Shalom Kaa, a prominent local entertainer in Darwin, has embarked on a remarkable journey of recovery from substance abuse, finding solace and strength in running. He has previously worked more than a decade in the entertainment industry as an actor, singer, comedian, and emcee. His journey has been deeply colored by a lack of self-acceptance that led to active addiction.
By the end of 2022, Kaa had sunk deeply into the throes of addiction, smoking and injecting crystal methamphetamines. A series of sudden personal tragedies added to this spiral. When we lost my father-in-law and then my mother in 2025, their deaths shook him to the core. Come the summer of 2025, Kaa was looking for a better way to deal with the self-hatred and isolation he felt. He found a running community, and almost immediately this new passion became an important facet of his recovery.
Kaa’s story is a testament to how the healing power of running can be a game changer. He shares about how becoming a runner has changed the way he sees himself and believes in himself.
A Lifelong Struggle with Self-Acceptance
From childhood on, Kaa fought a deep-seated self-hatred, a conflict that tormented him for the rest of his life. He remembers being frightened and belittled as a kid, resulting in decades of emotional malaise. This internal fight eventually led him to become addicted to methamphetamines, which he said felt like they gave him temporary relief from world worthlessness.
“I don’t like the exercise before I start it … because I feel the hurt, I feel the pain, and I feel like ‘I’m just gonna give up,’” – Shalom Kaa
When he sought refuge in substance use, Kaa found that feeling of connection restored, if only temporarily. He said methamphetamines help him feel “love” and showed him “self-worth.” As his use increased, his health and quality of life suffered.
By 2025, Kaa experienced devastating setbacks in his personal life. He quickly understood that in order to heal, he’d have to seek another outlet. This was the first moment when he realized he needed to move toward recovery.
The Transformative Power of Running
Looking for a better way to cope, Kaa tied on a pair of sneakers and started running. At first, he didn’t want to exercise, but he quickly found out how enjoyable and rewarding it could be. In running, Pat discovered both physical fitness and emotional healing.
“But there’s so much greatness that comes from the end of the race … once you finish it and once you do that extra k [kilometre] you could go conquer the world after that.” – Shalom Kaa
Kaa’s relationship with running has evolved significantly. What started as a part-time hobby quickly became a full-time endeavor that provided Robert with a fresh start. Each run turned into a chance to battle his childhood demons and accept himself for who he is.
“It gives me a sense of achievement that just then becomes joy.” – Shalom Kaa
Even with all of these positive changes, Kaa admits that his recovery journey has not been a straight line. He encountered a number of challenges through the process but was determined to tackle them with grit and persistence.
Realizations and Moving Forward
The most definitive moment of Kaa’s journey came when he decided to do the long-haul flight back to Darwin. Fast-forwarding to writing “A Song for You”—which was originally written for previous artist of the month, Leon Russell—Donny Hathaway envisioned singing those lyrics to his younger self. Through this reflective experience, he was able to meet the bullied kid that lives inside him.
“So it was time to have a look and see: ‘How do I let this kid go?’” – Shalom Kaa
Kaa was clearly enjoying an opportunity to look back at his own personal journey. He discovered that while he’s learned to appreciate and accept himself, he’s still working on true self-love. He no longer sees running solely as a means of physical activity, but a portray-er of the struggles and successes associated with life.
Kaa knows that he must tell his story in order to let people know that they, too, can recover from substance abuse. His goal is to reduce the stigma around addiction and get people talking about mental health.
“It’s sort of laced my life … in a way that I never expected,” – Shalom Kaa
