Before Australian actor, Tim Pocock, was cast as young Cyclops in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, he was a teenager growing up in a strict Catholic home - navigating a world where being gay wasn’t just discouraged, it was treated as something to be fixed.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Tim opens up about his time at Redfield College in Sydney - a school linked to Opus Dei. He speaks candidly about surviving conversion therapy, and the years he spent battling internalised homophobia.

Tim also shares what it was like to grow up silenced, how that trauma shaped his relationship with his body, his family and his faith, and what it took to finally unlearn it all - and live as himself.

This is a story of survival, truth, and reclaiming identity.

You can follow Tim and find his book, The Truth Will Set You Free, here:

https://www.instagram.com/timjpocock/?hl=en

If this conversation brought up any hard feelings for you - please seek help. You can reach Lifeline on 13 11 14

THE END BITS:

Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here.

Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.

Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au

Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP.

Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review

CREDITS:

Guest: Tim Pocock

Host: Kate Langbroek

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Bree Player

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Reading 1