I was born into an upper-middle-class household, but struggled with anxiety from an early age. Medicated as a child, I found social situations overwhelming - often avoiding people entirely. At 10 years old, I was abducted and assaulted by a stranger. I kept it secret for 22 years, believing it was my fault.
That moment marked the beginning of a long journey of hiding pain behind a mask.
At 11, I drank heavily for the first time at a family wedding. The next day, I was given another drink to "settle my stomach" and with that first sip, I discovered alcohol gave me confidence I'd never known.
After my father died of a brain tumour when I was 15, I left school early to support my mother, giving up a university offer I didn’t know I could still pursue. At 19, I was diagnosed as an alcoholic after a panic attack and losing my licence for drink driving. Despite this, I built a successful career in estate agency, fuelled by a work-hard, drink-harder culture. My personal life, however, was unravelling.
I entered the world of London radio sales in my twenties, where success masked my growing chaos. Eventually, I walked out of my life, unable to cope. I ended up in a psychiatric hospital and then homeless, sleeping in doorways, drinking up to 30 cans of strong lager a day, and barely speaking.
After several suicide attempts and violent attacks, I finally accepted help. A drop-in centre worker who had sat with me in silence for months asked me to say the words I’d always avoided: “Please help me.” That was the moment everything changed.
Four days later, I entered rehab. I’ve been sober ever since.
Recovery didn’t just give me back my life - it gave me a new one. I rebuilt from the ground up: reconnecting with my children, starting work in a Jobcentre, and practising five-year personal planning - something I’ve stuck with every day for over 20 years.
From there, I carved out a new career in government, eventually becoming Head of Transport for a Mayoral Combined Authority, earning a six-figure salary — despite having no formal qualifications. Along the way, I overcame major surgeries, multiple health scares, and emotional setbacks. Through it all, I remained sober.
In 2022, I left corporate life to launch my own consultancy and train as a coach, therapist and NLP practitioner. I also became a Freeman of the City of London — just metres from where I once slept rough.
For years, I doubted whether I was good enough to create something like Success Sober. But I now know my story - my experience, strength and hope - can help others transform their relationship with alcohol and create lives beyond anything they imagined.
I have a life filled with love, meaning, success and peace. And I want that for you too.
