This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

This week, we’re joined by Victoria Vanstone, self-confessed ‘drunk mother gone sober’. Victoria is the host of award-winning podcast Sober Awkward and author of the heartfelt and hilarious memoir,  A Thousand Wasted Sundays. Known for her raw honesty and relatable humor, she offers a fresh take on sobriety which appeals to drinkers of all classifications! We caught up with Victoria in Thailand, where she’s traveling with her children, to cover loads of big topics, from accepting that routine binge-drinking is actually a problem, to mourning the loss of her party-girl identity and embracing the joy of sober parenting. As we are well within the festive period, Victoria shares practical tips on avoiding alcohol when it is most tempting and the surprising gifts that sobriety can provide. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Victoria on Instagram @soberawkward Sober Awkward podcast website  www.soberawkward.com Amazon audible link to Victoria’s comedy memoir,  A Thousand Wasted Sundays https://a.co/d/gMz8m7N Victoria’s free online community:  www.cuppa.community

Our guest this week is Mark White, who at over 22 years sober, has established himself as a community builder and true visionary. Mark has successfully launched workshops that are designed for ‘the next regeneration of mindful movers’ around the world and was recently voted as one of the UK’s top social entrepreneurs because of his work in the wellness space.   One of the most driven people out there, Mark comes clean about personal shame, suffocating the darkness and that can of worms that no one should open. Mark is a proud father of two daughters, a keen runner, and is passionate about combining physical activity with gratitude. By combining techniques he has learned in recovery and setting personalised physical fitness goals, the results for many have been life-changing.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Listen to all of our episodes on your favourite podcast platform: https://podfollow.com/1756874279 Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Mark on Instagram @markwhite_0602 Find Grateful Mile on Instagram @gratefulmileofficial Find Daily Five on Instagram @dailyfiveofficial

In this episode, we follow George’s journey through the depths of addiction and his incredible transformation. For years, George was trapped in a destructive cycle of alcohol and drug abuse, leading to repeated hospitalisations for physical emergencies and psychiatric ward admissions for mental health emergencies. His addiction was fuelled by a desperate need to escape overwhelming emotions like worry, panic, fear, anger, and paralysing frustration.  Finally George entered rehab and committed to a 12-step program and it seemed his life was on the upswing. All of his hard work was put to the test when his criminal past caught up with him, landing him in prison. Instead of giving in to despair, George requested to be placed in a rehabilitation wing, where he found purpose in helping others with their addictions and recovery. Today, George is a recovered addict and alcoholic, three and a half years sober. His journey is a powerful reminder that by being of service to others, George has found immense purpose and strength. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

This is one of those remarkable interviews that will surprise you, pull on your heart strings and reveal the depth of the human spirit. Growing up in a conservative, deeply religious London family, our guest Vinny reveals how he strayed into a life of crime, addiction, and self-destruction. His rock bottom moment came after months of heavy substance abuse, a heart attack, and a near-tragic incident involving his wife and children. From functioning as a plumber constantly under the influence, to spiraling emotionally, Vinny’s mantra, “I’ve got this,” was a lie that masked his slow self-destruction.  Today, Vinny inspires hope in recovery circles, offering tough love combined with vulnerability and honesty. Grateful for every breath, Vinny’s story is one of resilience and absolute transformation.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

Today we welcome Dr David McLaughlan to the show. David always had his sights set on a medical career, but did a bit of modelling in his earlier days. Working with a variety of people reinforced his values of being a kind and compassionate person, (so-called ‘soft skills’) and helps him engage with patients today.  Now one of the UK's leading addiction psychiatrists, David has contributed to international treatment guidelines, academic journals as well as mainstream media outlets. Additionally, David serves as Academic Secretary of The Royal College of Psychiatrists' Addiction Faculty. Aside from being incredibly articulate, engaging and well-educated, David is a genuine guy, the real deal and has people very close to him who have had issues with alcohol.  After recognising that emerging technology might enable greater self management of harmful habits and addictive behaviours, David has launched an app called Curb. Curb’s personalised approach is a tool which helps to examine our relationships with alcohol and has been proven to help people quit or reduce their drinking.   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Curb on Instagram @curb.app Download the Curb app for free http://www.curb.health/

This week we hosted the incredible host of the Hurt to Healing podcast, Pandora Morris. A former lawyer turned mental health activist, Pandora’s journey began in childhood, facing OCD and an eating disorder that manifested through restrictive eating and chronic over-exercising.  Much like obsessive behaviour often linked to addiction, Pandora would regularly run at least twenty miles a day, take midnight bike rides and start her days with a swim in the sea - an activity which once saw her hospitalised with hypothermia. As part of her own healing, Pandora’s travelled the world working with OCD experts and has made it her mission to support others on their path to mental health recovery. Pandora’s honesty in how she sees the world and her reality within that world is both raw and refreshing. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Pandora on Instagram @hurttohealingpod Pandora’s podcast https://podfollow.com/1649515453 Pandora’s website  https://www.hurttohealing.co.uk/

This week, we welcome former professional footballer turned successful entrepreneur Andy Ramage. After a career-ending injury, Andy pivoted to create two financial brokerages and soon discovered that his life changed dramatically when he decided to go alcohol-free. This decision not only transformed his health and mindset but also became his unique selling point, helping him stand out in a competitive business market.  The coaching initiatives that Andy has created have collectively helped hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people to revitalise their lives. Andy provides refreshing authenticity and humour while providing plenty of advice that you can put to use right away. Spoiler alert - you will never look at a marshmallow the same way again.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Andy on Instagram @andyramageofficial Andy’s website  www.andyramage.com Andy’s coach training website - www.aretewaycoach.com

This week we are super excited to welcome Ollie Ollerton onto the show. You might know Ollie from the British television programme SAS: Who Dares Wins? Ollie is not only a former Marine, SAS soldier, and Special Forces Combat Frogman, he's also an author of five books and the CEO of Breakpoint and Battle Ready Academy, two powerful physical and mental training academies.  Ollie’s personal breakthrough arrived once he worked up the courage to put booze and drugs behind him. Finding himself at a crossroads, Ollie created his own bootcamp in which he was both the drill sergeant and the recruit. He coached himself out of his darkest depths and created an empire of self improvement programmes that have turned around the lives of many and continue to inspire even more.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Ollie’s coaching courses can be found here:  https://learn.ollieollerton.com/battle-ready-intensive Ollie’s websites www.ollieollerton.co.uk & www.break-point.co.uk

In this episode, Paul sits down with addiction expert Elliott Wald. Elliott is a trainer of NLP and is recognized as one of the world’s leading hypnosis experts. Speaking about the gradual and often unnoticed slide into cocaine addiction, Paul shares his personal experience of how his casual use turned into a debilitating habit, mirroring the stories of many who struggle with addiction. With over 29 years of professional experience and having helped over a hundred thousand people to overcome addictions such as alcohol, drugs, and addiction, Elliott emphasises that no matter how desperate the situation may seem, recovery is always possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor Find Elliott on his website  www.hypnosis-expert.com Find Elliott on Instagram & Tik Tok @hypnosis_expert Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

This week, we have the privilege of hearing Carol’s incredible journey, which began with unspeakable abuse and neglect she faced from a very young age. In an attempt to escape trauma and hardship, Carol turned to drugs and alcohol but eventually found sobriety at the age of 51. In her conversation with Paul, Carol opens up about everything from drinking in parks and getting into fights to the deep regret she feels over missing large parts of her children’s younger years due to addiction. It’s a wonder Carol is here to tell the tale at all but she is here and by helping so many women in the sober space, she is thriving. In sharing her own experiences and even offering laughter, Carol radiates light and hope after beginning life in a fairly dark place.  Warning: This episode contains discussions of heavy topics such as sexual abuse and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

Today is World Mental Health Day, and we are incredibly fortunate to welcome Penny Mallory to the show. Penny is a Mental Toughness expert, former Rally Champion, motivational and TedX speaker, and currently training to row across the Atlantic Ocean. She’s no stranger to pushing boundaries—she even stepped into the boxing ring for the first time at the age of 42. While you may be captivated by her incredible journey, Penny will convince you that she’s not special—just an ordinary person who has done extraordinary things. You’ll walk away from this episode understanding how by developing your mental toughness, you will find the enthusiasm and confidence to accomplish whatever goal you set your mind to. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Penny on Instagram @Mallory.Penny Penny’s website https://www.pennymallory.co.uk Penny on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennymallory/

A little something for our younger listeners this week! Today’s guest Henry Lunn found sobriety when he was just 25 years old. This may seem early, but just wait until you hear all he accomplished by the time he was twenty. After experiencing challenges in school and with his home life, Henry started his professional career as a teenager and started earning a lot of money very quickly and at a very young age. With some heartracing anecdotes to illustrate his downward spiral, Henry describes his remarkable transformation, going from drug and alcohol addiction to successfully navigating his career and personal life. His recovery culminates in pushing himself physically by running ultra-marathons and finding peace in giving back to the community​ today. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Henry on Instagram @myjourneyto100miles

We would like to advise you that there are suicide references right from the start of this episode that some might find troubling. Please take care when listening.   This week, Paul welcomes his close personal friend Michael Cannan. Michael is the author of Hunting Concrete Lines, which was the finalist for the Best Book Award for The Independent. Formerly a celebrity fitness trainer in Hollywood, Michael is the founder of a behavioural health company in California. There are a lot of shared laughs between great friends but also intense moments of confession and vulnerability. Although now a shining example of health and vitality (check out the episode on YouTube!) Michael recalls vividly how he was once on the verge of cardiac arrest, he shares how he created a completely fabricated life, getting himself stuck into a mountain of lies and describes the profound moment of clarity that marked the beginning of his true recovery journey. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Michael on Instagram @michaelcannan Find Hunting Concrete Lions on Instagram @huntingconcretelions Buy Hunting Concrete Lions on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/gunpCVG

This week special guest Professor David John Nutt helps us to examine the impact alcohol has on our brains, behaviour and longer term health. We have an eye-opening conversation about how monitored doses of LSD may cure alcoholism, how many subsidised private bars are actually part of the UK Houses of Parliament and the alternative ‘functional beverages’ which might just replace alcohol altogether. Professor Nutt is an English neuropsychopharmacologist who’s controversial removal from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was a direct result of a study he published, which showed how alcohol is more harmful than heroin. Specialising in the research of drugs and alcohol and their relation to addiction, anxiety, and sleep, Professor Nutt is also the chairman of Drug Science, a non-profit which he founded in 2010 to provide independent, evidence-based information on drugs.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find more about Drug Science on the website https://www.drugscience.org.uk/  And on the Drug Science Podcast https://www.drugscience.org.uk/podcast  Links to David’s books Drink - https://www.waterstones.com/book/drink/professor-david-nutt/9781529393231  Cannabis - https://www.waterstones.com/book/cannabis-seeing-through-the-smoke/professor-david-nutt/9781529360493 Psychedelics - https://www.waterstones.com/book/psychedelics/professor-david-nutt/9781529360530

This week, we welcome Johnny Graaff, co-founder of Lions Campus, which is a teen rehabilitation centre in London. Johnny approaches recovery in a unique way, creating a community around each individual, using psychiatrists, doctors, mentors, and coaches. He’s had some incredible success helping young people overcome addiction,  eating disorders and bullying. A firm believer in surrounding patients with inspirational role models, Johnny has six years of sobriety behind him and endless gratitude for the twelve-step programme that continues to aid in his success. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Johnny on Instagram @lionscampus Learn more about Lions Campus: https://www.lions-campus.co.uk

This week, Paul engages in a deeply personal conversation with therapist Andrea Taylor. A former manager and director of the Priory Group Hospitals, Andrea has over 25 years of experience and is currently running a successful private practice specialising in trauma, addiction, and couples therapy. Andrea's own journey has taken her far and wide, but wherever she travelled, drug and alcohol dependency followed. From a tumultuous childhood in Hong Kong to desperately trying to control her addiction whilst living in Sydney with her brother, Andrea eventually faced homelessness and multiple stints in rehabilitation centres in California before finally committing to her sobriety in the UK. Andrea now leads a happy, healthy life after years of study and subsequent success, helping others face their own significant life challenges. Andrea’s resilience and strength is inspiring. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Email Andrea on ATayloredTherapy@outlook.com Andrea’s profile on BAcp https://www.bacp.co.uk/profile/6818f652-5090-e711-80e8-3863bb351d40 Andrea is Clinical Outreach for Camino Recovery: https://www.caminorecovery.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB

Join Paul as he discusses the tough road to recovery with his friend Yasmin. From a childhood in Northeast London to a reckless young adult life in and around Southern California, Yasmin has a long history of trauma, addiction and dangerous behaviour. She has not only overcome bulimia and alcoholism but has also addressed her reliance on prescription medications. Yasmin eloquently reveals the terror she felt when facing giving up drinking alcohol, which she thought was the only way to bring colour to her otherwise black and white existence. Amongst other heartfelt confessions, Yasmin shares details of her shame following blackouts, and how she has learned to stop identifying as a victim and become the strong and sober woman she is today. This is a conversation not to be missed. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

This episode is a real eye-opener, packed full of valuable insight into a bit of the psychology around addiction.  Joining Paul today is addiction and trauma therapist Anita Chellamah. With a contagious laugh and a general ease around her, it is clear why Anita is the trusted therapist she is, having helped thousands to understand themselves and their behaviours better. After a successful stage, TV and film career and with a slew of hit singles under her belt, there’s not much out there that Anita hasn’t seen. Join Paul as they speak openly about harsh comedowns, childhood traumas and how Anita has achieved 36 years of sobriety herself.   If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Reach out to Anita on email achellamahnurse@hotmail.co.uk Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

You might know her from the award-winning band Liberty X, part of the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning cast of The Real Full Monty, as a TV presenter or as a menopause advocate and author but what you might not know about Michelle Heaton is that she is recovering from a difficult battle with alcohol and drugs. Addressing behaviour that quickly escalated from social partying to regularly drinking vodka in the mornings, Michelle committed to a 12-step recovery programme. In this mutually intimate conversation with Paul, Michelle bravely shares her incredible journey, with deeply heartfelt moments and lots of personal anecdotes including one massive public apology. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Michelle on Instagram @wonderwomanshel

Genuine charmer, spinner of yarns and ex-gangster Michael Emmett talks about his autobiography Sins of Fathers, the ‘hole in the soul’ and his spiritual awakening whilst sharing a prison cell with his father. Ex-criminal Michael also shares shocking anecdotes about drug trafficking, car chases, death and love addiction. The stories are intense but Michael’s gentle soul is an inspiration. This episode contains references to sexual abuse so please take care when listening. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website:  https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Michael's book, Sins of Fathers: A Spectacular Break from a Dark Criminal Past here:   https://amzn.eu/d/9ROQ5ml Find Michael on Instagram @michaelemmettofficial