The compelling new book on childhood trauma from the States
Childhood trauma kills 1,401 Americans every day. That’s one death every 61 seconds — more than tobacco, more than car accidents, more than diabetes. It’s the number one cause of addiction, suicide and incarceration. And until now, no one connected the dots. Michael Menard did. In his new book, Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma Is […]
Welcome to Winter 2025-2026 Hopezine!
Editor’s letter In this special winter edition, we’re focussing on beating addictions with tips from people who have stayed sober for good, to myself knocking a 40-a-day smoking habit on the head. Experts also share their tips on beating all kinds of addictions, and we’ve even discovered beautiful necklaces to help you quit smoking or […]
I beat drinking to become a personal trainer
By Paul Tomkins The warning signs were there early. Growing up in an alcoholic household, I started drinking at 14. It seemed to give me confidence I didn’t naturally have – socialising without it was impossible. But it was also escapism, and I’d drink to blackout throughout my teens. Alcohol became my master. A turning […]
ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL: And just like that, I got engaged at the W Sao Paulo!
By Erica Crompton My stay at the W São Paulo was unforgettable, not only because of the hotel’s vibrant energy but also because of how thoughtfully it handles accessibility. As a wheelchair user, I felt genuinely considered at every turn. The entrances are wide and flat, the elevators spacious, and the common areas are laid […]
Gaming Addiction: How Young Men Lose Control and How They Get It Back
By Lee Hawker, Clinical Programs Director, The Edge Gaming has become one of the dominant global pastimes for young men, and for many it’s a healthy outlet. But for others, it slowly becomes the organizing principle of their lives. By the time they arrive at The Edge, they’re not “lazy” or “unmotivated”, they’re trapped in a […]
Finding light in the smallest things
By Omorogieva Sylvester Ihonwa Some days, it only takes a cup of tea to save you. There was nothing special about that Tuesday. The Lagos sky was steel-grey, and my neighbour’s generator rattled like a grumpy beast. I’d been counting my sober days on a scrap of receipt tapes to the fridge, making little tally […]
From the Pit to Freedom
By Derek Slayter I didn’t wake up one day and decide to destroy my life. It started small—just smoking pot with friends in high school. It felt harmless, like just being part of the group. But small compromises became a pattern, and that pattern grew into a path I never meant to walk. Pills came […]
From Surviving to Supporting: How Two Friends Turned Their Healing Into Transformative Jewellery
By Megan & Natasha Makara We’re Natasha and Megan, lifelong friends who never expected that our hardest chapters would one day become the foundation of something that helps other women heal. Between us, we’ve faced domestic violence, grief, trauma, severe illness, crippling anxiety and moments where coping meant turning to habits that hurt us more […]
The Subconscious
By Star Zahra A few years ago, I had surgery. The details are traumatic, and the wounds linger—not just on my body but deep within my heart. I remember the cold, sterile room: a bed in the centre, tools neatly arranged on a tray. The dream opened to a big garden. They were many happy […]
A dream of consciousness
By Erica Crompton Yeah. So, self-compassion was really important to me during that time. I mean, I remember when I was isolating myself, I’d kind of been out and bought a yoga DVD a few months before and I was kind of doing yoga in my bedroom at home just to stay active and to […]