From Eating Disorders, Trauma & Addiction to High Performance | James Roffey

What does it take to rebuild yourself when life has completely broken you down?

In this powerful episode of The Talking Tradesman, I sit down with James Roffey, a high-performance mindset coach whose own journey through trauma, eating disorders, addiction, and mental health struggles has shaped the work he now does helping others transform their lives.

At just 17 years old, James developed an eating disorder that would consume more than a decade of his life. What started as anorexia eventually developed into bulimia, leading him down a path of self-destruction, poor mental health, and a battle to find his identity beyond the struggles he was facing. After years of recovery, self-development, and rebuilding his life from the ground up, James has gone on to coach business owners, leaders, and high-performing men to improve their mindset, health, and overall performance.

This isn’t just a conversation about mental health.

It’s a conversation about what it means to be a man in today’s world.

We discuss the pressures men face, why so many suffer in silence, the impact of childhood experiences on adult behaviour, and why physical health, fitness, purpose, and accountability are often the foundations for improving mental wellbeing.

James shares his own lived experience of trauma, recovery, and resilience, whilst also drawing upon years of coaching experience working with men who are struggling with confidence, direction, stress, burnout, and self-worth. We explore the mindset shifts that create lasting change, why self-awareness is one of the most powerful skills you can develop, and how small daily habits can completely alter the trajectory of your life.

We also dive into practical strategies around performance, including fitness, nutrition, recovery, sleep optimisation, biohacking, and the use of technology to improve both physical and mental wellbeing. More importantly, we discuss how these principles can be applied in the real world, particularly within the construction industry, where long hours, physical demands, financial pressure, and poor mental health continue to affect thousands of tradespeople every day.

James explains how he has developed coaching programmes specifically designed for tradespeople, helping them improve their physical health, mindset, energy levels, productivity, and overall quality of life without unrealistic expectations or complicated routines.

This is an honest conversation about adversity, accountability, resilience, masculinity, personal growth, and what it really takes to become the best version of yourself.

In this episode we discuss:

• James’ battle with anorexia and bulimia

• Trauma, addiction, and mental health recovery

• The challenges facing men in modern society

• Why so many men struggle to ask for help

• Mindset, discipline, and personal responsibility

• Fitness and mental health

• High-performance coaching principles

• Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

• Biohacking, sleep, recovery, and productivity

• Building habits that create lasting change

• The unique challenges faced by tradespeople

• Improving physical and mental wellbeing in construction

Whether you’re a tradesperson, business owner, parent, or someone simply trying to improve their life, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest conversation, and valuable lessons from somebody who’s lived through the darkest moments and come out the other side.

How to Talk About Suicide - Rose Rowkins on Prevention, Stigma & Saving LivesSuicide remains one of the biggest public health challenges we face, yet many of us still feel uncomfortable talking about it.In this powerful and essential episode of The Talking Tradesman Podcast, I sit down with Rose Rowkins, a psychotherapist, speaker, and suicide prevention specialist who has dedicated her career to helping people develop the confidence and skills needed to support those in crisis. Through her work delivering suicide prevention training and founding Start The Conversation, Rose has helped countless individuals and organisations understand how open, honest conversations can save lives. Find Rose here -https://www.instagram.com/start_the_conv?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Together, we tackle one of society’s most difficult subjects.How do we recognise when someone is struggling? What do we say if we’re worried about a friend, colleague, family member, or workmate? Why are so many people still afraid to talk openly about suicide? And what role do all of us have in preventing it?Rose shares practical advice, real-world experience, and simple but powerful tools that can help anyone start these conversations with confidence. We explore the myths surrounding suicide, the warning signs that are often missed, and why asking direct questions could be the first step towards getting someone the support they need.We also discuss the unique challenges facing the construction industry, where stigma, isolation, and a culture of “getting on with it” can often stop people from speaking up when they’re struggling.This isn’t a conversation about having all the answers.It’s about understanding that you don’t need to be a therapist to make a difference. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is start the conversation.In this episode:* How to talk to someone you’re worried about* Suicide prevention myths and misconceptions* Recognising warning signs and risk factors* Why people often struggle in silence* Mental health and suicide in construction* Building confidence to have difficult conversations* Reducing stigma around suicide and mental health* Practical tools that could help save a lifeIf you’ve ever worried about someone but didn’t know what to say, this episode is for you.The conversation could feel uncomfortable.Not having it could cost far more.Chapters00:00 Understanding Suicide and Its Impact04:19 The Journey into Suicide Prevention08:47 The Role of Friends in Suicide Prevention10:36 Reaching In: A New Approach to Support15:03 The Importance of Starting Conversations15:34 First Aid for Mental Health20:49 The Reality of Suicidal Thoughts24:52 The Need for Honest Conversations31:51 Creating Safe Spaces in Communities35:34 The Ripple Effect of Suicide38:22 Support Systems for Survivors of Suicide41:42 Introduction and Setting the Stage43:20 Trusting Your Gut: Starting Conversations About Mental Health46:36 Tools for Talking About Suicide48:43 Navigating the Conversation: Where and When to Talk51:09 The Importance of Active Listening53:22 Understanding the Impact of Fixing vs. Listening55:56 Recognizing Signs of Distress Beyond Words59:25 The Role of Community in Mental Health01:01:48 Learning from the Past: Recognizing Signs of Distress01:03:40 The Need for Proactive Engagement01:14:38 Creating a Livable Life: Beyond Conversations01:18:38 Building Community Connections01:22:13 Honoring Those Lost: Speak Their Name Initiative

What happens when childhood trauma, addiction and self-destruction take over your life?In this powerful episode of The Talking Tradesman Podcast, I sit down with Reece, a roofer whose life journey has taken him through some of the darkest places imaginable before finding recovery, purpose and hope.Find Reece Here - https://www.instagram.com/annex_roofing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Growing up in an environment shaped by trauma and abuse, Reece found himself carrying emotional wounds long before he understood the impact they would have on his future. As the years passed, those unresolved struggles fuelled a battle with addiction that spiralled out of control, leading him down a path of substance abuse, mental health struggles, rehabilitation and complete rock bottom.Reece speaks openly and honestly about the reality of addiction, the lies it tells you, the relationships it destroys, and the devastating effect it can have on every area of your life. He shares what it was like living in active addiction, the moment he realised something had to change, and the difficult road that followed as he fought to rebuild himself from the ground up.Today, Reece lives a clean and sober life and uses his experiences to help others understand that recovery is possible, no matter how hopeless things may seem. His story is a powerful reminder that addiction is often the symptom, not the cause, and that healing starts when we’re willing to confront the things we’ve spent years trying to escape.This conversation explores childhood trauma, addiction recovery, sobriety, mental health, rehabilitation, resilience, personal growth, men’s mental health and the life-changing power of speaking openly about our struggles.Whether you’ve battled addiction yourself, supported a loved one through recovery, or simply want to hear an incredible story of resilience and transformation, this is an episode you won’t forget.Topics Covered:✅ Childhood trauma and abuse✅ Addiction and substance abuse✅ Drug recovery and rehabilitation✅ Mental health and men’s mental health✅ Sobriety and staying clean✅ The impact of unresolved trauma✅ Recovery after rock bottom✅ Personal growth and resilience✅ Construction industry mental health✅ Finding purpose after addictionIf this episode helps you, inspires you, or makes you think differently about addiction and recovery, please share it. You never know who might need to hear this story today.Chapters00:00 Childhood and Family Dynamics01:12 The Impact of Abuse and Dysfunction04:25 Transition to Wales and New Challenges07:24 School Life and Behavioral Changes10:26 Early Encounters with Drugs13:32 Finding Stability in Work and Family16:24 The Role of Substance Use in Adolescence19:23 Reflections on Addiction and Recovery25:53 The Social Acceptance of Alcohol vs. Drugs28:23 Personal Experiences with Alcohol and Drug Use31:56 The Progression of Addiction and Its Impact35:08 Recognizing the Problem and Seeking Help39:41 The Turning Point: Entering Rehabilitation51:21 The Journey of Recovery and Finding Hope01:04:15 The Power of Conversation and Mental Health01:07:54 Breaking Down Barriers: Sharing Personal Stories01:10:24 Finding Freedom: Life After Addiction01:14:59 Rebuilding Relationships and Finding Purpose01:17:29 The Importance of Purpose in Sobriety01:22:12 Cultural Norms and the Need for Change01:25:30 The Role of Community in Recovery01:30:44 Generational Patterns and Emotional Awareness