James Deacon is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose music has made waves across South African radio — with chart-topping hits like “Not Givin’ Up” and performances alongside international icons like A-ha. But behind the success is a story of struggle, identity, and transformation.

In this episode, James opens up about who he was before the music — a teenager grappling with insecurity, feeling like an outsider, and turning to alcohol and drugs to cope. He shares what it was like to chase a “badass” image while quietly losing himself, and the powerful moment when he realized he didn’t need substances to feel worthy.

Now 7 years sober, James talks about what helped him take back control of his life, how he found purpose beyond addiction, and why we don’t benefit from numbing ourselves or trying to escape reality. We also explore the role that love, music, and self-awareness played in turning his life around.

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, addiction, or feeling like you don’t belong — this is a must-listen conversation about growth, courage, and what it really means to start over.