This Is Powerful With Paul Sculfor

In this episode, Paul sits down with addiction expert Elliott Wald. Elliott is a trainer of NLP and is recognized as one of the world’s leading hypnosis experts. Speaking about the gradual and often unnoticed slide into cocaine addiction, Paul shares his personal experience of how his casual use turned into a debilitating habit, mirroring the stories of many who struggle with addiction. With over 29 years of professional experience and having helped over a hundred thousand people to overcome addictions such as alcohol, drugs, and addiction, Elliott emphasises that no matter how desperate the situation may seem, recovery is always possible.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

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Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor

Find Elliott on his website  www.hypnosis-expert.com

Find Elliott on Instagram & Tik Tok @hypnosis_expert

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

This week, we have the privilege of hearing Carol’s incredible journey, which began with unspeakable abuse and neglect she faced from a very young age. In an attempt to escape trauma and hardship, Carol turned to drugs and alcohol but eventually found sobriety at the age of 51.

In her conversation with Paul, Carol opens up about everything from drinking in parks and getting into fights to the deep regret she feels over missing large parts of her children’s younger years due to addiction. It’s a wonder Carol is here to tell the tale at all but she is here and by helping so many women in the sober space, she is thriving. In sharing her own experiences and even offering laughter, Carol radiates light and hope after beginning life in a fairly dark place. 

Warning: This episode contains discussions of heavy topics such as sexual abuse and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/
Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Today is World Mental Health Day, and we are incredibly fortunate to welcome Penny Mallory to the show. Penny is a Mental Toughness expert, former Rally Champion, motivational and TedX speaker, and currently training to row across the Atlantic Ocean. She’s no stranger to pushing boundaries—she even stepped into the boxing ring for the first time at the age of 42. While you may be captivated by her incredible journey, Penny will convince you that she’s not special—just an ordinary person who has done extraordinary things. You’ll walk away from this episode understanding how by developing your mental toughness, you will find the enthusiasm and confidence to accomplish whatever goal you set your mind to.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Find Penny on Instagram @Mallory.Penny

Penny’s website https://www.pennymallory.co.uk

Penny on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennymallory/

A little something for our younger listeners this week! Today’s guest Henry Lunn found sobriety when he was just 25 years old. This may seem early, but just wait until you hear all he accomplished by the time he was twenty. After experiencing challenges in school and with his home life, Henry started his professional career as a teenager and started earning a lot of money very quickly and at a very young age. With some heartracing anecdotes to illustrate his downward spiral, Henry describes his remarkable transformation, going from drug and alcohol addiction to successfully navigating his career and personal life. His recovery culminates in pushing himself physically by running ultra-marathons and finding peace in giving back to the community​ today.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website:
https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Find Henry on Instagram @myjourneyto100miles

We would like to advise you that there are suicide references right from the start of this episode that some might find troubling. Please take care when listening.  

This week, Paul welcomes his close personal friend Michael Cannan. Michael is the author of Hunting Concrete Lines, which was the finalist for the Best Book Award for The Independent. Formerly a celebrity fitness trainer in Hollywood, Michael is the founder of a behavioural health company in California. There are a lot of shared laughs between great friends but also intense moments of confession and vulnerability. Although now a shining example of health and vitality (check out the episode on YouTube!) Michael recalls vividly how he was once on the verge of cardiac arrest, he shares how he created a completely fabricated life, getting himself stuck into a mountain of lies and describes the profound moment of clarity that marked the beginning of his true recovery journey.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website:
https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Find Michael on Instagram @michaelcannan

Find Hunting Concrete Lions on Instagram @huntingconcretelions

Buy Hunting Concrete Lions on Amazon:
https://amzn.eu/d/gunpCVG

This week special guest Professor David John Nutt helps us to examine the impact alcohol has on our brains, behaviour and longer term health. We have an eye-opening conversation about how monitored doses of LSD may cure alcoholism, how many subsidised private bars are actually part of the UK Houses of Parliament and the alternative ‘functional beverages’ which might just replace alcohol altogether.

Professor Nutt is an English neuropsychopharmacologist who’s controversial removal from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs was a direct result of a study he published, which showed how alcohol is more harmful than heroin. Specialising in the research of drugs and alcohol and their relation to addiction, anxiety, and sleep, Professor Nutt is also the chairman of Drug Science, a non-profit which he founded in 2010 to provide independent, evidence-based information on drugs. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website:
https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Find more about Drug Science on the website
https://www.drugscience.org.uk/ 

And on the Drug Science Podcast
https://www.drugscience.org.uk/podcast 

Links to David’s books
Drink - https://www.waterstones.com/book/drink/professor-david-nutt/9781529393231 
Cannabis - https://www.waterstones.com/book/cannabis-seeing-through-the-smoke/professor-david-nutt/9781529360493
Psychedelics - https://www.waterstones.com/book/psychedelics/professor-david-nutt/9781529360530

This week, we welcome Johnny Graaff, co-founder of Lions Campus, which is a teen rehabilitation centre in London. Johnny approaches recovery in a unique way, creating a community around each individual, using psychiatrists, doctors, mentors, and coaches. He’s had some incredible success helping young people overcome addiction,  eating disorders and bullying. A firm believer in surrounding patients with inspirational role models, Johnny has six years of sobriety behind him and endless gratitude for the twelve-step programme that continues to aid in his success.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Find Johnny on Instagram @lionscampus

Learn more about Lions Campus: https://www.lions-campus.co.uk

This week, Paul engages in a deeply personal conversation with therapist Andrea Taylor. A former manager and director of the Priory Group Hospitals, Andrea has over 25 years of experience and is currently running a successful private practice specialising in trauma, addiction, and couples therapy. Andrea's own journey has taken her far and wide, but wherever she travelled, drug and alcohol dependency followed. From a tumultuous childhood in Hong Kong to desperately trying to control her addiction whilst living in Sydney with her brother, Andrea eventually faced homelessness and multiple stints in rehabilitation centres in California before finally committing to her sobriety in the UK. Andrea now leads a happy, healthy life after years of study and subsequent success, helping others face their own significant life challenges. Andrea’s resilience and strength is inspiring.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Email Andrea on [email protected]

Andrea’s profile on BAcp https://www.bacp.co.uk/profile/6818f652-5090-e711-80e8-3863bb351d40

Andrea is Clinical Outreach for Camino Recovery: https://www.caminorecovery.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB

Join Paul as he discusses the tough road to recovery with his friend Yasmin. From a childhood in Northeast London to a reckless young adult life in and around Southern California, Yasmin has a long history of trauma, addiction and dangerous behaviour. She has not only overcome bulimia and alcoholism but has also addressed her reliance on prescription medications. Yasmin eloquently reveals the terror she felt when facing giving up drinking alcohol, which she thought was the only way to bring colour to her otherwise black and white existence. Amongst other heartfelt confessions, Yasmin shares details of her shame following blackouts, and how she has learned to stop identifying as a victim and become the strong and sober woman she is today. This is a conversation not to be missed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

This episode is a real eye-opener, packed full of valuable insight into a bit of the psychology around addiction.  Joining Paul today is addiction and trauma therapist Anita Chellamah. With a contagious laugh and a general ease around her, it is clear why Anita is the trusted therapist she is, having helped thousands to understand themselves and their behaviours better. After a successful stage, TV and film career and with a slew of hit singles under her belt, there’s not much out there that Anita hasn’t seen. Join Paul as they speak openly about harsh comedowns, childhood traumas and how Anita has achieved 36 years of sobriety herself.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are plenty of resources on the Stride Foundation website: https://stridefoundation.com/

Find This Is Powerful on Instagram @this_ispowerful

Find Paul on Instagram @paulsculfor 

Reach out to Anita on email [email protected]

Watch all our episodes on YouTube @thisispowerfulwithpaulsculfor