Jason's guest on this episode can boast a bestselling novel and a hollywood film based on the events of his life. Nico Walker grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and joined the US army aged 19 to serve in Iraq as a medic. He returned with severe PTSD, leading to opioid addiction. To fund his habit and distract him from his mental health problems, Nico began robbing banks. After 10 successful heists he was arrested and sentenced to 11 years in prison, where he wrote the critically acclaimed novel 'Cherry'. It tells a bleak, semi-autobiographical story of war and addiction which caught the attention of award-winning filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo. Their adaptation of 'Cherry', starring Tom Holland, is out now on Apple TV+.

For more information and to view dozens more stories, go to www.morethanmypast.org.uk

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