In this powerful episode, former professional footballer Mason Spence shares his deeply personal story of how the highs and lows of football led him into a destructive gambling addiction.

He opens up about the emotional toll of trying to prove himself, the isolation that came with constant setbacks, and how betting became his escape from every emotion — anger, happiness, loneliness, and guilt. Mason describes how addiction made him manipulative and disconnected, turning even friends and family into tools for feeding his habit. He speaks candidly about hitting rock bottom, the psychological battle of living with the “addict” inside him, and the daily work it takes to stay in recovery.

Now several years clean, Mason reflects on how recovery has given him empathy, perspective, and purpose — helping others who are still trapped in the s ...