U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 9

David Booth | I Used To Be...A Cop

From the Fast Lane to a New Life. In this gripping episode, David Booth sits down with Dean James to reflect on his decades-long journey as a traffic cop in Atlanta, Georgia. A career marked by high-speed chases, close calls, and the everyday grit of keeping the roads safe. But everything changed in an instant. A catastrophic accident not only ended his time in uniform but left him fighting for his life. What follows is a story of resilience and reinvention. David opens up about the physical and emotional toll of recovery, and how he found new purpose beyond the badge. Today, he’s channelling his experience into educating the next generation of drivers and training motorcycle enthusiasts for Harley-Davidson. It’s a powerful conversation about identity, impact, and the road to rebuilding.

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U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 8

Brezz Hall | I Used To Be...Hopeless

In this raw and powerful episode, Brezz Hall opens up to Dean James about his lifelong battle with addiction, shaped by deep trauma and a family history of substance abuse. Gripped from a young age, Brezz hit rock bottom, but he didn’t stay there. He broke the cycle, got clean, and now dedicates his life to helping others do the same as a peer support worker. Living so long with no hope, Brezz now has hope and purpose.

Beyond recovery, Brezz is sparking real conversations through his apparel brand, 4th Dimension Apparel, where fashion meets purpose. A portion of every sale goes to organisations helping people get and stay sober.

This is more than a comeback. It’s a movement.

Find out more about Brezz here...Brezz Hall

Explore Brezz's Apparel Collection here...4th Dimension Apparel

If you are affected by any of the themes explored in this episode, please seek professional, medical help/advice. The links below are there to help you:

UK Based:

Mind

Alcoholics Anonymous

Samaritans

USA Based:

Help

Mental Health America

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, connect and comment...we can only grow with your help!

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U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 7

Kane Howard | I Used To Be...A Woman

In this raw and powerful episode, Kane Howard sits down with Dean James to share his unfiltered journey of transitioning from female to male. From emotional upheaval to financial strain, Kane opens up about the realities of transitioning in the USA and what it means to be a Trans man in today's age. But this isn’t just a story of struggle—it’s one of triumph. Now living as his true, authentic self, Kane has reclaimed his pride, redefined his purpose, and reignited his creativity. He’s written a book, re-educated himself, and is channelling his lived experience into bold new ventures. This is more than a transition—it’s a transformation.

Find out more about Kane's books here: Kane Jesse Howard

And follow Craig on:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

If you are affected by any of the themes explored in this episode, please seek professional, medical help/advice. The links below are there to help you:

UK Based:

Trans Directory

Good Law Project

Terrence Higgins Trust

USA Based:

Trans Directory

Trans Lifeline

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, connect and comment...we can only grow with your help!

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U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 6

Craig Maddern | I Used To Be...A Soldier at War

Craig Maddern spent 15 years in the British Army, serving in global conflict zones including Afghanistan. But the battles didn’t end when he left the front lines. In this gripping episode, Craig opens up to Dean James about the physical toll, the mental scars, and the fight to reclaim his life after a bipolar diagnosis, deep depression and PTSD. Now a best-selling author and life coach for high-stress dads, Craig shares how he turned breakdowns into breakthroughs—and why vulnerability, communication, and purpose are the new pillars of strength for modern men. Raw, real, and deeply inspiring.

Find out about the wonderful work Craig is doing here: CraigMaddernCoaching

Get Craig's Best-Seller here: How I Went From Stress and Hospital Beds, to Enjoying My Life

And follow Craig on:

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

If you are affected by any of the themes explored in this episode, please seek professional, medical help/advice. The links below are there to help you:

Help For Heroes

Samaritans

Mind

Calm

Royal British Legion

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, connect and comment...we can only grow with your help!

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U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 5

Anthony Palacin| I Used To Be...Psychotic

Anthony Palacin joins Dean James for a fearless conversation about surviving a psychotic episode and being sectioned in a psychiatric ward. With raw honesty, Anthony unpacks the trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles that once consumed him—and the radical healing journey that followed. From confronting deep-rooted pain to breaking destructive patterns, Anthony shares how he rewired his life, reduced his reliance on medication, and discovered the power of flow-states. Now a coach helping others unlock clarity, resilience, and productivity, Anthony’s story is a masterclass in transformation, self-awareness, and the courage to rewrite your narrative.

Find out about the wonderful work Anthony is doing on his website: https://www.palacin.co.uk/

And follow Anthony on:

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

If you are affected by any of the themes explored in this episode, please seek professional, medical help/advice. The links below are there to help you:

Samaritans

Mind

Calm

MHFA

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, connect and comment...we can only grow with your help!

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Apple

YouTube

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Deezer

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 4

Muzna Amin | I Used To Be...On The Sidelines

Muzna Amin went from putting everyone else first to finally showing up for herself. In this energizing episode, she tells Dean James how she transformed from someone who couldn’t run 5K into a marathon finisher, a mountain trekker across North Pakistan, and now a triathlon trainee. Muzna’s story is one of reclaiming identity through movement, resilience, and radical self-prioritization. Health and fitness aren’t just goals—they’re her way of life. Now, she’s using her journey to inspire others to break limits, build habits, and step into their own power.

Follow Muzna on Instagram or YouTube.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, connect and comment...we can only grow with your help!

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U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 3

Jay Hall | I Used To Be...The Walking Dead

Jay Hall lived with a life-threatening condition for eight years without knowing it. By the time doctors diagnosed him, they said he shouldn’t have survived. At the same time, Jay was running a booming business that grew too fast—and the stress nearly broke him. In this gripping episode, Jay opens up to Dean James about hitting rock bottom, walking away from the life he built, and choosing joy over burnout. Now fully immersed in writing, podcasting, and orchestrating one of Canada’s biggest Halloween events, Jay shares how he came back to life—literally and creatively. His debut novel The Last First Date is just the beginning and is available now here: "The Last First Date".

Find out more about Jay's books, podcast and ventures by Clicking Here.

Have look at Jay's Halloween Event in Winnipeg: Fear Wpg

Follow Jay on Instagram or TikTok.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, connect and comment...we can only grow with your help!

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U2BDC: Used To Be's Do Count | Season 2, Episode 2

Maria Roney | I Used To Be...In An Abusive Relationship

For over 20 years, Maria Roney lived in the shadows of an abusive marriage. In this deeply moving episode, she opens up to Dean James about the trauma, the PTSD, and the long road to healing. Today, Maria lives by the beach, surrounded by peace, love, and purpose—doing what she was always meant to do. As a Healer, Intuitive Guide, and Teacher, she now helps women transmute pain into power and awaken their divine feminine energy. Her story is one of survival, transformation, and radical self-love. If she can rise, so can you.

Maria is offering a Freebie to all U2BDC listeners! Click Below to claim yours...

Unlock Happiness - Maria Roney

Follow Maria:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

If you are affected by any of the themes explored in this episode, and are in need of further help & support, please see the links below:

Books:

Too Good To Leave, Too Bad To Stay, by Mira Kirshenbaum

Broken To Brilliant Book Series

Domestic Abuse: UK Charities

Women's Aid

Refuge

Victim Support

LGBT+ Victim Support

Support for Male Victims

Australian Charities

Broken To Brilliant

1800Respect

Services: Australia

White Ribbon

Don't forget to join the conversation...

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