Indigenous former AFL player Koby Stevens has detailed his transformative journey of healing and self-discovery following years of concussions sustained at the elite level.
The Gunaikurnai man's subsequent recovery has inspired a feature film titled 'Thrive' – set to be released in late 2025 – which showcases cutting-edge research and stories of hope and healing.
The former AFL player has collaborated with key figures in the film and entertainment industry, including renowned actor and St Kilda fan Eric Bana.
He is hoping the film can assist those currently struggling with brain injuries.
"This production has become a massive undertaking-an extraordinary cinematic journey that spans continents and showcases real-time evidence of brain healing," Stevens said.
"It's been a long road raising finance, overcoming challenges, and telling a story that is as much about hope as it is about healing and building out a global media company."
Stevens played 91 games for three clubs - West Coast, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda - across a nine-year career.
He suffered his first concussion at the age of 14 participating in motocross and had further concussions while surfing, wakeboarding, skateboarding and snowboarding before being drafted into the AFL in 2009.
The tough midfielder said he had received up to 15 concussions during his footy career before he was ultimately forced to retire from footy in 2018.
Stevens said his predicament got so bad that one morning he passed out simply after standing up.
"I only talk about this now publicly after meeting so many others in the same situation the last five years in every walk of life," he said.
"One thing I learnt is none of us ever think about our brain until we have to, the one thing that controls it all."
The 33-year-old said the past five years post-retirement have been an 'incredible, life-changing' journey of healing.
"l became obsessed with my brain health and repairing myself so I could do the things I love well into the future and live without fear of breaking down as I age," he said.
"I explored everything from functional neurology to psychedelic-assisted treatments, plant medicine, TMS, hot-cold, mindfulness, week long fasts to repair my guts from smashing painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills for nine years.
"If there was research to back it up, I was all in, now, life's never been more beautiful."
Stevens is hoping to help remove the stigma regarding talking about concussion and brain health issues.
"I've always been a big believer that our stories should be used as education for those next in line," he said.
"I planned to deal with the fallout privately, hide it and just escape, I was embarrassed and angry, and like most men wanted to deal with it alone.
"My belief was (that) pain was just part of the game and respect was earned that way – you kept moving and didn't talk about it."
