No Filter • 30 June 2025

The Marvel Star Who Survived Opus Dei as a Gay Teen

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Before Australian actor, Tim Pocock, was cast as young Cyclops in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, he was a teenager growing up in a strict Catholic home - navigating a world where being gay wasn’t just discouraged, it was treated as something to be fixed.

In this raw and powerful conversation, Tim opens up about his time at Redfield College in Sydney - a school linked to Opus Dei. He speaks candidly about surviving conversion therapy, and the years he spent battling internalised homophobia.

Tim also shares what it was like to grow up silenced, how that trauma shaped his relationship with his body, his family and his faith, and what it took to finally unlearn it all - and live as himself.

This is a story of survival, truth, and reclaiming identity. 

You can follow Tim and find his book, The Truth Will Set You Free, here:

https://www.instagram.com/timjpocock/?hl=en

If this conversation brought up any hard feelings for you - please seek help. You can reach Lifeline on 13 11 14

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CREDITS:

Guest: Tim Pocock

Host: Kate Langbroek

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Bree Player

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

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