What happens when childhood trauma, addiction and self-destruction take over your life?In this powerful episode of The Talking Tradesman Podcast, I sit down with Reece, a roofer whose life journey has taken him through some of the darkest places imaginable before finding recovery, purpose and hope.Find Reece Here - https://www.instagram.com/annex_roofing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Growing up in an environment shaped by trauma and abuse, Reece found himself carrying emotional wounds long before he understood the impact they would have on his future. As the years passed, those unresolved struggles fuelled a battle with addiction that spiralled out of control, leading him down a path of substance abuse, mental health struggles, rehabilitation and complete rock bottom.Reece speaks openly and honestly about the reality of addiction, the lies it tells you, the relationships it destroys, and the devastating effect it can have on every area of your life. He shares what it was like living in active addiction, the moment he realised something had to change, and the difficult road that followed as he fought to rebuild himself from the ground up.Today, Reece lives a clean and sober life and uses his experiences to help others understand that recovery is possible, no matter how hopeless things may seem. His story is a powerful reminder that addiction is often the symptom, not the cause, and that healing starts when we’re willing to confront the things we’ve spent years trying to escape.This conversation explores childhood trauma, addiction recovery, sobriety, mental health, rehabilitation, resilience, personal growth, men’s mental health and the life-changing power of speaking openly about our struggles.Whether you’ve battled addiction yourself, supported a loved one through recovery, or simply want to hear an incredible story of resilience and transformation, this is an episode you won’t forget.Topics Covered:✅ Childhood trauma and abuse✅ Addiction and substance abuse✅ Drug recovery and rehabilitation✅ Mental health and men’s mental health✅ Sobriety and staying clean✅ The impact of unresolved trauma✅ Recovery after rock bottom✅ Personal growth and resilience✅ Construction industry mental health✅ Finding purpose after addictionIf this episode helps you, inspires you, or makes you think differently about addiction and recovery, please share it. You never know who might need to hear this story today.Chapters00:00 Childhood and Family Dynamics01:12 The Impact of Abuse and Dysfunction04:25 Transition to Wales and New Challenges07:24 School Life and Behavioral Changes10:26 Early Encounters with Drugs13:32 Finding Stability in Work and Family16:24 The Role of Substance Use in Adolescence19:23 Reflections on Addiction and Recovery25:53 The Social Acceptance of Alcohol vs. Drugs28:23 Personal Experiences with Alcohol and Drug Use31:56 The Progression of Addiction and Its Impact35:08 Recognizing the Problem and Seeking Help39:41 The Turning Point: Entering Rehabilitation51:21 The Journey of Recovery and Finding Hope01:04:15 The Power of Conversation and Mental Health01:07:54 Breaking Down Barriers: Sharing Personal Stories01:10:24 Finding Freedom: Life After Addiction01:14:59 Rebuilding Relationships and Finding Purpose01:17:29 The Importance of Purpose in Sobriety01:22:12 Cultural Norms and the Need for Change01:25:30 The Role of Community in Recovery01:30:44 Generational Patterns and Emotional Awareness

In one of the most unbelievable stories ever told on The Talking Tradesman Podcast, Adnan Alisic shares his journey from surviving the brutal Bosnian War to becoming the mastermind behind one of America’s most audacious casino heists.Find Adnan Here - https://www.instagram.com/alisicadnan?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==https://www.facebook.com/alisicadnanauthorAs a child, Adnan witnessed the horrors of war in Bosnia, experienced ethnic cleansing, violence, and unimaginable trauma before arriving in the United States as a refugee with nothing. Through relentless determination, he built successful businesses, achieved the American Dream, and created a life many people would envy.But behind the success was a growing gambling addiction that spiralled out of control.After losing hundreds of thousands of dollars at the blackjack tables, Adnan became obsessed with getting his money back. What followed was an elaborate, Hollywood-style casino heist involving underground tunnels, fake weapons, smoke bombs, getaway vehicles, months of planning, and a daring attempt to steal millions from an armored cash delivery outside Casino Arizona. The robbery made international headlines.The plan failed.Adnan was arrested, convicted in federal court, and sentenced to 17 years in a US federal prison. In this powerful conversation, Adnan opens up about prison, faith, redemption, gambling addiction, trauma, personal responsibility, and how he rebuilt himself after losing everything.This isn’t just a story about crime.It’s a story about survival, obsession, consequences, resilience, and finding peace after destruction.Topics include:* The Bosnian War and growing up as a refugee* Building successful businesses in America* Gambling addiction and self-destruction* The Casino Arizona armored truck heist* Federal prison life* Faith, redemption and personal growth* Life after prison* Lessons from losing everythingIf you’re interested in true crime, prison stories, gambling addiction recovery, redemption stories, entrepreneurship, resilience, or powerful real-life journeys, this is an episode you won’t forget.You can Find Adnan's book here -https://tinyurl.com/Arizona-DreamChapters00:00 The Gambler's Journey Begins03:26 Escaping War-Torn Bosnia06:12 Adapting to a New Life in America09:13 Building a Business Empire12:20 The Descent into Gambling Addiction15:11 The Casino Heist: A Turning Point18:11 Planning the Heist21:13 The Execution of the Plan34:32 Planning the Casino Heist38:56 The Shift in Strategy41:08 The Day of the Heist53:35 Executing the Plan01:06:48 The Aftermath and Escape01:15:25 The Heist: A Plan Gone Awry01:18:34 The Chase: A Desperate Escape01:22:30 The Calm Before the Storm: Facing the SWAT Team01:26:00 A Miraculous Escape: Slipping Through the Cracks01:33:32 The Aftermath: Consequences of the Heist01:37:09 Facing Justice: The Reality of Sentencing01:44:43 Life in Prison: Surviving the System01:52:26 Returning Home: Adjusting to Life After Prison01:56:04 Finding Redemption: Overcoming Addiction

From serving in the military to building a successful painting business, Steve Macfarlane, owner of Cotswold Painters opens up about the highs, the lows, and the battles most people never see.Find Steve here -https://www.instagram.com/cotswold_painters?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==In this powerful episode, Steve shares his journey through bipolar disorder, the pressures of the trades, and why he’s now pushing himself to the limit with an incredible challenge in Nepal, trekking to Everest Base Camp and taking on four peaks to raise money for The Lost City.Support here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-macfarlane-3?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnWFD-e00C9S_2Ma7bqd95dXyEIGVGvnTRYdlmYXdKpE_KpD02kMlnhCvnsRE_aem_LlcO_QcDvFVjE6ebpnncrAThis conversation dives into mental health, resilience, purpose, and the importance of having people around you when life gets heavy.A raw and honest discussion about:• Military life and transition into the trades• Building a successful decorating business• Living with bipolar disorder• Mental health in construction• Brotherhood, community and purpose• The Everest Base Camp challenge in Nepal• Raising funds for charity through extreme enduranceSome conversations matter more than numbers. This is one of them.Chapters00:00 The Challenge of Climbing Everest06:02 Mental Health and Charity Work12:13 The Joy of Walking and Hiking13:51 Understanding Bipolar Disorder15:49 Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder18:56 The Importance of Physical Exercise20:53 Meditation and Mindfulness through Physical Activity22:42 Taking Small Steps for Mental Health24:40 The Connection Between Nature and Mental Well-being26:48 Building Relationships through Shared Activities28:50 The Journey of Starting a Business30:55 Scaling a Business in Challenging Times36:54 Building a Strong Team and Leadership Challenges40:01 Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace43:24 Raising Awareness and Taking Action on Mental Health48:54 The Importance of Mentorship and Skill Development53:36 Future Growth and Managing Work-Life Balance58:55 Understanding Loneliness and Community in Construction01:03:42 Finding Support and Building Connections