Episode 93 | Melissa Cheriegate: I Was an Extra in My Own Life

What happens when you spend so long living for everyone else that you forget who you are?

This week on After Hours with Jimmy Thistle, I'm joined by Melissa Cheriegate, artist and creator of the Whoever You Artpodcast, for an honest conversation about addiction, identity and finding your way back to yourself.

From the fashion world and its party culture to marriage, motherhood and life across several countries, Melissa's journey took a devastating turn following the death of her father.

As her drinking spiralled, alcohol became something she needed just to function. Two stays in rehab, relapse and some frightening moments followed before she finally found her own reasons to stop.

We talk about grief, motherhood, ADHD, shame, the dangers of wine culture and the surprising role that art, creativity and podcasting have played in her recovery.

But at the heart of Melissa's story is something bigger than alcohol: learning to stop being an extra in your own life and finally becoming the person who gets to write the story.

An honest, moving conversation about second chances, self-worth and discovering that it's never too late to begin again.

Find Melissa: Instagram @whoeveryouart.podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/033U09Igdg96MTQw9UxMcd?si=02b0f326b3934471

https://www.youtube.com/@whoeveryouart

Find Jimmy: @thesoberthistle

Coaching: thistlefreedomcoaching.com

Choose tomorrow. Stay sober today. 🧡

Enjoyed After Hours? Follow, review and share the podcast!

Instagram: @thesoberthistle

Coaching: https://thistlefreedomcoaching.com

Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/afterhourswithjimmyt

Books:

Alcohol Explained: https://amzn.to/4uMmkyB

This Naked Mind: https://amzn.to/4eC6L6z

A Million Little Pieces: https://amzn.to/44jOV3i

Donate:

https://motiv8.im/donate/

https://nacoa.org.uk/get-involved/donating/donate/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.