Barnstaple man who beat addiction now helps others through exercise

A Barnstaple man who became addicted to 'legal highs' while still at school has become a beacon of hope for others after turning his life around. Today, he has put the past behind him and launched his own charitable association, Addicts to Athletes.

Connor Shannon became hooked on 'legal highs' in the form of synthetic cannaboids while still a teenager, failed his exams and later ended up in hospital as well as in a psychiatric institution as his weight plummeted to seven-and-a-half stone.

But now aged 29, he has transformed his life and set up Addicts to Athletes, which helps others overcome substance abuse through physical activity and peer support. 

Connor’s journey traced back to his childhood, where mental health problems stemmed from family struggles that included a father who had a gambling addiction and led to him moving to Barnstaple at the age of 15 and continue growing up in North Devon.

At the time, legal high shops proliferated across the UK, providing an easy gateway for experimentation. Quickly succumbing to addiction, Connor found himself entangled in the grip of highly addictive synthetic cannabinoids, facing repercussions that spanned lost jobs, fractured familial ties and relentless bullying.

Desperate to break free, Connor sought recovery in Torquay, facing severe withdrawals that landed him in the hospital, weighing only seven-and-a-half stone.

Despite periods of sobriety, a return to Barnstaple saw him relapse, leading to admission into a psychiatric unit and eventually supported accommodation, surrounded by others grappling with substance abuse. Unhappy with his living situation, Connor sought solace with his grandmother, which proved a pivotal move toward stability.

Persistent battles with anxiety and depression led to years of medication. However, the start of Covid-19 became a catalyst for change for him.

Engaging in an online GCSE English course with Learn Devon, Connor found a newfound sense of achievement, ultimately earning an A in English - a subject he had previously failed a decade earlier due to substance abuse during his school years.

A transformative moment occurred when Connor discovered the parkrun event in Barnstaple. Running the course became symbolic of triumphing over drug addiction, unleashing a passion for fitness that saw him complete multiple triathlons, including an Olympic Distance Triathlon at Croyde.

This journey of personal empowerment led him to establish a YouTube channel, where he aimed to inspire others facing addiction and the desire to embark on a fitness journey.

The positive feedback from Connor’s channel laid the foundation for Addicts to Athletes, which provides a safe haven for individuals to share their stories, seek motivation, gain knowledge and draw inspiration. Emphasising that change is both possible and never too late, the initiative has transcended local roots, evolving into a global community.

The initiative has now blossomed into a community, attracting members from all over. 

Connor also said his mum has been very supportive of his whole venture. He explained, "she gets up early and drives me to most of my events, even in other counties. Without her and Nan none of it would have been possible."

Looking to the future on his personal journey, Connor said: “I’d love to eventually do an Ironman, but I’m finding the charity work so rewarding my only goal in life is now to help others transform their lives and maybe if I can get a job working for the council as a substance abuse outreach worker that would be amazing.”

Determined to make a lasting impact, Connor pursued additional courses in addiction recovery, drug and alcohol awareness, and suicide prevention. His long-term goal is to serve as a substance misuse outreach worker or addiction-related social worker, channelling his first-hand knowledge into compassionate assistance for others.

You can find out more information from Connor’s website here. 

Or visit the Facebook page here.