Matthew Morton “The Spider” : Trauma, Recovery & Bare Knuckle Boxing | Marnie Merrilees | E4

⚠️ Content note: this episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, addiction and mental health. Full note and support services at the bottom.Matthew "The Spider" Morton survived a childhood no child should ever know, and was lost to addiction by the age of twelve. Most people, hearing where he started, wouldn't expect him to be here at all.And yet here he is. Sober, fighting at the top of his sport, studying, and using his own story to help others still in the dark.In this conversation we talk about addiction, recovery, faith, and the discipline that rebuilt his life from nothing. It's a story of real courage, and of hope. Proof that no matter how dark it gets, there is a way forward.If his story speaks to something in your own life, please hear this: reaching out for support is never weakness. It's the bravest thing the strongest people do.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction07:54 Childhood12:04 Falling into addiction14:22 Discipline17:29 Lessons learned20:10 Realisation of abuse23:29 Life in addiction31:16 Turning point34:31 Rehab36:52 Baptised39:41 Bare knuckle boxing42:08 Life changing ayahuasca retreat49:40 Ambassador for UK Athletes Journey Home charity52:30 Western vs Eastern medicine1:07:00 Challenges of bare knuckle boxing1:08:50 Gratitude1:10:30 Trauma in the body1:16:37 Future plans1:24:58 Final words of advice📺 WATCH ON YOUTUBEyoutube.com/@MarnieMerrilees🔗 CONNECTFollow Matthew: instagram.com/matthewmortonbkbWork with me: marniemerrilees.comFollow me: @marniemerrileesI'm Marnie Merrilees, the High Performance Psychologist. Dream big, and go make it happen.⚠️ CONTENT NOTEThis episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse, addiction and mental health. Please take care when listening, and skip or pause if you need to.It also touches on Matthew's personal experience of plant medicine and psychedelics as part of his own recovery journey. This is shared as his lived experience only. It is not medical, therapeutic or professional advice, and it is not an endorsement or recommendation of any substance or treatment. Some of the substances discussed are illegal in the UK and elsewhere. Please do not make decisions about your own health or recovery based on this episode. Always seek guidance from a qualified medical or mental health professional.💛 IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP. IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY.If you ever find yourself experiencing extremely difficult thoughts or at risk of self harm or suicide, please know there are services and people ready to support you right now.For UK residents:Samaritans: call 116 123 (free, confidential, 24/7)Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, confidential, 24/7)Andy's Man Club: peer support groups for men, run by men. Check online for your local group.NAPAC, the National Association for People Abused in Childhood: 0808 801 0331The Survivors Trust: 0808 801 0818Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: 0808 500 2222 (free, 24/7)If you are in crisis, please call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.For those outside the UK:Search for your local mental health crisis services and make a note of the numbers.Marnie Merrilees | High Performance Psychologist