it. It was so hard going to school where everyone had their own friend groups, people who had known each other for years. I was just the new kid from another country, but oddly enough, this was where I was born. It took me about two years to fit in.

In high school, things started to change. I fell in love with rugby league, and for the first time since Thailand, I felt like I belonged. I was part of the pack. I had friends who looked out for me, but in exchange, I learned to ignore my own needs and push myself hard on the rugby field. This was the first time I learned people-pleasing traits in order to survive the deep sense of not belonging.

Being in the pack isn’t always healthy. If I’m being honest, this is when I first learned what it meant to embody an unhealthy masculine energy where boundaries didn’t matter because we were protective of each other. It also came with the drinking culture, which was a huge problem in Australia. We’d encourage each other to get as drunk as possible just to prove we were men. This shaped the adult I would become.

Throughout my twenties, I was lost. I had no sense of purpose or direction. All I knew was rugby league, partying, casual hookups, and shallow conversations. I couldn’t form healthy relationships with anyone. I was in a selfish state, caring only about money, sex, and alcohol. And I began attracting the wrong kinds of people into my life. I eventually landed a job in the mines, working underground. This is when the third whisper of my heart arrived.

I remember the first day I landed in Mount Isa. It felt like a big opportunity—finally, I’d made it. A high-paying job, no cooking, no cleaning, no real responsibilities except work and partying. Sound familiar? I had just replaced rugby league with mining. Working underground it was mind blowing. I remember the first day I went underground. It was so hot the air was hard to breathe. You got a little head lamp and in front of you,it was pitch black then all the sudden it’s open up a city a whole workshop underground how did they even bring it all here I imagine I was amazed it was something out this world. I was so amazed what we can achieve as human to be able to build a city underground beneath the Earth. The feeling didn’t last long.

We were working in totally isolation from the world no communication to the surface no phone, no family just you and two other people so isolated. I guess this where I am my definition of hell. We were three kilometre down 65 degree. Living in the world inside your head for 12 hours a day. Leaving a lifestyle that there is no work life balance. Just for the money how crazy, I was so far for my soul purpose, I was so far from myself. And that’s just the beginning.

Then, I met her. I walked into the kitchen, and this girl smiled at me. She was sweet, pretty, but nothing extraordinary. We struck up a conversation, and everything seemed fine on the surface. But that’s when I learned that we attract what we are.

The relationship was chaotic. I’d come back from working underground, and my partner would be a mess, struggling with alcohol. She was selfish and only wanted me for my money. It was like looking into a mirror—this was who I was at the time. The universe had a funny way of showing me the truth, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t who I wanted to be. That’s when I had my first nervous breakdown and spiraled out of control. My people-pleasing behavior got me into hot water. I found myself in a loveless relationship, staying because I didn’t love myself enough to walk away. And during this time that where I learn how bad was social isolations.

To make a long story short, I left the mines in an attempt to fix a love that was never truly there. Eventually, I found out that she was pregnant by another man. That was my first rock bottom.

Rock bottom can bring both destruction and beauty. There was a phase in my life when I drank heavily to escape the overwhelming pain and suffering. My vibration was low, and I found myself constantly trapped in toxic relationships. I wasn’t strong enough to change until a voice came to me—one from deep within my soul. It spoke clearly and softly: “Be the guidance, be the light, be everything that shines bright.”

That voice came to me at 4 a.m. one morning, after I had just walked home from a four-day bender. At that time, I was surrounded by darkness, with suicidal thoughts clouding my mind. I needed change. I needed hope. That was when my heart whispered to me.

I began to change, and that’s when I found the love of my life—Millie, my little puppy. She became my world. We did everything together, and she was my rock. Whenever I was spiraling into a dark place, she brought me back home. Millie was my true love. With her by my side, life started to feel better. But I hadn’t yet addressed my inner shadows, and despite falling in love again, the results remained the same—more pain, more trauma.

I had experienced the heartbreak of abortion with my partner at the time. She made the decision to terminate our baby without consulting me, against my wishes. At that moment, I really wanted to be a father, to stand by her and do the right thing, but that wasn’t the reality. I hit rock bottom once again, fell into bad company, I had nearly given up on hope, and the voice that once whispered to me had disappeared. But my purpose was just about to be born.

After a failed suicide attempt, my family rallied around me. My mom and I spent 12 and a half hours in a room, talking about my childhood in Thailand and how much I meant to her. She told me she couldn’t imagine a world without me. In that moment, I made a promise to her: I would change and find peace again. That was when my spiritual journey began.

For months, I isolated myself. It was just me and Millie, following our routine. I let go of the people who no longer served me, changed my inner circle, and rebuilt myself in solitude. I connected deeply with nature and God. It was during this time that thing being to change I have founded a new love. She was much older then I was. But she was truely beautiful. She taught me how to be kind and patient. She believes in me and allowed me to rewrite my story. Our journey together have shifted me her love was so powerful that I being to go inward. For the first time in my life I was love. I met the most amazing people—my soul family. It was surreal to find a family who not only welcomed me into their lives but also showed me an immense amount of love. Through this, I found myself again, and that was when the real journey began—the whisper of the heart.

As I felt the love overflowing within me, I decided to start a men’s catch-up group that met once a fortnight on Sundays. It began humbly, with a simple post in a Sunshine Coast spiritual group. At the first meeting, six men showed up; the next week, 15. Before I knew it, the group had grown to over 150 men in just three months. I was amazed by how quickly the ripple effect had spread. But also I was so concern about the current issue that at state with men mental health. That is the real state of emergency and something really need to change in the way we address mental health.

As I watched this unfold, I realized I needed a name and a purpose for the group. What was this all about? Why were we here? How could we change the world for the better? After reflecting on this, the name came to me: “The Journeymen.” Everyone has a story, and everyone has a journey.

The name represented my newfound freedom from the limitations of my own beliefs, from the systems that held me back, and from the lack of purpose and direction in my life. This new identity empowered me to step forward and become the man I always wanted to be: a man of community, someone who could make a difference in the world. Even despite all my shadow and imperfection I want to make this dream this purpose a reality.

After we formed the identity of The Journeymen, Luke, Sia, and I had our first meeting at a small Thai restaurant in Nambour—ironically, the place where my life had begun its transformation. I asked Luke, who was 18, why he wanted to help form a non-profit organization focused on men’s mental health. He said, “It’s an honorable thing to do.” I asked the same question to Sia, who was 23, and he replied, “Because I’m here to support other people’s dreams.” I was struck by how these two young men, so full of purpose, wanted to do something greater than themselves. But I know the universe have bought us together because what a crazy chance that three stranger from three different country mere together to heal this great community in Australia. Luke originally from South Africa a young kid who have an old soul in his manner but full of confidence and intelligent. And then we have sia a young Indian boy from darwin. Who is more reserve and patient. Between us three I felt like we were the perfect Storm to change this world.

That was when my true journey began. What started as a small Sunday gathering quickly transformed into a non-profit in just three months. We grew from 150 members to over 500 members across the coast. During this time, we sacrificed our own comfort for a greater cause. I left the corporate world to pursue this dream, because deep down, I knew this day would come. My entire journey had led me back to my heart, back to my soul. The lessons I learned from living in Thailand had taught me everything I needed to know about building community.

We have a saying at The Journeymen: “Build your community, and your community will build you.”

Building a community didn’t come with a cost. I have left the corporate world and job security. To do my mission. I no longer have a normal life. I was lost in my new identity. I was working long hours and while struggling financially. I put my heart and soul trying to build what I believe in. Everything was ok until it’s not okay. Throughout that journey I have lost my rock my relationship. An all achievement seem pointless. As no longer have love in my life. I I fell into a spiral of pretty once again. I attempted to take my own life once more as I was giving up hope. Because I lost everything that meant the most. But in the destruction there was a light just like before. It forcing me to rebuild retrain my thoughts. It allow me to rebirth to go in love with myself to trust in the universe that everything happened to us. It will propel us forward to find ourselves. To have self care, self love, to go within and find hope and get up once again. I have been here before….

As I reflect on my journey, I realize how much of it was spent searching for something outside of myself, something I thought would fill the emptiness that I felt inside. For years, I looked for validation in the wrong places—through sports, partying, relationships, and material success. Yet, every time I thought I was getting closer to fulfillment, I found myself falling deeper into the shadow of my fear. It wasn’t until I began to listen more closely to my heart, to that inner voice that had always been there my inner child who always has an inner knowledge that one day I would do something to help this world a better place, he was waiting patiently for me to hear him whisper, that is when I truly began to understand the depth of my journey.

I used to believe that the world was something to conquer, that I needed to prove my worth by accumulating achievements or status. But over time, I’ve come to understand that true growth comes from surrender and the power of will that was fighting so hard not to surrendering to external forces or expectations, but surrendering to the process of becoming who I truly am. It was only by releasing my attachment to old habits, toxic relationships, and self-destructive behaviors that I found a path toward peace. Well the being anyway!

The most profound shift came when I recognized that my journey wasn’t just for me it was a collective one. We all carry wounds, stories, and dreams, and by sharing those pieces of ourselves, we create healing and connection. As I began to step into my true purpose, I realized that the heart of my journey was to help others do the same. The more I shared my struggles, the more I saw the transformative power of vulnerability. In a world that often tells men to be strong, silen . The Journeymen became a space where we could unmask the pains, the doubts, the fears, and the vulnerabilities we all carry. A place of empowerment. A true brotherhood that I hope one day stand the test of time. A community with centre men and conscious leader.

Our community is founded on this simple truth: we are all worthy of love, of support, and of growth. Through our gatherings, we have created a sanctuary for men to come together, not just to talk about their challenges, but to show up for one another with empathy and understanding. There is strength in unity, and as we’ve continued to grow, we’ve seen firsthand the power of men coming together with open hearts and minds.

But this journey is far from over. In fact, I believe it’s just the beginning. The vision I hold for The Journeymenand for our future goes beyond just creating a safe space for men to heal. It’s about creating a ripple effect that spreads across the globe, inspiring others to embrace their own journeys of self-discovery and growth. We want to help build a world where mental health is prioritized, where emotional intelligence is nurtured, and where community and connection are at the center of everything we do. A world that fill with love with peace and harmony. A world that I truly believe in.

As we work towards creating a self sustaining community, where we can grow our own food, create jobs, and build a shared economy, I see the foundation of something much bigger than ourselves. This isn’t just about building a better future for us it’s about building a legacy for the generations to come. It’s about showing our children that there is another way to live, a way that is rooted in authenticity, kindness, love, the old waythat have been forgotten l.The way that we meant to truely live .

I know that the road ahead will not always be easy but it never was when you inspired to be something greater than yourself. There will be obstacles, setbacks, and moments when it feels like the weight of the world is too heavy to bear. I still get those moment but it’s never never take me away from my purpose.

But I’ve learned that these are the moments when growth happens. When we face our darkest fears and bravely move through them, we discover the light within us. And it’s that light that will guide us, individually and collectively, toward the future we are creating together. With hope and love we forever make us stronger. In unity I always believe is our dream this the only way forward.

I am grateful for every step of this journey the good, the bad, and everything in between. Every mistake, every heartbreak, every tear, has led me here, to this moment of clarity and purpose. And I know that this is only the beginning. My heart has spoken, and now it’s time to listen with open ears, to follow the path that it is guiding me on, and to share that journey with others.

So, as I stand here today, I am filled with hope. Hope for the future, hope for the men in our community, and hope for the world. I have learned that it’s not about achieving some far off ideal, but about embracing the process and believing in the lessons, the growth, and the connection.

This is my heart’s journey, and it will continue as long as I am willing to listen to the whispers, to learn from the experiences, and to share that wisdom with those who walk beside me. And those who I have chosen to leave behind.

We are all on a journey, and the more we walk together, the stronger and more beautiful that journey becomes.

So let’s keep walking. Let’s keep building, supporting, and loving. And let’s remember that as we do, we are creating a world where every person has the chance to find their own peace, their own purpose, and their own heart’s whisper.

This is the story of The Journeymen. This is the story of my heart. And this is just the beginning.