Keeley Bell - Five Years Sober, One Mission: Changing Offshore Culture

What happens when an offshore driller hits rock bottom and decides to rebuild his life from the ground up? In this episode, I sit down with Keeley Bell, founder of Silverback GRIT, to discuss offshore life, addiction, mental health, leadership, fitness, and why the energy industry needs to start taking care of its people as seriously as it takes care of its equipment. Keeley shares his journey from the drilling rigs of the Gulf of Mexico to becoming a passionate advocate for mental resilience and personal transformation. From battling alcoholism and surviving a heart attack to building a company focused on improving the wellbeing of offshore workers, this is an honest conversation about the realities many people face but few talk about openly. The discussion covers offshore culture, isolation, leadership, fitness, sleep, nutrition, mental health, family life, and what companies can do to better support their workforce. Most importantly, it is a reminder that no matter how difficult things get, there is always another day to keep moving forward. 0:00 Introduction 0:48 Life as an Offshore Driller 2:25 Offshore Rotations & Drinking Culture 5:30 The Story Behind Silverback GRIT 9:13 Bringing Mental Health Conversations Offshore 12:32 Hidden Pressures of Offshore Life 17:03 Is There a Mental Health Crisis in Energy? 21:01 Sleep, Hydration & Recovery 23:53 Isolation Offshore 31:47 Is Industry Culture Changing? 37:02 Fitness, Longevity & Health 43:56 Why People Are the First Safety Barrier 46:40 Advice for Young Offshore Workers 50:10 Advice for Anyone Struggling 53:10 Keeley's Proudest Moment 55:50 Closing Thoughts