You’ve heard me mention my journey to sobriety a few times. This week is Mental Health Awareness week, and addiction and unresolved trauma is very real in today's society. Not many know how and why I started this sobriety journey, what it’s been like, and what I’ve learned. I filmed this video approximately one year ago, and held on to it until now. This is my story and I want to share it with the hope of helping others 🙏🏾.

I am currently approaching two years of continuous sobriety, free from all mind altering substances. My life prior to sobriety was unstable and unmanageable. I regularly battled with fear, resentment, self-pity, ego, insecurities and a proper lack of self-love.

I have done copious amounts of internal work to get to this point and I am proud of myself for how far I’ve come. I took the hard route, digging deep and wading through all the dark matter buried inside me, all the things I avoided processing for so long. I am not recovered or cured - my journey is one which requires daily practice. What I have today is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of my spiritual condition.

Today I choose to lead by example for the sake of men's mental health. As men, we have a tendency to bottle things up, show no chinks in our armour, and put on face to avoid demonstrating any weakness. Toxic definitions of masculinity don’t only fuel the patriarchy, but can also cause so much internal turmoil for men. If you are struggling with addiction, mental health, or need someone to talk to, please reach out.

Let’s rally as a community and create spaces where we listen, and accept with no judgement, just love and compassion.

Thank you for listening to my story, you can find the full version on YouTube (link in bio).

“If nothing changes, nothing changes”

MAD LOVE ❤️