A wellbeing festival kicking off next week has announced a special VIP guest.

Popular 90s British DJ, Brandon Block will appear and talk on his life and journey at Wellbeing by the Lakes, based at Sculpture by the Lakes from September 8 to 11.

The four-day event will host a wide variety of carefully selected wellness educators and advocates, from best-selling authors and life coaches to fitness and yoga instructors, highlighting practices to help those attending to live more mindfully, be at peace and feel happier and healthier.

Wellbeing by the Lakes is returning for its third year, with a full line-up of instructors, authors, workshops and guided wellness practices to help those attending live more mindfully. 

One of this year's special guests is Brandon Block, who rose to fame as a DJ in the 90s. He will be discussing his book and his struggles with his bad habits and behaviours, going from an "Ibiza nutter" who was lying on his death bed, to a mental health campaigner who helps others with their drug and alcohol struggles.

He said: "The life of a 90s DJ is riddled with substance abuse as you can imagine. There are times I didn't think I'd make it to see the next day. Clubland had snorted me up one nostril and blown me out of the other. And now I'm trying to make sure others don't make the same mistakes that I do.

"I now spend much of my time helping others with their demons, using my wild experiences as an example of how not to do it. I'm really looking forward to sharing my story at Wellbeing by the Lakes and hope to make a mark on those who are after some solace themselves."

Since stepping back from non-stop DJ sets, Brandon has since made a variety of guest appearances on shows and talk shows, such as Celebrity Big Brother House and Come Dine With Me and has published his book based on his struggles with addiction. 

Brandon Block will be joined by Ellie Loves, Breathwork Healer and Guide, on the Riverside Stage on Friday, September 9, for a panel conversation on "Sobriety for the Sober Curious" from 12.30pm to 13.30pm. 

Among the other headliners on the Riverside Stage will be a sought-after yoga teacher and sound-healer, Preet Kaur, who will lead a sound-healing gong and immersion meditation session, and self-proclaimed "tree hugger" and best-selling author, Cheryl Rickman, who will lead a conversation on learning wellness from the woods. Also appearing will be Dr Krishan Raymed who will brace the topic of "The Power of Posture" and how it impacts your life, as well as Yellow Kite's author, Dr Jenny Goodman, and a special live piano performance by Ed Chivers, who will conduct a "lie down and listen" music performance. 

Nasreen El-Mariesh, organiser of Wellbeing by the Lakes, said: "Brandon's talk on his struggles will make a powerful addition to our four-day programme of guest speakers. It's a subject that needs to be explored more in the wider world and we need to change the stigma around substance abuse and mental health."