Jonny Warren is taking part in next week's Vinnies CEO Sleepout, but doing it in a way that reminds him of his own time sleeping rough on the streets, as a young man addicted to ice.
Now a successful real estate agent and doting father, Jonny is a long way down the track from where he was. But he doesn't forget those days.
On Thursday, June 18, he will be joining other CEOs and community leaders sleeping outside at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra to raise money for Vinnies. But he's taking his campaign a step further. Quite a few steps.
He'll be taking three days to walk to the museum, aka Old Parliament House, starting on Tuesday, June 16, from his home town of Queanbeyan and sleeping rough along the way. He'll have no food or money, just a sleeping bag and the hope he'll survive on the kindness of strangers.
He's calling it Jonny's CEO Sleepwalk. And he wouldn't mind some company.
"I don't want this to be something I do alone," Jonny said.
"If you've ever thought about the CEO Sleepout, or just want to understand what it really feels like, even for a few hours, come and walk with me, sit with me, or share a conversation. The more people who get closer to this issue, the more awareness we create, and that's where real change starts."
Jonny's 12-year-old step-son Harley will be sleeping rough on the first night with Jonny, keen to also understand what it's like to live without.
Now an ambassador for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout campaign, Jonny says the initiative is about more than awareness - it's about action.
"I'm proud to share my story, not because it defines me, but because if it helps one person feel seen, or sparks even one more conversation, it matters. And if it encourages people to step up and support those doing it tough, then we're moving in the right direction," he said.
A Yass boy who moved to Canberra as a teenager, Jonny fell into the wrong crowd and ended up on the other side of Australia, homeless and addicted.
He moved to Perth around the age of 20 and what followed were four hellish years of being addicted to ice and surviving on the streets.
It wasn't until he was clean and living back in Canberra that he got his start in real estate, in 2014, working in sales in the Dickson office for the Independent Property Group.
In what seems even more significant now, he bought his first suit, from Vinnies, for $60.
"It's funny how it all works isn't it?" he said.
"Vinnies started my career in real estate with my first suit and now I'm an ambassador for it."
Along the way to the sleepout, Jonny will be giving live updates on his Facebook and Instagram, including a live Q and A on Wednesday night.
Now the owner of Jonny Warren Properties, Jonny is calling on the community, business leaders, and supporters to get behind the campaign, whether by donating, walking alongside him or helping to spread the message. Every dollar raised goes towards helping Australians find safety, support and a pathway forward.
"The biggest thing that got me was when I did the Vinnies Night Patrol and there was this little kid, four-years-old, going to the Night Patrol and getting beanies and clothes," Jonny said.
Donations to Jonny's sleepout effort for Vinnies can be made here or you can find your favourite CEO here to make a donation to their campaign.
Among the CEOs participating in this year's sleepout in Canberra are ambassadors, teachers, public servants, lawyers, builders, community volunteers and small business owners.
And after sharing his own story of not only surviving but thriving after addiction and homeless, Jonny is glad he took the plunge and opened up about his experience.
"I've had so many people reach out, asking for helping, going through similar situations, have gone through that experience and hit rock bottom but building the foundations to have a career. I didn't expect it. I thought one or two people might have reached out but I reckon I've had more than 100 people reach out," he said.
