In this episode of Definitely Not Therapy, I sit down with Ian — a man who’s been to the darkest places life can take you and somehow found a way back, not just for himself, but for others too.

Ian’s mental health began to unravel after several failed relationships and the crushing pressures of fatherhood. Feeling like he wasn’t good enough, his struggles led him into addiction and self-harm. For a long time, the belief that he’d never measure up was his constant companion.

But Ian’s story doesn’t end there. Through brutal honesty and a determination to change, he’s rebuilt his life — and now spends his days helping others who’ve stood where he once stood. As a driving instructor for people on the spectrum, he’s learned the power of patience, empathy, and showing up for those who need it most. He’s even taken his story to the stage, speaking openly about men’s mental health in the hope of inspiring others to speak up before it’s too late.

We talk about:

• The hidden weight of failed relationships and single fatherhood
• How addiction and self-harm became a coping mechanism
• What finally made him turn his life around
• Why helping others became his lifeline
• The importance of speaking openly — even when it’s uncomfortable

This one’s raw, honest, and proof that you can take back the wheel of your life, no matter how far off track you’ve gone.

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Ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I can’t do this anymore”?

Alan did – and then he proved himself wrong.

Once over 20 stone and struggling with addiction, alcoholism and his mental health, Alan woke up one day and did what most addicts think is impossible! HE QUIT! It took incredible will power, cutting life long friends out of his life. He had to lose his old friends to save himself. Alan purposely went from sociable to completely isolated, but he found a lifeline in Andy’s Man Club. What started as just “turning up” turned into completely turning his life around, having gone on to become a facilitator for Andy’s Man Club. Now he’s smashing marathons, crawling through Tough Mudder, raising thousands for charity, and helping other men break the silence on mental health.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The moment Alan knew something had to change.
• How Andy’s Man Club gave him the accountability and support to keep going.
• Why losing weight wasn’t the hardest part – facing his own mind was.
• The power of community, charity, and getting outside your comfort zone.
• What running through ice-cold mud teaches you about resilience.

This isn’t a “look at me now” story – it’s a no-BS conversation about hitting rock bottom, clawing your way out, and why helping others might be the best therapy there is.

🎧 Press play – because if Alan can do it, there’s hope for anyone.

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In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and brutally honest Steve Williams – a man whose story reads like a movie script, only it’s painfully real. From managing one of Coronation Street’s biggest stars to producing a stage play about depression, Steve has lived multiple lives. But behind the accolades and the applause was a man on the edge.

After three suicide attempts, Steve found himself broken but still breathing. What came next was nothing short of remarkable – a journey of healing, purpose, and resilience. He went from planning his own death to running a marathon the following year. Not for medals, but for meaning.

His book became an international bestseller, helping thousands of men redefine their purpose and confront their demons head-on. In this raw conversation, we talk about the lows, the lies men tell themselves, and the light at the end of the darkest tunnel.

🧠 Topics we cover:

• Why success doesn’t equal happiness
• Mental health in the spotlight
• The power of purpose
• Turning pain into creativity
• And what it really takes to keep going when you’ve got nothing left

This one’s unfiltered, emotional, and inspiring. Whether you’re in the thick of it or climbing out, Steve’s story will remind you: you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to rewrite your own script.

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