From Rock Bottom to Financial Peace: Nikki Hayes’ Story of Recovery and Resilience
From national radio to rock bottom, and back again—Nikki Hayes’ journey is one of discovering faith and resilience. Read her story below, and be sure to watch her full video interview at the bottom of this page.
We often hear about the glitz and glamour of national radio, but behind the microphone, life can be a completely different story. Former 2FM DJ Nikki Hayes came to CAP money coaching via an incredibly difficult path. Mental health struggles led her down a road of addiction and homelessness, during which she was tragically preyed upon by fraudsters—resulting in a deeply stressful court case.
But rock bottom wasn’t the end of Nikki’s story. It was the beginning of a massive transformation.
Finding Faith and a Fresh Start at Tiglin
Jesus led Nikki to the compassionate team at Tiglin and into their addiction recovery services. There, she found more than just professional support; she discovered the profound love and care of Jesus though his people. Nikki gave her life to Christ during her time there, sparking a recovery journey that went far deeper than overcoming addiction.
However, as Nikki began to rebuild her life, one old shadow remained: her finances.
“I was never good with money, never budgeted.”
— Nikki Hayes
Because of her history as a victim of fraud, Nikki had lost her bank account and feared she would never be allowed to hold one again. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The Tiglin staff stepped in to help her open a New Bank Account—there is always a way to start afresh if you ask, so no-one should lose hope.
It was a vital first step, but Nikki still lacked the skills to manage the money in her new account. She knew that protecting her recovery meant eliminating triggers—and financial stress is one of the biggest triggers.
Enter CAP Money Coaching
While Nikki was in Tiglin’s Aftercare Programme, CAP Ireland partnered with them to offer our Money Coaching Course. Nikki attended the group, eager to learn.
“For me, CAP was unbelievably helpful.”
— Nikki Hayes
Learning the basics of building a budget and sticking to a system are the core building blocks of money coaching, and Nikki took them entirely to heart. For her, this wasn’t just a classroom exercise.
Today, she uses these tools in her daily life, keeping up a positive self-talk whenever she is considering her spending:
- Priority: What needs paying and when? Am I saving for it?
- Needs: Is this essential right now? Could I put it off for a bit?
- Wants: Is this more of a want than a need? Is it in my budget?
By asking these questions, Nikki ensures her bills are paid and, most importantly, that her daughter is fully cared for.
Facing the First Storm
Life rarely runs perfectly smoothly, and it wasn’t long before Nikki faced her first financial hurdle: her first winter electricity bill in her new home. It was one of those shockingly high bills we’ve all faced at times. In the past, a financial shock like this might have caused a spiral, threatening her peace of mind and compromising her hard-won recovery.
Instead, she remembered the words of her CAP money coach: “Keep an open conversation with your debtor and don’t let it consume you”
Nikki didn’t hide from the bill. She picked up the phone, contacted her provider, and calmly set up a doable payment plan. It is a vital lesson for all of us: most companies are incredibly willing to work with customers who proactively reach out to them.
A Wise Heart
Nikki didn’t just attend a course to tick a box; she grabbed hold of the knowledge and practices it every single day. She stands as a living testament to the truth found in Scripture:
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” — Proverbs 1:5
Nikki has been wise, discerning, and incredibly brave. We at CAP Ireland are so proud of her journey and wish her nothing but the absolute best for her bright future.
Watch Nikki’s Testimony
Check out the full video below to hear Nikki share her incredible journey in her own words. Nikki is also our special guest at the CAP Garden Party on June 6th 2026- find out more here.
Help Us Write More Stories of Hope
Every day, CAP Ireland empowers people like Nikki to break free from the trap of financial stress and find true peace. Your support allows us to keep offering these vital tools to those who need them most. Will you partner with us today?