Guest Interview with Greg - March 2012
Greg, who is in his early forties, came along to Fountainhead Organic Retreat as he was drinking heavily due to his depression.
The drinking had also accelerated after a succession of events which had also led him to attempt suicide.
Below Greg shares his story about his depression and tells us why he chose Fountainhead to change his life.
Q. Can you share with me a little about why you wanted to come along to Fountainhead?
A. It wasn’t really my idea, to be honest. My mum and dad were the ones who looked into the retreat; they were at the stage that they knew something had to be done. They made all the enquiries and even paid for me to be here – they knew I had to come along as soon as possible as I was drinking heavily and I’d already made a couple of attempts at suicide, I was in a bad way.
I spoke with Dimitti, one of the admission staff, over the phone and she explained to me about what I would have to do, and that it was an education program. I was ready to try anything; the anti-depressants I was taking weren’t enough to help the depression I was in.
Q. Did you settle in quickly then?
A. No, quite the opposite, I was in a diabolical state. I didn’t want to join in anything or talk to anyone; I had no interest at all.
There was a themed dinner party the first night I was here, Greek I think it was – but I refused to eat anything. In fact after 5 days I had my bags packed and I was ready to go – I didn’t want to know about any of it.
Q. So what happened? It’s almost four weeks later and you are still here.
A. Craig happened (he laughs) I was talking with Michelle in the office and I was absolutely adamant that I was going home, as I said, bags packed and I’d even booked a taxi – she finally agreed that she would support my decision to leave only after I spoke with Craig for half an hour or so.
I thought, “Well if this is going to get me out of here, then ok” so I agreed.
Those 30 minutes with Craig was the turning point – he spoke to me like a mate, he really knew how I was feeling and could relate exactly to what I was going through. He took me up to the lookout point in Maleny, I had a cigarette and we just talked. Even when we got back in the car to come back to the retreat I was still thinking of leaving. But something Craig said just hit me, and I realised that this was the only opportunity left to make a change – and I couldn’t let that slip away.
I came back after half an hour with a whole new outlook - and with that, I fully through myself into The Fountainhead Method ® and all the therapies. I was quite excited. But yeah, total respect for Craig.
Q. When you arrived, you had to detox – how was that for you?
A. Look, that was half the reason why I felt like I wanted to leave, I felt awful. I’m also from the city, so being here on the farm with the rain and the mud – just wasn’t me. Once I’d got my head around why I was here – none of that bothered me. I soon started feeling better and now I feel totally different – in fact with all that personal training with Dom, I’ve actually lost 8kg.
Q. Wow, that’s fantastic – was that a combination of the healthy food and exercise?
A. (Greg laughs) Well, I’m not sure it’s the sort of food I’d normally eat – I’m a meat and potato man. Not really into salads and that. But I had more than enough of what I wanted, plenty of meat and I tried some new stuff, it was just my preference – the others liked it though. Matt (the chef) was great – he let me choose what themed dinner party we would have one Friday night…
Q. …and what did you choose?
A. Aussie night of course! We got the barbie out and we cooked up some chicken and meat – yeah, it was a good night!
Q. What other activities did you do while you were here?
A. We went on beach trips and we went bush walking up at the water falls not far from here. I had the opportunity to do the Food School – but that’s not my thing so I didn’t join in that one.
One of things that surprised me was the group discussions, I really didn’t like the idea of hearing about everyone else’s problems, I was here to get myself sorted. So I was a bit sceptical about doing that. As it turned out, I found it great - I really got to know everyone and I got a lot out of it.
After that I did the Weekend Intensive, which was another group therapy, that was a real turning point for me… everything started to fall into place and I felt like a light bulb went on in my head.
My wife came up and did the following Weekend Intensive too, and she agreed that it was great.
Q. Which one of your personal therapies did you find the most beneficial?
A. I found the Life Coaching the best for me, I had Craig and Mia, they were both brilliant.
Mia spent hours with me, even when she wasn’t working she would come and talk things over with me – she really went above and beyond.
I wasn’t sure about the mindfulness, I might give it another go when I leave here, I’ve never done anything like that before.
Q. Do you think you are ready to get back out into the world now?
A. Oh yeah, I feel like I found some kind of peace and happiness now – I know I have some issues coming up when I leave here, so that will be the real test – but I’ve learnt how to deal with my emotions better; my jealousy better and I’m going to keep up the reading and the studying. I’ve become really good at journal writing and learning to upgrade my previous thoughts, I’ll keep on with that.
I feel so good physically now too, I’m going to keep on with the fitness and working out, doing running and weights – Dom has really made an impact.
Q.Is there anything else you would like to say before I leave you to get on with your day?
A. Tamara was great, she had such a sense of humour, she was able to give it and take it too!
Oh, and I’d just like to say again that Mia and Craig were outstanding – I wouldn’t have stayed if it wasn’t for Craig, really respect him.
