suicide

The gym makes me feel so strong, physically and emotionally - to know that no matter how many chronic illnesses the universe throws my way, I still have control over my body.

Despite the sore legs and tired muscles, my passion for running grew and it became my rush. The release that I had once found in alcohol and drugs, was now clean, pure and in my control. 

After a long-term struggle with mental illness and substance abuse issues, my brother sadly took his own life. Four years later and I have just completed a swim across the English Channel in his memory

I had spent 10 years avoiding attention due to mental illness and my embarrassment, now I was telling my Invictus story to the BBC

For me talking about things and having my cycling well-being tool have improved all areas of my life, I am emotionally and physically stronger to cope with the situations that made me crumble

Psychosis for me feels like someone has taken control of my actions and all I can do is sit and watch. Running helps to ground me and prevent any form of psychosis.

Grieving, homeless and with a cocktail of mental health diagnoses I became aggressive, retreated from society and lost a number of friends. In recovery I turned to sport.