Many of us will admit to a bit of binge drinking and food blow outs - but for James Davenport, excess ruled his life for 35 years.

The former boxer, known as Shinny, is a recovering addict. Not just alcohol - but anything he could get his hands on, from food to drugs to sex.

Between the ages of 13 and 38, Shinny, now 42, from Salford, says he slept with 2,000 women - from girlfriends to one night stands to prostitutes.

But it wasn't enough.

“Alcohol, drugs, sex - anything. The quick, instant gratification was what I wanted", he said.

“From the age of about 12 or 13 when I went fully into sex, up until I was about 38, I calculated that I probably slept with about 2,000 women.

“I have channeled my addictions into getting well and helping others, and want to show others that it can be done. If it wasn’t for my girlfriend Nicole I wouldn’t be where I am today. She’s a massive part of my life.

“This disease is always going to be there. You can either wallow in it or fight. My first thought in the morning is always negative, but I quickly change that into a positive and pray to a higher power greater than me to keep me clean and sober for one more day.

“It’s a 24 hour reprieve. I don’t think about tomorrow. If I have to do this for the rest of my life to be a decent father and member of the community, I will.”

Courtesy - Manchester Evening News - Vickie Scullard - 02nd Jun 2019

Shinny on Facebook

I had a fascinating interview with famed Mancunian Crolla (as his friends call him!) who very kindly came up to my health food store in Garstang. 

Starting with his formative years and Italian ancestry we talked about life in Manchester and the influence of his father, himself a former boxing professional, who used to take him to the gym to train.

I was interested to find out what creates the drive to get to the very top of a sport and Crolla eloquently explained how so much of his achievements came about through the strength of his will power. He identified how our body is always looking for the easy route out and that is when he would force himself to drive further progress.

He paints a picture of being in the dressing room before a fight and how he would enjoy the moment and try to savour it as he came out and was faced with a crowd of thousands of people. 

What makes Anthony’s story more remarkable is how he overcame a serious injury when burglars he chased and caught up with fractured his skull using a piece of concrete.

Yet, using herbs, nature and sheer determination he was able to recover and gain the WBA World Lightweight title in 2015.

We also discussed how he does not like using medication and much prefers nature’s way and this instinctive knowledge has allowed him to have a healthy retirement.

It is not every day one gets to meet someone so utterly focussed and yet so well rounded and kind. I’m sure this will come across as you listen to his amazing story.

In this episode Nick talks with Danielle Kay,  a medical herbalist from Barnoldswick, Lancashire

Courtesy of  http://www.daniellekay.co.uk

Based in Lancashire, Danielle Kay MNIMH. Bsc (Hons) has had a lifelong interest in natural health and wellbeing. Becoming a mother motivated her to train as a herbalist, and she is now a member of The National Institute of Medical Herbalists.

Danielle believes we need to learn to work with nature rather than against it and use our natural resources sustainably. To this end she assists an Eco-club every week for the pupils at a local primary school and has recently completed courses in Permaculture Design and Woodland Management. She is currently doing the “Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong-Learning Sector” course, as she is passionate about educating others in herbal medicine and caring for the earth. In September this year she will begin working on an MSc in Herbal Medicine.

Danielle also enjoys providing herbal first aid at festivals, where she can help people with acute sickness and injuries. She has done some voluntary work for Incredible Edible Todmorden, an award-winning community garden project. Her two children enjoy helping her both with her volunteer work and with growing their own organic produce on their allotment.