As an Olympic great, Ian Thorpe experienced highs most people only dream of.
But along with the acclaim and recognition that goes with five gold medals, the champion swimmer also revealed in his autobiography that he struggled with depression and alcohol abuse.
For all his worldliness though, Thorpe admits he was shocked during the making of his new ABC TV show by the extent of bullying he saw in Australian schools.
"I don't think you couldn't be at just how consistent it was," he said. "It isn't just a small group of people, it was a number that was there."
Simply titled Bullied, the two-part documentary invites groups of teenagers to examine incidents at their schools which have been caught on undercover cameras but with the voices distorted and faces blurred.
"The children who've been involved in the program have been incredibly brave in what they've done and hopefully from something like this, and in creating something like this, it shows how change can happen at a school as well," Thorpe said.
"We won't place any blame on anyone and won't finger-point to a particular person because that role of the bully can transfer to them being bullied as well."
The experiment has yielded some positive results, with the students who look-on encouraged to come up with solutions to the issue of bullying.
"We've already seen some of the schools taking on initiatives that the kids have come up with which is great,' he said.
The swimmer says he felt personally compelled to get involved in the show.
"It's one of those things where you think back to what it was like for yourself at that age and you know that it is a difficult time.
"A lot of people have said 'Well you kind of just have to survive through high school' and I don't know why that has to be the case."
Thorpe is passionate about the belief that while children and teenagers are still at school, there's a chance to make lasting changes.
"We are all taught that we can do anything as young people and, at some point, a lot of people lose that perspective. Once they start working they have different responsibilities and that kind of changes," he said.
"But I do think that school is a place where you can really open people's minds to possibilities and teach children they should strive to do big things."
*Bullied airs on ABC TV on March 14 at 8.30pm
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).
