Tony Adams on Addiction, Therapy and Giving back

In this heartfelt episode, Julia sits down with former footballer Tony Adams to explore his extraordinary journey through addiction, recovery, and personal growth. Tony reflects on his challenging childhood, marked by fear and loneliness, and how football became his escape. He shares candid insights into his struggles with addiction, recounting the pivotal moments that led to his ‘rock bottom’ and the transformative support he found through AA and his therapist, James West. Tony discusses the power of therapy, the importance of vulnerability, and the role of trust in his recovery, offering a deeply personal perspective on overcoming life’s hardest challenges.

Now sober since 1996, Tony has dedicated himself to helping others through Sporting Chance, the charity he founded to support athletes with addiction and mental health issues. He reflects on how recovery has reshaped his relationships, particularly with his children and grandchildren, and shares the life lessons he’s learned about accountability, letting go, and finding purpose. Tune in to hear Tony’s inspiring story of redemption and the life lessons he’s learned along the way.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:54 Challenges and Family Background
• 02:25 Childhood Fears and Escaping to Football
• 07:19 Struggles with Addiction and Recovery
• 16:04 Rock Bottom and Turning Point
• 20:44 The Role of Therapy and Support
• 26:03 Existential Therapy and Self-Discovery
• 26:41 The 12-Step Program Journey
• 29:04 Facing Fears and Addiction
• 31:58 Sporting Chance and Mental Health Advocacy
• 45:17 Grieving and Letting Go
• 48:33 Reflections on Life and Legacy

Find Tony:

• Twitter: @TonyAdams
• Instagram: @tonyadamsofficial

Visit Sporting Chance’s website to discover more about their work supporting athletes with addiction and mental health challenges.

If you’d like to connect, follow me on Instagram @juliasamuelmbe. And for more info, check out my new website: juliasamuel.co.uk.

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