This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

This week, we’re joined by Victoria Vanstone, self-confessed ‘drunk mother gone sober’. Victoria is the host of award-winning podcast Sober Awkward and author of the heartfelt and hilarious memoir,  A Thousand Wasted Sundays. Known for her raw honesty and relatable humor, she offers a fresh take on sobriety which appeals to drinkers of all classifications! We caught up with Victoria in Thailand, where she’s traveling with her children, to cover loads of big topics, from accepting that routine binge-drinking is actually a problem, to mourning the loss of her party-girl identity and embracing the joy of sober parenting. As we are well within the festive period, Victoria shares practical tips on avoiding alcohol when it is most tempting and the surprising gifts that sobriety can provide. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Victoria on Instagram @soberawkward Sober Awkward podcast website  www.soberawkward.com Amazon audible link to Victoria’s comedy memoir,  A Thousand Wasted Sundays https://a.co/d/gMz8m7N Victoria’s free online community:  www.cuppa.community 

Our guest this week is Mark White, who at over 22 years sober, has established himself as a community builder and true visionary. Mark has successfully launched workshops that are designed for ‘the next regeneration of mindful movers’ around the world and was recently voted as one of the UK’s top social entrepreneurs because of his work in the wellness space.   One of the most driven people out there, Mark comes clean about personal shame, suffocating the darkness and that can of worms that no one should open. Mark is a proud father of two daughters, a keen runner, and is passionate about combining physical activity with gratitude. By combining techniques he has learned in recovery and setting personalised physical fitness goals, the results for many have been life-changing.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Listen to all of our episodes on your favourite podcast platform: https://podfollow.com/1756874279 Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor  Find Mark on Instagram @markwhite_0602 Find Grateful Mile on Instagram @gratefulmileofficial Find Daily Five on Instagram @dailyfiveofficial

In this episode, we follow George’s journey through the depths of addiction and his incredible transformation. For years, George was trapped in a destructive cycle of alcohol and drug abuse, leading to repeated hospitalisations for physical emergencies and psychiatric ward admissions for mental health emergencies. His addiction was fuelled by a desperate need to escape overwhelming emotions like worry, panic, fear, anger, and paralysing frustration.  Finally George entered rehab and committed to a 12-step program and it seemed his life was on the upswing. All of his hard work was put to the test when his criminal past caught up with him, landing him in prison. Instead of giving in to despair, George requested to be placed in a rehabilitation wing, where he found purpose in helping others with their addictions and recovery. Today, George is a recovered addict and alcoholic, three and a half years sober. His journey is a powerful reminder that by being of service to others, George has found immense purpose and strength. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

This is one of those remarkable interviews that will surprise you, pull on your heart strings and reveal the depth of the human spirit. Growing up in a conservative, deeply religious London family, our guest Vinny reveals how he strayed into a life of crime, addiction, and self-destruction. His rock bottom moment came after months of heavy substance abuse, a heart attack, and a near-tragic incident involving his wife and children. From functioning as a plumber constantly under the influence, to spiraling emotionally, Vinny’s mantra, “I’ve got this,” was a lie that masked his slow self-destruction.  Today, Vinny inspires hope in recovery circles, offering tough love combined with vulnerability and honesty. Grateful for every breath, Vinny’s story is one of resilience and absolute transformation.  If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/ Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor  Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor