School of Rock Bottom

• Life After X Factor Almost Ruined Me! School of Rock Bottom 58: Raquelle Gracie

  Today I welcome a powerhouse and all round lovely human Raquelle Gracie – an artist, entrepreneur, and former X Factor finalist who has worked with music legends like Pharrell Williams and Babyface. But it’s not all glitter and glam. Raquelle shares her unfiltered story of hitting an emotional 'bottom' in the ruthless world of the music industry.At just 23, Raquelle found herself rejected by Babyface’s label, dropped without a visa, and left stranded in LA with no money. But that was just the start of her battle. From facing personal betrayal to struggling with self-worth, rejection became a recurring theme in Raquelle's life. In this episode, she opens up about the deep emotional scars she carried and the dangerous spiral of self-sabotage that almost took everything away.Yet, despite all the darkness, Raquelle rose. Ditching the booze, she turned her pain into power, using her journey of rejection and grief to fuel her creativity and help others. Raquelle's story is one of resilience, growth, and empowerment. From the music industry’s harsh realities to her personal breakthrough, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to face your own challenges head-on.More on Raquelle -She first made waves as a finalist on The X Factor in 2007, touring with Boyzone and Westlife before working with Pharrell Williams and signing with Babyface via Universal Records. She even co-wrote a US Dance Chart top-three hit with Randy Jackson.But Raquelle’s impact doesn’t stop at music. She’s shaping the next generation of artists, running songwriting camps and artist retreats in Portugal, founding RISE Creative Arts theatre school, and launching Tiny Gym, a fresh take on Tiny Desk concerts.Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Intro 3:15 Raquelle's rock bottom6:00 Dealing with rejection & mysogyny9:15 Without singing - am I enough? 13:45 Rejection turns into self sabotage 15:00 The X Factor! 17:15 Being cut because of weight gain 21:10 Validation addiction 27:05 Food & body image to self sabotage 36:30 Power in vulnerability 36:55 Sponsor38:00 Why Raquelle went alcohol free 41:30 Going sober helped with grief44:40 The spiritual journey 47:40 Answers come in silence and stillness 52:10 Championing young performers 55:50 What would you like written on your gravestone?56:35 Advice for young Raquelle Follow Raquelle Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raquellegracieTik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@raquellegracieWebsite - www.raquellegracie.liveFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/4y57uyctSpotify - https://spoti.fi/3Z0Pr1rApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#MusicIndustryStruggles#OvercomingRejection#CreativeJourney

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• Thought #14: Thirteen Years No Crack! School of Rock Bottom: Eddy Queens

  In this next quick thought, I revisit my conversation with Eddy Queens who is a star in the music industry—until addiction took everything.Dropped by her label, she spiralled into crack cocaine addiction. Within 2 years, she was homeless, trapped in a dangerous crack den, doing sex work to survive, stealing from family, and estranged from her son. Her life was ruled by a 24/7 drug habit.Now over 13 years clean and sober, Eddy shares how she got and stayed clean. This is not a celebrity comeback story—it’s about survival, forgiveness, and the real work of recovery. Today, Eddy is a performer, mother, and recovery mentor.About the “THOUGHT” series -Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://tinyurl.com/bdxje3eeFollow EddyInstagram - https://instagram.com/eddyqueensdivahttps://instagram.com/nubiancoheartsWebsite - https://eddyqueensdiva.wixsite.com/eddyqueensFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsWatch or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep 20)Spotify - https://bit.ly/495dEJYApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3YouTube - https://bit.ly/3QdRfkSor search 'School of Rock Bottom' where you listen to your podcasts. #drugaddiction #recovery#12step

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  6:02
• Addiction Beyond The Media Storm! School of Rock Bottom 57: Georgina Baillie

  Georgina Baillie found herself thrown into the centre of a media storm by Russel Brand & Jonathan Ross so explosive it forced the BBC to change its broadcasting rules forever. But she is not a scandal—she’s a fighter & a woman who refused to be defined by a moment she never chose. The horrific media onslaught that followed sent Georgina spiralling into a world of addiction to drugs, alcohol & sex. Born into the limelight as the granddaughter of legendary actor Andrew Sachs, Georgina has carved her own rebellious path in the entertainment world. From setting stages ablaze as the enigmatic ‘Voluptua’ in the gothic burlesque scene to rocking out as the lead vocalist of Georgie Girl, touring alongside the iconic Adam Ant. This is not just a story about multiple addictions—it's about the brutal cost of public shame, the pain of being misunderstood, and the strength it takes to start again when the world has already made up its mind about you.Georgina is highly engaging, witty and razor-sharp. She shares the hard truths with grace and humour, offering a rare glimpse behind the headlines. Whether you’ve been through your own rock bottom, or you're just curious about what it really takes to survive one, this conversation will stay with you. 5 years clean and sober she is a real recovery inspiration. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded well before any recent public developments. The conversation centres on Georgina Baillie’s personal experience and recovery journey, and any references to past events reflect her own lived perspective at the time.Thank you to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Intro 3:30 Georgina's rock bottom8:45 The belief that YOU ARE NOT ENOUGH 11:20 Undiagnosed ADHD impact 14:10 The impact of parents getting divorced 15:30 Addicted to attention & manipulating men 17:15 Dad moving away meant Georgina could LET RIP19:45 Proving self worth through men 20:45 Modelling and toxic behaviour 21:55 Bulimia 23:25 Cross addiction 24:30 Being taken advantage of when 'modelling'27:30 The Russel Brand & Jonathan Ross prank 32:10 Sponsor 33:15 Addiction progression 35:15 Falling into sex work 36:30 Addiction becomes evil 41:30 Recovery is beautiful 44:30 Spirituality 46:30 How do you forgive yourself?!49:15 Higher power? What?!51:55 PMDD & solutions 56:30 What do you want written on your gravestone? Follow Georgina Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/georgielondonartFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/y9htydauSpotify - https://tinyurl.com/4a6353rpApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#GeorginaBaillie#RecoveryJourney#AddictionRecovery

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  59:19
• Thought #13: Rise After Tragedy. School of Rock Bottom: Justin Govender

  Too many of us wait. For change. For hope. For a miracle. But what if the miracle you're waiting for... is you?In this next thought, I revisit a moment spent with Justin Govender who was shot in the back by police and went on to represent South Africa in two Paralympics as we explore the idea that the lowest moments in his life—disability, depression, hopelessness—can be the very soil where new strength grows. It’s not about waiting for something to happen to you. It’s about becoming the force that changes everything. We discuss the shift from victim to survivor to hero, why rock bottom can be the springboard to growth and the power of choosing movement over stagnation. He also shares how helping others can help heal yourself. If you’re in a dark place right now, this one’s for you. You’re not alone. Just take one step forward.About the “THOUGHT” series -Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://tinyurl.com/bdxje3eeFollow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsWatch or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep 18)Listen or watch on: Spotify - https://bit.ly/3Q5Q9JqApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Mn8MX5or search 'School of Rock Bottom' where you listen to your podcasts. #BeTheMiracle#DisabilityAwareness#MentalHealth

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  5:19
• "There was never enough cocaine!" School of Rock Bottom 56: Joe Sealey

  “I hear people say cocaine isn’t addictive—I couldn’t function without it.”Joe Sealey’s life was set for footballing greatness, following in the footsteps of his father, legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Les Sealey. But in the space of a week, his career was over due to injury and his father had passed away.What followed was a downward spiral of chronic cocaine and alcohol addiction— benders lasted for days, seizures, and regret so deep he wished he could go back and warn his younger self. But this is not where Joe’s story ends. He fought his way back, rebuilt his life, and emerged in full recovery and as a thriving entrepreneur, author of the critically acclaimed On Days Like These, and a familiar face from The Real Housewives of Cheshire on TV. Over three million people die every year from addiction and Joe is on a mission to help get those stats down. Huge thanks, Joe!Thank you, too, to Gavin Sisters for sponsoring this episode! Visit -www.gavinsisters.co.uk and use promo code SCHOOLOFROCKBOTTOM for 10% off!Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you!https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1Or via PayPal - https://www.paypal.me/olivermason1paypalTopics -0:00 Intro 03:10 Joe's rock bottom 04:25 Cocaine at the beginning saved my life 06:15 Coke escalates and gets painful 10:15 Do you have to stop drinking if in recovery from coke? 14:00 Alcohol mixed with cocaine makes a more dangerous drug! 16:15 The stereotypes of addiction 18:40 The impact of losing his Dad & using cocaine 21:40 What would you say to your Dad now? 26:10 Coming out of the shadow of Dad's legacy 27:30 Validation addiction? 29:00 Is your wife your higher power? 32:30 Should you avoid new relationships in early recovery? 34:50 Do you need to only date people in recovery? 36:15 Trying to stop and relapses 39:20 Dry sniffing & ADHD 41:30 How Joe gets dopamine hits now! 43:30 Overcoming anhedonia 44:50 Using social media, the gym & talking 47:45 Is FAITH always about spiritual matters? 49:00 Just be yourself! 52:45 We must get the message out of recovery! 53:50 It's not just about YOU! 55:00 It gets better! 56:15 What would you like written on your gravestone?Follow Joe Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joesealeyTik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@joesealey1Follow OliverInstagram - https://tinyurl.com/2vt29sjvFacebook - https://tinyurl.com/34cwz59rTikTok - https://tinyurl.com/ujw4vxn9LinkedIn - https://tinyurl.com/yuemhnd7Threads - https://tinyurl.com/yk7vdeahX - https://tinyurl.com/3u5mnpdsPlease subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/s76869cwSpotify - https://tinyurl.com/mw5btxfcApple - https://tinyurl.com/y3n2chk3#CocaineAddiction #JoeSealey #AddictionRecovery

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