We all have those moments when we realize things need to change — and for William Pattison, it was a life-altering trip to Europe that forced him to face the truth.
What began as a chance to escape and reset quickly turned into a cycle of destructive habits, until he finally knew he couldn’t keep going down that path.
The Weekend Cycle That Took Over His Life
William’s weekends looked the same for years.
After a sober workweek, he’d dive into heavy drinking that could stretch for days — no sleep, just numbing himself.
“I never really drank during the week, but come Friday, I was on a bender that lasted two or three days,” he explains.
The cycle was brutal: anxiety and exhaustion ruled his weekdays, and the weekend’s high was his only escape.
Growing up with ADHD and social anxiety, William found alcohol gave him a quick confidence boost he desperately needed.
But soon, booze wasn’t enough.
“Cocaine and MDMA were always part of the mix when I went out,” he admits.
His addictions ruled his life for almost a decade, dragging down his health and motivation.
Hiding the Pain Behind a Smile
On the outside, William played the joker, cracking jokes to mask the storm inside.
But behind the laughs was a man struggling to hold himself together.
He battled severe anxiety, high blood pressure, gout, early signs of diabetes, and his weight had climbed to 135kg (around 300 pounds). Medication dulled some symptoms but never tackled the root causes.
“I was just numbing it all — with substances, distractions, and prescriptions,” William says.
“It wasn’t healing; it was survival mode.”
Hitting Rock Bottom in Europe
The turning point came on that Europe trip last year.
What was meant to be a break quickly spiraled into chaos — heavy drinking, drugs, and nonstop partying.
“On the outside, it looked like fun, but I was completely lost inside,” William recalls.
By the end, his health was in serious decline. “I could barely look at myself in the mirror.
I thought, if I keep going like this, I won’t be around much longer.” That stark realization was the wake-up call he desperately needed.
Committing to Change and Embracing Sobriety
Back home, William decided to take control. “I went eight months completely sober,” he says, though he admits to a relapse last summer.
But rather than seeing it as failure, he calls it a blessing — a reminder of how far he’d come and why he couldn’t go back.
“Relapse doesn’t define recovery,” he stresses. “It’s what you do next that counts.”
Building a New Foundation with Movement and Nutrition
William’s journey wasn’t just about quitting substances. He made lifestyle changes one step at a time.
Starting with simple goals like eating whole foods, maintaining a calorie deficit, moving every day, and lifting weights twice a week.
That foundation grew stronger over time.
Eventually, short walks turned into runs, and running became his therapy.
Now he averages 100km a week and says movement is non-negotiable — his anchor and outlet for mental health.
Achieving Incredible Milestones and Using ADHD as Strength
In less than a year, William lost 54kg (about 119 pounds) and shifted his mindset.
Instead of letting his ADHD and addictive personality drag him down, he’s harnessed that energy as a superpower.
“I’m addicted to growth and progress now. That fire keeps me moving forward,” he says proudly.
He’s completed the Paris marathon and plans to tackle the New York marathon later this year.
Next month, he’ll run and cycle 365km in three days to raise money for the Black Dog Institute.
A New Prescription for Mental Health
William has also stopped taking anxiety medication, crediting movement, discipline, and purpose as his new medicine.
“Mental health isn’t a one-time fix.
It’s something you manage daily,” he says honestly.
While tough days still come, he faces them with a new mindset and hope.
Looking Forward with Hope and Purpose
Now, one year sober and pushing his limits, William is genuinely excited about the future.
“For the first time in a long time, I’m building — not destroying.
That feeling beats any high I ever chased.”
His story is one of pain, struggle, and inspiring transformation — a reminder that change is possible, one step at a time.