‘Your past doesn’t disqualify you’: Growth Gurus Founder opens up on quitting drugs

Josh O’Cock, Founder of Maltese companies Growth Gurus and Motileo, has spoken out about how he managed to rebuild his life after quitting drugs.

“You can lead teams, you can win fancy awards, you can speak on big stages, you can build a successful company, and still have had moments where everything fell apart,” Mr O’ Cock said in a powerful LinkedIn post.

“I know, because I’ve lived it.”

The entrepreneur said that in 2022, his drug use spiralled out of control, triggering intense delusions – including believing he was God riding a whale in his kitchen – and resulting in a period in a psychiatric ward.

However, he said his real wake-up call was the realisation that he was being horrible to his family, particularly his mother, “the person who has loved me more than anyone on this planet.”

"That was the moment I knew I had crossed a line I would never cross again,” he said.

On 4th August 2022, Mr O’ Cock decided to quit drugs on the spot and set about rebuilding his mind, health, relationships and general life one day at a time.

Three and a half years later, he has successfully turned his life around.

“I train like an athlete, I hardly ever drink alcohol, I run two companies I’m so proud of, I’m present for the people who matter, I have a WHOOP age of 32, even though I’m 37, I’m an incredible father to my daughter,” he said.

Mr O’ Cock said he didn’t share his story for sympathy but as a message of encouragement to people who feel they have messed up their lives too badly to turn things around.

“Your past doesn’t disqualify you, your past prepares you,” he said. “If I can come back from the edge of insanity and build a life I love, you can too.”