I have a real treat for you all today!

On the couch with me this week is Janey Morris. It was one of those chats where I walked away KNOWING it’s going to resonate with many people. It’s so real, and she brought some fascinating topics to the table that we haven’t touched on yet here on the podcast.

In this episode, we dive into Janey’s incredible journey. She opens up about her experiences with health trauma both here in Aotearoa and overseas, including three invasive surgeries that left her questioning what her future would hold. We explore how her addiction evolved, the impact of entering treatment in her early 30s, and what life has looked like since. Janey has an inspiring 28 years of continuous sobriety and recovery.

Janey also sheds light on the often-overlooked reality of psychiatric drug withdrawal, sharing the challenges of going “cold turkey” and the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding in this space. In the interview, Janey referred to the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines by Dr. Mark Horowitz and Prof. David Taylor, a leading resource on safely reducing psychiatric medication.

Today, Janey is an alcohol and drug counsellor who has worn many hats throughout her career. She now runs her own private practice, which can be accessed through her website. There, you’ll also find guided meditations she has personally created to support individuals navigating psychiatric withdrawal.

You’ll find Janey’s website linked below, along with her YouTube channel, where you can access those same meditations. Please note: if you experience ads on YouTube, we recommend listening through her website instead.

Support Janey by subscribing to her channel and sharing her work far and wide. She is incredible and continues to do remarkable mahi with individuals navigating their own struggles.

A massive thank you to Janey for her time, her kindness, and for sharing her story. It’s through keeping these stories alive that others can see they’re not alone in their struggles. There is hope, and there are people out there willing to walk alongside you.

This was a powerful kōrero, and I hope you enjoy listening/ watching as much as we enjoyed having it.

https://www.janeymorriscounselling.nz/

https://youtube.com/@janeymorris?si=pld7vF1viQSk4yI6

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Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲

Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

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If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?

Email: rockyourbottomofficial@gmail.com

This week’s episode features the wonderful Lotta Dann, commonly known as Mrs D, who joins me from afar to share her powerful journey of sobriety.

Fourteen years ago, after giving up the booze, Lotta started an anonymous blog called Mrs D is Going Without. What began as a personal tool to help her stay sober transformed into a powerful message that resonated with many: you are not alone in your struggles.

Since then, Lotta’s influence has continued to grow. She became the community manager and public face of Living Sober, a free online support network run with the NZ Drug Foundation and Te Whatu Ora. This incredible community offers practical tools, peer support, and a judgment-free space where people can explore their relationship with alcohol. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking it out.

www.livingsober.org.nz

In 2023, Lotta was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her advocacy in addiction recovery.

In this kōrero, we talk about her memoir Mrs D Is Going Without and also touch on her other books, Mrs D Is Going Within, The Wine O’Clock Myth, and her latest release, Mrs D Is Not on a Diet. We also explore what life has looked like for Lotta since giving up alcohol, along with a few reflections in between.

A massive thank you to Lotta for her time, her commitment to supporting others, and for being so open and honest in sharing her story.

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.📞 Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?

Email: rockyourbottomofficial@gmail.com

This week, I have the most beautiful wahine, Holly Beckham, join me on the couch to share her incredible journey. Holly spent 19 years in the grip of addiction, facing the loss of her father at a young age, sexual abuse, depression, borderline personality disorder, and multiple suicide attempts. Through her journey, Holly has faced major mental health challenges that we discuss during this episode.

Holly turned her life around through a spiritual calling and now uses film to give others a voice. Her documentaries, He Ara Anō, Mana Over Meth, and Te Ara, have made a huge impact in Aotearoa and internationally, reaching as far as Hollywood and earning recognition and awards. Through her work, she brings honest, compassionate dialogue about addiction. As well as bringing the conversation around addiction into schools and communities, inspiring understanding and hope.

In Te Ara, Holly embarks on her journey to become the first Māori wahine to climb Everest. She begins this mission with a climb of Tititea / Mount Aspiring, guided by mountaineering legend Lydia Bradey, each step symbolising her path from trauma and addiction toward healing and purpose. It’s a powerful story of resilience, balancing external achievement with internal growth. If you haven't, make sure you go and watch Holly's work, it is out the gate good, and I don't say that lightly.

Holly is currently preparing for her Everest expedition, and you can support her journey over on her website. https://www.hollybeckham.com/

A massive thank you to Holly. The impact of your story and your work will continue to help and guide others for years to come.

Support the Rock Your Bottom podcast by subscribing, liking, and sharing it far and wide. You never know who might need to hear one of these conversations.❤️ - Leave me a comment on what you enjoyed most about the episode!

You can listen to this episode on all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts.📲Follow us on socials to stay updated with what’s happening and who’s coming on next!

TikTok: rockyourbottomofficial

Instagram: rockyourbottom

Facebook: Rock Your Bottom

If you’re struggling, please know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.📞

Alcohol and Other Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797

Want to get in touch?

Email: rockyourbottomofficial@gmail.com