We Recover Loudly – Personal Recovery and Mental Health Stories
We Recover Loudly is a podcast for anyone reclaiming their identity after life’s toughest challenges. Whether that’s addiction, mental health struggles, chronic illness, burnout, or something else entirely. Hosted by Shell, each episode brings raw vulnerability, humour, and real-life stories that show recovery comes in many forms, and that you are never the only one to go through something challenging. From guests who have triumphed over addiction to those reclaiming themselves from burnout, anxiety, and more, we share candid conversations, personal insights, and practical tips to remind you that no matter what you’re recovering from, you’re not alone.
Because when we recover loudly ... we stop others dying quietly. So, let's turn it up and get loud!
We Recover Loudly – Personal Recovery and Mental Health Stories
S1 Episode 013 - Adam Simmonds - From Michelin Stars to Burnt Chef
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This week's episode I chat with Chef Adam Simmonds. Adam has worked in some incredible kitchens such as Le Gavroche, The Ritz, The Conservatory at The Lanesborough, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons … to mention just a few! Adam’s first Michelin star came in 2006 in Wales at Ynyshir Hall and then again in 2010 for three consecutive years at Danesfield House, near Marlow under his restaurant Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House. However, while his career was reaching great heights, he was struggling with addiction and poor mental health. Now sober, Adam became a Chief Ambassador for The Burnt Chef Project with a vision to use his own experiences to help others and promote a healthier and more conscious environment in the hospitality industry.
We discussed:
- How his early experiences in school home economics planted the seed and that it is such a shame we no longer have these classes in schools.
- The pressure he put on himself to succeed and once gaining the accolades, the pressure to keep them.
- The openness with which he was able to use cocaine within some of the kitchens he worked in and how he was not challenged about his behaviour.
- His experiences finding a 12-step program and how that was what turned his life around.
- The power of paying it forward - His work with the Burnt Chef, and his personal project Home Kitchen which is building a space for people to come through homelessness and be trained to work in the hospitality industry.
Check out more at www.adamsimmonds.com and follow @chefasimmonds on socials.
If you are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction and want to explore a 12 step program like Adam, head to www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk or www.aa.org
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@werecoverloudly www.werecoverloudly.com
Want us to come into your business and talk to your teams about addiction in the workplace?? Send us an email at hello@werecoverloudly.com and we will be in touch!
This episode is sponsored byThe Burnt Chef Project.
@theburntchefproject www.theburntchefproject.com
For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com
@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com