On The Mend

Scouting for Girls frontman Roy Stride achieved global fame and number-one albums, but behind the scenes, he was wearing a mask. For 25 years, he used alcohol to bridge the gap between his public persona and a deep-seated feeling of never being "enough," eventually spiraling into a high-functioning nightmare of secret drinking and pre-show panic attacks.

In this episode, Roy pulls back the curtain on the exhaustion of the "secret life." He reveals the extreme lengths he went to hide his addiction, from filling non-alcoholic cans with real beer to drinking 30 units a day while on tour.

Roy also discusses the moment his dream became a prison, his initial skepticism of recovery, and how leaning into the "weirdness" of AA saved his marriage, his career, and his life. This is a powerful exploration of why life in recovery is infinitely better than the "belonging" found in a bottle.

This episode covers the following themes: Addiction, High-Functioning Anxiety, Recovery, and Finding Belonging.

'Scouting for Girls' new album These Are The Good Days' is out now

Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

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Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas delivers one of the most raw and honest accounts of grief and addiction ever shared in the public eye. Following the sudden death of his wife, Gemma, Simon faced a years-long battle with secret drinking while navigating the pressures of public life and parenthood.

In this episode, he exposes the "release valve" of alcohol that promised an escape but led to a darker reality. Simon also shares the complexities of finding love again with his partner Doina, the crushing weight of "being strong," and the powerful realization that while life will never be the same, it can, and will, be good again.

This episode covers the following themes: Grief, Addiction, Resilience, Fatherhood, and Recovery.

Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal legend and former England captain Tony Adams joins us to reflect on 30 years of sobriety, and the moment he realised that despite having everything, he didn’t know who he was.

He opens up about the reality behind the legendary football career, the blackouts, the hidden struggles, and the breaking point where he no longer wanted to be alive. Tony also shares the specific, raw moment of surrender that finally led him to an unexpected encounter, offering him a sense of peace he’d never known. This is a conversation about identity beyond the pitch and the daily work of recovery, proving that one decision can change the trajectory of a life forever.

This episode covers the following themes: Addiction, Identity, Sobriety, Recovery, Mental Health.

Tony will run the London Marathon on 26th April for The Forward Trust, where he is the new Chair, helping people overcome addiction and offending.

Read more on Tony's work with Six here: https://www.sixmha.org/staystopped

‘1996: Reflections on the Year that Changed My Life’ by Tony Adams is out now: https://amzn.eu/d/07jIgx95

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Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/au3-OTM20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.