"From a tender age of 13, I was exposed to the world of drugs and was living an unstable life right up until 2020. I was sent to prison for nine years at the age of 19. I never had any prospects or ambition until the pandemic hit." 

He credits the COVID-19 pandemic as the "best thing that ever happened" to him. He was able to distance himself from the vices and bad company. "Today, my life is entirely different."  

Ian's life has completely changed. He now runs marathons across mountains and has become a successful property developer. 

He is also giving back to the community by redeveloping Blyth, once known as the drug capital of the North East. He informs that certain areas were left to "rot" and how he's buying degenerate homes on the worst streets and renovating them. 

"I'm fixing these houses and giving them back to the locals, renting them to residents and trying to do my part where I can," he says. 

He also reveals how he has purchased the "worst house on the worst street" - a crack den with renovations costing him over £50,000. "Most houses I've been buying are derelict and owned by landlords outside the area who bought them for £10,000 - 15,000 years ago." 

Ian is working with a charity that helps youth impacted by drugs and alcohol to work on his projects. He believes it's his duty to restore his town. 

He hopes to work with more charities to revamp the houses in Blyth further and get the community back on track. 

Listen to the full podcast here.