From Trauma to Peer Support: José Argudo on Recovery, Resilience & Giving Back

Shoulder to Shoulder is a collection of inspiring conversations about the positive impact of peer support.

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What happens when a car accident stops life in its tracks — leaving you facing pain, uncertainty, and a future you never imagined?

In this powerful episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with José Argudo — husband, new dad, volunteer, and trauma survivor.

Just two weeks into a new job, having recently moved house and with a baby on the way, José’s life changed overnight

when he was rear-ended by a van on the motorway. The crash left him not only with a broken back, but with ongoing back and knee injuries, daily pain, and the emotional toll of adjusting to a new reality.

While José didn’t formally access peer support at the time, he came to realise just how vital it could have been — and how much difference it makes to connect with someone who understands. That realisation led him to volunteer with Day One Trauma Support, turning his experience into hope for others.

We discuss:

• What it’s like when sudden trauma collides with everyday life — work, home, and family
• Recovery, surviving, and the challenge of learning to live again
• Guilt, resilience, and fatherhood in the middle of recovery
• Why it can sometimes feel easier to open up to a stranger
• The “dual purpose” of peer support — giving something back, and receiving in return
• How sharing your story can help you heal, and inspire others along the way

Whether you’re at the start of your recovery, supporting a loved one, or working in health and trauma services — José’s story is a moving reminder of why peer support matters, and how hope can grow even in the hardest of times.