My Story

My Story

I didn’t grow up with opportunity — I grew up with chaos.

My childhood was full of love, but also alcohol, violence, and heartbreak. My dad was a well-known character — funny, charming, and dangerous. My mum, a beautiful soul, battled grief and her own demons after losing both her parents to cancer.

Between the fights, the police visits, and the long nights, I learned early what it meant to survive.

When I was twelve, my dad was murdered.
That moment changed everything. It forced me to grow up fast — to understand that life can turn in an instant, and that we all face crossroads that define who we become.

My teenage years were tough. I was angry, lost, and often on the wrong path. I drank too much, fought too often, and got into trouble. But every time I hit a wall, life gave me another choice — another crossroad.
And slowly, I began to choose better.

The turning point came when I met the woman who would become my wife. Then, in 2002, my son was born — and that changed everything again. Suddenly, I wasn’t just living for myself. I had a reason to build, not destroy.

When my mum passed away in 2008, I found her diary — a painful, honest record of her struggles and her love for us. Reading it reminded me that pain can break you, or it can build you.
I chose the latter.

It’s taken me over twenty years to find the courage to open up and talk about my story. For years, I buried it — too proud, too angry, or too afraid to be vulnerable. But I’ve learned that real strength isn’t about hiding your scars — it’s about showing them.
Because that’s what helps others heal too.

Since then, I’ve spent years managing people, leading teams, and working in film, radio, and public speaking — all driven by one belief:
Your past doesn’t define you. Your choices do.

Today, I share my story to inspire others to face their own crossroads with courage, humour, and honesty.
Because if I can turn pain into purpose — anyone can.