Tom Molloy may not be a face you're familiar with, but you may have heard his voice.

Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at just 15 months old, after his brother was also diagnosed, Tom is now an 18-year-old studying a Diploma of Screen and Media (Broadcast Radio and Podcasting).

With a passion for sport, The Loop caught up with Tom to chat about life after high school, his love of sport and the importance of family.

For those who don’t know, you are a host on BOOM Radio. How did you get involved in this? What do you hope people get out of listening to your segments?

I am an announcer on BOOM Radio. Co-hosting BOOM’s Drive Home and BOOM’s Sports Nation as well as workdays. I got involved in this because BOOM Radio is a student run radio station, where we can learn how to be on the radio in a practical environment. I chose to study radio because I get to hang out in a studio and listen to music all day. When people listen to my segments, I hope they feel like we are being inclusive and appreciate the small things in life.

What has the transition been like for you between high school and TAFE?

The transition between high school and TAFE has been quite a good experience for me. I would say the biggest transition was when I switched to online learning for years 10 to 12 after being in a face-to-face school environment for the rest of my schooling. I would say that from that experience it made the high school to TAFE transition smoother. This is because it made me learn to be an independent learner and motivate myself to do my assignments.

What advice would you give to others who aren’t sure what they want to do after high school?

Some advice I would give to others who aren’t sure what they want to do after high school is follow your heart. You do not necessarily need to do the same thing for the rest of your life, and a career change is okay, no matter what age you are. If you like what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

You’re also a massive sports fan. Do you have a favourite one to watch? What do you love about sports so much?

I am a massive sports fan. My favourite ones to watch live are baseball, AFL and T20 cricket. But I also like watching both rugby types, soccer, basketball, ice hockey, other formats of cricket and motorsports like F1 on TV.

What I love most about sports is the way you feel when watching your team and not knowing if they will win. I also like sledging my friends and family when their team is doing terribly.

What was it like growing up with a brother with Duchenne?

Growing up with a brother with Duchenne was normal to me as I do not know any better. Sometimes it was a bit scary to see what I may end up facing. But I guess it’s just life.

You and your family are quite involved in the neuromuscular community. What has this experience been like for you and why is raising awareness so important to you?

Me and my family are a bit involved in the neuromuscular community here in Perth. This experience for me has been quite good getting to know people who are facing similar things to me. Hale Mates with Hale School through Neuromuscular WA was a highlight getting to go into that environment with the year 11s of each year and hanging out with them while doing different activities. I participated in this for 3 years and had a blast.

What are your goals for the future?

My goals for the future are to be a successful radio host and work in the sports media in some way whether that be a commentator or whatever else I decide on.

For those who want to listen to you on the radio, what days\time can they tune in? Where can they go to follow your journey?

Anyone who wants to tune in, they can download the TuneIn Radio app from the app store and then search BOOM Radio. I will be on the airwaves from 7-10pm AWST on Mondays for BOOM’s Sports Nation, from 4-7pm AWST on Tuesdays for BOOM’s Drive Home and 1-4pm AWST on Sundays for a solo music shift.

Anyone who wants to follow my journey, you can follow my Instagram @tommolloy__ or check out my LinkedIn which is just Thomas Molloy and says “drive announcer on BOOM Radio”.