From Struggle 2 Strength Podcast

Send us a textMike & Dave ft Terry the Turtle, are having a catch up as we have not done a recording for a few weeks with lots going on in life an things! Big thanks as always to our sponsors, subscribers and supporters! We really appreciate you all and send our love as always. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textThis week your host's Dave and Mike talk about the current situations we seem to be seeing around the UK. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textIn this episode, we are joined again by David 'Haggis' McCormack, a resilient individual whose life journey from the depths of despair to empowerment is truly inspiring. Born and raised in Glasgow, David faced numerous challenges growing up in care and struggling with addiction.This is a really heavy episode, some of the content may be upsetting. Dave is a brave soul who has opened up and bared his all in this weeks episode.Reach out, speak out!Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textMike and Dave get together for a check in and a good old catch up! Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textThis week we have Andy Bishop aka Bish, what an inspiration he is and we hope you get as much as we have from this epic episode. Below is a bit of info on ManGang Uk which Andy started and continues to build. How it startedManGang was founded by a man who struggled with poor mental health all of his adult life. Feeling the experience was something no one wanted to talk about, it was bottled up for a long time through fear of judgement.After losing a friend to suicide in 2017, he set out to break the stigma that led his friend to feeling so isolated and alone. Our aim is to tell men all across the country that they needn’t be alone.There is support out there for people who feel they have no one, and we are here to supply it.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textAdam Backhouse a 26 year British Army veteran, suffered both physical and mental injury whilst serving. Using sport as a path to recovery, he went on to represent Team UK at the 2023 Invictus Games.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textNikki's StoryMy reasons for starting Scotty’s Little Soldiers are very personal. On the 2nd June 2009 my husband, Lee, left our home to do his tour in Afghanistan. Lee was a Corporal in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and loved his job. He loved being part of a team and he really believed he was making a difference by being in the Army. On the 10th July 2009 my world was totally turned upside down when I had the knock at the door that every Army wife dreads, and I was told that Lee had been killed. My world fell apart. I was lost and even though I had amazing friends and family around me, I just felt completely alone. I didn’t know how I was going to carry on without Lee in my life.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textThis week we are joined by Joe, who bravely shares his story of how he came from the brink of death to living his best life today. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textIn this weeks episode Dave, Mike & Terry are discussing the power of talking. This topic is a regular subject that comes up with all our guests and Dave and Mike are always talking about the importance of reac ing out and talking to those we feel most familiar with. Also Waffling Walkers is happening on 18th May 2024 @ 1000hrs in Sefton Park starting at the cafe in the centre of the park, come down and have a little walk and a hot drink at the end. This will be for anyone to attend, there is no particular situation this group is aimed at, it is just a chance for people to meet and build a nice community. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textThis weeks episode we have Joey Graham, Joey shares his story of his journey with depression and discusses the importance of reaching out before it is too late. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textMeet Liam (VAZ) Vale Just a normal lad breaking down negative barriers in his life showing that with some positive influences and having a network to reach out to helped him turn his struggles into strengthSupport the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a text@Wesbpoetry - Spoken Word, creative and a beautiful human being.This week Wes shares his journey with no stones left unturned, his message of hope and strength is truly remarkable, brave and humbling. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textIn 2009, in Afghanistan, David's world changed: a suicide bomber devastated his vehicle, taking a friend and causing David grievous injuries.Post-2013 military discharge, his mental battles escalated. An Everton Football Club leaflet became a beacon of hope, transitioning him from participant to leader in a project aiding veterans. Showcasing his resilience, David was Vice Captain for Team GB at the Invictus Games. Today, he's not merely a survivor but an emblem of perseverance, exemplifying the enduring human spirit and guiding others through adversity towards hope.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textIn April 2014, David was a wealth management professional who was due to start working for a new company, after being headhunted for his skills and experience.On Easter Sunday he was hit by a speeding vehicle. This would change David, and his young families lives, forever.The incident resulted in horrendous injuries, including a catastrophic brain injury and multiple fractures. David was also blinded in one eye.David joins us to talk about his recovery and how he has used his experience to help others who are learning to live with a brain injury. David is passionate about helping others and has established a peer-support group to help others get as much normality back into their lives as possible.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textJohn "Fenners" Fendley: A Journey Beyond Soccer AMThis episode sheds light on John "Fenners" Fendley's illustrious career and personal journey, exploring his battle with mental health, the essence of fatherhood, and overcoming life's challenges.In this compelling episode, we peel back the layers of John "Fenners" Fendley, a name synonymous with Sky Sports' Soccer AM, yet there's so much more to his story than the bright lights of television. Beyond his two-decade-long association with one of the most beloved football shows in the UK, Fenners' life story unfolds with profound experiences encompassing grief, depression, anger, imposter syndrome, and fatherhood, against the backdrop of a societal struggle with the grave issue of suicide. Join us as we journey through the highs and lows of his life, gaining unparalleled insights into the man behind the charisma.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textHi my name is Paul Garrigan, I am a Human Performance and Development Practitioner, my expertise is directly centred towards supporting men to reach their true potential. My field of expertise covers Breath science, Somatic trauma release practices, Individual, ancestral and collective trauma, human performance and leadership. Being able to support men to go to the depths of where they need to go in order to create sustaining transformation in their life is my gift. Helping men to see and unlock the potential and power they have within, and begin to embody their unique gifts and talents, is magical for me to be a part of and witness. It is my wish and my blessings that all men collectively engineer and create a life of inspiration and love excellence.Here is Paul's website! https://www.pactmantality.com/Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textRobbie uses his experiences to connect with and support veterans facing similar challenges. His work at Tom Harrison House embodies compassion and understanding, drawing from his journey to inspire and aid those on their path to recovery. Robbie also discusses how music and Dj'ing is a huge part of his life, and how that has been a massive part of his journey.Robbie's story, shared on the 10th episode of 'From Struggle 2 Strength', is not just a testament to personal triumph but a powerful message of hope, illustrating how the depths of struggle can forge unbreakable strength and purpose. Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textAlfie sadly lost his own father to suicide in 2017. This was the beginning of Alfie’s story. He and his mum, Allison, discovered there was a lack of support available across the country for children. Support tailored specifically for children currently remains absent nationwide.The core mission of Alfie’s Squad is to raise funds to establish a much-needed support group for children bereaved by suicide. Alfie’s Squad embarks on a journey to provide these young individuals with a safe space to heal, connect, and find solace in the company of peers who share similar experiences.Through fundraising efforts and community engagement, Alfie’s Squad strives to create a meaningful impact in the lives of children affected by suicide. Alfie has so far raised more than £30,000 to help support other children deal with family bereavement through suicide.We invite all children bereaved by suicide to join our squad.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textDive into Stephen Wynne's rollercoaster journey in our latest "From Struggle 2 Strength" episode. A former Everton hopeful, Wynne faced the harsh reality of being cut from his boyhood team. This blow sent him spiralling into a world of financial woes and personal struggles. But Wynne's story is more than a tale of loss. It's a narrative of fierce resilience and remarkable turnaround. Shifting gears, he stepped into academia and later joined Everton's charity arm, impacting lives far beyond the football field. In this episode, Wynne opens up about his challenging transition, his community work, and the lighter side of football life.Tune in for an inspiring tale of grit, redemption, and life after football with Stephen Wynne.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new

Send us a textIn this episode, we are honoured to host David 'Haggis' McCormack, a resilient individual whose life journey from the depths of despair to empowerment is truly inspiring. Born and raised in Glasgow, David faced numerous challenges growing up in care and struggling with addiction. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Liverpool to embark on a college course and build a new life. However, fate took an unexpected turn when the global pandemic struck, plunging the world into lockdown. David found himself battling both physical and mental health issues, reaching his heaviest weight of 22 stone 10lbs. Despite attempts with Slimming World, he continued to grapple with his well-being. Living in supported housing during the initial lockdown, David's struggles intensified. The turning point came when, in the midst of a mental health crisis, he attempted to end his life. It was the people of Liverpool who intervened and prevented the tragedy from unfolding. Through the support of former featherweight boxing world champion Derry Mathews' gym in Liverpool, he found a lifeline. Two daily workouts, dietary changes, and a determined spirit led to a remarkable transformation, shedding over six stone and bringing his weight down to 16 stone 7lbs.Support the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2256674/supporters/new