We Are England S2022E65 - Mental Health Free Falling

Peter had battled with his mental health from a young age. Unhappy with his body image and low self-esteem, he turned to alcohol and drugs. At age 21, weighing 17 stone he suffered a heart attack after overdosing on cocaine.

He took up skydiving as an incentive to lose weight and get off the drugs. Now he's a professional formation skydiver and instructor, has represented Great Britain and won two gold medals at national championships.

In 2020, he teamed up with three friends to buy a skydiving business in Peterlee, County Durham. Three days after they signed on the dotted line, Covid struck and forced them to close over lockdown. The financial pressure pushed Peter into attempting suicide.

Peter began counselling sessions and hired a personal lifestyle coach. Health, fitness and positive thinking are now the tools he is using to overcome the depression that nearly took his life.

He has been drug and alcohol free for 18 months and has vowed to help as many people as he can by sharing his story and sharing the techniques that help him maintain mental wellbeing.