Andrew’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and unwavering faith. Now 41, his life has taken him from a youth filled with heartbreak, bullying, gang violence, and addiction to a life built on family, faith, and purpose.
Growing up, Andrew’s early life was shaped by a strict Greek-born stepfather and a demanding daily routine, including twice-daily tennis practices. This structured upbringing made Andrew an exceptional young athlete, but it also left him with a deep emotional void. Raised in a structured but emotionally distant environment, Andrew’s father instilled in him a strict regime centered around discipline and routine. Tennis practices twice a day kept Andrew focused, but affection and support were scarce. Looking back, he can see that while his father’s intentions may have been rooted in a desire to guide him, the lack of warmth and encouragement took a toll on his sense of self-worth. Under his stepfather’s guidance, Andrew became one of the top young players in New South Wales, with aspirations of competing at Wimbledon. “I had this aspiration, and I really wanted to make my stepdad proud,” he recalls.
Years later, Andrew reconnected with his birth mother at her wedding to his new stepfather. This stepfather, a wealthy and influential man, introduced a new chapter of complexities into Andrew’s life. Andrew recalls a defining moment at age 10 when he was instructed by his stepfather to call his Greek stepfather and relay a series of untruths. For a young child, this was confusing and heavy to bear. It chipped away at his trust and planted seeds of doubt about his value and place in the world. The confusion and pain of this fractured his self-esteem, leading to a difficult path that would later be marked by inner struggles and doubts.
Moving to Darwin with his mother, Andrew lost both his connection to tennis and the father figure he adored. It left him with what he describes as a deep “father wound” that would follow him into adulthood, leaving a void he struggled to fill.
After returning to Sydney, he faced relentless bullying at his new school and soon found solace with a group of Asian friends. One friend introduced him to a gang, where he felt a sense of brotherhood he’d longed for. He now believes he was still trying to fill the ‘father void,’ replacing it with a group of ‘brothers’ who modeled themselves on Hong Kong gangs popularized in films. This path fast-tracked Andrew into a dangerous lifestyle steeped in underground gambling, street crime, and an addiction to methamphetamine, known as “ice.”
The addiction eventually took everything from him. Crippled by physical pain and psychologically broken, Andrew, once a tennis prodigy with dreams of Wimbledon, found himself at a breaking point at the age of 19. One fateful day, he climbed onto his apartment balcony, ready to end his life. “I was one of the lost sheep, and I wanted to end it all,” he remembers. Looking down, he saw an awning two storeys below, realizing it would only break his fall. “I can’t even get this right,” he thought, bitterly laughing at the cruel irony. For the first time since childhood, he looked to the heavens and said an honest prayer: “God, are you there? Are you there!?”
God’s response wasn’t through ‘angels or anything supernatural,’ Andrew explains, but through a question that sparked a profound shift within him: ‘Is there more to life than this?’ He attributes this intervention to his mother, who had never stopped praying for him. From that moment, Andrew’s outlook began to change. His eyes, once cast downward, began to look skyward, and he started to see beauty in the world around him—a sign, he believed, of God’s presence. This awakening marked the beginning of a journey of curiosity, self-discovery, and ultimately, redemption.
Determined to change, he overcame his addiction without traditional rehabilitation, relying instead on his newfound faith and the unwavering support of his mother. Seeking forgiveness, he later confessed his sins in a transformative, four-hour-long confession with an Irish priest who welcomed him without judgment. ‘For the first time, I felt this mercy and love,’ he says. ‘That’s when I knew the Catholic Church was the real deal.’
Andrew found peace in Mass and a purpose he had longed for his entire life. He married, and together with his wife, whom he describes as a “beautiful gift” in his life, they became active members of St Kevin’s Catholic parish in Eastwood, where Andrew sings in the choir and leads by example in his faith community. Inspired to help others, he helped found **Brothers in Christ**—a community of men united by faith, family, and fitness. Their mission is ‘to ignite the hearts of men with the transformative power of Faith, Family, and Fitness.’ Brothers in Christ is driven by three core values:
Christ-like Conduct: Members are committed to reflecting Christ’s teachings, fostering an environment free of gossip and negativity, and replacing these with compassion, patience, and understanding.
Honesty & Integrity: Transparency is the foundation of trust within the group. Confidential matters stay within the group, creating a safe, supportive environment.
Mutual Encouragement & Prayer: Members uplift each other through prayer, encouragement, and practical support, fostering both spiritual and personal growth.
Following the Go Make Disciples Mission Plan from the Archdiocese of Sydney, Andrew also participates in men’s pilgrimages, fitness activities, and community service projects. He uses his love for fitness, including his talent for tennis, to inspire others. ‘Movement is a form of ministry,’ he says, organizing activities like a tennis group and a weekly men’s bike ride.
Reflecting on his journey, Andrew speaks of finally finding the father figure he had sought his whole life. ‘I found him in God the Father. I can trust in him. He’s like a lighthouse, guiding me through the storms.’ His life stands as a testament to the power of faith and God’s unwavering love. For Andrew, life’s purpose is now clear: to be an instrument of God’s love, helping others to find light in the darkest places.
