From Rock Bottom Podcast

Domestic abuse against men remains one of society’s least discussed issues. In this powerful episode, author Jared Whitaker shares his journey from being severely bullied as a child in South Africa to becoming a successful CEO in the UK—and how he later found himself trapped in an abusive relationship that led to emotional, physical and financial abuse. Jared opens up about the lasting impact of c...

Mason Cross joins the podcast to share his brutally honest story of addiction, recovery, chemsex, identity, and rebuilding his life. Growing up bisexual and living what he describes as a “normal life,” Mason first got into cocaine at 23 years old. What started as recreational use quickly turned into a 4–5 year cycle of addiction while still functioning day-to-day, going to work, and maintaining re...

Ryan Hampson shares his heartbreaking real-life story of betrayal, fake DNA results, paternity fraud and losing the child he believed was his daughter. After being told another man was the father, Ryan moved on with his life — until months later his ex-partner returned claiming a DNA test proved he was actually the father. Wanting to be a dad, Ryan stepped up completely. He rebuilt the relationshi...

n this powerful episode, we sit down with former elite CrossFit athlete Reece Mitchell to explore the reality behind competing at the highest level of fitness. Reece shares his journey from becoming the 3rd best CrossFit athlete in the world in his teenage years to reaching the top 0.01% globally as an adult — and the pressure that came with it. We break down: * What CrossFit really is and why it...

In this episode, we sit down with influencer boxer Zach Ziggy Johnson to dive deep into his journey from growing up in upstate New York to stepping into the ring on Misfits Boxing. Zach opens up about his early life, including dealing with a speech impediment and being bullied throughout school. He shares how those challenges shaped his mindset and pushed him toward sports, eventually leading him...

What does it really take to become an elite soldier—and what does it cost? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ryan Yates, a 10-year veteran of the British Army, to uncover a story of resilience, trauma, and redemption. Growing up on a council estate, Ryan always dreamed of becoming a soldier—but his journey was anything but straightforward. From struggling to fit in at a high-end secondary...

Ben Hassan’s life is something you won’t believe. Known today for his viral TikTok catchphrase “click click bang bang”, his past tells a very different story. Abandoned by his mother at just 18 months old and raised by his grandmother, Ben grew up surrounded by violence, rejection, and instability. With no relationship with his father and suffering abuse from his mother’s partners, his early life...

In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, Koa shares his untold story of childhood grooming, sexual abuse, addiction, crime, and ultimately redemption. As a young child, Koa was groomed and abused by two teenage boys—an experience that shaped how he understood relationships growing up. Believing this behaviour was “normal,” he carried that confusion into his teenage years while battling inner...

What happens when your life is defined by one moment at just 17 years old? In this powerful and unfiltered podcast episode, Declan Moore shares his story of being handed a life sentence with a 13-year minimum tariff under joint enterprise laws. From a promising athletics future to navigating one of the harshest realities imaginable, this is a conversation that challenges perception, accountability...

In this powerful and emotional podcast episode, we sit down with Paul Fogarty to hear one of the most unbelievable life stories you’ll ever hear. Paul was born into incredibly difficult circumstances. Due to his mother drinking heavily during pregnancy, Paul was born with one arm and no legs. At just 2 years old, his life took an even darker turn when he was abandoned in a bush by his own mother....

In this powerful podcast episode, Ben Sheriff shares his incredible journey from deep anxiety and the desperate need to fit in, to becoming a successful professional battling a hidden life as a functioning alcoholic. Behind the success, Ben was struggling with alcohol addiction that created an alter ego version of himself – confident, reckless, and often destructive. Through years of addiction, fa...

No Fear, No Limits, No Control sees Matthew Lemm open up about a life lived on the edge and the hard lessons that finally forced change. Growing up in the 1980s, physical discipline was normal and accepted in Matthew’s home. What he learned early was simple: never back down, always fight, act first and deal with the consequences later. That mindset followed him everywhere. School fights, expulsion...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with nearly 100x award-winning bodybuilder Daniel Jay Smith Jr to break down the REAL story behind success in professional bodybuilding. Daniel has competed across the globe, earning close to 100 awards in bodybuilding — but his journey didn’t start on stage. We dive into: • Growing up in school and how easy it is to fall into the wrong crowd • The moment you r...

In this hard hitting episode of the podcast we sit down with Byron Highton, one of the UKs leading anti knife crime campaigners and an OBE nominee for his work protecting young people and communities. Byron shares the tragic story of his brother, who after moving away from antisocial behaviour and trying to build a better life, was targeted in a gang attack and brutally murdered after previously b...

In this powerful episode of From Rock Bottom, we sit down with professional boxer Hosea Stewart to talk about his incredible journey from school expulsions, street fights, and gang life to becoming an amateur champion and professional fighter. After moving around a lot as a child, Hosea’s family settled in a predominantly white area. Although he was warned about racism, he never expected how much...

In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of our men’s mental health podcast, we sit down with John McCullum, who bravely shares his lifelong journey of surviving childhood sexual abuse, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts. From a very young age, John was sexually abused by his own father, with the abuse continuing throughout his childhood and teenage years. John stayed silent for years, d...

In this powerful episode, Andy sits down with Jacob Guy — a mentor who helps fathers prepare for fatherhood and navigate the emotional, physical and mental challenges that come with it. Whether you’re an expecting dad, a new father, or facing the realities of co-parenting, this conversation delivers raw honesty, valuable insights, and practical support. Jacob opens up about: 👶 The excitement and...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Matthew Norford, a former Manchester gang leader who transformed his life after growing up in extreme trauma, experiencing ruthless gang warfare, and losing his brother in the most shocking circumstances. Matt grew up in a single-parent household where he faced harsh discipline, emotional neglect, and constant comparison to his older brother Gary. Despite...

In this powerful episode of From Rock Bottom, we sit down with Adi Harper, who shares his raw and inspiring journey from a childhood of neglect, rebellion, and guilt, through the pressures of military life, to facing a moment where he nearly ended his life. Adi opens up about: • Growing up with material wealth but no love or affection • The guilt he carried after his father’s heart attack • Strugg...

In this deeply emotional episode, Dean Simpson-Humphreys shares his extraordinary true story of love, tragedy, and resilience. After a breakup, Dean took a solo trip to Ibiza where he met Gary — a chance encounter that blossomed into a beautiful romance. What started as a holiday fling soon turned into fate when they discovered they’d be living just streets apart back home. They fell in love, move...

In this powerful episode, former professional boxer Luke Paddock opens up about the highs and lows of his life — from growing up in a tough area and chasing glory in the boxing ring, to the night that changed everything. After a mass brawl broke out during his final pro fight, one of Luke’s fans tragically lost their life. Haunted by guilt, Luke spiraled into drugs, alcohol, and depression, losing...

In this powerful episode, Andy sits down with Mickey Bushell MBE, a Paralympic gold medalist and record-breaking athlete who defied every expectation life threw at him. Born with a rare condition, Mickey’s parents were told he’d never move or live independently. But Mickey had other plans. From walking on his hands as a child to breaking world records in wheelchair racing, his story is one of pure...

He was a champion, a leader, and one of British boxing’s brightest hopes. Andy Flute captained Team England, sparred with Eubank Sr., Nigel Benn, and Joe Calzaghe, and lived the high life. But behind the glory was darkness. At 17, alcohol crept in. By 30, crack cocaine had taken everything — his career, his family, his freedom. Stabbed in a street fight. Locked up for violence. Spending £150,000 i...

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Chris Booth, a man who spent 14 years in prison across multiple sentences — from a teenage armed robbery to surviving near-death encounters on the streets. Growing up in the biker community of Portsmouth, crime was a way of life. By 15, Chris was robbing post offices. By adulthood, he was dealing drugs, battling addiction, and living every day in survival...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Mike, a man whose world was turned upside down by paternity fraud and false accusations. Mike met the woman he thought was the love of his life. Despite a few red flags, he chose to see the good in her. They married, and soon after, their relationship began to crumble — filled with gaslighting, manipulation, and suspicion of infidelity. Just when Mike plann...