Sean Philander
Sean's passion for helping and empowering others is fuelled by his own lived-experience through adversity. After graduating from Curtin University as a Psychology major, Sean embarked on a career in law enforcement spanning 17 years. Diagnosed with Complex PTSD in 2015, his keynote talks encompass hope and empowerment, mindset, coping strategies, and reclaiming self-worth.
My Story
​
​
​
​
I was assigned to the Counter Terrorism portfolio for most of my career, investigating transnational terrorism. My world started on a downward spiral in 2014, and the following year I was clinically diagnosed with Complex PTSD. This was the beginning of an arduous journey of adversity, perseverance, recovery, and healing.
After gradually piecing myself back together, and reassimilating with the world, I underwent emergency surgery on my lower back, which resulted in a rare neural condition known as Cauda Equina Syndrome…and so another journey of confusion, isolation, frustration, and uncertainty began.
PTSD and Cauda Equina Syndrome are both silent assassins. It is very difficult to articulate or communicate to others - unless you have been through it – so the feeling of hopelessness, despair and detachment is quite profound. I yearned to have the old ‘me’ back during the healing process. As it happened, and after many stumbles, I emerged from it all with an upgrade. I discovered so much about myself; my strength, my resilience, my perseverance, fortitude, and my adaptability to change.
​
I now use the lessons I’ve learned along my painful journey to fuel my passion for helping those fighting a battle invisible to others. The context of the message I convey within my keynote talks emphasizes the elements of empowerment, perseverance, resilience, mindset, and hope.
As far back as I can remember, I have always been an empath, and after enrolling in the Bachelor of Business program at Curtin University, majoring in Information Technology, I soon realized that this career choice went acutely against the grain of who I was as a person. I am a people person…a humanitarian if you will. The following year, I enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Science program at Curtin, majoring in Psychology.
I had a particular interest in Forensic Psychology, and embarked on a career in law enforcement, serving 5 years with the West Australian Police and 12 years with the Australian Federal Police.