Staying Anchored with Nick
Who is Nick O’Shea?
I’m 29, from Hertfordshire and in 2022 I entered the sober space and started my Podcast ~ ‘Get Sober With Nick’, to share my journey and inspire others. From a young age, creativity has always been my anchor. Whether it was writing music or sketching ideas, it gave me an outlet to escape and express myself. Creativity wasn’t just a hobby ~ it was how I made sense of the world around me, especially during life’s more challenging moments. As I grew older, another constant joined my life ~ nature. It has a way of grounding me in the here and now, offering clarity and perspective when life feels overwhelming. Being surrounded by towering mountains or walking along a quiet forest trail helps my worries dissolve and softens my anxieties. There’s something about how nature reminds us of our place in the bigger picture. Creativity and nature, are what I turn to most in my sober journey. They’ve been my therapy, release, and inspiration. When I reflect on the moments I feel most at peace, two scenarios stand out clearly. The first is when I’m creating something meaningful ~ pouring my heart into a piece of work. The second is when I’m outdoors, present, with no distractions.
How did you become inspired by Sober Living?
When I began my recovery journey, I felt lost. I wrestled with fear ~ fear of judgment, fear of rejection, and fear of losing the life I thought I knew. I worried about what people would think. I built a cage out of societal expectations, convincing myself that I was giving up everything. But sobriety wasn’t the end of my life ~ it was the start of a new one. Nine months into recovery, I hit a turning point. I started Instagram page Get Sober With Nick, to document my journey. Through this platform, I discovered a community of sober individuals and found inspiration in their stories, courage, and approach to sobriety. It lit a fire in me. I stopped hiding and started creating. I threw myself into building my podcast, reaching out to other sober individuals to share their experiences. Each conversation was like a reminder that I wasn’t alone. As I listened to their stories, I began to find the words for my own. It wasn’t long before I stopped wearing my sobriety as an insecurity. Instead, I started wearing it as a badge of honour. I was proud of my sobriety.
What is your favourite sober experience?
When I was in the depths of drinking and using, I couldn’t imagine life without them. The idea of socialising, travelling, or catching up with friends without drugs or alcohol seemed completely alien. But sobriety has shown me a truth I never believed possible ~ life is not only doable without drugs and alcohol ~ it’s richer, more fulfilling, and full of moments I never thought I’d experience. Since choosing sobriety, I’ve had some incredible experiences. I’ve climbed the National Three Peaks and the Yorkshire Three Peaks, explored the breathtaking trails of Madeira, and enjoyed hiking holidays that left me in awe of the world’s beauty. These adventures have been helped shape me, not just because of the places I’ve visited but because I was fully present to appreciate them. While these big adventures stand out, what means the most to me are the small, everyday moments. Like going for dinner with my mum and knowing I won’t let her down. Or telling my partner, “I’ll be home in half an hour,” and actually being home in half an hour. These moments might seem ordinary, but they represent the life I’m building.
How do you connect with the outdoors?
For three years, I lived right by South Downs but never explored it. When I began my sobriety, I began hiking there, and now, every Sunday, my partner and I take our dog, Lockie, on a new route. It’s become a tradition ~ not just about the exercise but connecting with each other and being present. I spend at least an hour a day outside on a run or a walk. These moments have become vital to my wellbeing, and I take my camera to capture these places to build a portfolio of memories that I hope to look back on. Sobriety has given me the opportunity to reconnect with what I love most.
Where are you heading next?
I’m preparing to take on the Welsh 3000 Challenge, climbing all 15 peaks over 3,000 feet in Wales within 24 hours to raise money for charity. It’s a challenge, but one I’m ready to face. Through my podcast & community, I hope to inspire others. I’m passionate about tackling addiction and mental health in industries that often sweep them under the rug.
By sharing my story, I aim to break the stigma around addiction and show people there is another way forward. Sobriety has taught me that it’s not about perfection but progress. I hope to grow and inspire others to take their own first steps toward a better future.
You can follow Nick’s adventures here.
