Paul Pearson grew up moving almost constantly.
‘I had quite a difficult childhood with parents moving every few months. I think I went to over a dozen primary schools and four high schools,’ he says. ‘Every three, four months, Mum and Dad would pick up and move.’
Those early experiences shaped how Paul learned to adapt.
Paul says his lived experience has always informed how he connects with people, particularly those facing instability or uncertainty. It’s a thread that runs through every stage of his life and career.
Discipline and duty
At 17, the army offered something familiar and something new – structure, routine and a sense of purpose.
‘I was in the full-time army – regular army for 23 years and then reserves for about 5 years. All up, I did 28 years. My trade in the army? I was a parachute rigger and parachute instructor,’ Paul says.
‘I was working a lot with the special forces guys with their parachuting courses and their logistics stuff.’
Service brought pride, but also long periods away from home.
‘From 2000 up in 2009, I just had courses upon courses and deployments. My wife was more or less playing mum and dad at home looking after our children. I didn’t want to uproot them as well, like my early life. So, I made a commitment with my wife that we wanted them to stay in one location, and that’s what we did.’
Paul’s time in the army reinforced the importance of teamwork, trust and looking out for the people beside you – lessons that would later shape how he supports others.
Finding his way after service
Leaving the military came with its own challenges.
‘When I got out of the army, I did several different jobs – everything from driving a taxi to driving cranes,’ Paul says. ‘I also did logistics management with the Air Force as a civilian, working with their C-130J aircraft and managing the warehouse side of things.’
The transition, he says, was confronting.
‘Things were very different when I got out. You lose the mateship and camaraderie. You’ve got people around you all the time in the military, and then one day you’re out and you’re left on your own. It can be quite scary.’
Paul says that sense of disconnection is something he now hears often in his work.
‘I hear it from a lot of my clients – that struggle to fit into the civilian environment.’
Support from his family helped him navigate that period. Living near a university helped opened a door he had long considered.
‘I was fortunate. I’ve got a very supportive wife and family. I’d always wanted to be a nurse, and they did nursing at Western Sydney Uni, so I went and did it.’
A career in care
That decision marked a turning point.
‘That was just over 10 years ago. I’ve been doing it full-time ever since,’ Paul says. ‘I’m a registered nurse, but I specialise in mental health, so I’m a credentialed mental health nurse now.’
Paul’s work has taken him across public hospitals, private hospitals, correctional settings, and NGOs.
‘I like doing one-on-one with people – sitting down and trying to give them a bit of direction and a bit of hope that things can work when you put your mind to it.’
Cultural safety is central to how he practises.
‘I’m a proud Yorta Yorta man. My dad’s side’s Aboriginal, my mum’s side’s Italian, so I do a lot of cultural stuff.’
For Paul, culture isn’t an add-on – it’s foundational. Understanding identity, family and background helps people feel seen, respected and safe enough to engage.
The lessons of lived experience
Mentoring came naturally.
‘I treat people as human beings. Whoever needs a bit of support, I’ll give it. I really thrive working with military and ex-military people, and emergency services guys.’
Sometimes, the smallest actions matter most.
‘Even just having a 10-minute yarn on the phone can push people in the right direction – saying, “Ring this number, try this, go for a walk, do something simple”.’
Paul works carefully to understand each person’s values, beliefs, and cultural identity.
‘I work out their strengths and weaknesses, what matters to them and where they want to go. A lot of the time, their experiences line up closely with mine. I can say, “When I got out, this is what I tried to do”.’
Paul is also clear that mentoring must sit alongside personal responsibility and everyday self-care.
‘I’m big on individual self-care and healthy lifestyle choices,’ he says. ‘For me, that’s regular exercise – walking, playing with my dogs – having hobbies, eating good food, spending time with family, and making sure I take breaks and holidays when I can.’
Just as importantly, Paul encourages people to speak up when things feel heavy. ‘If you’re feeling down, reach out to someone. You don’t have to carry it on your own,’ he says. ‘Those simple things, done consistently, really do matter.’
Supporting people from all walks of life
Paul’s approach is grounded in empathy, honesty and practical support.
‘Doing this work – mentoring and mental health – if I can help even one person move away from that edge and start enjoying life again, then I’ve done my job.’
He also helps people navigate systems that can feel overwhelming.
‘I try to link people back into things they haven’t done yet – getting a good advocate, sorting out DVA paperwork, so they don’t have to pay out of pocket. That might mean better medical care or some financial relief.’
His mentoring isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about connection, cultural care, and walking alongside people as they find their footing again.
‘I really thrive seeing people find their path and being proud of who they are and where they come from.’
Encouraging others to get involved
Paul believes mentoring programs play a critical role but says more awareness is needed.
‘The program itself is really good, and we can only encourage it. There’s a lack of services like this for people. It’s quite simple to get involved, but there’s still a lack of awareness.’
For Paul, the motivation remains simple.
‘Doing things like these mentoring programs and the field I’m working in – if I can save one person from taking their life and starting to enjoy life again, I’ve done my job.’
Learn more about the Soldier On Mentoring Programs on our website.
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