Nine time world champion Shanaze Reade overcomes alcoholism to launch her own academy

Nine time world champion Shanaze Reade spoke exclusively to ITV Granada Reports Sports Correspondent Mike Hall.

The former nine-time world champion Shanaze Reade has opened up about her battle with alcoholism after missing out on an Olympic medal.

Shanaze Reade was, for many years, the best BMX racer on the planet, part of the golden generation of British Cycling, a team so prolific that their Manchester headquarters became known as the Medal Factory.

She secured sponsorship deals with household brands with her face on billboards as a star of Team GB. 

Twice she went to the Olympics as favourite for gold, twice she came up short. Failing to secure that elusive gold medal left her with depression and anxiety. 

Shanaze said: "I retired on the Thursday and by the Monday I was pretty much an alcoholic and I decided that I was a failure. I didn't win the Olympic Games and this was going to be my life.

"I went down a dark path of drinking and thinking a bottle of vodka was my best friend and I completely removed myself away from society."

After two years of drinking, Shanaze sought support from Alcoholics Anonymous.

She's now seven years sober.

Determined to help future BMX riders, Shanaze has launched an academy in her hometown of Crewe sharing her wealth of experience in racing and in life with stars of the future.

"I didn't mess around with life before but in those dark days I just felt like I was existing. I wasn't living and now I'm living to the maximum and just loving every day," said Shanaze.

An achievement far more valuable than any medal.