On Australia Day 2012, Cate McGregor stood at Adelaide Oval, publicly recognised with the prestigious Order of Australia. It should have been the proudest day of her life. But behind that honour, Cate was planning to end her own life. 

Across a distinguished career spanning the military, sport, and media, Cate McGregor has commanded respect and influence. But behind the uniform she’s fought private battles with alcoholism and gender dysphoria that have nearly cost her everything.

Now, as Cate embarks on what she calls the “afternoon of her life”, she enters a time not of conquest, but acceptance, clarity, and grace.  

NOTE: This episode contains discussions of addiction, alcoholism, gender dysphoria and suicidal thoughts. If these issues bring up difficult feelings for you, please reach out for support. In Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. International listeners, please seek support services available in your local area. 

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Curveball is a production of Deadset Studios.  

Keep up to date with Curveball by following @_deadsetstudios on Twitter and @deadsetstudios on instagram.  

Want to know more about how people thrive in challenging times? Sign up toCurveball’s LinkedIn newsletter or suggest a Curveball guest by visiting www.curveballshow.com   

This episode was produced by Sarah Dabro, with editing by Amelia Navascues and Liam Riordan. 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. 

On Australia Day 2012, Cate McGregor stood at Adelaide Oval, publicly recognised with the prestigious Order of Australia. It should have been the proudest day of her life. But behind that honour, Cate was planning to end her own life.&nbsp;
Across a distinguished career spanning the military, sport, and media, Cate McGregor has commanded respect and influence. But behind the uniform she&rsquo;s fought private battles with alcoholism and gender dysphoria that have nearly cost her everything.
Now, as Cate embarks on what she calls the &ldquo;afternoon of her life&rdquo;, she enters a time not of conquest, but acceptance, clarity, and grace.&nbsp;&nbsp;
NOTE: This episode contains discussions of addiction, alcoholism, gender dysphoria and suicidal thoughts. If these issues bring up difficult feelings for you, please reach out for support. In Australia, contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14. International listeners, please seek support services available in your local area.&nbsp;
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Curveball is a production of <a href="https://www.deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Keep up to date with Curveball by following @_deadsetstudios on <a href="https://twitter.com/_deadsetstudios">Twitter</a> and @deadsetstudios on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/deadsetstudios/">instagram</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Want to know more about how people thrive in challenging times? Sign up to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/curveball-6745938675223425024/">Curveball&rsquo;s LinkedIn newsletter</a> or suggest a Curveball guest by visiting <a href="http://www.curveballshow.com/">www.curveballshow.com</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode was produced by Sarah Dabro, with editing by Amelia Navascues and Liam Riordan.&nbsp;
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.&nbsp;

The human experience is all about adapting. Whether it’s a CEO trying to ride out an international travel crisis, a surfer struggling against a monster wave while his floatation vest fails, or a media star whose whole life changes in an instant, rarely do you get to glimpse what’s really going on during a someone's darkest hour.

In these revealing, personal conversations with a range of successful people, Curveball host Kellie Riordan gets the lowdown on how people grow in extraordinary times. 

Keep up to date with Curveball by following @_deadsetstudios.com on Twitter and @deadsetsetstudios on Instagram. Find out more about the show or suggest a guest by going to www.curveballshow.com

Curveball is also now a LinkedIn newsletter! It's a weekly top-up of the best advice our guests have to help set you on the right path. Subscribing is totally free.

Curveball

Cate McGregor’s done it all. She’s earned the highest ranks in Australia’s military, served as a political advisor to federal leaders, and is one of Australia’s most prominent voices in sport today.  But behind the uniform, she’s fought private battles with alcoholism and gender dysphoria that nearly cost her everything. Through collapse and reinvention, Cate is re-writing life on her own terms. 

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