Hi, I'm Hamish
I’m a recovery coach, HIV advocate and speaker — featured by the BBC, LBC Radio, and universities, charities and companies across the UK.
My primary work is helping men who are struggling with addiction to build healthier habits, reconnect with themselves and get unstuck. This doesn't just help you — it helps everyone around you.
I believe each and every one of us holds huge potential — more than we realise. My mission is to help you tap into this.
My story
In 2020 I was diagnosed with late-stage HIV (also known as AIDS). It was the start of my recovery from 20 years of struggles with addiction.
At 11 years old, I survived a hijacked plane — the first of a series of traumatic events that have had a lasting impact on my life. As a result, I lived with chronic stress for 20 years and, from 13 years old, used substances and other destructive coping mechanisms to numb my pain.
Like too many people — especially men — I didn't always talk about what I was going through. I lived with what some would call "high-functioning addiction" — and I learned to hide it very well.
I spent many years immersed in British rave culture and music scenes.
The constant parties were amazing — but what started as fun descended into using on my own, lying to myself and others, and spiralling into debt. I'd hop from using one thing to another, or all at once — often walking the line between life and death.
I lost friends along the way, through living this lifestyle. It could have been me on several occasions.
Before anyone begins the lifelong journey of recovery from addiction there's often a crisis of some sort. My diagnosis was exactly that. After my HIV diagnosis, I spent four years mostly sober. But I relapsed — a lot.
I spent a lot of time in therapy, in 12-step recovery groups and reading self-help books. But it wasn't enough to stop me from returning to destructive patterns, again and again.
Eventually, in 2023, I started working with a coach. And then another. And then another. I had three different coaches at various points that year; two life coaches and a recovery coach.
I went from relapsing, losing trust in myself and doubting my ability to maintain recovery — to feeling at peace and excited for my future.
Coaching made all the difference for me. And it can for you too.
Ultimately, my aim is to help you do in 4 months what took me 4 years.
My work today
Since sharing my story publicly, this work has taken me to institutions across the UK, including 10 Downing Street.
I’ve been featured by BBC World Service, spoken on BBC Radio 5 and LBC Radio, and at organisations including Mind, Terrence Higgins Trust, University College London, and the Royal Bank of Canada.
I currently serve as Board Chair of Amani Community Health Partners in Uganda — an organisation supporting young women and people living with HIV.
Living with HIV
Since a few weeks after being diagnosed with HIV in 2020, I've been undetectable. This means I'm on successful treatment and can't pass it on.
Undetectable = Untransmittable
U=U
My background
I grew up in seven countries in Asia, Africa and Europe and have lived in the UK for 25+ years. London is my home. I now mostly live between Africa and Latin America.
Since 2002: I’ve been a DJ (self-taught from 13 years old) – and have been collecting vinyl ever since (an eclectic mix). I've DJ'd at hundreds of music events across the UK and internationally.
In 2008: I had a breakdown and dropped out of university. This was my first recovery. My substance use continued but I learned resilience, eventually graduating elsewhere in 2012 with a degree in Music Tech. I kept DJing as a side hustle.
From 2009–2024: I worked in the UK charity sector, in fundraising, generating millions of pounds for a range of causes. Mostly humanitarian and most recently mental health.
My coaching experience
In 2009: started coaching as a team leader.
In 2017: completed my first coaching course.
From 2017: gained several years experience coaching as a line manager.
In 2020: after my HIV diagnosis — without realising at the time — I began coaching myself; intensively reading self-help books and journaling day and night. Both of these practices continue to this day.
In 2023: I had three coaches change my life, completed my first coaching certification and started recovery coaching.
In 2024: Started training in mindfulness-based addiction recovery (MBAR).
Fun facts
- I love a fun fact (expect them unexpectedly)
- My heritage is English/Scottish/Somali
- I'm a Liverpool FC fan
- As a child I learned piano and guitar and started producing my own music at 19
- I love music from Sub-Saharan Africa (highlife, afrobeat, soukous, makossa, etc.)
- In 2023-24 I fostered a beautiful dog from 5–18 months old (her name is Millie; in the pics)
