Ant Middleton: Adventurer, former elite special forces soldier (Royal Marines), TV host of SAS: Who Dares Wins, bestselling author and speaker.
What this episode covers
In his first in-depth conversation after being 'cancelled' by Channel 4, Ant Middleton shares deeply personal stories he says he's never told before. He traces his mindset back to the death of his father at age five, a forced move to France, and a turning point sitting jobless on the steps of a job centre at 22. He argues that the most courageous thing a person can do is be brutally honest with themselves, 'exercise' their demons rather than lock them away, and refuse to live a life untrue to who they are. The pair explore cancel culture, personal responsibility versus victimhood, why he refused to claim PTSD to avoid prison, and a spiritual sense of connection to the earth that he normally keeps private.
The guest's own work
First Man In: Leading from the Front
Ant Middleton
“when i was reading your book first man in there was um there's this quote at the end of one of the chapters and i thought it was a good place to start”— Stephen Bartlett
Also referenced (named, not recommended)
Lost Connections
Johann Hari
“like johanna hari he wrote a book on this nine reasons why people are getting depressed and anxious best-selling book he sat here and he said the exact same thing”— Stephen Bartlett
Big reveals from this episode
- His birth surname was Aaron; it was changed to Middleton when his stepfather entered his life after his father's death.
- Sitting in a bush in France as a child, the thought of stepping into the road crossed his mind, though he says it never registered as wanting to take his life.
- After leaving the army he joined the Metropolitan Police but was caught drink driving weeks before passing and got kicked out of training.
- A job centre clerk read his exemplary military record, told him to 'go back into that space,' and handed the book back without offering work, a moment that broke his ego.
- He went to prison for a violent altercation and refused his lawyer's advice to falsely claim PTSD for a suspended sentence because it would have been a lie.
- Returning from Afghanistan he was found playing Barbies on the floor trying to bond with a daughter who barely recognised him.
- Filming in the Andes in Chile, a falling rock passed within two metres of his head, which he describes as a spiritual 'energy connection' with the mountain.
Worth remembering
- He climbed Mount Everest during storms, deliberately choosing the worst conditions to 'exercise his demons.'
- He describes walking the line of life and death as a feeling of pure euphoria and peace, not adrenaline.
- He joined the British Army at 16, having grown up immersed in French culture after living in France for over a decade.
- He rejoined the military as a Royal Marine and earned the King's Badge as best recruit.
- He has five children, including a 19-year-old from a previous relationship.
- He says it takes about two weeks to transition back into family life after returning from filming or operations.
- He cites falling life expectancy in the UK and US linked to the opioid crisis and lack of meaning, echoing the 'Rat Park' addiction experiment.
- His stated life purpose is endlessly pursuing the best possible version of himself, knowing it can never be fully reached.