Jay Stefanson's Story - Owner, WWH Journey of a Whitefeather
How old were you when you first tried alcohol or drugs and what did you try first?
This is the funny thing; I was never a binge drinker or anything like that. This was a social thing and totally social. No dependence, but my issue was when I wasn't in a bad mental place it became a problem because I had lost control and whether it was the wrong foods or alcohol when I went away, this wasn't good. To ask what I tried first, the great Southern Comfort
How old were you when you realised that you had a problem with drinking / substances and how did you know it was a problem?
As spoken about I didn't have an ongoing problem, but it was a weapon that was a hand when I was at my lowest mentally.
What was the turning point for you to make changes in your life and give up alcohol / substances?
The biggest scare was two things;
Number one was drinking myself to a point of unconsciousness in 3 hours or so. I had a bottle of Bourbon and other shots and Vodka. The main thing that happened and I now know I was out of control and in a bad place mentally was when I did feel crappy and I usually stop, but when I went to do so, the words in my mind "Kill the Pain", and I kept going. This started my fall mentally and I ended up with chronic anxiety, stress and depression.
Number 2 : I was in a bad place, having this anxiety fuelled cortisol attacks as I call them. I was in the ambulance three to four times thinking I was having a heart attack. I was all clear, so I decided to go see my doctor. On the way I had the symptoms of a stroke, my left side went numb, and I had tingling down my arms and my face started to feel funny. I ended up on the side of a road on the floor in the cradle position, not knowing what was going on. Cut a long story short, I was treated for stroke symptoms, but it ended up being a pseudo stroke, where I was that far gone mentally my body started to shut down.
How do you feel your life would be different if you had not had issues with alcohol / substances?
I am glad I have realised that if you don't have a good mental state, alcohol, food or whatever can really be an issue, and you can't control anything. It's all about awareness and developing accountability to what you are doing and who you are
What do you do to continue to stay alcohol / drug free?
I am a motivational coach now and have been a Myotherapist and Health Professional for 27 Years, so I am telling my story and living the best life I can. I have some great mentors to call upon if i need including Greg Riley from 5 Dimensions, a personal coach and gifted me a place into his shadow warrior course for men, looking into our subconscious mind and what is affecting our lives and how to overcome it. So, my motivational coaching is based on creating a safe space and allowing people to come to me and i can motivate people to find themselves.
What has been the hardest thing about giving up?
Nothing as such, it's just completing what in need to do each day that helped me through this difficult time
What is the biggest difference you have noticed in yourself since giving up?
Better energy, good awareness of life and finding my voice, but really backing myself on who i am, a motivator and hype man and letting my story help me each day and others
What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone that is trying to give up?
Call me, lol, and get, my ebook book "From Stroke to Motivational Coach : 15 lessons I received when i woke the fuck up", and don't be afraid to open up to someone.