Bondi Rescue star opens up about the moment that sent him to a “dark place”
Bondi Rescue star Dean “Deano” Gladstone has saved countless lives during his 18-year career as a lifeguard on Australia’s most famous beach, but he too knows exactly what it’s like to stare into the face of death.
In 2006, Deano was the target of a coward punch that left him with lasting trauma.
“I was sitting at the football watching the game and someone ran up and king hit me,” he told Confidential. “I had some spinal damage and the whiplash which caused problems. I had my four front teeth knocked out, it was awful.”
More than the excruciating physical pain, Deano’s immune system was shattered and he also developed food allergies as a result of the assault.
“That sent me into a bit of a dark place,” he confessed. “I had to claw my way back to health with lots of home cooking, goodness and vegies and meditation and yoga and being kind to myself."
In addition to his lifeguard duties, Deano has since become a qualified yoga teacher, holistic health coach and has developed mindfulness and wellbeing programs with the help of a clinical psychologist.
“I have to accept that life took me on this journey and led me on a different path that I wouldn’t have gone on and the people I’ve met since have been incredible.”
As for his high-stress, fast-paced job? He wouldn’t swap it for anything.
“The guys brought someone back to life on Tuesday,” he said. “If you could bottle that feeling and sell it, it would just be gold.”
Image: Dean Gladstone/Instagram.