S7 E2 - From Addiction to “The Mother of All Comebacks”: Brenda Dennehy on Sobriety, Identity & Rebuilding Her Life

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of addiction, substance abuse, overdose, and mental health struggles.“I promise you… I’ll make the mother of all comebacks.”This week’s episode is one I won’t forget.I sit down with Brenda Dennehy, known to many as Brenda’s Bits, for a conversation that is raw, honest, and deeply powerful. Brenda is a broadcaster, podcaster, and storyteller who has worked with Sky News, BBC, and ITV, building a career around sharing real-life stories with honesty, humour, and heart. But behind that career was a very different reality.In this episode, she opens up about her journey through addiction, the moments that nearly broke her, and what it really took to come back from it all. What struck me most is how she owns every part of her story. The shame, the setbacks, the rock bottoms, and the decision to rebuild anyway.Now almost seven years sober, Brenda is using her voice in a completely different way, through her podcast The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy and her work as a coach, helping others feel seen, supported, and less alone.✨ In this episode:Growing up in Cork and early dreams of working in mediaThe moment alcohol first “worked” Functioning addiction and hiding it from those closest to herRehab at 25 and the first turning pointThe reality of Xanax addiction and mixing substancesOverdose, hospitalisation, and a second chanceLosing her job and identity, and starting again“The mother of all comebacks” mindsetRebuilding her career and moving to LondonThe power of storytelling and sharing real experiencesCreating The Comeback podcast and helping others healYou can find Brenda here: Instagram | The Comeback Podcast Instagram | YouTube____BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube____This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.Discover more at skinformulas.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.