All my life, shame and denial followed me around. I was the odd one out. The boy who wasnt manly enough. The Greek kid who ate smelly food and the one who couldnt catch a ball or swim like everyone else. I listened to others tell me who I was, and it hurt. I started drinking at 12, trying hard to become somebody. I propped myself up enough to build a successful life but my addictions kept growing until crystal meth brought everything tumbling down.

Handed the gift of desperation, I slowly dragged myself out of the toxicity of alcohol and drugs to a new life based on acceptance and building the best version of myself. By devoting my energy and drive to fitness I was able to work my way to becoming a triathlon and marathon athlete.

I am Costa, and I named this book after myself because I no longer need a place to hide. Handing back the shame, one step and one ABBA song at a time, I bring light and humour to the darkness of addiction and show that true body, mind and spirit recovery is possible if you care enough to heal yourself.

Books by Costa Carastavrakis