JCIP #377 - Danny Grady
The Just Checking In Podcast
In episode 377 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Danny Grady.
Danny is part of Mandem Meetup Wolves (MMUW), the Wolverhampton branch of Mandem Meetup, a grassroots charity promoting, correcting and improving the conversation around men’s mental health and wellbeing.
Danny became part of MMUW in February 2024 when he went to his first Mandem Talking Circle. Now he is a facilitator of them.
He also runs the MMUW football team alongside friend of the pod Jamie Hall.
In this episode we first discuss Danny’s mental health journey, where he started smoking weed and drinking from as young as 12 years old.
After turning 18, he started taking stronger, party drugs but it was alcohol which he sadly became addicted to and took hold of his life.
He was drinking every day, on weekends and had to drink as soon as he woke up to ‘level him out’, a hallmark of addiction.
He became a father at just 19 years old but wasn’t present for them whilst in the throes of his addiction.
He reached rock bottom several times, the most difficult period being in 2009 when he temporarily separated from his wife and became suicidal.
He split up with his wife several times after that, quitting temporarily to heal the relationship but just as quickly relapsing and falling back into negative behaviours.
This cycle continued until 2024 when the penny dropped and he began his recovery.
Since then, he has been clean from all drugs and alcohol for two years, and found a new support network that provides him with positivity, not temptations.
In this episode we discuss that journey from addiction to sobriety, fatherhood, becoming a grandfather at 42, his relationship with his wife and the role MMU Wolves has played in his recovery.
As always, #itsokaytovent
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TRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about suicide, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.
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