Forest hermit to Professor, it's never too late to change. | Dr. Gregory P. Smith | TEDxByronBay

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Published 2021-08-02

Completely disillusioned with a society that rejected him, Gregory P. Smith walked into a rainforest near Byron Bay and became a hermit for 10 years. He exited the forest, on the brink of death and still haunted by personal demons, to eventually gain a Ph.D., become a university lecturer in the Faculty of Business, Law, and Arts and become an ambassador for Australia’s ‘forgotten children’. This incredible story is a personal testament to ‘never giving up’. Dr. Gregory P. Smith is a survivor, an academic, and a social researcher. Homeless for much of his adult life living as a recluse in a forest near Byron Bay, he now has a Ph.D. in Sociology and teaches at Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia. In 2018 he published his memoir ‘Out of the Forest’ with Penguin Random House and has been the subject of two Australian documentaries. His profoundly touching and uplifting memoir is at once a unique insight into how far off track a life can go and a powerful reminder that we can all find our way back. Gregory is heavily involved in advocating for the vulnerable and disadvantaged and continues to be the patron of a number of charity organisations while also consulting with several specialist services and agencies. Currently, Dr. Smith is engaged as a consultant and program evaluator in the Premiers Priority Project to reduce rough sleeping in NSW, Australia by 50% in 2025 and zero by 2030. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@sonyabutton9985 2 years ago

I had the privilege of going to university with Greg and he is an intelligent, warm, caring man with bucket loads of integrity and honesty. Thank you for being you. Sonya Button
@stuntedmonk 2 years ago

There’s a school nearby that helps troubled children and its motto is “arrive with a past, leave with a future”
@SuperDemeer 2 years ago

I'm 35 and I have already given up on life ( no wife, job sucks and zero social skills ) . This video is a great motivation to keep try and never give up .
@WhateverNullPointer 2 years ago

This man is inspiring! I'm 41 years old, working a dead end warehouse job for 20 years and this year I finally took some time off to study IT. Today after applying a lot, and never hearing anything back, I had my first interview. I think I totally bombed it and was about to settle for what i did the last 20 years. This made me feel I still have a chance if I just keep on keeping on. Thank you Gregory!
@KatzeMelli 2 years ago

really moved my heart. I'm 29 and got accepted to university yesterday. The way was an uphill battle, going through drug abuse and depression, healing from childhood trauma. This man gives me hope and clarity to keep fighting!
@sparkysmalarkey 2 years ago

I'm more impressed that he survived 10 years in the rain forest, how many Ph.D.'s can put that on their resume.
@sophieambrose8499 2 years ago

I was fortunate enough to publish Gregory's memoir, OUT OF THE FOREST. It's an extraordinary book and it was such a privilege to work with him on it. It's great to see him finally getting the public recognition he deserves.
@adriancaldwell 2 years ago

I hate labels - someone labelling him a sociopath just created even more inner turmoil. What he was was a victim of child abuse and handled it the way any of us would. What an amazing chap
@jessebrettjames 2 years ago

There is often so much rubbish, so much arrogance in these presentations...this is a life lesson an important one and a powerful statement delivered in full humility. my life was worse, far worse. If you can imagine it was so terrible as not to even be able to speak about it publicly, despite the fact that I had no responsibility in it. My alcoholic mother committed suicide when I was aged 13 leaving myself and my 3 brothers (ll with different fathers) destitute. I have trodden a remarkably similar path as well, and have made a comeback. Achieving a BS at the age of 57, two master degrees at the age of 58 and finally my Ph.D at the age of 64 helped me to validate not only my my worth to myself and to others, but also my existence.
@MoLandavazo 2 years ago

This is everything that a TEDx Talk should be. Engrossing, inspiring, educational and most importantly human.
@peterstankiewicz2474 2 years ago

Wow as a 6 year sober and clean man that really resonated with me. Also abused and I'm still working out my trauma. But now as I write this I realized how far I've come. Good luck to all that struggle to find their way to the "sacred heart space."
@curewish574 2 years ago

So he got his 1st job at 51 yrs ? Thanks to TED talks youngsters (I'm withought direction at 50 1/2 yrs !) can be inspired by real life no-quitters like Dr Smith. It also shows that there are accomodating, open-minded and considerate people out there who are courageous enough to give such outcasts a chance back in ! Either way; just find out what you are good at and reach out to people withought giving up............this guy rocks
@davideeyo 2 years ago

“I had no idea what I was doing, but at least I was doing something…”
@pibbles9 2 years ago

Amazing. His story deserves a movie. Makes you wonder how many other people were diagnosed incorrectly with the DSM. Hope more mental health professionals open up to exploring the effects of trauma.
@SearchKnowTruth 2 years ago

Know this: 'your struggles will play the biggest role in your purpose'. Each & every one of us can relate to something he said.
@doubleugly1594 2 years ago

I couldnt help but cry watching this.. took me 6 years to dig myself out of a hole like this.. well, im still digging actually.. not too many things hit home like this.
@ajw6441 2 years ago

Dr. Smith, as a senior woman who still is finding her way your story is so encouraging.
@billygauthier9512 2 years ago

This brave man with one good ear can help us all see a future worth pursuing. You've just opened my 43 year old eyes a little wider. Thank you!
@nellevision1 2 years ago

It was such a privilege to work with this remarkable man on this talk and to get to know him as a truly remarkable human. His standing ovation here is a tribute to his resilience and sheer determination to become an important part of our society.
@zacharyvail9043 2 years ago

This video really brings things into perspective. Being in my late 20s I’ve always had the thought “it’s probably too late for me to succeed”. I’m grateful to hear evidence to the contrary.