From Booze to Breakthrough - Adam Smith

What happens when a 20-stone, booze-soaked hospitality veteran hits the lockdown wall and decides, "F**k this—I want more"?

Adam Smith, co-founder of A-Game, joins us for a brutally honest and fiercely uplifting conversation about what it really means to bring your best self to the table (hint: it’s not kale smoothies and forced gratitude).

We talk alcohol-free living—not from a preachy mountaintop, but from the battlefield of self-worth and social pressure. We dig into masculinity, mental health, the loneliness of leadership, and why “perfectionism” is just low self-esteem dressed up in a designer hoodie. From the pain of reinvention to the power of purpose, Adam doesn’t just talk the talk—he’s walked it, crawled it, and danced on its grave.

This isn’t a sob story. It’s a war cry. If you're tired of numbing out, playing small, or being told to "man up," this episode is your permission slip to drop the mask and get real.

Takeaways

• Why chasing perfection is a sneaky form of self-sabotage
• How going sober gave Adam his life—and business—back
• The “Coffee Test” to find out who your real friends are
• Why men suck at talking (and society sucks worse at listening)
• How vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s rebellion
• Reclaiming your power through Stoic philosophy, small habits, and telling yourself a better f**king story
• How A-Game scaled from nothing to a million-pound movement by betting on honesty and humanity

SOUND BITES:🔊🔊🔊

“Perfectionism? That’s just low self-esteem in a sexy outfit.”

➤ (Mic drop. And possibly the most accurate thing said about perfectionism—ever.)

“You didn’t become a world-class soldier drunk. You did it sharp, focused, and clear.”

➤ (Say it louder for the lads at the bar.)

“I stopped asking what’s wrong with a few beers—and started asking what’s right with them.”

➤ (Oof. That’ll stop a scroll.)

“If you can’t meet your mates for a coffee on a Tuesday morning, they’re not your mates. They’re drinking buddies.”

➤ (Cue 85% of listeners re-evaluating their group chat.)

“Men don’t need to talk more. People just need to shut up and listen when we do.”

➤ (Tattoo this on society’s forehead.)

“Bravery isn’t just charging into battle—it’s saying, ‘I’m not okay’ and risking the fallout.”

➤ (For the veterans, the dads, and every man faking fine.)

“Your quality of life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about how quickly you can bounce back when you f#*k up.”**

➤ (That’s resilience, Great Guns-style.)

Ready to bring your A-game—no booze, no bullsh*t?

👉 Follow Adam Smith and the A-Game crew at A-Game

👉 Want more fearless chats like this? Subscribe, rate, and review the Great Guns Podcast.

And hey—if you’ve ever cried in a Tesco car park or danced sober at a wedding, this one’s for you.