David Brice, 46

“I don’t take anti-depressants anymore – the mountains have opened up the world.”

Ten years ago, I was given a year to live if I didn’t stop drinking.

I had been an addict for 23 years and in that time I suffered with depression and made five attempts on my life. I was also extremely ill and malnourished. I quit drinking and went from 7 to 15 stone inside of a year because I was also addicted to sugar.

I started realising that I’ve got to exercise. My first mountain was Pen y Fan in winter. When we got there a load of soldiers rocked up and we walked with them. I suddenly realised, ‘Hang on Dave, you’re not as unhealthy as you thought you were’.

To get to the top really was a sense of achievement and I get that feeling every time. Places like this give me the ability to reflect, it’s peaceful, and I get the physical exercise. I don’t take anti-depressants anymore because I don’t need them.

Being a guy that was always stuck in four walls and very isolated, the mountains have opened up the world to me.