Life’s 2nd Act: A journey into finding direction and purpose

Michael’s journey: from loosing his way & breaking point at 55, to finding joy and his 'why'

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In this episode, I speak to Michael Fry.
 
He shares his deeply moving journey of resilience and recovery from addiction, mental health struggles and personal loss. He reflects on his childhood, the impact of his brother's death, the challenges of marriage and fatherhood and ultimately a breaking point at 55.
 
His life then changed, with the help of Stonepillow he found his path to recovery and finding joy in life again. 
 
Michael emphasises the importance of community, compassion and self-forgiveness in his transformative journey.
 
Takeaways
  • Michael reached a breaking point at 55, feeling hopeless.
  • His childhood was marked by early addiction and a love for performance.
  • Addiction escalated in his teenage years, affecting relationships.
  • The loss of his brother had a profound impact on his life choices.
  • He struggled with intimacy and relationships throughout adulthood.
  • Misdiagnosed mental health issues contributed to his struggles.
  • Michael's marriage faced challenges due to his addiction.
  • Compassion from his ex-wife played a crucial role in his recovery.
  • Hitting rock bottom led to a turning point in his life.
  • Michael now finds daily joy and purpose in his work and community.
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    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction
    02:04 - The Breaking Point: A Dark Moment
    05:50 - Childhood and Early Influences
    10:08 - The Struggles of Addiction
    14:11 - Loss and Its Impact
    17:53 - Marriage and Fatherhood Challenges
    22:00 - The Role of Compassion in Recovery
    26:01 - Hitting Rock Bottom
    30:06 - The Path to Recovery
    33:49 - Finding Joy and Purpose
    38:11 - Reflections on Midlife and Growth
     
    To learn about the support from Stonepillow:
    https://stonepillow.org.uk/
     
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifes2ndact
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556551936745
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    Life’s 2nd Act: A journey into finding direction and purposeBy Simon Burgess