Gary Edwards is living proof that no matter how deep the darkness, it is possible to fight your way back to the light.
A 53-year-old Army veteran from Ipswich, Gary once served his country with pride as part of the Royal Corps of Signals. But his life was forever changed by a devastating chain of events. In 1989, his brother died by suicide. In 1992, while serving in Germany, Gary was crushed beneath a military truck in a cycling accident, suffering severe injuries and life-threatening complications. Just days later, his wife Wendy gave birth to their son, Christopher—who tragically died the very next day from a brain bleed. A second serious cycling accident followed a year later, leaving Gary physically broken and emotionally overwhelmed.
Crushed by grief, trauma, and survivor’s guilt, Gary developed PTSD and severe depression. Alcohol became his escape. For 19 years, drinking numbed the pain but slowly destroyed his body and spirit. He sank into addiction, battled suicidal thoughts, and gained weight until the scales reached over 25 stone. The soldier he once was felt completely lost.
Everything changed on March 18, 2013. Gary’s daughter, Cara, found him drunk and heartbroken. Seeing the pain in her eyes became the moment he could no longer ignore. The very next day, he quit drinking—and he has stayed sober ever since.
Recovery wasn’t easy, but Gary chose life. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous, embraced healthy eating, and began exercising. At first, he ran at night so no one would see him. Step by step, mile by mile, he rebuilt himself. He lost over 11 stone through determination and discipline, later receiving life-changing support from the Back on Track charity, which helped fund surgery to remove excess skin—giving him not just comfort, but dignity and confidence.
Today, Gary weighs 12 stone 9 lb, has completed marathons and half-marathons, and lives with purpose. “I owe Back on Track my life,” he says—and he means it. Now, he dreams of becoming a motivational speaker, using his story to help others trapped in addiction, grief, and self-doubt.
Gary Edwards didn’t just lose weight. He reclaimed his life. And his message is simple, powerful, and real: it’s never too late to change.