"From a young age, I was always active, into anything and everything. If you turned your back on me, I’d be climbing something or doing something.
Due to my left ear, my mam was advised to get me into something that would help my balance, oddly enough ballet was the beginning of this journey from around 3 years old. I wouldn’t say I was any good, certainly have no idea now of how to do any of it now, but it did set a foundation in which I could develop and something I’d recommend to any parent with young active kids.

After this, I got into more sports, including gymnastics and distance running in which I competed at a high standards. Helps when you have no fear for your own safety. With this came athletics, which I competed in at a school level.

As I got older I discovered I loved basketball and I still do now, being heavily influenced by the GOAT, Micheal Jordan. However, things took a bit of turn as I reached thirteen.

During a national competition in cross country, on a 5 mile race, I slipped and put my ankle into a rabbit hole and dislocated my ankle. Not letting a little inconvenience like that to stop me, I pulled my foot out and slammed it back in, finished the race came second (which I was really annoyed and frustrated with) and then my ankle gave way altogether.

I was advised to take a year for rehabilitation, but I had far too much on sports wise, plus I was beginning to learn to play the drums and guitar. So, I took a sensible three months.

In the space of a year I lost count how many times I damaged my ankle. Its not great to this day. Learning the hard way, that listening to those who are older and wiser might be a good choice in future. Shame I never really did. Might of been a better athlete.

Well, as time grew, and frustration went on, I started to fall out of love with sports, I remained active still, just not competing unless I had to.

Yet, my passion for music grew as did my confidence on stage. I was playing as a percussionist for country performers, my own bands and session playing. But living the rock star dream at a young age bought new problems. I started abusing various substances, drinking way to much, I was around sixteen then and this would go on for a fair few years.

I ended up with a cocaine addiction, border line alcoholic and almost homeless. So much for the rock and roll lifestyle .

After nearly losing everything through poor decisions and life choices, I thought it was time to cut the coke out. I managed this, kinda. Many relapses, at one point I wouldn’t even make 3 weeks. Considering how determined I was as a kid to win, shows how lazy the mind can get if you allow it.

I thought I was managing it well,.

Things changed for the worse after a car accident, that to this day I have no idea how I survived. Not one clue, the space I crawled out of and the gate post that came through the roof just missing my head, I don’t know, something or someone was looking over me.

As you may imagine, I was in a little bit of a mess, glass in many extremities, and my thumb being almost ripped off along with a dislocated shoulder. Great times, when I look back the things you do in shock are always odd and amusing.

Anyhoo, I got involved with a bit of a dodgy doctor who helped me from a new addiction. One to opiuate based pain killers. This went on for around 2-3 years, till I practically ended up with nothing again. No car, living in my uncles spare room, not a penny to my name. I was still working as a joiner, just had nothing to show for it. Baring in mind prior to this, I lived in a house, had a car and kinda had savings. So a bit of a comedown to end all come downs I guess.

I moved back to Mansfield in the end, stopped taking painkillers, and made steps to cut coke out my life. Got into back into music as a drummer and loved it. Loved life, working as a joiner in the day and rocking out at night anywhere and everywhere, it was awesome. Drinking and drinking and gigging and kind making memories, many hangovers occurred,
You’d think this would be the life, and many respects it was. But I didn’t notice, that things were slipping again. As many times I go to the gym now, would be the amount i’d be in the boozer, living the high life. Getting smashed on the daily. Coke started creeping back, painkillers too.

What’s the point of any of this you think. Well, what changed for me, was a very dear friend who basically sat me down and told me the truth. I’d not seen many of friends for a few years, just so called friends who used me for drinks, money or whatever. But this one friend, finally told me the truth, they were embarrassed by me. What I’d become, and how I acted. As you may know, alcohol can be a cause of depression, between that and my father passing away due to suicide at 13 after not seeing him for five years prior and blaming myself, kind gives an idea of the mental state I was in for a very long, its not excuse, but yeah. Shit happens.

Anyway, back to the point. My friend offered me a chance to change after explaining that when I was 19, I was someone he admired and looked up to as did many of my other friends. But, what I’d become was a shadow of that. Hollow, only focused on getting drunk, getting into stupid situations and not even bothering with music anymore.

I weighed around 50kg, I’m 5’7”. I got to a point were id rather drink than eat, so my mates dog was literally heavier than me.
They say you don’t notice the difference in the first 3 months, you don’t. But everyone else will. The confidence, the change. I quit drinking for around 4-6 months, haven’t took coke since I was 29, bar one relapse that was my stupid idea and putting myself in a situation I could of avoided. Lesson learned.

I learned to accept my flaws and my vices understanding them allows you to be aware of them. Knowing the triggers so you can keep out the way of them.

I finally found my love for sports again, and I couldn’t have been happier. But something was missing. Every year despite everything, I would do something for charity. A gig, or something that would challenge me. My mate suggested a boxing match. I thought, yeah, what’s the worse that could happen, dear lord it’s hardwork, but I adored it. My grit, determination and tenacity came back with vengeance. I still don’t like getting hit by the way, I still need to learn to duck. But body and soul opened the door for me.

They gave the opportunity to develop and grow. For that, I am grateful and thankful for.

Finding my coach who I formed Mansfield boxing academy with just progressed me further and he has become another good friend. And I’m grateful for his time and effort too.

My point is, that 7 years ago, I felt surronded by people, but incredibly alone. Massively depressed and suicidal. Attempted many times as I thought I was just an inconvenience to people. I weighed 50 kgs. I was ill, no matter how I tried to address it. I was working stupid hours and drinking more.

Now, I’m 68kg, I train around 20 plus boxers, studying to become pt, nearly there, and I find immense comfort in training people and them seeing their potential. Its a job I think was born to do. Seeing people progress and learn and develop from mistakes makes me smile, and I love it and I have passion for it like nothing else. And the Factory has given me the potential to achieve this.
My point is, that we all go through dark times, but the night is always darkest before the dawn. We all have the ability to change and we dedication to push forward. I’m certainly not looking for sympathy, I’m just asking you to learn. Learn from my mistakes, learn from your own. Be the very best version of yourself. Its not an easy road, it will have bumps along the way, and some days you’ll wasn’t to give up. But trust me, don’t. You won’t regret the journey in becoming better than yesterday.

What you will achieve is something that nobody can take from you. It’s your work ethic, your determination. Don’t be disheartened by the failures you might come across along the way. They will define you and make you set the goals you want to achieve. No matter what it is, losing weight, getting fitter, stronger whatever’s it maybe. Stick to it, play the long game and you will succeed, I can promise you that. If I can change from what I was almost 8 years ago, I know you can.
Believe in your self and don’t doubt your potential. Embrace it."

Danny is Head of Coaching at Mansfield Boxing Academy and part of the Clubs Management Committee. He amassed a total boxing record (none professional) of 14 wins 3 losses and 1 draw from 2016 to 2020 whilst suffering a genetic medical condition at birth leaving him with just one ear.