{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/69ff8a2928bc864b8b791087/6ad4fb53336b44639ef43416?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"I Was an Extra in My Own Life","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/69ff8a2928bc864b8b791087/1792342823668-e2b923ff-caf9-42db-9c8f-430feda5799f.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong>Episode 93 | Melissa Cheriegate: I Was an Extra in My Own Life</strong></p><p>What happens when you spend so long living for everyone else that you forget who you are?</p><p>This week on <em>After Hours with Jimmy Thistle</em>, I&#39;m joined by Melissa Cheriegate, artist and creator of the <em>Whoever You Art</em>podcast, for an honest conversation about addiction, identity and finding your way back to yourself.</p><p>From the fashion world and its party culture to marriage, motherhood and life across several countries, Melissa&#39;s journey took a devastating turn following the death of her father.</p><p>As her drinking spiralled, alcohol became something she needed just to function. Two stays in rehab, relapse and some frightening moments followed before she finally found her own reasons to stop.</p><p>We talk about grief, motherhood, ADHD, shame, the dangers of wine culture and the surprising role that art, creativity and podcasting have played in her recovery.</p><p>But at the heart of Melissa&#39;s story is something bigger than alcohol: learning to stop being an extra in your own life and finally becoming the person who gets to write the story.</p><p>An honest, moving conversation about second chances, self-worth and discovering that it&#39;s never too late to begin again.</p><p><strong>Find Melissa:</strong> Instagram @whoeveryouart.podcast</p><p>https://open.spotify.com/show/033U09Igdg96MTQw9UxMcd?si=02b0f326b3934471</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/@whoeveryouart</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Find Jimmy:</strong> @thesoberthistle</p><p><strong>Coaching:</strong> thistlefreedomcoaching.com</p><p>Choose tomorrow. Stay sober today. 🧡</p>","author_name":"Jimmy Thistle"}