Flic Manning

Flic Manning is the author of "Living Human", a memoir-self-help book about her experience living with Crohn's disease and mental health conditions. She is a public speaker, the CEO of Corethentic, a former choreographer and the host of Brainwaves on 3CR.

She has been living with Crohn's disease since she was a teenager, giving her over two decades of experience with this complex condition. She fundamentally believes that people with IBD deserve a high quality of life, and she spends much of her time advocating for the needs of the invisibly disabled and chronically ill people in Australia in the hope of changing the outlook for the next generations who experience IBD.

She loves the Live Fearless Challenge because it shows the community what we're really capable of and this year she would be so grateful to have your support as she ticks off every kilometre. Help Flic flush the stigma this September!

Justan Singh

Justan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he was two years old and has had many surgical operations to manage the disease. After surgery for a permanent ostomy when he was 21 years old, he became interested in raising awareness about ostomies and positive body image. As part of this mission, Justan invested his time and energy into improving his fitness and wellbeing. He is keen to share what he has learnt about exercising and diet with other young people who have struggled in the past with creating healthy lifestyle routines.

He is a goal-oriented person and when he sets out to do something, he becomes really driven. On one occasion he stumbled across a barista coffee machine and was inspired to become an expert in brewing coffee.

“It took me about a month and ten kilos of beans to learn the mechanics. I initially had to make eight coffees in the beginning to reach a decent taste, but now the first shot I make is perfect.”

He brings this energy and commitment to the Live Fearless Challenge.

Justan is also a dedicated volunteer within the IBD community and has given his time to be a speaker for CCA events and The Bottom End podcasts.

Bruce Rosengarten 

Bruce Rosengarten has had an extensive senior executive career including roles that took him across our region and internationally. While living with ulcerative colitis for over 40 years, he built a highly successful career, however, it took him 39 years to admit publicly he has colitis. He has often taken up roles in not-for-profit organisations as a passionate believer in supporting the community. 

Bruce is the author of Passionate Leadership, and today runs his own consultancy and is a member of several advisory Boards as well as being Chairman, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia. 

Since 2018, Bruce has raised more than $44,096 through participating in the Live Fearless Challenge and has consistently featured at the top of the fundraising leaderboards. In 2023, he wants to be chased again, and is happy to come second, third or even last, but beware he will fundraise hard for a cause he is very passionate about. 

Danya Schonberger

Danya was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 19 after years of symptoms that were overlooked by health professionals. Receiving a diagnosis and starting on infliximab infusions dramatically improved her quality of life and she is now a qualified social worker, disability researcher, and advocate for those with invisible disability.  
 
"I love being an advocate for people living with Crohn’s disease. In December 2020 I was interviewed by the ABC for International Day of People with Disability to share my story of living with Crohn’s disease. It was heartwarming to see how people related to my story and I’d strongly encourage other people to share their experiences of chronic illness and disability." 

Kiara Schonberger 

Kiara Schonberger is a high school teacher who has been living with Crohn’s disease for nine years. Kiara's diagnosis at 16 didn't come as a shock due to her family history of Crohn's disease and other autoimmune diseases. Since her initial diagnosis, Kiara has experienced two significant flareups of her Crohn's disease which has resulted in hospitalisations and entirely new treatment plans.

The 2019 Live Fearless Challenge was the first time Kiara publicly spoke about her diagnosis of Crohn's disease. For Kiara, hiding her chronic illness was so common that many of her close friends didn't realise the significant impact this disease had been having on her daily life. Since then, she has continued to be an Ambassador and Champion for Crohn's and Colitis Australia and the Live Fearless Challenge in 2020, 2021, and 2022. 

Kiara continues to spotlight Crohn's disease and advocate for young people living with this often invisible illness. 

Simone Amelia Jordan  

Simone Amelia Jordan is an award-winning writer and host. Her debut memoir, Tell Her She's Dreamin' (Hachette Australia) details her journey to becoming Australia's most successful hip-hop journalist and sheds light on how she chases career goals with active Crohn's disease. Simone's career spans television, radio, and digital media, and her celebrity interviews on YouTube have racked up over 13 million views. Proud of her Middle Eastern heritage, Simone mentors the next generation of multicultural talent through her work with Media Diversity Australia and Diversity Arts Australia.  

“I became a Crohn’s & Colitis Australia Ambassador because I want especially young people with this condition to know you can thrive and survive. For many of us, there are certain moments, particularly during flare-ups, when hope feels lost. I know those moments well. I’m sharing my testimony to help others and remind them there is light at the end of the tunnel.”  

Harrison Bence

My name is Harrison but I prefer being called Haytch. I am 28 years of age and have two children, Ronnie who is nearly 4 and Florence who is almost 2. They are the reason I fight so hard to be healthy. 

In 2017 at the age of 21 I was diagnosed with perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease. I had no idea what this was but was quickly referred to a Gastroenterologist. After six failed surgeries, the fistulas kept coming back. The doctor put me straight onto Humira and 6MP. After a year I continued to get recurring fistulas, and on the 15th surgery I decided to change doctors. The new IBD Clinic put me onto Infliximab and Methotrexate. The fistulas stopped although other conditions started. I developed Hidradenditis Superativa (HS) which is a skin condition that produces abscesses in the armpits and groin. There is nothing that can be done about this condition so I have to live with it. 

The past two years have been the hardest of my life personally and health-wise. I have struggled to get my Crohn’s under control and have also had a tonsillectomy as I continuously had tonsillitis. I have also had C-diff for the entire 2 years which causes extreme abdominal pain and diarrhea. I have been on strong antibiotics (Vancomycin) the entire two years which inflames my HS. My Colorectal Surgeon has had to surgically help with the abscesses from the HS regularly.   

On 12 July this year I had FMT (Faecal Microbiota Transplant) at the Northern Hospital. The preparation was the same as for a colonoscopy and is a painless procedure. When I came out of the hospital that day I immediately felt different. After spending the last two years on the toilet I was going only once or twice a day. It’s still early days but I feel that FMT will definitely change my day-to-day life.

I am extremely lucky to have been able to get this FMT and without the help of the team that includes my Colorectal Surgeon, IBD Clinic at the Northern Hospital and my fantastic GP I would be lost.    

With the help of my parents my aim is to live independently within the next year and keep improving my health. I have Ronnie and Florence that need a healthy father and that is what drives me to get better and stay well. 

Sarah Starkey

Sarah Starkey was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1998 at 13 years of age. Sarah is a Palliative Care Nurse Consultant working in the largest Palliative Care Service in South Australia. Sarah is a huge advocate for body positivity, empowering and inspiring others on their own journeys, whether that be IBD, IVF or miscarriage awareness.

“My stoma has given me the life I deserve. I love that I have battle scars to show where I have come from and how strong I am. For the past 12 years I have had control over my body and it feels incredible.”

The LIVe Fearless Nurses

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Service at Liverpool Hospital was established in 2011 by Prof Susan Connor, Dr Watson Ng and our first IBD nurse, Alexandra Sechi. Since then our team has expanded to include other IBD specialists, IBD nurses, allied health team members, and administration staff, all are crucial to the running of the service.

The Liverpool IBD Nursing team is focused on providing the best possible care to those living with IBD. We aim to empower and work with those under our care to achieve optimal health outcomes and quality of life. Our team is passionate about enhancing IBD care delivery through the integration of innovative and evidence-based models of care and the use of information technology.

It is an honour to be team ambassadors for the Live Fearless Challenge 2023. Our team shares the commitment of Crohn’s & Colitis Australia to provide support to those living with IBD and to increase awareness of IBD within Australia.

Jamie Hubbard

Jamie has been living with Crohn’s disease since the age of 17.

He tries to keep active as much as he can. He loves his sports and music is also very close to his heart, and has played drums for over 10 years.

He has been living with Crohn’s disease for over 10 years now, after being diagnosed mid way through Year 11.

Jamie is a qualified Personal Trainer, although he doesn’t currently work as one, it’s still a passion to help people with fitness goals. He has been lifting weights since the age of 16, and anything that’s challenging and physically demanding gets him going. Jamie says there’s nothing more satisfying than helping others who need it, whether it be small or large, and loves seeing someone’s face after they achieve a goal that they’ve been stuck with for such a long time.

"I’ve always had a passion for helping people especially those who need it, so I’m glad that I now have the opportunity to give something back to the community by taking part in this year’s Live Fearless Challenge, not only as a team member but as an ambassador. Cardio is definitely not my strong suite, but I know that with all the support I see from my friends and CCA, we can do it together!" 

Tracey Murrin

Tracey was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2005. Twelve months later she was in an induced coma on life support after having most of her large bowel removed and receiving a permanent ileostomy.

Tracey is very passionate about raising awareness and helping others with IBD. She has walked the Great Wall of China with an amazing group of people to fundraise and raise IBD awareness, was a finalist in the Great Comeback Awards 2017, was a Batton Bearer for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay, has spoken at various CCA Events, and has mentored two youth camps for Camp Fearless in Qld. The most personal event though, was her son’s concert where he sang the song about their journey called F.I.B.D.

This is Tracey’s 6^th Year as a Live Fearless Champion and she has called her Team “Doing it 4 Declan” in honour of a young man close to Tracey’s heart who we lost too soon.

Tracey’s passion for raising awareness has not dimmed, although some days can be a struggle, that can be outweighed by the satisfaction of achieving your goal… “IBD can take away so much control from your life, it feels good to take back control where you can”.

Aaron Sanders 

Foodie, MasterChef contestant, Content Creator   

Aaron was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2012, after being misdiagnosed with a parasite and has managed his condition via infusions ever since.  

He is a passionate foodie and competed in Season 13 of MasterChef Australia.  

Aaron is using his social media platform to spread awareness for this invisible disease that affects so many.

As a CCA ambassador, Aaron is excited to create different recipes and share food ideas to the Crohn’s and Colitis community.  

Franki Medcalf

My IBD journey began in 1996, I have had Crohn’s longer than I haven’t. I have made adaptions and sacrifices to accommodate my Crohn’s. I have learnt through trial and error what works for me; I have been through bowel resections (1 while I was in early pregnancy), rectal surgery, peri-anal surgery, and sepsis; I have undergone countless medication regimes, including ten years of Infliximab (Remicade) infusions; and for the past five years I have been blessed to be in remission. 

I have always wanted to raise awareness of IBD. In 2012 I held a quiz night; a sponsored walk; and did a 15,000 feet sky dive to raise much needed funds for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. In 2022 I breached all my comfort zones and took part in Miss Fit Bikini Model and gained the title of Miss Inspiration 2022. I used this platform initially to prove to myself that I could do it, to be finally proud of the scars that I wear but my motives evolved and I wanted to use this opportunity to raise awareness of IBD. 

Now I want to keep going. I want to educate others about IBD, I want to enthuse those with IBD. My message is that IBD is a part of me, I am not a part of it.