What happens when you hit your lowest point and realise you’re living a life that’s not your own?
In this episode, I’m joined by Jack Cotterill — a jazz drummer, creative entrepreneur and performance coach — who once lived the wild rock star life, caught in addiction and self-sabotage, before flipping his story entirely. Jack quit alcohol and cocaine, lost over 10 stone, rebuilt his confidence, and now coaches creatives and entrepreneurs worldwide on how to ditch bad habits, find discipline and turn their creative energy into real success. His journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change your path and truly be yourself.
We dig into why alcohol so often leads to cocaine, the psychology behind the infamous “F IT” button that flips once the first drink goes in, and whether counting sober days is actually helpful. Jack opens up about why drinking and drugging is ultimately selfish and how it impacts everyone around you, as well as why being “in debt to life” — recognising what life has given you — and practising self‑compassion are crucial in recovery.
We also talk about why moderation is impossible for many of us, and why taking full responsibility for your addiction is the true path to freedom. Jack’s story takes you from chaotic weekends to clarity, with practical insights on building a life you don’t want to escape from.
Jack has built multiple businesses from scratch, including Grow Sober — a coaching programme helping creatives and entrepreneurs take control of their lives. Today, he works with ambitious people all over the world, helping them ditch bad habits, build serious discipline and turn their creative energy into real success.
Huge thanks to Jack for sharing so openly — this is one you won’t want to miss!
Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -
www.gavinsisters.co.uk
and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!
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Topics -
0:00 Intro
3:45 Jack's rock bottom
9:05 What did this moment teach Jack?
11:10 The "F IT" button
12:10 Stopping drinking isn't about stopping drinking!
16:10 Should you count sober and clean days?
18:10 Alcohol always leads to cocaine
21:10 Dumping booze to dump cocaine?
26:05 Go to the pub in early recovery?
29:05 0% beer useful?
33:30 Sponsor
34:30 Why drinking is selfish!
38:35 Compassion for your own recovery?
40:25 You need to be 'in debt' to life?
42:55 Are you responsible for your addiction?
44:10 MODERATION IS IMPOSSIBLE!
50:35 How I lost 10 stone!
53:15 What do you want written on your gravestone?
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