Free bananas, hugs and how to let go of resentment were just a few of the highlights from the Brisbane leg of Russell Brand's 'Recovery Live' Australian tour.
The English comedian, actor, best-selling author and hugely popular YouTuber and podcaster, has turned his back on the wild days of his early career and now preaches the importance of connection to self, others and the sacred.
As part of his enlightenment journey, Russell has created a cult following of people consuming his videos and podcasts, where he openly talks about his struggles with every type of self-destructive, addictive behaviour one can think of.
He attributes his own rock bottom a few years ago as the turning point in his life, where he finally realised it was his responsibility to claw himself out of addiction and to create a healthier, more intentional lifestyle.
It was this journey of self-discovery and the 12-Step Drug Rehab Program he experienced which inspired Russell to share his learnings with the world, in the hope of helping people with their own struggles.
He often says if someone as fucked up as he was can turn their life around, anyone can and as an extension of his work, is currently touring his 'Recovery Live' show across Australia to help inspire people to “recover the person they were intended to be”.
The interactive show is based around the 12-Step programme and has been described as “a funny and profane exploration into personal development and wellness from a comedian who has dedicated himself to spirituality to avoid self-destruction”.
His Brisbane show certainly did not disappoint, with Russell taking QPAC’s Concert Hall audience on a journey through his life of living with addiction and how nothing – the fame, money or sex – ever seemed to satisfy his intense hunger and desire to feel “enoughness”.
He reflected on how addictions to all sorts of things are rampant in today’s world due to our consumeristic lifestyle and how, in a way, having an obvious crack and heroin addiction was easier to identify than some of the more insidious addictions to things like porn, too much screen time and overeating.
The 44-year-old father of two now calls people like Eckhart Tolle, the Dalai Lama, Jay Shetty and Byron Katie friends and spoke to the importance of having support and mentorship as another vital key to overcoming addiction and for general wellbeing.
Russell ended the night with an impromptu hugging session with audience members and left everyone with the message that the way to a happier life was through being of service and just being kind.
★★★★★
Russell Brand Tour Dates
2 Mar - Civic Centre (Newcastle)3-4 Mar - State Theatre (Sydney)
6-7 Mar - Arts Centre Melbourne
9 Mar - Perth Concert Hall
11 Mar - Thebarton Theatre (Adelaide)
