⚠️ Content Warning: Childhood abuse, sexual abuse, addiction, and crime.
Lee Marvin Hitchman, author of Born in Prison, shares his raw and powerful story — from being born in prison, adopted, and abused, to a lifetime of drug addiction and crime, including time in prison. Now clean, Lee opens up about overcoming trauma and addiction, and the importance of speaking out about sexual abuse.
🎧 Listen now and be inspired by a journey of survival, recovery, and hope.
From boxing champion to prison inmate, from Channel 4’s Repo Man to the depths of cocaine addiction, Marcus Portman’s story is as dark as it is inspiring.
A former British Kickboxing and Boxing Champion, Marcus lived with one foot in the ring and the other in the world of gangs, crime, and drugs. He spent time in prison, was stabbed, and nearly lost his life to an eight-year cocaine and steroid addiction. Even at the height of TV fame, he was spiraling toward destruction.
Now sober, Marcus shares his brutal journey — a raw story of boxing, prison, Repo Man, addiction, and redemption.
12-0 pro boxer Ollie Cooper, Midlands Champion and ranked 7th in Britain, opens up about his toughest battles outside the ring. From alcohol struggles, street fights, and waking up with anxiety and embarrassment, to the heartbreak that left him feeling lost and empty — Ollie shares the reality behind the gloves, and why he wishes he had opened up sooner.
Ryan Whitehead’s life is a story of struggle, violence, redemption, and resilience. Born to a 17-year-old single mother and raised on a tough council estate, Ryan’s childhood was marked by anger, behavioural struggles, and eventually football hooliganism, alcohol, and drugs. After arrests and years of violence, Ryan turned his life around through boxing — first in white-collar fights and later as an undefeated professional.
In this raw and inspiring interview, Ryan shares:
👉 If you’re interested in boxing, personal growth, mental health, or real-life redemption stories, this episode is for you.
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Matt Sen, a former professional boxer whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in a single-parent household, Matt faced hunger, neglect, and trauma at an early age. At just 15, his world was turned upside down when his mother was caught smuggling drugs and sent to prison — leaving him to survive alone.
With no guidance, Matt was pulled into gang life, facing the brutal realities of drug dealing, violence, stabbings, and even being shot at. But his story didn’t end there. Against all odds, Matt rebuilt his life, creating businesses from scratch, battling bankruptcy, and finally stepping back into the ring to chase the dream he left behind as a teenager.
This is the raw, unfiltered story of resilience, redemption, and the fight of a lifetime — from the streets to the spotlight of Wembley Stadium.
👉 If you’re looking for real stories about mental health, survival, gangs, and second chances, this episode is for you.
Will Mahaffey’s life took a tragic turn at just 12 years old when his father died by suicide. Grief consumed his family, and by 14, Will was trapped in the cycle of drug addiction, dealing on the streets, and surviving multiple suicide attempts.
Searching for a way out, he joined the British Army and served on one of the bloodiest tours of the war—facing death and trauma head-on. But after a dishonourable discharge, Will spiraled back into addiction, crime, and eventually prison.
In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Will opens up about:
Childhood trauma and losing his father to suicide
Addiction, overdoses, and life on the streets
PTSD from war and prison
The turning point that led him to rebuild his life for his family
This is a story of survival, redemption, and the power of confronting mental health struggles head-on.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories around mental health, addiction, recovery, and everything in between.
🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Ruddick, local leader of the nationwide Men’s Walking and Talking support groups, to explore how open conversations and community can transform men’s mental health. We discuss the origins of the movement, the stigma men face around seeking help, and the most common mental health challenges impacting men today. Whether you’re looking for support, curious about mental health advocacy, or passionate about breaking down barriers, this conversation sheds light on why talking really does save lives.
👉 Tune in to discover how walking, talking, and connecting can change the way society views men’s mental health.
In this powerful episode of From Rock Bottom, professional boxer Francy Luzoho shares his raw and inspiring journey from a childhood marked by racism, domestic violence, and abuse to finding freedom and purpose in the boxing ring. Growing up in Ireland after his mother immigrated, Francy endured unimaginable challenges—witnessing his father abuse his mother, suffering at the hands of his stepfather, and battling the weight of trauma.
Now, as a pro fighter, Francy opens up about how boxing became his escape and salvation, the ongoing fight to be present in his children’s lives, and the resilience it takes to move forward when life tries to knock you down.
This conversation is about more than boxing—it’s about healing, perseverance, and turning pain into power.
What do you do when the dream you’ve worked for your entire life is ripped away?
For Craig Timmins, it was the chance to play alongside David Beckham at LA Galaxy. But one devastating injury ended it all. What followed was heartbreak, eating disorders, depression, and addiction.
Yet out of the darkest moments came a second chance at life. Craig rebuilt himself—becoming a personal trainer, a role model, and raising over £250,000 for charity.
This is not just Craig’s story of loss. It’s a story of resilience, hope, and what it really means to find purpose after pain.
👉 Watch until the end—you’ll never look at setbacks the same way again.
In this powerful interview, a former British soldier opens up about his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the horrors of war, and the lasting impact of PTSD.
After a dishonourable discharge, his life spiralled into drug addiction, partying, and regret — until he found the strength to turn it all around.
This is a raw, honest conversation about military life, mental health, and redemption.
🎙 About the Podcast:
From Rock Bottom is a mental health podcast sharing real stories from veterans, athletes, influencers, and everyday people. We break the stigma and talk openly about the struggles that shape us.
Subscribe on YouTube
https://youtube.com/@fromrockbottompodcast?si=WpJalJxOI9g2kwcO
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579146386263
https://www.instagram.com/fromrockbottom_podcast?igsh=c2tzMzRleGc0bW80&utm_source=qr
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@fromrockbottom_podcast?_t=ZN-8yw0y2ouQVC&_r=1
Professional boxer Marco Simmonds shares his deeply personal journey — from being adopted at birth alongside his siblings, to discovering that his mother had died from drug addiction when he was just 13 years old.
With his father in and out of prison, Marco turned to boxing as an outlet and a path forward. Now an active professional fighter, he opens up about his constant drive to succeed, the pressure of comparing himself to others, and the struggles of opening up about his feelings.
This is more than a boxing story — it’s about resilience, loss, and learning to believe in yourself.
🎙 About the Podcast:
From Rock Bottom is a mental health podcast sharing real stories from veterans, athletes, influencers, and everyday people. We break the stigma and talk openly about the struggles that shape us.
Subscribe on YouTube
https://youtube.com/@fromrockbottompodcast?si=WpJalJxOI9g2kwcO
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579146386263
https://www.instagram.com/fromrockbottom_podcast?igsh=c2tzMzRleGc0bW80&utm_source=qr
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@fromrockbottom_podcast?_t=ZN-8yw0y2ouQVC&_r=1