Ep 021 - From Crystal Meth, Triads and being homeless to motivational speaker, pilot and author with former Royal Marine Chris Thrall

Chris Thrall, at aged eighteen, joined the Royal Marines Commandos. Following active service in the Northern Ireland Conflict and training in Arctic warfare and survival, he earned his parachutist’s ‘wings’ and operated as part of a high-security detachment on board an aircraft carrier. In 1995, Chris moved to Hong Kong to oversee the Asia-Pacific expansion of a million-dollar marketing operation he’d built part-time while serving in the forces. Six months later, he was homeless, in psychosis from crystal meth addiction and working as a nightclub doorman for the 14K, Hong Kong’s most ruthless triad brotherhood, many of who were assassins. In 2011, Chris wrote the internationally bestselling memoir Eating Smoke, a frank, disturbing yet often hilarious account of his experience. He has spoken on numerous podcasts, radio and television programs and has co-produced two award-wining radio plays on his life and memoir. Forty Nights, Chris’s 2019 follow-up, details how he used chronic addiction as a springboard to achieve all of his life’s goals. Today on The Best Version Of You Chris tells us how he's now a qualified pilot and skydiver, snowboarder and ultra-runner, Chris has travelled across eighty countries on seven continents, including backpacking through all of North, Central and South America. He also ran an ultra-marathon every day for 37 days, 999 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, solo, unsupported and carrying 14kgs of camping equipment, to raise awareness of veterans’ suicide. For his humanitarian approach to life, Chris was awarded the Second Level Commendation of the Finnish Nation on the grounds of human generosity. He has a degree in youth and community work, is a substance-misuse and addiction specialist and now, a life-changing speaker! To get in touch with Chris you can reach him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin @chrisjthrall. Guys please leave the show a review on iTunes if you enjoyed the show, it means the world to hear your feedback. Thanks