Welcome, gang - A story to share with you. 

It’s 2021 - At 36 years old, I’m arguably in the best shape of my life, happy, healthy, run a business coaching, sales and recruitment firm, and most importantly, hold a beautiful and continuously improving relationship with my amazing twin boys and family. 

It hasn’t always been this way - Between 2015 - 2018, I was seriously struggling. Introverted and shy by nature, I found it challenging to maintain high performance as a sales professional. I felt like a failure. It was encouraged to behave as an extrovert to be successful. It didn’t feel right, nor come naturally. Due to multiple injuries and a handful of knee operations, I was no longer living an active life. My mental, physical and emotional health were at an all-time low. I felt so alone. My inability to communicate my feelings didn’t help the situation. 

Through the stress & anxiety, I developed a compulsive gambling addiction. Betting shops, online poker - a ‘safe space’ where I didn’t feel judged. Free to make mistakes and not be condemned. My inability to control the gambling addiction resulted in excessive drinking and drug habits. I had lost my identity and feeling of purpose. I wasn’t performing as the father, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend that I knew I could be, that I wanted to be. 

In February 2018, my wife asked for a separation. She didn’t see a future together & that my presence was detrimental to our children’s upbringing. In August 2018, I nearly died in a car crash when I flipped my car while under the influence of alcohol. Something had to change.

It’s been three years. Three years of continuous improvement. Developing a growth mindset has been the catalyst to change. I ask myself every day “What’s possible?”, “How do I continue to grow?” “How do I give back?” “How do I help others?” - With a clear vision for the future and the small, consistent daily actions on how to get to that vision, I’m challenging myself to run 1000K in May to help raise awareness of male mental health and wellbeing. Having experienced my mental health problems, I want to use my voice and actions to help accelerate the healing process for others. 

Thank you - I invite you to play a crucial part in the challenge by helping The Blue Ribbon Foundation identify 1000 people to contribute £10 and encourage others to have the confidence to speak up about their mental health. We are not alone.