Answer extracted from The Purpose People Podcast — listen to the full episode below.
How many years has Steve Mitchell been married to his wife Donna?
Steve Mitchell and his wife Donna have been married for 34 years. He proposed to her in an unconventional way while they were standing together looking out over the bay of Weston-super-Mare in their flat, casually saying "I suppose we better get married now then" because they could not get an army house unless they were married.
A practical proposal during army training
The proposal itself was tied directly to Mitchell's army career. They married between his phase one and phase two army training, making the marriage both a personal commitment and a practical step that allowed them to access army housing. It was characteristic of Mitchell's straightforward approach to life—no elaborate ceremony or grand gesture, just the clear recognition that marriage was the next logical step in their relationship.
As Mitchell discusses in the full episode, this period of his life was defined by major transitions. He was joining the British Army as an infantryman and beginning what would become a six-year military career serving in Colchester, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, the Middle East, Canada, America, and Egypt. Donna supported him through all these postings and the demands of military life.
A partnership built to last
Over their three decades of marriage, Donna has been instrumental in Mitchell's life journey. While he served in the military and later pursued careers as a musician, chef, and entertainer, Donna established herself professionally as well, running her own doggy daycare business for 17 years. Their partnership became one of mutual support and shared goals.
Today, as Mitchell focuses on his personal development coaching work through Release the Best You, the couple are together making a major life transition—relocating to France. For more details about how Mitchell's personal journey has shaped his current mission and how major life decisions have influenced his path, listen to the complete episode.
Steve Mitchell — Founder of Release the Best You. After leaving school labeled as a daydreamer with undiagnosed ADHD, Mitchell served six years in the British Army as an infantryman, then built a diverse career as a musician and entertainer performing alongside major artists, a chef, and property maintenance specialist. Now sober for a decade, he is dedicated to personal development coaching and preparing for a fresh start in France with his wife Donna.
See also
What risk did Steve Mitchell take with his property investment that paid off significantly?
When Mitchell and Donna moved to their current property about seven years ago, the mortgage was five times more than the property they were leaving. Taking on this significant financial risk proved to be a sound investment decision.
How long has Steve Mitchell been sober and how did this affect his career decisions?
Mitchell will have been 10 years free from alcohol and drugs as of New Year's Day 2027. Being sober changed his perspective on the rock and roll lifestyle and shifted his priorities toward health and meaningful personal development work.
What is Steve Mitchell's current purpose and mission in life?
Mitchell's mission is to be as fit, strong, and healthy as possible mentally, physically, and emotionally so he has the best chance of living as long and as well as possible, supporting others through Release the Best You.