Left, Write, Hook: Empowering Survivors through Boxing and Creative Writing

About this episode

Donna Lyon discusses how Left, Write, Hook empowers survivors of childhood sexual abuse through boxing and creative writing.

In this episode, Donna Lyon, Founder and CEO of Left, Write, Hook, shares how this unique program that blends boxing and creative writing is empowering adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and gendered violence to confront their past and turn trauma into strength by creating a safe space to express themselves, build skills and imagine new possibilities. Tune in to hear how Donna drew on her own lived experiences as a trauma survivor to create this unique and rapidly expanding charity. Learn more about Left, Write, Hook's flagship 8-week workshop, which was first held in 2019 and has led to a published book of survivor stories and more recently an award winning documentary now screening on Netflix. To learn more, visit: https://leftwritehook.org/ Read the book: https://leftwritehook.org/shop/p/left-write-hook-survivor-stories-from-a-creative-arts-boxing-and-writing-project Watch the award-winning documentary on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81977680

People in this episode

Guest: Donna Lyon

Topics covered

• boxing
• creative writing
• survivor empowerment
• childhood sexual abuse
• gendered violence
• trauma recovery

Keywords

• boxing
• creative writing
• survivors
• trauma
• empowerment
• Left, Write, Hook
• documentary
• Netflix

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Left, Write, Hook

Books & works: Left, Write, Hook: Survivor Stories from a Creative Arts Boxing and Writing Project, award-winning documentary

Places: Netflix

More episodes of pressing:on

• Pride Cup: Building Safer and More Inclusive Sporting Communities · June 9, 2026 · 38 min
• Pets in the Park: Where Veterinary Care Meets Compassion and Community · May 25, 2026 · 31 min
• Geelong Foodshare: Where Dignity-Driven Innovation is Feeding Social Change · May 11, 2026 · 33 min
• Backpacks 4 VIC Kids: Delivering Comfort in a Crisis for Vulnerable Young People · April 27, 2026 · 33 min
• Helping Hoops: A Game Plan for Brighter Futures through Social Basketball · April 13, 2026 · 34 min
• La Mama Theatre: A Cornerstone of Australia’s Independent Theatre Scene · March 30, 2026 · 33 min