Latest news with #MichaelBrown
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
'It took everything': former firefighter's road back from brink of self-destruction
Warning: This story discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts. "Can't you just start doing the fun stuff you used to love doing?" This is one of the most common questions Michael Brown gets asked, and his answer, with a sigh, is "if only it was that easy". For 32 years, the man from Kiama on the NSW south coast has worked to save the lives of others, but 10 years ago he was suddenly left struggling to survive. He worked as a firefighter, and during his deployment as a vertical rescue specialist, he was often charged with "body retrieval" of people who had died by suicide. "Part of my job was finding those people," he said. "A day could be, you know, I just found a deceased person and I've got to sit next to this person for three hours before the police investigation team can get there, and it's not so glamorous." There have been many other emergency call-outs that have left their mark on him. "Everything from house fires, bushfires, motor vehicle accidents, aeroplane accidents, lots of suicides. Pretty much a bit of everything, really," Mr Brown said. For the longest time, Mr Brown was the same as others at his work, just a knockabout bloke keen to help the public during emergencies, but then it all changed. He started struggling: the horrors of what he saw were hard to block out, and they often invaded his dreams at night. Eventually, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his past traumas grew, and he struggled to get through every single day. The official description of PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. But Mr Brown describes it as a total breakdown of your nervous system. "It leaves you feeling scared, anxious, depressed. It almost feels like a psychosis at times because you're imagining [things]," he said. He started having flashbacks to motor vehicle accidents he was called to for his job, and the blood he saw. "I would be in my car driving past a truck, and then I can see blood splattered all over the side of the truck, and that then leads to more visuals in my head," he said. "PTSD just took away everything I had. I've had two failed marriages because of my PTSD; I'm estranged from two of my daughters because of my PTSD. I lost my job because of my PTSD." He pushed away from his family, his friends and the world. "My psychiatrist had even told me I'm the worst case of PTSD he's ever seen," he said. "I just wanted to isolate, completely cut off from the world, because I was terrified to go outside of my house, terrified, I didn't trust anybody. "Twice I tried to take my own life." He was admitted to the hospital countless times during an eight-year period, sometimes spending up to four months there, but that was before he found the Veteran Surf Project in Gerringong two years ago. As a child, Mr Brown had always been fascinated by surfing culture and his school books had been covered with pictures of famous surfers, but he never imagined that surfing would save his life. He vividly remembers that first surf session two years ago, as former pro-surfer and VSP's founder, Rusty Moran, led a meditation session sitting on the sand. "For me, sitting in front of an ex-pro surfer was something special, but then to see his face, that big smile, and I just thought, wow, I just feel hope, I feel this, this could be something," Mr Brown said "It has been. It just turned my whole life around in the last two years, I haven't been to hospital and it's amazing." He credits the program with saving his life, and he's now met a "lovely person" with whom he now lives. "She's fantastic, and I'm slowly putting things back together in my life, and the surfing, I just live for it, it's my daily medicine. The Veteran Surf Project delivers free surf therapy programs to veterans and first responders; it's "mental health by stealth", according to founder Rusty Moran. He said veterans and first responders have a high drop-out rate from traditional psychology services. "This cohort have trained into them the ability to be self-independent, so admitting that they need help and getting help from a psychologist goes against their grain," Mr Moran said. "Often they'll suffer in silence and not even communicate with their spouse. "The flashbacks [they have] make it feel like it's happening now." VSP has a different approach to helping people with PTSD. It offers a safe space with people who have similar backgrounds, and they focus on something new - learning to surf - which gets them out of their trauma cycle. "Research shows surfing can build up capacity so someone turns away from suicidal thoughts and suicide plans," Mr Moran said. "There's some magic happening in the ocean." VSP started in Gerringong in 2001, and it's based on research from the United States Naval Centre. Participants are so focused on learning new surfing skills that the negative thoughts have to be pushed aside so they can focus. "That self-belief [from learning new skills] allows them to self-regulate the automatic responses to PTSD," Mr Moran said. The VSP program consists of a 10-week learn to surf course for new members, followed by continuing weekly sessions for program graduates. PTSD is the most common mental health disorder after depression, and Friday, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. For help in a crisis, call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Warning: This story discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts. "Can't you just start doing the fun stuff you used to love doing?" This is one of the most common questions Michael Brown gets asked, and his answer, with a sigh, is "if only it was that easy". For 32 years, the man from Kiama on the NSW south coast has worked to save the lives of others, but 10 years ago he was suddenly left struggling to survive. He worked as a firefighter, and during his deployment as a vertical rescue specialist, he was often charged with "body retrieval" of people who had died by suicide. "Part of my job was finding those people," he said. "A day could be, you know, I just found a deceased person and I've got to sit next to this person for three hours before the police investigation team can get there, and it's not so glamorous." There have been many other emergency call-outs that have left their mark on him. "Everything from house fires, bushfires, motor vehicle accidents, aeroplane accidents, lots of suicides. Pretty much a bit of everything, really," Mr Brown said. For the longest time, Mr Brown was the same as others at his work, just a knockabout bloke keen to help the public during emergencies, but then it all changed. He started struggling: the horrors of what he saw were hard to block out, and they often invaded his dreams at night. Eventually, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his past traumas grew, and he struggled to get through every single day. The official description of PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. But Mr Brown describes it as a total breakdown of your nervous system. "It leaves you feeling scared, anxious, depressed. It almost feels like a psychosis at times because you're imagining [things]," he said. He started having flashbacks to motor vehicle accidents he was called to for his job, and the blood he saw. "I would be in my car driving past a truck, and then I can see blood splattered all over the side of the truck, and that then leads to more visuals in my head," he said. "PTSD just took away everything I had. I've had two failed marriages because of my PTSD; I'm estranged from two of my daughters because of my PTSD. I lost my job because of my PTSD." He pushed away from his family, his friends and the world. "My psychiatrist had even told me I'm the worst case of PTSD he's ever seen," he said. "I just wanted to isolate, completely cut off from the world, because I was terrified to go outside of my house, terrified, I didn't trust anybody. "Twice I tried to take my own life." He was admitted to the hospital countless times during an eight-year period, sometimes spending up to four months there, but that was before he found the Veteran Surf Project in Gerringong two years ago. As a child, Mr Brown had always been fascinated by surfing culture and his school books had been covered with pictures of famous surfers, but he never imagined that surfing would save his life. He vividly remembers that first surf session two years ago, as former pro-surfer and VSP's founder, Rusty Moran, led a meditation session sitting on the sand. "For me, sitting in front of an ex-pro surfer was something special, but then to see his face, that big smile, and I just thought, wow, I just feel hope, I feel this, this could be something," Mr Brown said "It has been. It just turned my whole life around in the last two years, I haven't been to hospital and it's amazing." He credits the program with saving his life, and he's now met a "lovely person" with whom he now lives. "She's fantastic, and I'm slowly putting things back together in my life, and the surfing, I just live for it, it's my daily medicine. The Veteran Surf Project delivers free surf therapy programs to veterans and first responders; it's "mental health by stealth", according to founder Rusty Moran. He said veterans and first responders have a high drop-out rate from traditional psychology services. "This cohort have trained into them the ability to be self-independent, so admitting that they need help and getting help from a psychologist goes against their grain," Mr Moran said. "Often they'll suffer in silence and not even communicate with their spouse. "The flashbacks [they have] make it feel like it's happening now." VSP has a different approach to helping people with PTSD. It offers a safe space with people who have similar backgrounds, and they focus on something new - learning to surf - which gets them out of their trauma cycle. "Research shows surfing can build up capacity so someone turns away from suicidal thoughts and suicide plans," Mr Moran said. "There's some magic happening in the ocean." VSP started in Gerringong in 2001, and it's based on research from the United States Naval Centre. Participants are so focused on learning new surfing skills that the negative thoughts have to be pushed aside so they can focus. "That self-belief [from learning new skills] allows them to self-regulate the automatic responses to PTSD," Mr Moran said. The VSP program consists of a 10-week learn to surf course for new members, followed by continuing weekly sessions for program graduates. PTSD is the most common mental health disorder after depression, and Friday, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. For help in a crisis, call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Warning: This story discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts. "Can't you just start doing the fun stuff you used to love doing?" This is one of the most common questions Michael Brown gets asked, and his answer, with a sigh, is "if only it was that easy". For 32 years, the man from Kiama on the NSW south coast has worked to save the lives of others, but 10 years ago he was suddenly left struggling to survive. He worked as a firefighter, and during his deployment as a vertical rescue specialist, he was often charged with "body retrieval" of people who had died by suicide. "Part of my job was finding those people," he said. "A day could be, you know, I just found a deceased person and I've got to sit next to this person for three hours before the police investigation team can get there, and it's not so glamorous." There have been many other emergency call-outs that have left their mark on him. "Everything from house fires, bushfires, motor vehicle accidents, aeroplane accidents, lots of suicides. Pretty much a bit of everything, really," Mr Brown said. For the longest time, Mr Brown was the same as others at his work, just a knockabout bloke keen to help the public during emergencies, but then it all changed. He started struggling: the horrors of what he saw were hard to block out, and they often invaded his dreams at night. Eventually, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his past traumas grew, and he struggled to get through every single day. The official description of PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. But Mr Brown describes it as a total breakdown of your nervous system. "It leaves you feeling scared, anxious, depressed. It almost feels like a psychosis at times because you're imagining [things]," he said. He started having flashbacks to motor vehicle accidents he was called to for his job, and the blood he saw. "I would be in my car driving past a truck, and then I can see blood splattered all over the side of the truck, and that then leads to more visuals in my head," he said. "PTSD just took away everything I had. I've had two failed marriages because of my PTSD; I'm estranged from two of my daughters because of my PTSD. I lost my job because of my PTSD." He pushed away from his family, his friends and the world. "My psychiatrist had even told me I'm the worst case of PTSD he's ever seen," he said. "I just wanted to isolate, completely cut off from the world, because I was terrified to go outside of my house, terrified, I didn't trust anybody. "Twice I tried to take my own life." He was admitted to the hospital countless times during an eight-year period, sometimes spending up to four months there, but that was before he found the Veteran Surf Project in Gerringong two years ago. As a child, Mr Brown had always been fascinated by surfing culture and his school books had been covered with pictures of famous surfers, but he never imagined that surfing would save his life. He vividly remembers that first surf session two years ago, as former pro-surfer and VSP's founder, Rusty Moran, led a meditation session sitting on the sand. "For me, sitting in front of an ex-pro surfer was something special, but then to see his face, that big smile, and I just thought, wow, I just feel hope, I feel this, this could be something," Mr Brown said "It has been. It just turned my whole life around in the last two years, I haven't been to hospital and it's amazing." He credits the program with saving his life, and he's now met a "lovely person" with whom he now lives. "She's fantastic, and I'm slowly putting things back together in my life, and the surfing, I just live for it, it's my daily medicine. The Veteran Surf Project delivers free surf therapy programs to veterans and first responders; it's "mental health by stealth", according to founder Rusty Moran. He said veterans and first responders have a high drop-out rate from traditional psychology services. "This cohort have trained into them the ability to be self-independent, so admitting that they need help and getting help from a psychologist goes against their grain," Mr Moran said. "Often they'll suffer in silence and not even communicate with their spouse. "The flashbacks [they have] make it feel like it's happening now." VSP has a different approach to helping people with PTSD. It offers a safe space with people who have similar backgrounds, and they focus on something new - learning to surf - which gets them out of their trauma cycle. "Research shows surfing can build up capacity so someone turns away from suicidal thoughts and suicide plans," Mr Moran said. "There's some magic happening in the ocean." VSP started in Gerringong in 2001, and it's based on research from the United States Naval Centre. Participants are so focused on learning new surfing skills that the negative thoughts have to be pushed aside so they can focus. "That self-belief [from learning new skills] allows them to self-regulate the automatic responses to PTSD," Mr Moran said. The VSP program consists of a 10-week learn to surf course for new members, followed by continuing weekly sessions for program graduates. PTSD is the most common mental health disorder after depression, and Friday, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. For help in a crisis, call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Warning: This story discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts. "Can't you just start doing the fun stuff you used to love doing?" This is one of the most common questions Michael Brown gets asked, and his answer, with a sigh, is "if only it was that easy". For 32 years, the man from Kiama on the NSW south coast has worked to save the lives of others, but 10 years ago he was suddenly left struggling to survive. He worked as a firefighter, and during his deployment as a vertical rescue specialist, he was often charged with "body retrieval" of people who had died by suicide. "Part of my job was finding those people," he said. "A day could be, you know, I just found a deceased person and I've got to sit next to this person for three hours before the police investigation team can get there, and it's not so glamorous." There have been many other emergency call-outs that have left their mark on him. "Everything from house fires, bushfires, motor vehicle accidents, aeroplane accidents, lots of suicides. Pretty much a bit of everything, really," Mr Brown said. For the longest time, Mr Brown was the same as others at his work, just a knockabout bloke keen to help the public during emergencies, but then it all changed. He started struggling: the horrors of what he saw were hard to block out, and they often invaded his dreams at night. Eventually, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his past traumas grew, and he struggled to get through every single day. The official description of PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. But Mr Brown describes it as a total breakdown of your nervous system. "It leaves you feeling scared, anxious, depressed. It almost feels like a psychosis at times because you're imagining [things]," he said. He started having flashbacks to motor vehicle accidents he was called to for his job, and the blood he saw. "I would be in my car driving past a truck, and then I can see blood splattered all over the side of the truck, and that then leads to more visuals in my head," he said. "PTSD just took away everything I had. I've had two failed marriages because of my PTSD; I'm estranged from two of my daughters because of my PTSD. I lost my job because of my PTSD." He pushed away from his family, his friends and the world. "My psychiatrist had even told me I'm the worst case of PTSD he's ever seen," he said. "I just wanted to isolate, completely cut off from the world, because I was terrified to go outside of my house, terrified, I didn't trust anybody. "Twice I tried to take my own life." He was admitted to the hospital countless times during an eight-year period, sometimes spending up to four months there, but that was before he found the Veteran Surf Project in Gerringong two years ago. As a child, Mr Brown had always been fascinated by surfing culture and his school books had been covered with pictures of famous surfers, but he never imagined that surfing would save his life. He vividly remembers that first surf session two years ago, as former pro-surfer and VSP's founder, Rusty Moran, led a meditation session sitting on the sand. "For me, sitting in front of an ex-pro surfer was something special, but then to see his face, that big smile, and I just thought, wow, I just feel hope, I feel this, this could be something," Mr Brown said "It has been. It just turned my whole life around in the last two years, I haven't been to hospital and it's amazing." He credits the program with saving his life, and he's now met a "lovely person" with whom he now lives. "She's fantastic, and I'm slowly putting things back together in my life, and the surfing, I just live for it, it's my daily medicine. The Veteran Surf Project delivers free surf therapy programs to veterans and first responders; it's "mental health by stealth", according to founder Rusty Moran. He said veterans and first responders have a high drop-out rate from traditional psychology services. "This cohort have trained into them the ability to be self-independent, so admitting that they need help and getting help from a psychologist goes against their grain," Mr Moran said. "Often they'll suffer in silence and not even communicate with their spouse. "The flashbacks [they have] make it feel like it's happening now." VSP has a different approach to helping people with PTSD. It offers a safe space with people who have similar backgrounds, and they focus on something new - learning to surf - which gets them out of their trauma cycle. "Research shows surfing can build up capacity so someone turns away from suicidal thoughts and suicide plans," Mr Moran said. "There's some magic happening in the ocean." VSP started in Gerringong in 2001, and it's based on research from the United States Naval Centre. Participants are so focused on learning new surfing skills that the negative thoughts have to be pushed aside so they can focus. "That self-belief [from learning new skills] allows them to self-regulate the automatic responses to PTSD," Mr Moran said. The VSP program consists of a 10-week learn to surf course for new members, followed by continuing weekly sessions for program graduates. PTSD is the most common mental health disorder after depression, and Friday, June 27, is PTSD Awareness Day. For help in a crisis, call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Landscaper arrested after inviting hundreds to unauthorized party while homeowners away, cops say
A North Carolina landscaper was arrested after inviting hundreds of people to a party while the homeowners were on vacation, police said. Michael Brown is accused of inviting as many as 400 people to the house party in the Charlotte suburb of Weddington last Saturday night. 'He represented himself as the homeowner and said he was having a party,' Lieutenant James Maye of the Union County Sheriff's Office told WSOC. 'He was, in fact, not the homeowner, not related to the homeowner, but in fact was the yard guy.' Maye added that 'a lot of underage drinking' was going on at the party, which was shut down by the police after neighbors complained. Brown was arrested and charged with breaking and entering, second-degree trespassing, and obtaining property by false pretenses, among other charges. Police said that Brown 'charged each person attending the party an entry fee that he then pocketed' in a statement shared on Facebook. 'After several additional epic failures at telling the truth, he finally admitted he was the lawn guy and had no relation to the homeowners whatsoever,' the statement added. Brown was taken to the Union County Detention Center, where he was 'specifically told he was a guest at our Detention Center, not a resident, and ordered not to throw any parties in our phone cell while trying to secure a bonding company,' police jested in the statement. The landscaper posted a $10,000 secured bond and is no longer in police custody. He told WSOC that he disputed the version of events shared by the sheriff's office. Brown also told the news outlet that he was even planning to host another party and that he doesn't believe he has lost the client, who was still on vacation when the outlet interviewed the landscaper. 'I'm just waiting for them to come home, just so I can continue to build my relationship and we can move forward,' Brown said.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Man hired to mow lawn at ritzy North Carolina home throws massive party with hundreds of guests
A landscaper threw a wild party at his clients' jaw-dropping North Carolina mansion while they were on vacation - but he claims he did nothing wrong. Michael Brown, who runs Brown's Dream Team Landscaping, has previously mowed the lawn of a $4.3 million house in Weddington. But on Saturday afternoon, the 37-year-old had other plans at the ritzy residence - hosting a massive blowout without the owners' permission. Hundreds of guests - mostly teens and young adults - flocked to the mansion, each paying an entry fee that Brown pocketed, according to the Union County Sherriff's Office. With music blasting and cars clogging up the typically quiet street, baffled neighbors grew concerned and filed complaints. 'I was like, that's not a venue, how are they managing this, so, we were disturbed with all the traffic and the cars and the people and not knowing what's happening,' nearby resident Wendy Squires, told WBTV. Police arrived to shut down the illegal chaotic event and identified Brown as the ringleader. Brown allegedly claimed he was the homeowner and the party was a celebration for his son's graduation. But he was arrested after cops found 'holes' in his story. The party-throwing landscaper was charged with breaking and entering, second-degree trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, injury to real property and obtaining property by false pretenses. Brown posted his $10,000 bond later that day - and has shown no regret for hosting the rager. 'I didn't break the law, I just broke some rules of probably what the owners didn't want me to do, but I didn't break the law,' Brown told WSOCTV9. He also admitted to throwing the party for his son and his friends for a profit. 'I just want to always do something where we could create an income and bring a positive environment for his friends,' he told the outlet. That 'positive environment,' according to Lieutenant James Maye, included 'a lot of underage drinking' among the 300 to 400 guests. Brown claimed he was not charging an 'entry fee' but making guests pay for security - a story cops are not buying, with Maye saying they recovered more than $3,000. 'The owner knew I was supposed to be there,' Brown claimed, later adding he's 'like their son' and is at there house nearly every day. That 'positive environment,' according to Lieutenant James Maye (pictured), included 'a lot of underage drinking' among the 300 to 400 guests He also expressed confidence that he did not lose a client over the matter. But the owners' son, Jante Burch, fiercely disputed those assertion. 'What I saw was a very egregious act in my mind. You had youth, they're smoking dope on my back porch, you're in the pool, you have violated,' Burch told WSOCTV9 after they spoke with Brown. 'I was very angry at the fact that this happened, I knew when I saw it that there was not way that my parents knew any of this.' The distressed son said his parent's stunning home was left a 'hot mess' and debunked Brown's sentiment that he has close ties with the family. 'Bro you cut the grass, you're the hired help so you were that for that reason, and that reason only,' he said. 'He's delusional, he is definitely delusional. In fact, not only has he lost a client, he's probably lost a lot of other clients that he had potentially gotten in that neighborhood.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Travel + Leisure Co. to Report Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on July 23, 2025
ORLANDO, Fla., June 26, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) announced today it will release second quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, before the market opens, followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Michael D. Brown, President and CEO, and Erik Hoag, CFO, will discuss the Company's business outlook and financial performance. Participants may listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call, which may be accessed through the Company's website at or by dialing 877-733-4794 ten minutes before the scheduled start time. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 90 days beginning at 12:00 p.m. EDT on July 23, 2025. About Travel + Leisure Co. Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL) is a leading leisure travel company, providing more than six million vacations to travelers around the world every year. The company operates a portfolio of vacation ownership, travel club, and lifestyle travel brands designed to meet the needs of the modern leisure traveler, whether they're traversing the globe or staying a little closer to home. With hospitality and responsible tourism at its heart, the company's nearly 19,000 dedicated associates around the globe help the company achieve its mission to put the world on vacation. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Investors: Investor RelationsIR@ Media:Public RelationsMedia@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
High Term Premium Seen Supporting Demand for Long-Dated Government Bonds
0621 GMT – Long-end government bonds are expected to find their footing, as a high term premium likely attracts final demand, say Barclays' rates strategists in a note. Debt issuance is expected to gradually shift away from the long end as economic growth moderates, they say. 'The long ends of bond markets have sold off globally, either outright or relative to short-term yields, as investors are demanding a higher term premium to take duration risks amid a myriad of concerns,' they say. These concerns include fiscal sustainability and policy uncertainty in the U.S., the outlook for higher spending in Germany and a structural decline in demand for super-long Japanese government bonds and U.K. gilts, they say. ( 0611 GMT – U.S. Treasury yields decline but remain near recent levels after Wednesday's mixed session, which also saw a soft five-year Treasury note auction, says Pepperstone's Michael Brown in a note. 'For now, it seems that benchmarks are to be stuck in a relatively tight trading band,' the senior research strategist says. Dip buying interest—where investors buy in phases of bond weakness—continues to be seen on any downside, he says. For 10- and 30-year Treasury yields, 4.50% and 5.00% remain the key levels, respectively, Brown says. That said, rallies beyond 4.25% and 4.75%, respectively, seem unlikely, given ongoing jitters over the fragile fiscal backdrop, he says. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield eases 2.4 basis points to 4.268%, while the 30-year yield is down 3 basis points at 4.810%, according to LSEG. (
