I was born in Kent, England, in 1971 and was privately educated. I struggled academically but excelled at sport, particularly at cricket, and went on to forge a successful career in the commercial property industry in the UK and Western Europe and more recently was a CEO.

I was married and have three grown-up children. After a series of traumatic events since 2009, I had a progressive alcohol use disorder. I then went on a gruelling recovery journey going into 2022, having contracted Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which eventually took me to Cape Town.

I have since turned PTSD into personal post-trauma growth. This learning and self-development has been fun, fulfilling and rewarding. It has allowed me to become the best, imperfect, version of myself.

Some will ask – why commit to Rock Bottom? Aside from being cathartic, fulfilling and enjoyable, it is a reminder of the importance of nurturing mental health from a young age.

I hope it just may help others, or the loved ones of someone suffering. It is an optic on how serious and debilitating poor mental health, and an addiction, can be – it is indiscriminate and insidious. For me, Rock Bottom has been deeply empowering.

I would like to be a positive voice for mental health awareness and wellness. Society needs more triumphant voices.