Love Island star branded an 'inspiration' after sharing incredible transformation one year after giving up booze
Dr Alex George shares transformation snaps to mark one year sober
INSTAGRAM/ALEX GEORGE
Since leaving the Love Island villa, Dr Alex George returned to his job as an A&E doctor - working on the frontline throughout the pandemic - and now serves as the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador.
George himself has spoken openly about his mental health struggles before and in 2022, he decided to ditch alcohol in a bid to get his "health back on track".
Taking to Instagram, George has spoken openly and honestly about the past year of sobriety and how it's changed not only his body, but his mindset.
Alongside a series of snaps of himself over the past 12 months, George penned a lengthy and heartfelt post.
He said: "Ok here goes. A year ago almost to the day, I sat down in my hairdresser’s chair and looked in the mirror. I looked into my eyes and all I could see was darkness.
"A year ago I was in a really bad place. I didn’t want to be here anymore.
"It felt like I had faced trauma after trauma over the last few years. One thing after the other, and I couldn’t see a way through.
Alex George gave up booze in 2022
INSTAGRAM/ALEX GEORGE
"My mental, physical and emotional health was in an awful place," he added before he went on to mention the loss of his brother Llyr.
Llyr took his own life in 2020 at 19-years-old, leaving George devastated.
George continued: "When Llŷr passed away, we promised each other as a family, that no matter what, we would stay. And so, If I had to stay, things needed to change.
"In the past I would have concluded that me being overweight was the issue, that if I fixed that I would be ‘happy’. I have learnt my lessons however, the last photo in the carousel was me at my thinnest, you only have to look in my eyes to conclude the rest. What I needed to fix, was on the inside.
"So I decided to walk, or stomp as I like to call it, outside in nature. These were my literal first steps towards recovery and @thestompcast was born. As I fell back in love with exercise, I realised that there was one thing I’d need to let go of, if I was going to get my health back on track, alcohol. So on the 4th of December last year I quit alcohol. And never looked back.
"Stopping drinking and losing the numbness it provided, meant I had to feel. And it was only then the healing could begin. Healing has been incredibly painful, facing my demons and my faults, looking trauma in the eye, it’s been hard. Harder than I can ever explain. The gym was light work, the real work was in the therapy room.
"I am, like everyone else, a perfectly imperfect work in progress," George admitted before he signed off: "There is so much more for me to say, and explain. It’s hard to open up and say you really haven’t been ok. And that you really could not be here today. But it’s the truth and I really hope that by me being open about suicidality, it might help others know they can get through. Never give up. Ever.
George then informed his followers that he's launching a new podcast where he'll discuss further the issues he raised before he concluded with a famous quote of Churchill's.
He added: "As Winston Churchill once said, if you’re going through hell, keep going. Thank you for your support."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Dr Alex has been hard at work in the gym after falling "back in love" with exercise
INSTAGRAM/ALEX GEORGE
Hoards of fans and famous faces rushed to praise George for his candor, including fellow former Islander Megan Barton Hanson who penned in response: "So proud of you! Your the kindest strongest person! Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability."
While The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, added: "Legend. Love this message mate and you look so well mate. Awesome journey. "
Elsewhere, Bear Grylls weighed in: "Not easy! Well done you buddy."
And one of his fans commented: "What a brave honest and genuine message ! You are an inspiration to so many young people particularly young men.
"You have set out on a mission to raise awareness of mental health concerns in young people whilst dealing with your own struggles at the same time which only goes to show how strong resilient and brave you are.
"You are an inspiration to so many I hope one day you will fully understand the incredible difference you are making to the lives of so many."