Father who recovered from alcoholism to open gym

A man who turned his life around by recovering from alcohol dependency is set to open a new gym.

Ben Larson, from Sydenham, Somerset, has spoken about how fitness helped him overcome the chronic alcoholism that troubled his early adulthood.

The 44-year-old said he began struggling with his mental health following the death of his father when he was 16. "Losing a loved one at that age was really difficult for me and drinking was my answer at the time," said Mr Larson.

But he has now been sober for 17 years and said his passion for exercise and the love of his two children had kept him focused.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Mr Larson explained how drinking had "got a hold of him", resulting in him ending up in and out of hospital during his early 20s.

He said he felt his only option was to get away from Bridgwater and move to Yorkshire.

"It was really hard at the time, but I knew I had to break away," he said, explaining how the move helped improve his anxiety.

'Keep moving'

While living in Yorkshire he qualified as a personal trainer and now having returned to Bridgwater, Mr Larson has decided to expand his fitness business by opening a new gym called Active Recovery Function Fitness, on Bristol Road.

He is currently renovating the unit ahead of its opening in May and said he hopes his coaching can help others who have had similar experiences to him.

"I always say keep moving," he said. I think it's very important to keep moving, for anybody in life."