Joe is joined by Andy Gallie, a former military member, sharing his extraordinary story of battling gambling addiction and its impact on his life. Andy opens up about his early struggles with gambling, leading to theft and fraud, and the detrimental effects it had on his relationships, including his marriages. He discusses the challenges he faced during his transition from the military to civilian life, highlighting the difficulties of finding employment and coping with the loss of camaraderie. Andy also reflects on his self-destructive behaviours, including excessive drinking and gambling, and the toll it took on his mental health and relationships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Struggles with Gambling Addiction: Andy shares a candid account of their struggles with gambling addiction from a young age, highlighting the impact it had on their life and relationships.

• Challenges of Transitioning from the Military: The difficulties faced during the transition from military life to civilian life are discussed, including loss of camaraderie, financial challenges, and a sense of failure.

• Impact on Relationships: Andy reflects on how their addictive behaviours, including gambling and drinking, affected their marriages and relationships, leading to emotional and financial strain.

• Coping with Failure: Andy discusses their tendency to catastrophise failure and the impact it had on their self-esteem and decision-making, leading to further challenges in personal and professional life.

• Awareness of Support Services: The importance of raising awareness about available support services for individuals struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and transitioning from the military is emphasised throughout the conversation.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think the piece that it gave me. So, you know, that's within the family and sort of, you know, it crammed all the arguments, but it also, for me, I've always found that my head is so, so busy."

"Money to me was only ever a tool to be able to get my buzz. It was only ever the substance almost that I'm then putting into a machine rather than into my body."

"I think the reality was quite often I would be drinking to drown my sorrows or I'd be drinking to celebrate a win."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.

After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.

Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.