Fred D. James was born into a reasonably wealthy Australian family but in his words ‘was soon segregated from the wealth’.

His life then took a series of astounding turns as he graduated from a normal childhood to a precarious association with biker gangs, street thugs, drug cartels, Chinese triads, guns, narcotics and God.

Blending into normal society under the shroud of being a professional chef, his real life was hidden in the many ‘societies within society’ that few of us know about or even believe exist – shadowy worlds where life is cheap and survival happens at the frightening edge of normality.

Fred’s life story is an amazing ride through criminal excess, unbelievable-but-true adventures, stubborn resilience and eventual redemption, encompassing over half a century of near-fatal car accidents, failed marriages, alcohol abuse, hair-raising brushes with criminals, thugs and cops, inventive money-making ideas and more life-threatening medical emergencies than he can count.

‘Ridden hard and put away wet’, this tattooed ex-crim, ex-thug, ex-lost soul somehow managed to come out the other side relatively intact. His experiences and scars are real, the pain is still healing and his dangerous life illustrates that even the most tarnished soul can crawl away from the darkest of tunnels to find hope and, with time, become a better human being.

Fred D. James has earned his colours, paid his dues, wrestled with pain, walked the fine line between life and death and emerged 56 years later as an improved person, understanding that although you can learn from your past, it need not define or overwhelm your future.

​​​​​​​His riveting, uncensored (and at times humorous) true-life account is a compelling mixture of unforgiving criminality, miraculous escapes, trusted friends, heartless enemies, love, loss, healing, the discarding of hatred and resentment… and the eventual acceptance of his own fragile mortality.

Today, Fred uses his incredible journey to inspire others who may have taken their own wrong turns in life - and are looking for a way to positively change their own futures, no matter how desperate or hopeless they may seem.

He works with disengaged youth to show them that if someone with his past can emerge from the deepest shadows and become whole again, anyone can!