From Crime, Addiction then Cancer To Full Recovery: A Triumph of Resilience

Hello, I’m Roger Davies, and I’d like to share a bit about my journey—one that has taken me from the depths of addiction to the highest peaks of adventure, both literally and metaphorically. My life has been filled with incredible highs and devastating lows, but the thread that runs through it all is resilience, strength, and an unwavering commitment to living fully. If you’re interested in nonfiction books about addiction, I want to share not only my story but how that story has been transformed into a book that could offer you—or someone you know—hope and inspiration.

A Difficult Beginning: Crime, Addiction, and Recovery

The early chapters of my life weren’t glamorous. In fact, they were a far cry from the adventurer you see today. I was lost in a spiral of crime and alcoholism, a world that seemed impossible to escape. Drink had a grip on me that felt unbreakable, and I was on a path that would have led to my destruction. I wasn’t living; I was merely surviving from one drink to the next, not realising that each sip was pulling me further away from my true self.

But something changed on February 2nd, 1981. That was the day I decided to fight for my life and get clean. I remember it vividly. It was a decision made in a moment of clarity, but it was also a battle that would take every ounce of willpower, strength, and courage to win. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that was more than 40 years ago. Today, I stand clean and sober, proud of the person I’ve become, but always aware of the battles I’ve fought to get here.

Embracing Adventure: From the North Pole to the Atlantic

Once I was clean and sober, I found myself with an overwhelming urge to push boundaries—not just the boundaries of my recovery but also the limits of human endurance. I set out on a path of adventure, one that has taken me to some of the most extreme environments on Earth.

At the age of 62, I walked 650 km to the North Pole. At an age when most people are settling into retirement, I was trekking through one of the harshest environments on the planet. It was cold, gruelling, and pushed my physical and mental limits, but every step was a reminder of how far I’d come since those dark days of addiction.

Then, at 68, I rowed across the North Atlantic. This was no ordinary feat; it was a battle against nature, the elements, and my own endurance. But I thrived on the challenge. Addiction teaches you how to fight, and those lessons stayed with me as I navigated those treacherous waters.

But I wasn’t finished yet. At the age of 72, I set two world records by playing rugby on Mount Everest. It was a moment that brought together my love for adventure and my desire to show that age and past struggles don’t have to limit your potential.

Cancer Diagnosis: Another Battle to Overcome

On September 29th, 2020, life threw me another curveball. I was diagnosed with cancer. It’s funny how life works—you think you’ve faced the biggest battles, and then another one comes along. This time, it wasn’t addiction or extreme environments; it was my own body that I had to fight against.

Chemotherapy was brutal, as anyone who has undergone it will tell you. But I treated it like any other challenge. Just like I’d battled addiction and faced down the freezing cold of the North Pole, I was determined to beat cancer.

Adventures Continue: Kayaking Across the English Channel

Despite the cancer diagnosis and the toll chemo took on my body, I wasn’t ready to slow down. On August 3rd, 2021, I kayaked across the English Channel to France. Just two months later, on October 13th, 2021, I kayaked back. These journeys were more than just physical achievements—they were symbolic of my determination to live fully, no matter the obstacles.

Why I Wrote Live a Life to Die For

If you’re looking for nonfiction books about addiction, my story offers a unique perspective. It’s not just about recovery; it’s about what comes after. It’s about finding meaning, purpose, and joy in a life that once seemed destined for destruction.

I wrote this book because I believe that if I can turn my life around and achieve the impossible, so can you. Whether you’re struggling with addiction, facing a health crisis, or simply looking for inspiration, Live a Life to Die For will remind you that no obstacle is too great to overcome.

How You Can Support My Journey

If my story resonates with you, I encourage you to pick up a copy of my book, Live a Life to Die For. It’s available on my website here. By buying the book, not only are you supporting my journey, but you’re also giving yourself—or someone you love—the gift of hope and inspiration.

I believe that every one of us has the potential for greatness, no matter what our past looks like. We just need to believe in ourselves and take the first step. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I hope that it inspires you to live a life to die for.

**I want to tell you more about my extraordinary journey.

#livealifetodiefor #MoreThanMyPast #itsrogerx

The Importance of Facing Challenges and Recharging

My journey in Recovery, as in Life, I discovered there are a recurring cycle of challenges interspersed with periods of relative calm.

The mistake lies in not realizing that there is a time for everything under the sun.

When problems arise, you must confront and resolve them. But after you do, it’s essential to replenish your strength.

If you don’t, you’ll end up exhausted and unable to face what comes next.

Clearing the Mind

         When problems arise –

• A head full of swirling emotions is like a glass of muddy water.
• Fear manifests through the “3 F’s”: Fight, Freeze, Flee.
• Anger brings about a fight response and can blind us to reason.
• Shame often leads to freezing, paralyzing action.
• Fear – Flee is to withdraw within, shut down.

  How Stillness and Patience Calm Swirling Emotions

• Just as muddy water eventually clears when left to settle, so can your mind.
• Place the glass (your thoughts) on the shelf, allowing time—your most valuable resource—to do its work.
• With time, the mud will slowly sink to the bottom, and the swirling emotions in your head will calm.
• As the water clears, so will your thoughts, and you’ll regain clarity.

Worry, a blend of these emotions, resolves nothing—only stillness and patience allow the mind to clear.

**I am excited to share the captivating story of my extraordinary journey  with you.