men’s mental health, bullying trauma, childhood bullying, army bullying, male depression, alcohol recovery, rock bottom recovery, suicide prevention, survival story, Raw Minds Podcast What happens when a man spends his whole life being mocked, bullied, broken down, and still finds a way to survive? In this episode of Raw Minds Podcast, Erick sits down with Steve Beaumont, author of The Story of a Short Ginger Kid: Bullied to Near Extinction, for a raw conversation about bullying, trauma, the British Army, alcohol, self destruction, recovery, and the power of finally speaking out. Steve grew up in Yorkshire as the short ginger kid who became an easy target. The bullying started young. The jokes, the names, the shame, the isolation. To survive, he became the joker. He laughed first so nobody could see what was really happening inside. Running gave him an escape. The army gave him identity. But the pain followed him. Steve talks about being bullied again while serving, losing his army career, falling into alcohol, hitting rock bottom, and slowly finding his way back through the outdoors, adventure, purpose, and eventually writing his book. This conversation is about more than bullying. It is about what happens when men stay silent too long. It is about the damage people carry when nobody checks on them. It is about alcohol, depression, trauma, shame, recovery, and the hard truth that asking for help can save a life. Steve’s story is painful, honest, and powerful. But it is also proof that your life is not over because of what happened to you. If you have ever been bullied, felt alone, used alcohol to numb pain, struggled with depression, or felt like nobody understood what you were carrying, this episode is for you. Steve’s book: The Story of a Short Ginger Kid: Bullied to Near Extinction Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/STORY-SHORT-GINGER-KID-Extinction/dp/B0GHZDSW89 CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:17 Steve’s book and story 03:11 Growing up bullied 04:22 Becoming the joker to survive 06:06 Running as an escape 10:05 Family struggles and early drinking 12:24 Joining the British Army 13:42 Bullying inside the army 15:29 Depression, alcohol, and pressure 19:30 Losing his army career 22:17 Rock bottom and self destruction 24:43 The advert that changed everything 25:55 Outdoor pursuits and rebuilding 28:20 Writing the book 31:29 Why Steve never asked for help 33:28 What he would tell his younger self 40:26 Speaking out to help others 41:21 Why Raw Minds exists 44:41 Raising his granddaughter 47:59 Steve’s message: don’t be alone 49:19 Where to find Steve’s book If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, reach out. Canada Crisis Line: Call or text 988 You are not alone. Raw Minds Podcast is built for real conversations around men’s mental health, trauma, grief, addiction, recovery, fatherhood, discipline, pain, and personal growth. Subscribe to Raw Minds Podcast for more real conversations that actually matter. Raw Minds Podcast links: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@rawminds-cs3ci?si=GyaUB-JNhmxF-tv1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3I7hBJgYDdS8UQpbMl9bdt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRWJaV5qh/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rawmindspodcast?_t=8rM6xvJfjKZ&_r=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawmindspodcast?igsh=MXI2cmh3cmUzcHNuMQ== Email: rawmindspodcast@gmail.com Website: www.rawminds.ca #MensMentalHealth #BullyingAwareness #TraumaRecovery #RawMindsPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveryStory #SurvivalStory #MenTalkToo #StopBullying #SuicidePrevention