Brett Polar

Brett Polar is an intoxicating rollercoaster ride that will leave you as much elated as devastated. It is engaging, empowering, educational and ultimately gives hope to people living with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

Brett’s story involves a mental health sojourn that spans twenty years from 2000 to 2020. Prepare to ride alongside him as he goes through the bipolar motions of extreme highs, devastating lows and all the semi-stable moments in between.

His story is proof that if a diagnosis is accepted and the right support embraced, then an individual living with mental illness can not only survive but thrive!

Jump on in to find out more.

Brett Hardy was born in 1979, in Margaret River, Western Australia. Since the age of 18, Brett has been back and forth from “Margs”, having lived in 35 different households between Margaret River, Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast. He currently resides in Perth.

Brett has achieved many accolades in surfing, including an Australian Open title at age 22. He was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 at age 24.

Brett has zigzagged his way through many career paths, including professional surfer, journalist, bottle shop attendant and now makes a living as a disability support worker. Brett’s mental health education includes a bachelor of Psychology at Curtin University (deferred halfway through 3^rd year) and a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work at Train Smart College.

Brett has been involved in numerous media roles. He has had many stories published in Australian and International surf magazines and did a six-month stint as associate editor for Australia’s Surfing Life magazine on the Gold Coast of Australia in 2003/2004. He has also produced many video works including the surf film Clown Boots (2010) and now runs a predominantly surf-based YouTube channel under his own name.