Tony Adams on addiction, therapy and giving back.

In this heartfelt episode, Julia sits down with former footballer Tony Adams to explore his extraordinary journey through addiction, recovery, and personal growth. Tony reflects on his challenging childhood, marked by fear and loneliness, and how football became his escape. He shares candid insights into his struggles with addiction, recounting the pivotal moments that led to his ‘rock bottom’ and the transformative support he found through AA and his therapist, James West. Tony discusses the power of therapy, the importance of vulnerability, and the role of trust in his recovery, offering a deeply personal perspective on overcoming life’s hardest challenges.
Now sober since 1996, Tony has dedicated himself to helping others through Sporting Chance, the charity he founded to support athletes with addiction and mental health issues. He reflects on how recovery has reshaped his relationships, particularly with his children and grandchildren, and shares the life lessons he’s learned about accountability, letting go, and finding purpose. Tune in to hear Tony’s inspiring story of redemption and the life lessons he’s learned along the way.
Episode Highlights:
00:54 Challenges and Family Background
02:25 Childhood Fears and Escaping to Football
07:19 Struggles with Addiction and Recovery
16:04 Rock Bottom and Turning Point
20:44 The Role of Therapy and Support
26:03 Existential Therapy and Self-Discovery
26:41 The 12-Step Program Journey
29:04 Facing Fears and Addiction
31:58 Sporting Chance and Mental Health Advocacy
45:17 Grieving and Letting Go
48:33 Reflections on Life and Legacy
Find Tony:
Twitter: @TonyAdams
Instagram: @tonyadamsofficial
Learn More About Sporting Chance:
Visit Sporting Chance’s website to discover more about their work supporting athletes with addiction and mental health challenges

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Tony Adams (@TonyAdams) on X
Founder of https://t.co/VP46rhydGZ supporter of AA, co-author of Addicted and Sober. Oh, and spent a bit of time at the Glorious Arsenal.

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Sporting Chance
Sporting Chance provides free mental health support for professional sportspeople