Boy oh boy are we excited to share this episode. Sunny and Mayank recently had the pleasure of hosting superstar, Bachar Houli.
A former Australian rules footballer who played 232 games over a 15-year career with Richmond and Essendon in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is a three-time premiership player with Richmond and was named an All-Australian half-back during his 2019 premiership winning season. Houli is the first devout Muslim and third Muslim overall to play in the AFL.
We both walked away from the conversation feeling a deep sense of connection to Bachar's purpose on this earth. As 20-somethings also navigating own our spiritual journey, the conversation with Bachar really opened our eyes to what it means to be feel connected to ones faith - and the sated joy that comes from being in line with your values and serving a higher purpose.
We touched on many aspects of his story, including how Bachar:
- Navigated his faith and devotion whilst playing in the AFL, and what this meant for him on a day-to-day basis playing at the highest level
- Looks forward to the world hereafter, and the constant battle to correct ones intentions, family and insecurities (one of the literal meanings of Islam is to surrender and so we touch on what this means to Bachar himself)
- Balanced different cultural norms and beliefs under the same roof (Islam, drinking, going out, homosexuality)
- Created a close bond with his parents and how he shared the love of the game with them
- Started the Bachar Houli Foundation and the ambition behind why it started
- + Many more topics
Bachar also has his book "Bachar Houli: Faith, Football and Family", and new Amazon documentary "Making Their Mark" and the Bachar Houli Foundation.
Podcast is available wherever you get your episodes, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
We'd love to hear what you guys think in the comments down below. Hope you enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of Bachar Houli.
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About the Bachar Houli Foundation
The Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF) is a unique non-for-profit organisation that aims to develop young leaders within the Muslim community. The BHF aims to support social cohesion by fostering young Muslims with a sense of belonging through football development. The foundation also creates employment pathways through traineeships and builds cross-community bridges by promoting social inclusion through elite football programs.
@BHFoundationAU
bacharhoulifoundation.com.au
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About Bottled Up - @bottledupaus
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There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.
LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/
Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/
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As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.
Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!
If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.
For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
______________
There are some sensitive topics we touch on regarding mental health so if there are any triggers for you please know there is support and there will be plenty of links in access below.
LifeLine - Ph: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Banksia Project - https://thebanksiaproject.org.au/
Mr. Perfect - https://mrperfect.org.au/
______________
As always, Bottled Up is a passion project to help provide a voice to those many men who are going through the peaks and troughs of life. We are not trained professionals and if you're worried about someone close to you and their mental wellbeing, it's important to get professional advice.
Start a conversation with them and let them know that they're not alone and that there are many support resources out there - including friends, family, school chaplains and plenty more!
If you're feeling distressed or overwhelmed, Beyond Blue has a number of trained mental health professionals available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.
For immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and in an emergency, always dial 000.
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Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
