by Kerrie Atherton | Jul 28, 2025 | Addiction, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
Zac Jones’ life was spiraling out of control, consumed by addiction and reckless choices. His breaking point came in the form of drunk driving—a decision that landed him in jail. What might have been the end of his future became the moment that saved his life.
In this honest episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Zac shares how incarceration forced him to confront his destructive path. Stripped of freedom and facing the reality of addiction’s cost, he began to see jail not only as punishment but as an unexpected opportunity to change.
Zac describes the painful clarity of that season—recognizing the hurt he caused, the damage to himself, and the need to make a radical shift. Recovery became his lifeline. With determination and support, he rebuilt his life, finding strength in sobriety and purpose in sharing his story with others.
Today, Zac stands as a voice of warning and hope. His testimony reveals that while addiction destroys, recovery restores. Jail stopped his downward spiral, but courage and honesty fueled his new beginning. His journey is a powerful reminder that even the darkest chapters can be rewritten, and that redemption often begins at rock bottom.
This episode challenges listeners to view consequences not only as punishment but as potential catalysts for transformation. Zac’s story proves that no matter how far addiction takes us, there is always a way back.
by Kerrie Atherton | Jul 14, 2025 | Addiction, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
Danny Lloyd’s life once revolved around addiction, chaos, and despair. Like so many caught in the grip of substance abuse, he fought silently against a powerful force that threatened to consume everything he loved. Yet his story did not end in destruction—it became a journey of resilience, service, and hope.
In this inspiring episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Danny shares openly about his battles with addiction and the turning point that set him on a new course. Through honesty, vulnerability, and determination, he rebuilt his life brick by brick, discovering along the way that recovery is not only about leaving substances behind—it is about creating meaning, purpose, and connection.
Danny has since dedicated himself to selfless service, supporting others who walk the difficult road of recovery. His story reveals that healing is amplified when we turn outward, becoming a source of encouragement for those still struggling. By embracing this mission, Danny calls himself a “Soldier of Hope,” a reminder that every victory in recovery can ripple outward and inspire change.
This episode shows us that addiction does not have the final word. With courage, honesty, and the will to serve others, new life is possible. Danny Lloyd’s story is a beacon for all who need to know that no matter how deep the darkness, there is always a way forward.
by Kerrie Atherton | Apr 21, 2025 | Addiction, Empower, Podcasts
In this profoundly moving and inspirational episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton sits down with Danny Shannon—recovery coach, motivational speaker, founder of Encapsulator, and a man who has defied odds that would have broken most.
Danny’s story is one of radical transformation. For 17 years, he was caught in the grip of heroin addiction. His life spiraled into homelessness, crime, and incarceration. He endured the revolving door of nearly 50 rehab attempts. Each time he tried to get clean, something pulled him back—a lack of self-worth, unresolved trauma, or simply the crushing weight of addiction. Yet, on Christmas Day 2009, Danny made a choice that would change the course of his life forever. A moment of clarity, a moment of surrender, a moment of hope.
In this honest and deeply human conversation, Kerrie and Danny unpack the complex realities of addiction—how it devastates not only the individual, but everyone around them. Danny opens up about the pain he caused those who loved him, the cycles of relapse and shame, and the terrifying vulnerability of early sobriety. His transparency is powerful, his storytelling raw and unfiltered, and his commitment to helping others unshakable.
What emerges is not just a story of recovery, but one of rediscovery. Danny talks about how community became his lifeline, how giving back became his fuel, and how helping others find their way out of the darkness became his mission. Through his organization Encapsulator, he empowers people in recovery to record video time capsules—documenting who they are, what they’ve survived, and who they’re becoming.
Danny’s mantra, “Don’t leave before the miracle happens,” serves as a powerful through-line for this episode. It’s a call to keep going when it feels impossible. A call to hold on, to stay one more day, to trust that something better is waiting on the other side of pain.
Whether you’re currently in recovery, walking alongside someone who is, or simply in need of a reminder that change is possible, this episode will meet you where you are. It’s a conversation full of truth, courage, compassion, and the unmistakable heartbeat of hope.
by Kerrie Atherton | Mar 10, 2025 | Addiction, Mental Health, Podcasts
In this courageous and deeply human episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton sits down with professional rugby league player Liam Knight—a man known for his strength on the field, but whose greatest battles were fought far from the spotlight. Once a rising star in the NRL and now continuing his career in the UK Super League, Liam opens up about the private chaos that existed behind the public persona.
With honesty and vulnerability, Liam shares his experience of battling addiction to drugs and alcohol—an invisible war that escalated silently as he navigated the intense pressures of professional sport, injuries, and the emotional toll of living up to public expectations. He talks about the slippery slope that began with prescription medications after injury, and how it quickly spiraled into dependency, isolation, and self-destruction.
But this story is not just about what was lost—it’s about what was found. Liam describes the pivotal moments that led him to finally ask for help: the honest conversations, the mirror moments, the quiet realization that something had to change if he wanted to survive. He speaks about entering recovery, the discomfort of facing life without substances, and the support systems—teammates, professionals, family—that helped him rebuild from the ground up.
In a culture where masculinity is often equated with silence and stoicism, Liam’s story is a powerful disruption. He speaks directly to the stigma that surrounds mental health and addiction in sport and among men more broadly, challenging the outdated belief that vulnerability is weakness. Instead, he reclaims it as strength.
Now in recovery, Liam not only continues to pursue his athletic career, but also uses his voice to advocate for mental wellness and emotional honesty. His story is one of transformation—a testament to the fact that it’s not where you start or even where you fall, but how you rise that defines the life you live.
For anyone struggling with addiction, mental health, or the shame of feeling alone in their pain, Liam’s words are a lifeline. His journey is a reminder that help is not only available—it works. That sobriety isn’t the end of something, but the beginning of something better. And that even after the darkest nights, it’s possible to play again, live again, and hope again.
by Kerrie Atherton | Nov 25, 2024 | Addiction, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
For years, Dave Stewart lived a double life. On the surface, he appeared to function like everyone else—holding things together, projecting strength. But privately, addiction was slowly unraveling his world. The hidden struggle grew until the façade cracked and everything came crashing down. Hitting rock bottom was painful, but it became the catalyst for lasting change.
In this courageous episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Dave speaks openly about what it meant to live as a “functional addict.” He describes the deception, denial, and toll his addiction took on relationships and health. Yet in the middle of despair, he chose a different path—one of honesty, accountability, and hope.
Through his story, listeners see that rock bottom doesn’t have to be the end—it can be the beginning. Dave’s recovery journey is not just about leaving substances behind, but about reclaiming authenticity and building a new identity rooted in truth. His openness creates a mirror for others who may be hiding their own struggles, reminding them that they are not alone.
Today, Dave stands as proof that life beyond addiction is possible. His transformation shows that even when addiction convinces you that you can manage on your own, real freedom comes from surrender, support, and the courage to start again. His story is a beacon of hope for anyone caught between two worlds, urging them to believe that healing is always within reach.
