From Gear to God with Pastor Mick Flemming
In this episode, Dan is joined by Pastor Fleming, a former addict and ex-criminal who found spirituality and God after a series of pivotal moments in his life. Mick turned to criminality and drugs after suffering two traumatic events as a child and shares with Dan his life journey from this point, into drug abuse and criminality and eventually into healing, through the power of faith.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Mick was sexually abused on his way to school at just age 11, this is when he started to repress his emotions and didn’t cry again until he was 42. He turned to drink and drugs instead. Mick’s criminal activity and attitude towards life was that if he was ‘soft’ he would get hurt so he did everything to be bad, as a form of protecting himself. Eventually Mick turned to crack cocaine, which not only was expensive meaning he had to find risky ways to make money but it also started to make him psychotic, he became more unwell faster both mentally and physically. A pivotal moment in Mick’s life was when he attempted suicide but failed, the gun didn’t go off, it made him believe that there must be a god and believe that maybe there was a different life out there for him. Shortly after, Mick was sectioned into a psychiatric hospital. It was here he first started to talk about his abuse, and he realised he wasn’t alone. It was the beginning of his healing journey. Mick believes that to find peace you need to live your life by Jesus’ teachings which are honesty, unselfishness, purity and love. To heal you have to remove the anger and resentment that you feel. For Mick, he was able to give and surrender these feelings to God which enabled him to go sober. To stay sober, you need to heal from the things that caused you to drink or do drugs in the first place or you will relapse. True healing, whatever form that takes for you, is the only way to long-lasting sobriety. When Mick began helping others, he came across his rapist. He initially planned to kill him, but he couldn’t do it, instead, he helped him. Sin is a state of existence, it never stops. Forgiveness is a choice but forgiving doesn’t make the original act ok either. Mick has been able to spread his message, that people can be healed and get sober across the world via his book: From Drug Dealer to Life Bringer
BEST MOMENTS
“I wanted to be bad because I thought being soft would get you hurt”
“I’ve almost been killed twice”
“I believe there’s a power bigger than me”
“You’ve gone from gangster to sniffing decaff in a mental health unit..that was the beginning of my recovery”
“Sin doesn’t stop, his sin becomes your sin”
“The drink and the drugs are your friend”
“I’m not god, I’m not Jesus, I can’t save anybody but I have a message that can”
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mick’s Book: From Drug Dealer to Life Bringer
https://t.co/N22x2RVvJE
https://instagram.com/michaelfleming1550?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://www.cots-ministries.co.uk
CONTACT METHOD
ABOUT THE GUEST
Mick Flemming – Pastor
Mick himself said he should have been dead many times, he survived several attempts on his life after working as an enforcer for the criminal underworld, a failed attempt at suicide and years of violence and drug abuse. After leaving a psychiatric unit Mick went on to achieve a degree in theology, is now ordained a priest and has recently been consecrated as a bishop.
Pastor Mick also runs a charity called ‘Church On The Street’, helping people struggling in the cost of living crisis.
https://t.co/N22x2RVvJE
https://instagram.com/michaelfleming1550?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://www.cots-ministries.co.uk
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel O’Reilly
Daniel O’Reilly is one of the UK’s Largest Influencers, a comedian, actor, musician, viral video star and social influencer. With a portfolio of businesses Daniel enjoys a busy lifestyle mixed with business and pleasure. Daniel is a father to two beautiful girls and enjoys spending quality time with them and his wife Shelley. With 2022 being a busy year, Daniel sold out his O2 stand-up show, released his British movie 'The Last Heist' and is currently preparing for the upcoming release of his other film 'Miss The Kiss'. Daniel is a creative through and through, with a passion to strive in everything he does. Daniel is looking forward to the release of his podcast 'Menace 2 Sobriety' in 2023, his long-term position on GB News, Headliners, and the growing slate of films in the works with his production company, HYPRR.
PODCAST DESCRIPTION
Daniel O'Reilly's newest venture sees the creation of his Menace 2 Sobriety podcast, a series of relaxed and open conversations with different guests and varied experiences.
After recently being diagnosed with severe ADHD and beginning his sobriety again, Daniel also set up a page on Facebook and Instagram called 'Men And Their Emotions' (M.A.T.E) an accessible, open and supportive group for MEN to post their feelings, thoughts and current life issues. Upon seeing the responses from men around the world to some of the posts on the group he was blown away and continues to be touched by the kindness and support offered by strangers. This all led to Daniel wanting to start up his own podcast and invite guests to join him in opening up about past experiences and talk about all things mental health, family & sobriety.
The podcast will see Daniel and his interesting guests' sharing their personal stories and learning experiences that they hope will help other people; whether it encourages one person to ask for help, talk to family about their struggles with getting sober/clean, or realise that they aren't alone. The Menace 2 Sobriety podcast has been created by Daniel to help people fight their own gremlins.
