How I Got Here: mental health advocate and 2026 ACT Local Hero Ben Alexander
Posted on
Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible, and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
You might know Ben Alexander for his rugby career with the Brumbies and Wallabies, but did you know he is also the co-owner of The Dock in Canberra and co-founder of Running for Resilience? Named the 2026 ACT Local Hero for his extensive community work, Ben sat down with us to share his career secrets and why you should follow your own path.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Ben Alexander. I’m a former Wallaby and Brumbies rugby player, co-owner of The Dock in Canberra and co-founder of Running for Resilience. These days, I also speak to organisations about resilience, identity, and how people can manage their energy to perform without burning out.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid. Have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I’m still not entirely sure what industry I work in, but playing rugby for Australia and the Brumbies was beyond a dream. I was rugby mad, but never in a million years did I think I’d be good enough to play one game for the Brumbies, let alone Australia. And the same goes for The Dock. I’ve always loved having a beer with mates, so owning a pub has been another dream come true. But I have my co-owners to thank for that, as they do all the hard work.
As for Running for Resilience and my work around mental health, it’s never really felt like work. When I was growing up, mental health was not something people spoke about. Even during my rugby career, it only started being discussed when more athletes spoke about struggling after retirement. And as for my public speaking, I never dreamed I’d do it, and even as recently as three or four years ago, I was absolutely terrified of doing it!
Tell us about when you were first starting out. What set a fire in your belly to get here, and how did you do it?
Running for Resilience started when a young Brumbies fan, Matt Breen, emailed and asked if we would help host a one-off run for mental health.
He had read something I wrote about how parkrun helped me during my transition out of professional sport. There was no grand plan or burning ambition. At the Dock, we just like supporting people who are having a go, and we saw Matt putting himself out there and wanted to help.
Also at the time, I was still struggling with my own transition from rugby, so the friendships and community I found through those early events helped me as much as anyone.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in. What did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
I have never wanted to chuck it all in, but there have been times when Running for Resilience started creeping from a passion into work. That happened with rugby. I grew up loving the game, but eventually I allowed my whole identity to become “Ben the footballer”, and I stopped enjoying it. That is a mistake I will not want to make again.
What was your biggest break?
My leg. I broke it in half when I was 20 and lost my first professional rugby contract because of it. I spent three weeks in the hospital, and there were plenty of doubts if I’d ever play again. But overcoming that injury and going on to have the career I did remains one of my proudest achievements and has built my confidence that I can overcome adversity and setbacks.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“If you’ve never been lost, you’re just on someone else’s path.” Ties in well with that Steve Jobs quote about having the confidence to follow your heart. Big believer in that.
What is it about your industry that you love, and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I still do not know exactly what industry I am in, but I love the not-for-profit sector. I love the passion of the people involved and their genuine intention to make a difference. But what makes me want to pull my hair out is the idea that charities should not be run like businesses. I believe charities need the same discipline, clear systems and accountability as any successful business if they want to create a lasting impact.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’. What media do you consume?
I might listen to one or two podcasts each week, but I generally try not to consume too much media. There is so much information available that it can quickly become overwhelming. I tend to believe that if something is important and relevant to what I’m doing, it will find its way to me.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In Canberra, doing much of what I am doing now: spending time with my family, helping grow stronger communities, and doing work that matters to me.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
They shouldn’t and should follow their own path.
What advice would you give your past self?
Keep going.
