G’day Troopers!
I’m Rohan Mullin, a former Australian men’s fast pitch softball pitcher who played around the world for approximately 15 years off and on. I played all over the world, experienced the fantastic world of softball and its ups and downs! Proceeding that, I ventured into the business world as the CEO of an environmental remediation company that was essentially my baby. This all changed for me in 2013, I suffered a massive stroke caused by family history hypertension – The stroke I had was a Hemorrhagic stroke which resulted in major brain surgery, having half of my skull removed and having my left arm and leg constantly seized.
As a result, I have had to learn to function again. I had to learn how to now exist in a new environment and capacity as a result of my stroke, but I never let this get me down!
Despite all of this, and through years of rehabilitation and family support. I have been able to live independently and start my own sportswear brand selling runners and apparel, which I hope to expand and help others with my message that there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Over seven years on, I still have a chronic disability but have learnt many strategies to manage my pain, I’ve learnt that you can’t limit yourself due to disability and you can always push on harder and stronger every day regardless of what people tell you, you can’t do. I’m also helping other young softballers to learn the art of pitching and whilst currently writing my first book which is almost complete. My sportswear brands slogan “no limits”, is a reflection of myself that I have put no limits on my recovery and what I can achieve. I’m still working on improving myself every day and with the help of my family, friends and peers I can constantly strive to be better. I’m very fortunate to be at a stage in my life that every day I choose what I want to be despite my physical challenges, pitfalls and issues.
I’d like to share my story, as I want to share about control, hope, will and determination. When I was an Australian softball pitcher, I controlled the game, the game didn’t start until I pitched the ball. But after having my life-altering stroke I lost all control of my life, but that did not stop me. I was given HOPE through help from my medical team, family and friends, and over time I learned that I had tremendous WILL to achieve my CONTROL back and build myself back up to the man I am now.
HOPE is waiting for others to help you but WILL is giving effort to achieve your goals/ plans.
When you are told that you may never walk again or live independently, there is a light at the tunnel. It’s indeed a very long tunnel, but, with hard work, good family and group support and continuous effort you can achieve your long term plan. You can pursue your dreams and achieve what you want to achieve. Life constantly throw’s curveballs your way, but at this point, I’ve chosen to become the batter and I’ve chosen to hit hard and make it count.
I want to share my story and message with as many people as I can reach and I want to make sure that if there’s one thing in this world to understand, it’s that if you set your priorities and goals right, work hard and push harder, you can always be the pitcher and the batter in life and make the most of it.
For more information about Rohan, please contact Speakers Bank’s Program Coordinator on 03 9687 7066 or email speakersbank@annecto.org.au.
Watch Rohan’s Video: