About Mark

In 2017 I made a decision that changed my life for the better, for myself, my family and everyone I meet. On the outside I was functioning: working shifts, becoming a new parent twice, grieving the loss of my father, and coping with a very difficult, stressful relationship and money worries. But my relationship with alcohol was becoming strained. I believed it helped me cope with the stresses of life. My drinking became more frequent and more isolated, until it crossed a line where it was dangerous for me to carry on being who I thought I was: a responsible partner, a father to my wonderful boys and a functioning paramedic for my patients.

Taking alcohol out of the equation totally transformed my life. I found more energy, lost weight and was able to exercise more. I felt free of the anxiety and exhaustion, and I began to build my confidence and self-worth again.

I've been delivering pre-hospital care since 2002, first as an Emergency Medical Technician and, since 2010, as a frontline NHS ambulance paramedic. In that time I've attended more than 35,000 patients, often meeting them at the lowest points in their lives and helping them plan their options in a safe, non-judgemental way. I also received a Chief Executive award from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust after resuscitating two babies following a double breech birth, and caring for them both and their very anxious mother.

That, together with my own lived experience of alcohol misuse, gives me the empathy, patience and motivation to help you explore your own "grey area" drinking: habits that have started to feel questionable, mostly to yourself, as you become more aware of your relationship with alcohol.

I trained as an accredited sober coach with The Sober Club and BBC Radio presenter Janey Lee Grace, because I'm passionate about supporting "middle of the road" drinkers who are curious and want the freedom from alcohol that I've enjoyed. I'm also a committee member of my local Community Alcohol Programme, which mostly supports adolescents and young people to choose better ways than alcohol to deal with their problems, and I chair the board of trustees at our local youth centre, which provides services, projects, entertainment and safe spaces for young people.

Some little-known facts about me: I play the drums, I played a season of rugby in south-west France, and I'm still a qualified aerobics instructor! That hides the fact that I have no talent for singing or dancing, even though I love live music and the theatre. I do turn my hand to poetry when I'm striding out in nature or on one of my open water swims.

Being alcohol free has opened my heart to the opportunities that come along. I very much doubt I'd have experienced any of this while living with the guilt and shame of my relationship with alcohol.