The World Record Paddleboarder Reforming the Prison System with Adventurer & Consultant at Penal Reform Solutions, David Haze #41
Many of us have lost our sense of freedom and passion for adventure, succumbing to the pressures of modern life. This is a sentiment vouched by David Haze, who has learned this as a result of his extraordinary journey.
Drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, crime and prison time took David to dark places, but the manner in which he overcame that strife serves as a lesson to all who seek purpose, direction and inspiration.
David opens up on Extrology to share the highs and lows, how he’s channelling his energy into paddleboarding world records, the reforms we need to make to the prison system, and much more…
This episode does contain sensitive discussions around gambling, drug use, addiction and suicide. If you or anyone you know is in need of urgent help, there are resources in the links and references for this episode at: https://www.extrology.com/.
Lee and David discuss:
The adventurous childhood that inspired David’s current expeditions
Recovering from the challenging spiral of addiction and crime
Penal Reform Solutions’ endeavours to rethink the UK prison system’s approach to rehabilitation
David’s 7 paddleboarding world records, and upcoming global challenge
The bravery of opening up and asking for help in times of need
Links & references:
Samaritans: Phone - 116 123
Drug and Alcohol Addiction Resources Collated by Mind:
Lee Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecooperrecruiter/
David Haze: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhaze/
Penal Reform Solutions: https://www.linkedin.com/company/penal-reform-solutions-limited/
https://www.instagram.com/penalreformsolutions/
https://penalreformsolutions.com/
Get in touch: lee@extrology.com
Episode highlights:
“We'd have this military gear, so we put this camo paint on us, wear all this camo gear, and we just go and play army men in the woods. That's where this real thirst for adventure came from, I absolutely loved every moment of it. ” - 6:45 - David Haze
“My life was going 100mph, earning good money, going to these restaurants and spending a lot of money, living the London life. I was living that life, people wish that they could live. Looking back on it now, that wasn't who I was, I just lost touch with who I was. But then suddenly, the carpet was pulled from underneath me.” - 9:30 - David Haze
“As men, we seem to do this a lot, we just don't ask for help. I just tried to do this all on my own. So I turned to gambling, spent a lot of money on gambling, through that I ended up using a lot of drugs, which all spiralled out of control.” - 10:00 - David Haze
“I remember it was in June, and I’d had a really nice dinner with my mum, we sat outside with my mum's partner. We're having a fire on a lovely afternoon. I had to go and answer a police bail, which again, they didn't know about, and then that was it. I was gone for one year and six months. My mum said it's like I just died.” - 16:45 - David Haze
“I met Dr Sarah Lewis, and said I need to get involved with you. I started working with her when I was in prison. She said ‘When you get released, you need to come and speak to me’. So I ended up getting released, and she's my boss now. I now work for her as a consultant for the criminal justice system to try and prove the system that is broken.” - 22:15 - David Haze
“Sarah has gone over to Scandinavia, she's seen how the prison system works over there in Norway. She tried to bring it back - I was in Guys Marsh in North Dorset - she tried to bring this programme over to the UK. I tell you what, it really has changed my life, and she's made a big difference over in North Dorset.” - 26:20 - David Haze
“All those times I've been fantasising about paddleboarding, being on the water, reconnecting to my old self; In that moment I realised that my old self is back. That guy that used to love sports, used to love adventure, he's back again.” - 32:50 - David Haze
“With these endurance events when I really push myself, that's when I know what my body and my mind is truly capable of. I learned so much about myself and it gives me so many tools to deal with modern day life. When I come into any trouble again off the water, I've now got the tools to take control of that and change my life to live a much more meaningful life.” - 39:35 - David Haze
“Through adventure, we live. Life is an adventure, and that's how we should embrace life. Just embrace it as an adventure, live it to the fullest. ” - 50:25 - David Haze
“The definition of being proud is asking for help, that is what a proud person is. Asking for help, just using that support; I think that's what it's all come down to. I wish I used it more, so I didn't go down that path.” - 1:00:55 - David Haze
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