James Elliott
James Elliott
James Elliott
James is a respected global expert and authority in traumatic (physical) injury and the adverse consequences (physical and emotional) that some experience.
I am an author, collaborator, consultant, and am privileged to be co-leading the MuscleMap project: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle
https://musclemap.github.io/MuscleMap/
About
James Elliott
James Elliott
I realised a childhood dream when I was drafted by, and signed a professional baseball contract to play for, the San Diego Padres organisation in 1990. A passionate love for playing a beautiful game at a high level (with teammates who shared the same love and competitive spirit) was carried over into my next chapters of becoming a physiotherapist and a collaborative academic researcher.
Support
James Elliott
Support
I am dedicated to making a positive impact on society and committed to sharing my many experiences across professional baseball, consultant at NASA, award winning academic researcher, and a man who has taken many steps to overcome the shame of childhood sexual abuse and learned how to address the fear and anxiety of disclosure...to now li
I am dedicated to making a positive impact on society and committed to sharing my many experiences across professional baseball, consultant at NASA, award winning academic researcher, and a man who has taken many steps to overcome the shame of childhood sexual abuse and learned how to address the fear and anxiety of disclosure...to now living a life filled with health and wellbeing...of true self-love...and support of others.
If you would like to book me for your next speaking engagement, please contact me at
(dis)Connected
Now Available
My deeply personal memoir - (dis)Connected - is now available in hard- and e-copy at www.rememberpress.com (Amazon as well...but, meh...I'd rather we support small publishers (like Remember Press) as they bring BIG stories to life with care and compassion...thank you).
What if trauma is not destiny?
My deeply personal memoir, (dis)Connected offers a powerful message for victims/survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). This book is a vital resource for breaking the cycle of inter-generational trauma and shares a path to healing through therapy, journaling, and the transformative Hawaiian spirit of Aloha, emphasising kindness, unity, and harmony. It's an opportunity for advocacy of available support systems.
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Self-Perception and Trust:
Childhood abuse, especially from those entrusted with care and protection, is described as a betrayal of trust and a misuse of power. This can leave individuals feeling confused, unsafe, and deeply traumatised, affecting them from childhood into adult life.
Victims often develop defense mechanisms, such as keeping people at a distance, to avoid being hurt again. This makes it difficult to form genuine trusting connections with anyone, including loved ones, leading to feelings of isolation and emotional absence. The feeling of "someone/anyone... and probably, everyone was between us and the door" becomes pervasive.
Societal Expectations and Barriers to Disclosure:
Society's demands for men to MAN-UP, get on with it, get over it, don't cry, be macho, be tough, and live and die by the mantra, ‘boys will be boys’ creates immense pressure. This "masculinisation" makes it "next to impossible" for boys to comprehend or express feelings of guilt, shame, or confusion resulting from abuse.
These expectations could also contribute to men being less likely to access medical care or engage in preventative health measures, often masking or downplaying their healthcare issues and having lower mental health literacy.
The fear of judgment ("will you judge me? believe me? see me as less of a man?") and the potential for re-traumatisation are significant barriers to disclosure. As a result, 60% of male survivors may choose to never disclose their abuse.
The Lifelong Journey of Self Discovery and Healing:
Without addressing underlying trauma, external achievements and accolades do not bring fulfillment or pride; they become a "drug of success" that never truly satisfies. The journey of self-discovery often begins with the realization that personal achievements do not alleviate internal despair.
The path to healing involves confronting childhood experiences and seeking professional support. It requires learning to identify and manage distressing emotions, thoughts, and memories.
By acknowledging the past, seeking help/support, and committing to self-care, individuals can improve their lives and, importantly, the lives of, and connections with, their loved ones.
Trauma is not destiny. The journey of recovery and healing from abuse and trauma is possible, it requires significant effort and commitment, both personally and from society, to support victim-survivors.
Contact me @ j.elliottnw@gmail.com to be updated on dates/locations of all book launches (virtual and in-person).
The Reviews
"I read your book in two sittings and was truly moved by the honesty with which you described the impact of childhood sexual abuse on your life, your relationships, and your career. It’s not easy to put such personal pain into words, and yet you did so with such clarity and strength. I guarantee you that many will relate to your words. Your story is a testament to resilience, and I believe it will help many others feel seen, understood, and less alone." M.F. PhD.
"James, after devouring your book in a single afternoon and experiencing a gamut of emotions quite possibly deeper than the Mako (Eastern Australian) Abyss itself, I was able to settle on two: Galvanised (supercharged and ready to make positive impact) and Grateful (that you're able to share - I know this will encourage folks to put their hand up and seek support).
Thank you for your candour!” Kate L.
"Thank you for trusting readers like me with your story. It’s courageous, and it matters. What you’re doing through the sexual abuse survivor group for men is nothing short of incredible. I’m a big believer in peer work, especially in mental health spaces, and seeing you lead in that way just reinforced how inspiring you are. Not just in what you’ve survived, but in what you’re building." Hayley W.
Things People Say
Inspired by a mentor, Dr. Ed Jacobson, who encouraged me to 'word-capture' the many and varied things I was hearing, seeing, feeling along life's pathways...I started to write and enjoyed (no, adored) what...just came to life...quotes…feel good quotes. Sad quotes. Empowering, thoughtful, and inspiring quotes…all of them with the same ‘stop-and-think’ responses.
This ‘book’ of mine is less mine and more the collective ‘their work’, but captured and repackaged in a way that…I hope…is two-fold.
1) an opportunity for you to revisit (maybe even read for the first time…definitely some of them for the first time) these quotes and
2) to lean into my own interpretation of these beautiful words in the context of being a 56 year old man through the lens of a young boy with lived experience…who just wanted to (and finally has) escape(d) the boundaries of childhood abuse.
The older quotes helped me then and the more contemporary quotes continue to support me now. By combining ‘old and new’, they provide a rich tapestry of all the wonderful, weird, inspiring, quirky, out of this world, (dis)Connected things I was hearing and reading…from all sorts of people and a variety of sources. I was listening (continue to do so) and I was writing…capturing all of these little ditties in a word document, titled, "Things People Say".
I’ve kept that document ‘open’ and at the ready to include new entries whenever available…or whenever I was listening and moved to capture and secure for later (and frequent) review. The document has grown and continues to grow (still open (and with a pulse) as I write this book), representing a compilation of diverse quotes and anecdotes from a wide range of individuals, including historical figures, academics, entertainers, friends, anonymous sources and just random people I’ve met…on a plane, a train, a bus…or in a pub somewhere across this big (small) world.
For example
I once heard from a publican, Glasgow Jimmy in, umm, errr Glasgow, Scotland (after a fair few pints of lager and more than enough (oufff) single-malts…
"It’s possible to be in the right place at the right time, all the time, as long as you…take the time"
(See cartoon sketch)
This particular collection offers varied perspectives on human nature, life's challenges, success, teams, leadership, and musical lyrics. Recurring themes include the importance of humility, the pursuit of knowledge, the value of service to others, and the power of individual and collective action…naturally all things that really resonate with me; my persona; my characteristic values. Accordingly, many, if not all, of the quotes I’ve captured are likely painted in my conscious and unconscious bias. Though, they all resonate with me, and I hope you too.
Ultimately, the work serves as a thought-provoking assortment of wisdom and observations on this thing called the (good, bad, and sometimes ugly) human experience…leaning right into
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, where the principle that everything in the universe is fundamentally interconnected may just help all of US in the way we view and understand the world, the way we interact with others, and the way we approach problems and conflicts…
(HUGE thanks to Douglas Adams).
The Reviews
"James gifts us a tapestry of a lifetime of gathered insights, thoughtfully weaved together, with a feel good message, and a reminder to take time out and reflect. Things People Say is like a sushi train of wisdom, served up in bite-sized insights from a kitchen of a thousand chefs, colourfully arranged, easily consumed."
Dr. Ashton Reeve
Musculoskeletal Radiologist, Castlereagh Imaging, Sydney, Australia
“James transports well known quotes into messages and stories. I love the way he connects the funny sayings into relatable everyday scenarios and offers the gift of wisdom.”
Martin Stark
The Courage Champion, Sydney, Australia
"James demonstrates his unique ability to observe and reflect on what he sees and hears in the world around him. He draws his own interpretations and links those to his prior life experiences in a way that lays clear not only who he is, but also provides a playbook for others to follow as we collectively try to make sense of the world in which we currently live."
Prof. Dave Walton
Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
“Take a quiet moment, open to any page, and let James’ reflections gently guide your thoughts. Each quote offers a doorway into your own experiences, or those of someone close to you, seen through a fresh and thoughtful lens. His honest observations, both tender and bold, remind us to notice the subtle details and the significant moments that shape our lives.”
Suzanne Thomas
National Heart Foundation Australia
"Things People Say (TPS) is the kind of book you'll want to keep close, returning to its pages whenever you need grounding, perspective, or a gentle reminder that you are not alone in what you feel. Reading TPS felt like sitting with a wise friend who has lived deeply and is willing to share what they've learned. James's personal interpretations invite reflection, compassion, and a deeper understanding of our shared human experience."
Julie Oki
Waiea, Honolulu, Hawai'i
Contact me @ j.elliottnw@gmail.com to be updated on dates/locations of all book launches (virtual and in-person).
Things People Say will be published in 2026
Nancy
A book about…Mum
Nancy Lucille (nee Stark) Elliott’s journey started during a pivotal time in history and her story as we (my siblings and I) share is just full of wisdom and an incredibly high level of individual optimism…an authentic ability to connect with others.
A life well-lived
Her story arises from a unique find…a handwritten letter found by my sister, Patty, after mum passed. It appears mum started to craft this deeply personal memoir around the time she was diagnosed with dementia…almost as if she feared her story might not get told otherwise or even her own determined attempt to thwart off the expected, unfair, and completely brutal, history-erasing cognitive decline.
This 6-page letter…beautifully written in cursive on A4, single-space, front-to-back, showers us with these incredibly intimate glimpses into what mum called...A life well lived.
She gave us 6 pages before putting the pen down.
And, now I'm gonna finish her story.
Contact me @ j.elliottnw@gmail.com to be updated on dates/locations of all book launches and to book me for speaking engagements (virtual and in-person).
For the (g)Love of the Game
James Elliott #8
Within these pages, penned by my own hand, I trace a journey through the heart of baseball – a quiet contemplation of the profound human connections woven into its very fabric, a history I've lived.
My path stretches from the little league fields in the Western Suburbs of Chicagoland to collegiate ‘thin-aired’ ball fields across the Colorado Front Range, to the professional diamonds in the summers of 1990-1992 (a touted prospect for the San Diego Padres Baseball Club) to the Major League front offices of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club (1993-1996) to the vibrant fields spanning Sydney, Australia, where I now find myself player, coach, and professor, the game still beating strong in my chest.
At the heart of these memories lie the detailed post-game reports for my beloved
Ku-Ring-Gai Stealers – chronicles not just of back-to-back championship seasons, but of a truly vibrant, multicultural camaraderie that felt like family, a golden era etched into my soul. They are a testament to how the game, in its truest form, is carved not by cold statistics, but by the warmth of shared experiences and the rich tapestry of personal stories we spun together. In blending the quiet nostalgia of professional dreams with the jubilant amateur triumphs on local fields, these words seek to illuminate baseball's enduring power – a global bridge for community, an unbroken thread of lifelong passion that continues to bind us...an authentic ability to connect with others.
The Soul of the Diamond
This isn't just a book; it's part of a larger story, laid bare. It’s a journey that began under the, at times, harsh, exhilarating lights of professional baseball – playing in the minor leagues, and working in the majors, where every pitch felt like the world was watching. But it eventually led
me to a different kind of diamond, one rooted deep in the red dirt of Australia, where the game became something profoundly personal, a communal heartbeat.
At its core, this memoir isn't about stats or championships. It's about the raw, undeniable spirit of the game – the teamwork, the friendships forged in the dust, and that universal, unshakeable passion for baseball that transcends borders. You see, baseball, for me, has always been more than just a game.
George Will once put it perfectly:
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True.
And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.
He captured it. It's a vast, intricate landscape of human experience. I want you to feel it, too. Katie McGarry’s atmospheric reflection of the sharp senses coming from the sweet smell of popcorn mingling with freshly cut grass and the gritty roughness of the dirt under your cleats highlights the unspoken understanding when you look around and see a whole team of guys, your brothers, backing your every single move and a bleacher full of people cheering you on.
That's the atmosphere I've lived in, breathed in, whether it was under big stadium lights or the amateur diamonds kissed by the Australian sun.
That's the real magic: baseball isn't just an American pastime. It's a global language, spoken on dusty fields and manicured greens across continents. It creates this deep, almost primal connection between players and fans, a bond that holds strong, no matter what the scoreboard says at the end of the day. It's a connection I found anew, thousands of miles from where I started.
And through it all, through every strikeout , line-drive, home-run, fly-out, and every triumph, every moment of doubt and every flash of brilliance, I've carried a simple truth from the words of the great, Babe Ruth
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.
It's a game of resilience, a game of hope, and a game that’s utterly, beautifully, human.
This book establishes that baseball is far more than a set of statistics; it is a profound human experience.
For the (g)Love of the Game will be published in 2026
Contact me @ j.elliottnw@gmail.com to be updated on dates/locations of all book launches and to book me for speaking engagements (virtual and in-person).