S3 EP8 - Michael Maisey - former prolific armed robber, drug addict & alcoholic on how he turned his life around

Michael Maisey has turned his life around. Brutally and honestly written about in his outstanding book 'Young Offender', Michael went through things so tough and tragic it is truly incredible he is here to tell the tale. Repeatedly a victim of sexual, physical and mental abuse from almost all of the closest grown ups around him he fell prey to the claws of drug and alcohol abuse and fell deeply in to a life of crime which resulted in many years in and out of Feltham Young Offender Institute.

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He owns a life story full of some of the darkest, toughest and saddest experiences you'd never want even your worst enemy to have to endure.  Yet here he is now out the other side - happily married with two kiddies, sober, sharing his amazing story in order to help himself, others and make a change to the system that repeatedly failed him.

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He is truly one of the most inspirational people I have ever encountered. He has not only gotten out of that dark world, but he is even able to forgive it and the people involved. He is proof that we can change. Life can change if you want it to.

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This is a powerful, vulnerable and informative chat. Michael doesnt shy away from my probing questions but answers with honesty, emotion and strength that I found truly awe inspiring.  It was a privilege to spend time with him and this is a chat i can't wait to share with you
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Under one of his instagram posts he writes: "For many years I wore a mask. The tough guy, the know it all, the charmer, the bully, the coward, the victim, the addict, the joker. I didn’t want to let the world see the real me, as I feared rejection, when I was really rejecting myself and how I truly felt when I looked in the mirror. I have found that we can only truly connect to others and to ourselves when we are vulnerable.
Vulnerability opens the doors to intimacy, and intimacy is what all long lasting relationships are built on. I choose to welcome all of myself today, the good, the bad and the shadows" .
On his book, Tony Parsons writes: "Young Offender is a memoir to shine a light in the darkest of nights, a harrowing, heart breaking autobiography that feels like it was written in tears and blood. Michael Maisey crawled from the wreckage of what feels like every bad break in the world – domestic violence, sexual abuse, drugs, alcohol, incarceration and cruelty that staggers the mind - emerging with a story of redemption, hope and love."
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Its a tough read but one I highly recommend.
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Mindset Unfiltered @mindsetunfilteredpodcast
Alex Legouix @alkilegouix
Michael Maisey @michaelmaisey
Host of @thecippodcast
Founder of @thecipproject