REFLECTIONS | CRAIG TAMPIN
Title
What Craig Tampin Taught Me About Escaping Gambling Addiction
The Story
Craig Tampin shares his journey from a childhood obsession with collecting Pokémon cards to a gambling addiction that spiralled into serious debt and nearly cost him everything. Now in recovery, he uses his experience to help others, turning a difficult past into something that can make a difference.
Opening
Craig was the first Storyland interview. I’d already worked with him on a short film, but the conversations we had outside of that stuck with me just as much. You can only fit so much into a short film, those longer, deeper conversations are where the real value is. That’s why I wanted Craig to be the first.
What Stayed With Me
What stood out with Craig was his acceptance. He’s been through the lowest point in his life, and you can see that everything since feels more manageable because of it. There’s a calmness about him, a sense that he’s made peace with his past and who he is now. It’s like a reset, a version of himself that’s come through the other side.
The Bigger Reflection
Craig’s story is about acceptance, reinvention, and finding purpose. Sometimes the person you never thought you’d become ends up being the best version of you. He’s completely turned his life around, now helping others in similar situations, using his experience for something positive. That shift in direction is powerful.
A Line I Won’t Forget
“If I hadn’t told her that day, I wouldn’t be sat here now.”
A powerful moment. It speaks to hitting rock bottom, owning your mistakes, and having the courage to say it out loud. That honesty is often the turning point.
Closing Thought
There’s something about Craig’s presence, it’s calm, grounded, almost Zen like. Since the interview, we’ve stayed in touch, and I’ve seen the positive changes in his life continue. From working on the tools to now helping others facing gambling addiction, his purpose has completely shifted. I’m proud of him.
