Raised in Brisbane, Filipe’s parents immigrated to Australia from Portugal, driven by the allure of "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo," grounding his understanding of belonging and community from an early age.

Filipe’s family, especially his mother, supported him through his dyslexia, teaching him resilience and fostering his self-confidence despite academic challenges.

At 17, a formative trip to Cambodia opened Filipe’s eyes to the struggles of an orphanage, igniting his passion for sustainable community service and support models. When he was 19, Filipe founded a non-profit providing medical services in Cambodia and Vietnam, demonstrating his commitment to community service and blending this with his business acumen.

Dyslexia forced Filipe to be innovative and persistent. It became a strength, helping him develop self-confidence and comfort in public speaking through creative problem-solving.

Early in his career, Filipe worked with the Australian Red Cross in emergency services and in statutory out-of-home care for children, expanding his experience in direct community support. To gain insights from high-performing organizations, Filipe joined Sonder, an Australian startup, learning the importance of planning, communication, and execution in organizational success.

Over the past six months, Filipe dedicated himself to listening to mentors, mentees, and community members, understanding their needs and the universal craving for a sense of belonging. As CEO of a small organization, Filipe navigates the heavy responsibility of ensuring operational stability while striving to make a meaningful impact on men's mental health.

Filipe’s vision includes redefining societal perceptions of masculinity, promoting vulnerability and emotional honesty, and employing practical mental health strategies like outdoor activities to support well-being.

Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filipegamaesilva

Website: https://mentoring.men/

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.