LWLF Podcast - Season 2 Episode 32

Big Budah has been making us smile for years in Utah. You know him from his time as a DJ on the radio, and his time on the AM News, as a feature reporter. Budah felt this was his calling bringing happiness to us his viewers. Then COVID-19 hit, and things got real. It was during this time that things began to unravel with his mental health. When it started, he felt it was harder and harder to bring himself out of the darkness he felt. Inside he knew everyone was against him, but that was just what his mind was telling him. One night he borrowed a gun, and took a drive on I-80 West to Wendover, NV. Somewhere along the way he pulled to the side of the road and he decided it was over. Hear Budah tell his experience, and the reason he is here telling you this story rather than reading it as a headline. Budah has joined with LWLF, and is taking part on our 7th Annual 100 Mile Walk to Wendover this month. Come join us on this life changing event. Register at Walk to Wendover or just come for the after party at the Peppermill Concert Hall for a Linda Ronstadt Tribute Concert with a special guest appearance by current Voice contestant EJ Michels. Together they will give you a night you won't soon forget. Get your tickets at Peppermill Concert Hall

Today's guest is my buddy Joe Hall. Joe has suffered with depression, and suicide ideation for nearly 15 years. During the pandemic, he lost a long time job, and was involved in a motorcycle accident that nearly took his life. This brought Joe the closest he's ever come to taking his life. After multiple surgeries, he made a commitment to himself to run a marathon. One thing led to another, and Joe found himself raising awareness for suicide and mental health, by walking across the United States of America. 3,100 miles. What was his why, and what about this walk has changed him? Listen to hear his story. I had the privelege of meeting Joe as he walked through Tooele County, Utah on his way to San Francisco, California. 

Guys my guest today is none other than my buddy Nate Webb. Nate tells about his personal struggles with being bullied. We talk all things bullying, and why the bully bullies. Nate is the Founder of the movement, Bullies Be Gone. We have an open and honest chat about social media, and our children. We talk about how if you don't teach your children, their electronics will. You can literally be replaced as a parent by something you purchased them. I hope this hits home to you parents and that we can change the way we are handling it.

Todays guest is none other than my buddy, rock sensation Ofi. When this podcast aires we will have just completed our Annual 100 Mile Walk to Wendover for suicide awareness. Ofi has agreed to perform a private concert at our after party. Ofi cares so much about suicide prevention, and he has his own personal story. You will only hear it here. Hopefully for many of you, you had the chance to see this mega talent in person. For those of you who didn't attend the walk look him up. Everytime I get the chance to hang out with Ofi, I am impressed with his presence. He really cares. Don't miss this episode.

Get your tickets today. http://veteransuicidebenefitconcert.eventbrite.com

My guest this episode is my good friend Dustin Rykert. Many of you know him from his days playing football for BYU. Some of you remember him being drafted into the NFL, to the Oakland Raiders. Today you will hear his story from the beginning. He will tell you his struggles with addiction, that he has stuggled with for a lifetime. Addiction ended his NFL career, and he spiraled down. At one point he worked as Dennis Rodman's bodyguard, which didn't help someone who struggled with addiction. He then lost a very close friend to an overdose, and this stopped Dustin in his tracks. He found sobriety, but like many the path wasn't without pitfalls. Dustin has made it this far, because he still has things to accomplish. One of which is sharing his story, which is full of vulnerability and success. I think his words are going to be helpful to many of you. Enjoy.

My guest this week is my buddy Therapist Jed Thorpe. Well here we are again starting a new year, 2022. The last couple years have been plagued with a pandemic, and it seems to be going no where. Jed is here to talk about how to prepare for a rough year, regulating emotions and normalizing anxiety. We may jump off course and go other places as well. If you are like me, your mind takes you places and Jed was happy to go there.

Today my guest is my good friend Maria Howard. Maria is the Jr High Cross Country Coach. She lost a student to suicide that affected her greatly, and because of that she was driven to look in the mirror at herself, and work on her own mental health. This set her on a healing journey running 3000 miles. The journey all together was approx. 30 full days running. She will tell you about the why, and how it brought her healing. You aren't going to want to miss this.