A fast-paced life, coupled with financial pressures and drugs led to the downward spiral of Scott Wannenburg of Rynfield.
It landed him on his mother’s couch. Unemployed, divorced and broke, he had hit rock bottom.
However, an ultimatum from a new love-interest flipped his mindset and ignited a fire that rebuilt his life.
Writing under the name Samuel Hunt, Scott has recently released his explosive tell-all biography, From the Bottom Up, hoping that his tale will offer hope to anyone who is in the throes of having to reclaim their destiny.
Born to a professional soccer player dad in Durban, Scott and his mother moved to the Highveld when he was five-years-old.
Excelling in sport it seemed like he had inherited his father’s athleticism applying not only skill but determination to overcome setbacks and challenges.
At the age of 26 he was married with a son, living in a dream home in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, quickly climbing the executive ladder within the vehicle sales industry.
“Doors of opportunity just kept on opening up,” said Scott.
“I was on fire, completely invincible. The world was my oyster and I was starving for more.”
As the accolades of his work performance continued to grow, Scott became restless. Living the high life came with additional financial pressures and he was consumed by the insatiable urge to escape reality.
“I got ahead of myself and soon the only escape was found at the end of line of cocaine,” he said.
“Lies started consuming my everyday life. I was living a separate live away from my family.
“With the birth of the rave-scene my addiction for escapism grew and ecstasy soon became his drug of choice. Every high comes with the price of lows and due to questionable decisions at work, I soon found myself unemployed, drowning in debt and my high-flying friends quickly running for the exit,” said Scott.
“My wife and son soon followed as I was mentally and financially unable to be a devoted husband and father. I spent nine-months licking my wounds on my mom’s couch, binging on drugs whenever I had a chance.”
Mindset
Stuck in what seemed like a hole of endless darkness, Scott ventured to a local rave festival desperately seeking another high and an escape from his life.
“There I met Lindy, the most beautiful woman in the room and now my wife,” he said.
“I was bowled over, but did not pursue her as I had no prospects of earning a living despite every effort to find a job. I finally took her on a date and laid all my fears on the table. I came clean about my drug habits,” he said.
“Living in Farrarmere, she challenged me to move in with her, leave the crowds of the North behind and if I did not have any success within six months we would uproot to my stomping grounds.
“Her offer came with one condition. If I use drugs, she’s out.”
Mustering every inch of will, Scott accepted the offer and soon he was back on the showroom floor, doing what he does best, selling.
“Once I changed my mindset opportunities came knocking again. I was working my way from the bottom up. I had to claw my way out of the hole that I had dug.”
As the 2020 lockdowns were imposed, Scott grabbed the chance to pen his life’s story, hoping that his tale might inspire his audience.
“I want to tell my story, use my truth to sell hope to others. Hopefully this platform will allow me further opportunities to become a motivational speaker and to really reach those who have become deafened by circumstances to hear my message.”
His book is available and anyone wanting to get their hands on a copy can email him at swannenburg5@gmail.com or call 083 274 4063.
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