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.     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/lifes2ndactFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556551936745