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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This week on Definitely Not Therapy, we’re bringing you a powerful, emotional, and incredibly honest mental health conversation with Steve, a man I once worked with—but who’s walked one of the hardest journeys imaginable.

At one point, Steve was living in complete isolation—alone in a cramped bedsit, struggling with depression, no family or friends to lean on, and no hope for tomorrow. Like many men battling mental health issues, he didn’t have the language to describe his pain, let alone ask for help.

But this episode isn’t about hopelessness.
It’s about healing, recovery, and the strength it takes to fight back.

Today, Steve is engaged, thriving in a career he’s passionate about, and actively supporting others through ManSpace—a safe mental health support group for men who need a place to talk, share, and just be real.

This episode is for anyone who’s felt stuck, broken, or invisible. It’s raw, it’s unfiltered, and it’s exactly the kind of men’s mental health story we need to amplify.

🧠 In This Mental Health Podcast Episode, We Cover:
The loneliness epidemic affecting men today

How Steve survived his lowest point—and what kept him going

The importance of peer support spaces like ManSpace

What real-life recovery looks like (spoiler: it’s not linear)

How community, conversation, and connection change lives

⚠️ Trigger Warning
This episode includes open discussions about suicidal thoughts, depression, and emotional trauma. If you're struggling with your mental health, please know you're not alone. Help is always available.

📱 Listen & Subscribe
Stream this episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
🔔 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share if this episode resonates with you or someone you love.

🔗 Resources & Support
Learn more about ManSpace via Instagram & Facebook: @manspace

Mental Health Support in the UK:

📞 Samaritans – Call 116 123 (Free, 24/7 helpline)

🌐 Mind UK – www.mind.org.uk

💬 Got a Story to Share?
This podcast is built on real talk, real stories, and real people.
DM me or get in touch—we’d love to hear your journey.

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In this gripping and emotionally honest episode of Definitely Not Therapy, Dan Lawrence is joined by DJ Stuart — a man who nearly lost everything to addiction but made the courageous choice to change his life.

🔥 Addiction Nearly Took His Life... Stuart shares how his party-fueled lifestyle spiraled into a dangerous cycle of substance abuse. One terrifying moment — passing out after accidentally making and taking a drug close to crack cocaine while his children were just upstairs — became the wake-up call that changed everything.

💬 A Story of Transformation and Mental Strength This isn’t just a drug recovery story — it’s a raw look into men’s mental health, anxiety, depression, and the pressures of masking pain behind nightlife, music, and escapism. Stuart opens up about using alcohol and drugs to cope, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to reflect and rebuild.

💪 From Substance Abuse to Fitness Obsession Now 6 months sober, Stuart has traded in late-night DJ sets for early morning gym sessions. He’s channelled his addictive personality into health, fitness, and mental resilience. With the support of his wife and family, he’s proof that recovery is possible — and that real strength comes from choosing to face your struggles head-on.

❤️ Topics Covered:

Addiction and drug abuse recovery

Men’s mental health and emotional vulnerability

The impact of nightlife and DJ culture on wellbeing

How fitness can support sobriety

The power of family and support systems

Turning your life around at rock bottom


🎙️ Definitely Not Therapy brings you unfiltered conversations with real people navigating life’s toughest moments — from mental breakdowns to breakthroughs.


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Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

🔗 Support the show – Every download brings a new guest, a new story, and more honest conversations that actually matter.

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Welcome to the debut episode of Definitely Not Therapy — the unfiltered mental health and real-talk podcast hosted by Dan Lawrence, social media personality, comedian (in his own mind), and your new favorite oversharer.

In Episode One, Dan sits down with Al Casey — filmmaker, writer, and self-described "industry haemorrhoid" (though slightly less irritating since losing a few pounds). This episode pulls no punches as the two dive into their personal battles with mental health, from the first signs of struggle to the darkest moments — and how they’ve begun to rebuild, laugh again, and help others do the same.

For the first time ever, Al speaks openly about working behind the scenes with viral UK legends Woody & Kleiny, giving you exclusive insight into what it’s really like to help run one of the biggest prank video empires on the internet.

A passionate advocate for men’s mental health, Al also shares what inspired his podcast Lads, Dads & a Couple of Beers and his powerful new series Perfectly Damaged — a raw, real, and darkly funny look at healing through creativity and chaos.

🔥 In This Episode:

Real talk about men’s mental health and resilience

Behind-the-scenes secrets from viral content creators

How humour became their coping mechanism

The story behind Perfectly Damaged

Why being vulnerable might be your greatest strength

💥 Want more episodes with bold guests and bigger stories?
Tap the Support button — every download gets us closer to bringing on a special guest. You support the show, we bring the chaos. Deal?

🎙️ Definitely Not Therapy isn’t here to fix you. It’s here to let you know you’re not alone — and maybe make you laugh while we cry.

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and share with someone who needs real talk, not fluffy nonsense.

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