13 years apart. Same smile — but a completely different life.

I wanted to share something a bit personal today.

I recently came across two photos of myself — taken 13 years apart. Same smile… but a completely different life behind it.

The first photo was me in the Royal Marines, supposedly in the shape of my life. Fit, lean, and tough. But the truth? I was drinking a lot. Not just socially — alcohol was my way of coping, fitting in, and getting by.

In that world, if you didn’t drink, you were often seen as weak or even ostracised. It was the culture. And it took me years to really see how much it was costing me.

Fast forward to today: I’ve been sober for over 7 years. I feel better, look better, and most importantly — I recover better, physically and mentally.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Alcohol disrupts sleep and recovery, even if it feels like it “relaxes” you

• It impairs performance — in training, work, and relationships

• It’s increasingly being linked to serious health risks like liver disease, certain cancers, and cognitive issues

Letting go of alcohol changed everything for me — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

I’m not a qualified addiction specialist. But I’ve been in the trenches with booze, and I know how hard it can be to break the cycle.