Last week, I edited 29 short (generally less than three minutes) Theme films for the conversation that Wulf had with Rob Havelock and Lianne Jones in March last year. These films add to the ten main films from that conversation, to which are linked to on Lianne and Rob’s People page. For those of you who don’t know this lovely couple, here are short bios.
Rob Havelock was born in Porthmadog, North Wales, and is now three years in recovery from a cocaine addiction and alcoholism. He is Founder of an Eryi (Snowdonia)-based walking and outdoor community dedicated to helping people recovering from addiction and mental health struggles. At the time of this interview, he was a Duty Officer at Penrhyn House, the residential part of North Wales Recovery Communities in Bangor. However, he is now focused on his Sober Snowdonia initiative.
Lianne Jones was born in Pwllheli on the Llŷn Peninsula, North Wales. She experienced a good deal of abuse and trauma in her earlier life, and eventually became addicted to painkillers, illicit drugs, and alcohol. She is also three years in recovery. Lianne is currently a Duty Officer at Penrhyn House. Like her partner Rob, she loves the outdoors and supports him and his Sober Snowdonia initiative. She is also an ultra-marathon runner.
Here are three Theme films involving the couple that I particularly like:
Being a Couple in Recovery: Rob Havelock & Lianne Jones
Rob and Lianne are an exception to the commonly held view that romantic relationships don’t work for people in early recovery. Their relationship put them in a somewhat difficult situation. What did they say to other people who wanted to start a romantic relationship? A lot of people said to Lianne, ‘But you work’. Her response, particularly to females, was to tell them to avoid getting into a relationship in the first year of their recovery. Wulf says the safest option is self-love first, community-love second, and intimate-love third.
How the Outdoor World Works [2’58”]
When she started her running journey, Lianne realised that she loved the ultra-marathon community, one comprised of just women. She enjoys the feeling of being outdoors, and the sense of peace and serenity that she gets. Other people encourage her. It’s also nice to be part of a different community where she is not seen as an addict, although she loves to promote the fact that she is in recovery and helping other people.
Mountains and Humility [2’55”]
Wulf believes that one of the things in recovery is learning humility. Mountains teach you humility. Rob points out that if you stand underneath a mountain and look up and then deny it’s not a power greater than yourself, then you’re going to struggle. Remaining teachable in recovery is very important, and that is like the situation in the mountains. Wulf says that if we lose that element of consciousness in the mountains, like we lose that bit of consciousness when drink excessively and take drugs, we are into a Russian Roulette game.
You can find the Playlist for Rob and Lianne’s 29 Theme films from this conversation here.