I Love Being Sober

I'm so happy to speak with Dr. Nick Hallowell, a renowned board-certified child, and adult psychiatrist and the world's leading expert on ADHD. He graduated from Harvard College and Tulane Medical School and was a faculty member at Harvard Medical School for 21 years. He founded the Hallowell ADHD centers in several major US cities and has helped thousands of individuals with ADHD lead happy and productive lives. 

Dr. Hallowell is also a New York Times best-selling author, having written 20 books on various psychological topics, and has appeared on several popular TV shows, including 20/20, 60 Minutes, and Oprah. In this conversation, we discuss the relationship between ADHD and addiction, including how ADHD, dyslexia, and addiction can be markers of talent and even lead to superpowers. 

We talk about the misinformation, stigma, and fear surrounding getting treatment. Dr. Hallowell defines dyslexia and ADHD. We also discuss some of the upsides of having ADHD, especially when it is well-managed. The final message is that people need to learn the truth about getting treatment, as it can significantly improve their lives.

• [03:27] Dr Hallowell sees ADHD, dyslexia, and addiction are markers of talent. He's seen tremendous talent in the thousands and thousands of people he's treated over the years.

• [04:29] He sees these more as traits, and when managed properly, they become super powers.

• [05:21] Dr Hallowell talks about the misinformation, stigma, and fear that surrounds getting treatment. The diagnosis and treatment should be stories of good news.

• [08:21] Dyslexia is being slow to read and spell your native language.

• [11:27] ADHD causes problems with executive function like planning and organizing.

• [12:15] The upside of ADHD is being creative, entrepreneurial, intuitive, visionary, and more. It's having a race car brain and bicycle brakes. It's not a deficit of attention. It's an abundance of attention.

• [13:37] When people have ADHD, their brains go really fast like a Ferrari.

• [15:21] Dr Hallowell has ADHD himself, and he's treated thousands of people for ADHD. He also has medical credentials.

• [17:37] There isn't a center devoted for people who have addiction and ADHD. 

• [19:41] Getting ADHD treated would enable those people to get more done with less effort.

• [20:16] People need to learn the truth about getting treatment, because it's a good thing. After diagnosis, your life will get better.

• [20:46] ADHD is frequently misdiagnosed. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery

• I Love Being Sober YouTube

• Dr. Ned Hallowell

• Books by Dr. Ned Hallowell

• Genius Recovery

• Dancing Naked in the Mind Field

Jeff Hays is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and television producer with a career spanning over three decades. He gained national attention with his documentary Fahrenhype 9/11, a response to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. Jeff has produced numerous documentaries and television series, including On Native Soil and Doctored. In 2017, he co-founded Revealed Films with Dr. Patrick Gentempo, producing multi-part series covering health, wealth, politics, and more. Jeff is also an accomplished author, with two books set for release in 2023 and 2024. He lives in Utah with his wife and has 11 children and many grandchildren.

This episode is about Jeff's connection to addiction. He's going to share his experience as a parent with a son struggling with addiction. We talk about many interesting things, from life with 11 kids to how Jeff doesn't enable his addicted son. Jeff talks about some of his work, including films and his upcoming books. We talk about how the recipe for happiness and overcoming depression and addiction has a lot to do with walking, nature, diet, feeling good, and connection. Jeff shares his views on love along with so many inspiring stories and examples. This is a great episode for anyone who wants to learn more about love, life, and dealing with addiction and trauma. 

• [04:42] With 11 kids and 20 grandkids, Jeff's assistant uses a spreadsheet for Christmas shopping and an assembly line for birthdays.

• [06:19] Having chaos with children everywhere was one of the happiest times of Jeff's life.

• [07:13] Investing in your children is investing in your own future happiness.

• [07:45] Jeff thought Fahrenheit 9/11 was a flawed documentary. The movie did $100 million at the box office. 

• [09:30] Fahrenhype 9/11 dismantled Michael Moore's film. Jeff sold the film to Overstock and became a millionaire in one day.

• [09:54] He produced On Native Soil the following year. Building his own distribution network is what has allowed Jeff to stay in the film business.

• [10:52] The book, Chasing the Scream inspired The Fix on Roku. It argues the case that everything we know about addiction is wrong.

• [12:41] Jeff's son Perry has been a heroin addict for over a decade.

• [13:27] The book convinced Jeff just to project love as opposed to tough love on his addicted son.

• [14:28] Being an addict is a sickness just like cancer.

• [15:34] The expectation that someone can stop being an addict in 28 days is unrealistic. Recovery can take two or three years.

• [16:26] Perry was a tennis player who experienced an injury and started taking opioids. 

• [20:32] Perry was arrested and had to be drug tested daily for a year. After that year, he went right back to using again.

• [21:23] Perry is currently in rehab and has been cleaned since December. 

• [22:01] He has to live life differently and learn how to handle situations differently.

• [23:48] Hiking, exercise, being out in nature, and connection with friends are the ingredients of a happy life whether you're overcoming depression or addiction.

• [33:18] A medical guided MDMA procedure helped Jeff recover from the death of his mother when he was a child. 

• [36:26] Jeff hopes Perry can keep himself functional until he can resolve his issues. 

• [39:06] We're all addicted in one form or another. It takes about 2 years to break a sugar addiction. Jeff quit smoking when he was 30.

• [40:55] Jeff was never able to fully love until he resolved his childhood issues. He discovered that love needs no protection.

• [41:59] The relentlessness of God's love is like sunshine. The sun is always there just like God's love. Jeff aspires to be that pure love for his children.

• [44:20] People can benefit greatly from using psychedelics to resolve childhood trauma.

• [46:29] Jeff talks about psychedelics and the effect on addiction. People can create new neural pathways quickly.

• [51:14] He did a cold plunge everyday in the month of March. Jeff was developing discipline. He keeps commitments to himself.

• [53:37] The thing that Jeff is most proud of is that Perry doesn't lie to him, and that's because he doesn't require him to lie to him.

• [55:30] Jeff doesn't enable. He also has boundaries. Dependency breeds contempt. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery

• I Love Being Sober YouTube

• Jeff Hays Films

• Chasing the Scream: The Inspiration for the Feature Film "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" (The Opposite of Addiction is Connection)

• The Fix

• The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness

• Dr. Ned Hallowell

• Joe Polish Genius Recovery

• PACEs Science 101 (FAQs) — Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences

• Psychedelics Revealed

Do you remember what you wanted to be or do as a kid? You know, the thing that just might reveal your true authentic self and where your creative power lies. Garrain Jones has achieved fantastic success by doing this very thing after having a very rocky start in life. Garrain is a coach, entrepreneur, and podcaster. His goal is to help people discover the gifts that already live inside them. He does this through retreats, workshops, and 1:1 coaching. He’s a motivational speaker who has spoken in over 60 countries. He’s also the author of Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life: Lessons of Love, Leadership and Transformation. He’s a successful entrepreneur and a devoted husband and father. 

Garrain’s journey to get to where he is today is one of the most interesting, diverse, and heartbreaking stories I’ve heard. He had a rough childhood that led him to lose trust in humanity after being put in a running dryer when he was four and being intentionally pushed into dangerous water when he was ten years old. He almost drowned, had a near-death experience, and was miraculously saved. He shares details of his unique journey in this episode. Garrain has been a model. He was in a Beyoncé video and had an opportunity to work with Ludacris and Def Jam. He was arrested for International drug smuggling and served prison time in France. He was even featured in National Geographics Locked Up Abroad. Working on personal growth, mindset, and divine luck brought him to where he is today.

• [02:50] Garrain is grateful for the wild journey that he has had, so that he can share wisdom with others.  
  
• [04:35] Garrain shares some of his backstory. He wouldn't wish the environment he came from on his worst enemies. When he was seven years old, some older kids or teenagers tried to drown him. Someone miraculously grabbed his arm and saved him, yet he saw nobody. This was the experience that made him stop trusting people. 
  
• [11:23] Garrain's dad was murdered when he was 12 years old. The trauma made him stop caring about anything. 
  
• He was in and out of jail and busted for smuggling drugs. He was sentenced to 12 years in a French prison, but he got out in two and a half years.
  
• [16:14] Garrain always wanted to change his life, he just didn't know how.
  
• [16:56] He was modeling in LA and was given The Power of Positive Thinking. Reading this book out loud fixed his speech impediment and gave him amazing results. 
  
• [20:40] When he stopped reading the book, things changed and he went back to the state that he was in before.
  
• [21:26] In Europe, he smuggled drugs from one country to another for the equivalent of $9,000. He did this route seven times within two months. On his 8th trip, he got caught.
  
• [25:24] Life doesn't happen to you, it responds to you.
  
• [26:39] Garrain has two daughters, a 21 year old and 1 year old. 
  
• [27:23] He shares his French prison experience. The universe was telling him to stop. He even got a flat tire, but he kept going and got busted at the French border. There was heroin in conga drums that he was transporting.
  
• [31:03] He spent five days in a holding cell. 
  
• [33:06] He felt like the French prison did want him to rehabilitate. Everyone wanted to be his friend in prison and learn about America. 
  
• [36:56] He spent time in prison rehabilitating. He even began using his non-dominant hand to exercise his brain. 
  
• [38:10] He began painting and running. He felt more free in prison. When he felt free, he was released early. 
  
• [41:08] The results of your life are a direct correlation of your beliefs in yourself, your level of selfless service, the love of yourself, and how you see your life.
  
• [43:33] We have to beat the bosses of our life or pass the test of resistance. Approach your tests with gratitude. 
  
• [47:03] Artist power. The artist is the little kid inside of all of us before our passion was stripped away. Garrain teaches people how to safely tap back into that energy and unlock their power.
  
• [49:30] Garrain teaches people how to let creativity flow. How to come back to your most authentic state. 
  
• [53:49] Garrain's company is Artist Power. They launched a week ago and signed up 700 memberships in one day.
  
• [55:28] The kid forgets about themselves unknowingly. 
  
• [58:41] Garrain breaks down authenticity. 
  
• [01:02:15] We have the opportunity to tap into something big which is us.
  
• [01:03:13] Doing what you love and serving your heart is a place to start for authenticity. 
  
• [01:04:44] Leverage affirmations with something like toothbrushing. Tell yourself who you are.
  
• [01:05:36] Write a letter with your dominant hand from your big self to your little self. Then switch to your non-dominant hand and write a letter from your little self to your big self. Process whatever motions come up.
  
• [01:08:00] Being a present loving father and husband and leaning in while creating all of this amazing stuff is his current biggest struggle. 
  
• [01:11:35] Garrain breaks down his morning routine. He uses running to train his breath. 
  
• [01:16:59] Are you on the right side of change?
  

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
  
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
  
• Garrain Jones 
  
• Awaken The Artist Within
  
• Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life: Lessons of Love, Leadership and Transformation
  
• Garrain Jones Instagram
  
• Garrain Jones Twitter
  
• The Garrain Jones Flow Facebook
  
• The Power of Positive Thinking
  

Dr. Greg Eckel is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. He began his career focusing on the overmedication of children, but after his wife, Sarieah passed from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, he changed his focus to chronic neurological conditions. After a deep dive, he uncovered regenerative medicine. He co-founded Nature Cures Clinic in 2001 and then bVital, a wellness and recharging center. His current practice focuses on neurology, allergies and asthma, and orthopedics. He's also in the process of rebranding Nature Cures Clinic into Energy for Life Center. He is also the author of Shake it Off: An Integrative Approach to Parkinson's Solutions.

We talk about his background and journey. Then we dive into some of the exciting treatments and principles behind our body, specifically our brain's ability to regenerate. We also discuss what is behind the loss of smell and how to look into treatment options. We learn about prions and treatments, including nasal sprays, stem cells, and light frequencies. Dr. Eckel also shares how environmental factors and even trauma experienced by our grandparents can affect our health and inflammation. People are having symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases younger and younger. It's time to find treatments for prevention and longevity. 

• [03:38] Dr. Eckel gets more confident in the body's ability to regenerate everyday. 
• [04:47] The illness and death of Dr. Eckel's wife led him on a journey of discovering how to treat the brain. 
• [07:29] He uses everything that he has learned to help regenerate the brain. 
• [08:52] Dr. Eckel shares his background and experience with brain treatment and regeneration. 
• [12:30] Losing your sense of smell is a sign of neural inflammation. Blood work and testing can help discover a potential treatment.
• [19:19] Prions can cause diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Misfolded proteins also cause other diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
• [20:57] Dr. Eckel has been working on a nasal spray to inactivate prions. 
• [24:51] A lot of trauma underlies people looking for relief. Our ancestors' traumas could be expressing today.
• [27:11] Traumas can create epigenetic changes.
• [28:17] Loss of smell is an indicator of cellular damage to the brain.
• [34:08] We discuss cutting edge therapeutics including light stem cell procedures for people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and even knee and hip issues. 
• [37:23] They also use quantum healing and sound, light, and frequency to help with healing.
• [38:20] Nature Cures Clinic is rebranding as Energy for Life Centers. 
• [40:28] Camp Nature Cures is going to be a brain regeneration camp with recommendations and treatments. 
• [46:08] Candidates for the camp are people with neurodegeneration, people with concerns about brain health, and people interested in longevity.
• [49:42] Dr. Eckel talks about brain frequency treatment. 
• [51:07] We learn about Dr. Eckel's morning routine including meditation. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• • Camelback Recovery
  • I Love Being Sober YouTube
  • Nature Cures Clinic
  • bVital 
  • Shake it Off: An Integrative Approach to Parkinson's Solutions
  • Nature Cures Clinic Facebook
  • Nature Cures Clinic Twitter
  • Nature Cures Clinic Instagram
  • Clear Mind Nasal Spray
  • Brain Frequency
  • David Elliott
  • Neelam Sareen Quantum Alchemist

Troy Casey is a leading longevity authority, author, life coach, and healer. He is known as The Certified Health Nut because he has scoured the Earth searching for health and healing methods. He is the author of Rippedat50: A Journey to Self Love, a book about the human body temple and spiritual spacesuit and our symbiotic relationship with our Earth. Troy uses a unique holistic approach with nature-based simplicity to help restore physical, mental, and emotional balance for his clients. 

Thirty years ago, Troy was a Versace model in Milan, Italy. He also began using drugs and eventually alcohol at an early age. The demanding party lifestyle and the stresses of being in the superficial world of modeling took its toll on Troy’s health, eventually leading him to a journey of discovering health through nutrition, herbs, and natural purification. Troy shares a lot in this episode. We get a glimpse into his background and how not living a healthful lifestyle can take a toll on even a young body. 

Troy shares information about his beliefs and views on health and the Earth. He’s traveled the world, experimented, and explored foods and methods to encourage a healthy body, mind, and spirit. He shares his views on simplicity, taking things back to the basics and focusing on sleep, nutrition, and forgiving ourselves and others. This is an eye-opening interview with many interesting messages about healthful living. 

• [04:07] Troy's parents were hippies, and they ended up in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco in 1967. Troy grew up in San Francisco and On the East Coast.
• [04:54] He left home at 14 and ended up in juvenile hall. He used that time to rehabilitate himself.
• [05:54] He tried drugs and started drinking at an early age. He eventually ended up modeling and living a party lifestyle.
• [10:32] Troy talks about the seven factors of managing stress which are also in his book. 
• [11:48] People kept asking Troy if he was a model, so he went to some agencies and looked into it. He then got a contract with an agent in Milan.
• [13:47] He discovered a lot of dysfunction in the modeling world. 
• [14:34] He also wasn't very healthy eating processed food. He began educating himself about health. 
• [15:51] He's spent the last 33 years studying internal purification and fasting.
• [16:57] Troy realized he was wasting his potential with all of the partying and started to reflect on his life. He was especially attracted to step 11 of the 12 step program. He became involved in meditation.
• [21:37] Troy talks about how self-medication can fall into addiction. Not being able to manage our stress also can lead to self medication.
• [22:01] Things that can help include movement, hydration, and sleep. Sleep is how the human body heals itself.
• [25:39] Movement is necessary for health. Living the natural lifestyle gives you clarity of mind and a strong body.
• [29:41] It's important for men to have direction and purpose in their lives from their hearts desire. Get clear of your heart's desire and do what you love, and the money will follow.
• [32:26] It's so important to have a purpose that's aligned with your heart and your values. Don't be just blowing in the wind.
• [34:40] We always feel better when we do the best we can. Also have forgiveness for yourself and for other people.
• [35:53] Troy shares his passion for creating and living a healthful life.
• [39:15] Adverse reactions of vaccines that have been reported can be seen at VAERS. 
• [40:58] Flooding your body with deep nutrition can help with imbalances.
• [42:22] Sugar and food additives can create imbalances in the body.
• [43:00] Troy's book is all about getting back to fundamental principles for health. 
• [47:50] Troy shares his sobriety story. He feels better when balanced.
• [51:34] Find tools that work for you to create a balance.
• [52:55] Traditional values do have value in the world. 
• [58:10] Troy shares his morning routine. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• • Camelback Recovery
  • I Love Being Sober YouTube
  • Certified Health Nut
  • Troy Casey Instagram
  • Troy Casey LinkedIn
  • Troy Casey Twitter
  • Troy Casey The Certified Health Nut YouTube
  • Rippedat50: A Journey to Self Love
  • VAERS

Kathryn Walker is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She worked as an Intensive Care Nurse for nine years before attending anesthesia school. She practiced anesthesia of all specialties for eight years before opening Revitalist 2018. Revitalist is a holistic medical space that helps treatment-resistant clients with chronic mood disorders, pain syndromes, and increasing general wellness. 

As CEO of Revitalist, there are now nine mental health and wellness clinics with revenue surpassing $1 million. One of the modalities used by the integrative team of medical and mental health professionals at Revitalist is ketamine. I talk to Kathryn, or Katie as she likes to be called, about how and why it’s used. She takes special care to explain the power of promoting brain growth and how ketamine therapy can open our systems for neuron growth. 

Katie focuses on advocating for the patient and achieving real growth and positive outcomes, not just putting a band-aid on the problem. This is a fascinating look into how changing our brains can solve trauma and addiction problems. We discuss how these alternative healing modalities can make a difference, and the future looks promising. This episode is also a great look into successful entrepreneurship and helping people through treatment, education, and advocacy. 

• [02:18] The VA has deemed Katie an expert with ketamine. She's also a ketamine subject matter expert. 
  
• [03:49] Katie was amazed by the results of ketamine. 
  
• [05:14] Medical providers can confuse patients by not advocating for them. She wanted to build a company that looks at the person at the base and then builds the treatment modalities around that person.
  
• [06:14] Katie created Revivalist to be an advocating company that's on the same page with the person.
  
• [08:17] Feeling compassion for people who are hurting is learned. It's difficult for physicians and nurses to communicate. This is something that needs to be addressed in the future.
  
• [09:03] Katie started her business from the ground up. She wanted to help the people who were struggling who don't know how the system works. 
  
• [10:33] Katie is standing up and advocating for others who can't advocate for themselves. 
  
• [12:23] Revivalist is helping with education. Revitalist is having a webinar on January 12th on addiction with veterans and psychedelics. They're also having a January 19th webinar about mitigating risk for first responders with ketamine therapy.
  
• [15:12] Ketamine therapy can also be useful for people who have addictions to alcohol.
  
• [17:16] The VA is being the leader to trailblaze ketamine therapy.
  
• [18:11] How can you treat a drug with a drug? 
  
• [18:40] Ketamine can be given in any capacity. IV is most effective. Ketamine blocks the NMDA receptors telling the brain to send out more glutamate. The glutamate stimulates the BDNF promoting brain growth. 
  
• [22:17] With the IV, the ketamine peaks at 45 minutes and then it's out of your system just leaving the brain neuron growth.
  
• [23:44] The default mode network is how the brain duplicates what it knows. Understanding the patterns of what our brains are doing helps us to actually address those patterns.
  
• [24:55] We are all living in the neutrality of the present, but our past behaviors are duplicated.
  
• [25:58] Ketamine brings up previously non-processed experiences and allows us to objectively identify them.
  
• [27:58] We hold on to what saved us, not the negativity.
  
• [28:41] Our brains want to see the whole picture. If our brains can't see the whole picture, they hold on to something to protect us.
  
• [29:15] Ketamine brings up the non-processed short term memories and once we identify them, we can process them.
  
• [33:45] Ketamine is taking a drug to fix the root cause of your issues, not taking a drug to replace another drug.
  
• [36:01] The negative action of addiction creates a positive reward. Ketamine and psychedelics can reset the default mode network.
  
• [38:29] We need to stimulate our brains to maximize its capacity.
  
• [41:25] After a ketamine induction series, people only have to go back for occasional boosters if needed.
  
• [43:27] Katie shares the different therapies and stages of ketamine therapy. 
  
• [45:30] Barriers include trying to introduce a brand new model to the established medical community. 
  
• [47:56] The brain is one structure with so many different pieces. The brain comes first and addiction is second. Looking at the brain will make a big impact.
  
• [49:12]  A big misconception about psychedelics is only that people who use drugs use them. We need to open the doors to learn more about the treatment.
  
• [51:36] Katie shares her hopes and ambitions for her business in five years. She wants to help people understand how to help themselves better.
  
• [56:40] Advocating for others is one of the biggest impacts that Katie is trying to make. She also wants to increase access to care. 
  

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
  
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
  
• Kathryn Walker Revitalist
  
• Revitalist
  
• Revitalist Twitter
  
• Revitalist Facebook
  
• Revitalist Instagram
  
• How to Change Your Mind | Official Trailer | Netflix
  

Tracy Duhs is here today. She is a hydration expert who believes that optimal health is a fundamental right for all humanity, not just a privilege for a select few. Tracy helps people activate their vitality and feel alive by educating on basic health foundations that most people do not know. She works as a modern wellness advocate specializing in the restorative powers of intelligent hydration. 

Tracy is an expert in wellness advocacy and education, starting with her podcast, HYDRATE. She frequently consults large corporations and hotels to help build and facilitate wellness experiences. She also serves as the Director of the International Brain Summit. Tracy is the founder of the Sanctuary Wellness Experience in San Diego and co-founder of Hydrate at the Sanctuary. People have so many misconceptions about water and hydration. Tracy shares a wealth of knowledge on the science of hydration and wellness. 

• [03:16] The volume of water we drink is just a small fraction of the picture of hydration.
  
• [03:42] Tracy has devoted her life to learning about health, wellness, and hydration.
  
• [04:05] She has an undergraduate degree in pre-med and has run a wellness clinic for 16 years. She also went to herbal school for three years and she has a Ph.D. She's been studying wellness for a long time.
  
• [04:44] At a molecular level we are 99% water molecules. 
  
• [05:34] When she was pregnant with her first daughter, she went through a period where she felt like she couldn't get enough water.
  
• [07:00] She discovered that spring water quenched her thirst longer.
  
• [08:55] Minerals are helpful, but it's not just as simple as taking electrolytes. Water lacking in minerals makes our cells dehydrated.
  
• [10:15] The right balanced set of minerals can help with osmotic flow.
  
• [11:44] Our blood plasma is identical to the plasma in the ocean. 
  
• [13:42] If Tracy could take one product on a desert island it would be Quinton Isotonic.
  
• [19:44] She makes her own electrolyte drink with water, lemon, salt, and honey.
  
• [20:18] There are different ways to structure your water.
  
• [24:19] Spring water picks up minerals. 
  
• [27:47] Nine pillars of health. Back to the basics of getting enough sunlight, nutrition, hydration, sleep, minerals, connection in a loving community, and grounding. 
  
• [29:41] A lot of Tracy's patients were missing these basic pillars of health.
  
• [33:01] Going back to the basics worked far better than all of the supplements. Cells need an osmotic balance and flow.
  
• [33:31] The nine pillars of health optimize the cells to work for you.
  
• [34:37] Tracy thinks that shilajit is amazing for detoxification and minerals.
  
• [36:21] Top tips include switching to spring water, observing your mindset, and finding a connective and loving community. 
  

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
  
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
  
• Genius Network Annual Event
  
• Tracy Duhs
  
• HYDRATE The Book
  
• Hydrate Podcast
  
• Tracy Duhs Instagram
  
• Water & Wellness Products
  
• Quinton Hypertonic
  
• Quinton Isotonic

Megan Racer is our Business Development Representative at Camelback Recovery. She also has quite a story. She’s been sober for almost four years now, but she not only has a past of addiction, but she ended up going to prison. Megan shares her story from her family life and how she was a great student in school to being a people pleaser and being involved with other addicted individuals that eventually led to her addiction. 

Her downward spiral began when she started doing drugs, leading to her dropping out of school and losing custody of her daughter. Then she got sober just long enough to have a son. Then she went back to drugs and was arrested and federally indicted on drug trafficking charges This was the rock bottom that eventually led to her recovery from rehab, prison, a halfway house, and back home again. She is now living her dreams with her kids, and she gets to help others in the process. Megan has an inspiring story of how no matter how bad things get, there can be hope on the other side.

• [03:15] Megan believes that everything she's been through has served a purpose.
• [05:07] In the 12-step program, we aren't attached to other people's results. 
• [05:58] Megan was born in Phoenix AZ. There were mental health issues in her household growing up. There wasn't a lot of connection, except for with her Grandma.
• [10:54] She drank in high school. Her first drink was in eighth grade. She blacked out as a freshman. 
• [13:36] In college, she met her new boyfriend at the gym. He was the catalyst for her finding drugs. 
• [14:33] She came home, and her boyfriend had a bunch of coke on the table. She liked the coke and wanted more.
• [17:03] She then tried prescription opiate painkillers.
• [19:12] Eventually, things took a weird turn. She was doing a lot of drugs and her boyfriend was narcissistic and had violent outbursts.
• [21:16] She broke up with him, but that's when her addiction really took hold. 
• [22:33] Her new boyfriend was addicted to heroin.
• [23:13] She met her children's father at a wedding. He had a lot of connections for getting drugs. 
• [26:15] Megan never worked on her mental health issues which wasn't helpful with the addiction issues. 
• [26:51] She quit drugs and had her daughter. Then she tried heroin. It was on a whole new level, and she didn't stop for the next two years. 
• [30:01] Her daughter ended up being placed in the custody of her aunt. Megan went to detox and entered a program. 
• [31:21] She hooked up with her ex and got pregnant with her son. 
• [33:18] She wanted the kids' father to be in their lives. 
• [35:20] They started doing heroin for years. 
• [36:53] Megan went to Mexico and ended up being pulled over with drugs in the car. Her kids were with her.
• [41:29] She went to treatment for 4 months and then was sentenced to 30 months in prison. 
• [43:59] She was given an amazing opportunity to do treatment while she was locked up. She finally got the therapy she needed. 
• [45:47] She was going to do anything and everything to make the pain stop. She wanted to be proud of herself and she wanted her kids to be proud of her.
• [48:51] Treatment helped her realize that she can connect with all people. She just needed to do it. 
• [54:08] She's now being 100% authentic and making sure that she is around people that are good to be around.
• [55:39] People in your circle need to be aligned with your values. 
• [01:00:31] There are so many services and assets available to help you and your kids. 
• [01:03:26] Her son has autism which just means he thinks in a different way. Megan can't conform to other people's standards. 
• [01:04:39] She has her kids back in her life. She just got off of probation. She’s supporting her kids and things are going well.
• [01:08:15] Everyone in the family is in therapy. They are working through the connection piece.
• [01:09:59] Megan is doing business development at Camelback Recovery. She gets to see available programs and see if they really have the patient's best interest at heart.
• [01:11:54] Camelback Recovery is like a family that she wants to be a part of. 
• [01:13:32] A good fit would be people who want to look at the mental health side as well as the substance side of recovery. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• mracer@camelbackrecovery.com
• Megan Racer Facebook
• Megan Racer LinkedIn
• Megan Racer Instagram

Taran Goodballet is here to talk about Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT. Taran has a PharmD or Doctorate of Pharmacy. She is a licensed pharmacist and part of Camelback Integrated Health and Wellness. She is a neuropharmacology expert with extensive training in treating psychiatric disorders and patient-tailored pharmaceutical approaches. She’s passionate about helping people with mental health and continued recovery. She has intricate knowledge of polypharmacy and drug interactions and can prescribe medications and adjust dosages. 

In this interview, she shares her background and why she is passionate about mental health and recovery. We also dive into Medical Assisted Treatment and talk about what it is and how it can be used to help overcome addiction and become a bridge to wellness. We talk specifically about the three main MAT therapies consisting of buprenorphine or suboxone, methadone, and naltrexone. We discuss the importance of continued recovery and finding the underlying issues that started the addiction. We also talk about other modalities and how healing is a continuing process.  

• [01:56] Starting in 1999, all pharmacists have to have a PharmD or Doctorate of Pharmacy. After that, they can get licensed as a pharmacist. 
• [03:09] Taran knew she was going to go into the medical field. She loved the chemistry aspect of being a pharmacist. 
• [04:18] She's been working in mental health care for four years. She's done pharmacology in every medical category. Taran has a lot of experience with Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT. 
• [06:33] Because of her childhood, doing mental health work as a pharmacist was extremely appealing to Taran. She grew up around substance abuse.
• [08:01] She wanted to assist people in finding help. 
• [09:13] She's always doing continuing education and looking for new certificates.
• [11:06] Anyone with a diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder, could be a candidate for medication assisted treatment. It may depend on what substance they use and the available treatments.
• [13:09] The three main MAT therapies are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. 
• [14:00] Naltrexone can be used for opioids, alcohol and even gambling. It binds to opioid receptors and blocks cravings. 
• [15:39] There should be a plan to come off of it, but it can be used long-term.
• [16:28] Buprenorphine or suboxone is used to help with detox and withdrawal cravings. A good candidate would be someone who uses opioids and is having cravings after withdrawing.
• [20:17] Taran talks about using suboxone and then starting naltrexone. They also have other comfort meds that can help with the transition. They have new modalities to help come off of the suboxone. 
• [22:49] There's an underlying reason why substance abuse starts. MAT is to help survive, not heal the underlying reason. They need to get in a state of mind to work on cognitive modalities to heal the underlying problems.  
• [26:28] Diet, nutrition, and sleep also needs to be addressed. Our nervous systems need to be protected. The brain can constantly change. Medication can help get to a point to do the work and address the underlying problems. 
• [29:36] Taran talks about ESKetamine and patient benefits of building new neural pathways combined with therapy.
• [33:50] Methadone is used at Methadone clinics. It can be a helpful harm reduction tool. Taran prefers the other modalities and their benefits.
• [35:50] Her vision is to help people deal with substance abuse and recovery. She knows there is beauty on the other side. 
• [37:10] Camelback Integrated Health and Wellness has the goal of continuing support for people who go through recovery. We offer all of the needed support to stay in recovery. 
• [37:54] Anyone who needs extra support with recovery or mental health is a good candidate for Camelback. 
• [39:27] The goal is to help people after they go through a program with continued support.
• [40:55] Taran shares her morning routine. 
• [43:40] Let us know what resonated with you! 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• Taran Goodballet, PharmD LinkedIn

Bobby Wolfe, FNP, is a nurse practitioner at Camelback Integrated Health and Wellness, providing integrated care to people on their path to recovery. He's also the owner and nurse practitioner at Telemed PLLC. He is passionate about working with men and men's health and longevity. 

He is trained in Western medicine, but embraces integrative practices. He also has additional training in men's health. We talk about testosterone supplementation and how low testosterone can affect many parts of a man's health. Low numbers affect everything from mental health to heart health and inflammation markers. 

Having the correct numbers and balance in life can leave a man feeling better or like he used to. Bobby is also passionate about helping people and those going through recovery. We talk about testosterone, men's health, addiction, the importance of what we eat, and so much more in this episode. 

• [02:30] Bobby wasn't sure what he was going to do. He was interested in physical therapy and moved on to nursing. He then went to a program to become a Nurse Practitioner. He's been one for about three years now. 
• [05:52] A nurse practitioner can diagnose, treat, and prescribe treatment. Bobby has also done additional training for men's health. 
• [08:10] Diet and exercise and getting blood sugar under control can sometimes change a man's life.
• [11:05] Bobby also works at an integrative medicine facility. He thinks that people can get great results by integrating both types of medicine. Although, he is more Western medically trained.
• [18:41] Bobby saw his sister struggle, which fueled his passion for mental health and recovery. 
• [21:55] Most people doing well today have the mindset that past experience and trials have shaped them. 
• [22:31] TRT changed Bobby's life. He never had his levels tested, but when he did they were low. He likes to keep free testosterone scores between 20 and 30.
• [24:47] He also noticed that his chronic canker sores stopped when he started supplementing testosterone. Low T is associated with inflammation and increased heart disease.
• [26:00] Low T affects everything from cognitive function to just working the way you should. 
• [27:55] It's not a magic pill, but it will amplify your efforts and get your body to where it should be. 
• [29:41] Bobby and Tim talk about food, inflammation, and testosterone. 
• [31:13] When things get out of balance, that's when we start having problems. Testosterone replacement therapy is a great modality to help people feel better.
• [32:35] Testosterone abuse can also cause problems. Using testosterone needs to be done in moderation, and it needs to be controlled.
• [33:46] Bobby shares his morning routine.  

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• Bobby Wolfe Family Telemed
• (785)835-3633
• Bobby Danger Wolfe Facebook
• Bobby Wolfe LinkedIn
• Dave Asprey

Tom O'Connor is here today to tell his remarkable story of recovery. He grew up in New York and was the youngest of nine children. His mother was a raging alcoholic, and several brothers also had addiction problems. His dad passed away when Tom was 12. With his step dad's help, he was able to go to college. He was still an alcoholic but eventually graduated and started working on Wall Street. He was a functioning alcoholic who became a self-made millionaire at 30. 

In spite of his career success, his personal life was in shambles. Tom shares his biggest rock bottom moment that landed him in the hospital after falling from a six-story building. He still didn't become sober until three years later when he looked in the back seat of the car he was driving and saw his six-month-old daughter, and realized he didn't want to be like his mother. He has been sober for 33 years and finds support and comfort by helping other people become sober. 

He did the steps of AA, and ACA helped him immensely with his childhood trauma. We discuss ACA, childhood trauma, and sponsoring other people as the greatest form of accountability. Tom shares many personal stories and how other modalities have helped him stay sober. We talk about the benefits of giving it away and helping others by being of service. We also discuss the relapse before the relapse or signs that it will happen. This is an inspiring conversation about taking responsibility, being grateful, and being sober while helping others do the same. 

• [03:02] Tom grew up in Garden City, New York. They called themselves the Catholic Irish alcoholics or the CIA. There was a lot of dysfunction, and he saw a lot of things that kids probably shouldn't see.
• [04:32] He started drinking in high school and his older brother dealt pot.
• [05:16] He would have four or five beers in the first hour and black out. He knew it was a problem from the very beginning.
• [06:17] He went to the University of Notre Dame but was kicked off campus within six months. His stepfather helped him get through college but drugs and alcohol were problems.
• [08:10] He ended up getting a job on Wall Street and working his way up through the ranks. His success masked the deuteriation of his personal life. Tom was a raging alcoholic.
• [10:21] Tom was the youngest of nine children. His mom was a raging alcoholic. He lost his dad to pancreatic cancer when he was 12. He became a self-made millionaire at age 30.
• [11:04] In September of 1995, he and a friend were drinking at a restaurant and they took mushrooms. He was paranoid and scared and hung off the ledge of a roof. He ended up plummeting six stories onto the concrete below.
• [12:17] He woke up with a shattered right foot, fractured spine, punctured lungs, broken ribs, and covered in bruises and scratches.
• [12:41] He recovered. Three years later he was driving around with his six-month old daughter in the car and realized he was just like his mother.
• [13:07] He got clean and now he's married to his soulmate.
• [17:58] Tom got sober when he was 33, and he's 57 now. He's also played a role with other members of his family getting sober.
• [18:48] He retired from his career in finance. Now he has time to help people and sponsor men.
• [20:13] He also went to ACA Adult Children of Alcoholics. AA is like undergraduate and ACA is like graduate school. ACA is for people with dysfunctional parents. They don't have to be alcoholics.
• [23:15] Tom had a midlife crisis and went away for 45 days after he was sober. He wants people to know that even in sobriety, you can still go through mental health issues.
• [26:04] ACA has its own brand of steps, and there's a lot of writing and reflecting. A lot of it is about self-forgiveness.
• [28:28] When your attention is focused outside of yourself, you don't have the same emotional attachment. You can help others in ways that you can't help yourself. Stepping outside yourself gives you another perspective.
• [37:21] It's easy to see the relapse before the relapse. Sponsoring other people helps you stay sober. It's the best form of accountability.
• [40:05] Being connected with people who have your values is so helpful. AA and the other communities make this possible. 
• [42:21] People in meetings need to hear about the stories of people who have had relapses. Stay connected!
• [48:25] Tom has found other modalities helpful like talk therapy, marriage counseling, Wim Hof breathing, meditation, journaling and more. He's also tried plant medicines in Costa Rica.
• [49:47] He loves the recovery conversation around meditation.
• [50:46] Don't pigeonhole yourself into just one community like AA. The work never stops. 
• [52:20] Being sober has had an amazing impact on Tom's family. They have an awareness around alcohol and know where to get help if they ever need it.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• The Meadows
• Wim Hof
• Thomas O’Connor Facebook
• Thomas O’Connor Email

Bo Eason is here today. Bo is the author of There’s No Plan B For Your A-Game, a book filled with inspiring and practical real-world guidance to teach anyone how to be the best at whatever they choose. Many of you are already familiar with master storyteller Bo. He started his career in the NFL and played with the Houston Oilers and the San Francisco 49ers. After an injury, he had to reinvent himself and begin a new career. He wrote and performed a one-man play called Runt of the Litter, which is now being adapted into a major motion picture. He has trained with some of the world’s most brilliant performance and movement coaches, so he can coach others to be excellent presenters and storytellers. 

He uses his keynotes and workshops to help others tap into the power of their personal story to become effective and persuasive communicators. I attended his Personal Story Power Event, and it was beyond inspiring. I’m thrilled to interview Bo today. We talk about Bo’s story and what it takes to be a great storyteller. We talk about the difference between being an amateur and a professional. These principles apply in sports, your career, or getting sober. Bo breaks down authentic leadership and the trust factor. We talk about vulnerability and being relatable. Bo talks about course correction, how to write our own story, and the importance of playing a bigger game!

• [05:55] Bo wanted to learn to tell his story the way he physically told it on an NFL field. He began studying what it takes to be a great storyteller.
• [06:27] He knew he needed to make a living in the civilian world and express himself, but he didn't realize the healing aspects of storytelling.
• [07:23] The difference between being an amateur and a professional. A professional is willing to make sacrifices and do whatever it takes.
• [08:13] Storytelling is in our blood. It's the best way to teach and what our ancestors used. 
• [09:39] We used to trust all of our institutions. Now when we hear them speak, we often wonder if what they are saying is really true.
• [10:05] The fastest way for a leader to restore trust is to share a personal story. This creates automatic trust. Storytelling has healing aspects.
• [12:00] Bo's story made a difference to people's lives. Audiences are attracted to your low moments and what it takes to get to the top. People were drawn to Bo's struggles. 
• [14:59] Exposing your moment can put you in a vulnerable position, but people will also relate to it and trust you.
• [18:03] People don't trust leadership unless there is some scar tissue on it.
• [19:44] The new leadership model is the people who've been at the bottom and battled their way to the top. These are people who have scars, and people who we can trust.
• [22:00] We can't overcome our environment. You can't lose 15 lbs with a chocolate cake sitting in your kitchen, because eventually the willpower will wear off and the environment will win.
• [23:51] You can change your environment and commit to greatness. Less decisions are better!
• [31:57] How do you complete a goal? Build an environment, become a pro, and do what you say you're going to do.
• [33:16] The difference between a pro and an amateur. Pros have no options. When you commit to do something there is no negotiating. Either you are going to do what it takes to become who you want to be or you're not.
• [37:02] Course correction like an airplane. The autopilot is off course 99% of the time, but it has a built-in mechanism to course-correct. Right the ship from moment to moment.
• [39:32] You get what you think about most of the time.
• [40:05] Don't be ashamed to make a goal and be off course, just right the ship. Commit!
• [41:38] We need to learn to dance with distractions instead of pretending that they're not there.
• [44:12] Our stories are our destiny. Your personal story, especially the one you keep telling yourself about your life and who you are is your destiny. You get to make the rewrites of your own story. You're the author.
• [45:56] When writing your own story, make it personal. Make it physical. Give all your spirit when you tell your story.
• [50:44] The higher stakes game you play, the more you can expect of yourself. We need to play a bigger game. Use words like the best, world-class, and gold medalist.
• [53:07] Bo shares his morning routine. 
• [55:38] Start your morning routine the night before to start your day off right.
• [57:05] Bo talks about his workouts! A light workout like a walk or throwing a ball with his son and then a more rigorous workout. 
• [59:12] Listeners go to the review section and tell us one thing that resonated with you in this interview.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• There's No Plan B for Your A-Game: Be the Best in the World at What You Do
• Bo Eason
• Bo Eason Instagram
• Bo Eason Twitter
• Bo Eason Facebook
• Bo Eason YouTube
• Willpower Doesn't Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success
• How To Capture Your Personal Story Text: Story to (323) 310-5504
• Bo’s Personal Story Event Get $1000 Off

Wendy Adamson is a mental health professional who has spent over twenty-five years serving individuals struggling with addiction and mental health disorders. She provided counseling, facilitated groups and interventions, crisis management, and executed treatment plans, which led to hundreds of individuals finding a way out of a hopeless state. She has an interesting story and has published two memoirs, Incorrigible and Mother Load, which we talk about a little today as Wendy shares her background, the generational issues she dealt with, and her dramatic wake-up call to turn her life around. 

One of the things that turned Wendy’s life around was changing her narrative through writing. She was able to use pen and paper to dissect her past and requalify it from victimhood to empowerment. Wendy had rough times with her early family and schizophrenia mother, who eventually committed suicide. For a long time, she only spoke “victimese.” Reaching out to help a young man who was shot in front of her apartment was the turning point for Wendy to do the work and go from victimhood to empowerment. 

We talk about intergenerational trauma and how information can be transmitted through our genes and experiences. We also talk about how stepping into recovery can create a ripple effect and how it’s vital for the entire family to participate and do the work. Wendy shares who her book is for and also talks about her son’s non-profit Hav A Sole, an organization that has given away over 35,000 pairs of shoes and even landed them an appearance on The Ellen Show. 

• [04:45] Wendy has been sober for 28 years. When she first became sober, she saw everything as if she were a victim. It was everybody else's fault whether it was schizophrenic mother, alcoholic father, or cheating husband. The language of "victimese" is giving your power away to everyone else.
• [05:20]  "I do think writing is for everybody. Writing is a powerful tool, and that's why so often people are told to journal." Wendy Adamson
• [05:46] Putting your emotions on paper is like taking the bullets out of the chamber.
• [08:18] Writing is part of the steps of how we frame and see things. It helps us to reflect and take responsibility for our actions.
• [09:38] The first seven years of Wendy's life her schizophrenic mother was trying to kill herself. Wendy was on high alert at all times. When Wendy was 7 years old, her mother succeeded.
• [10:05] Wendy swore she would never be like her mother, but saying never is like giving the universe the exact coordinates of where you're going to land.
• [10:31] Wendy's mother was 38 years old when she killed herself. Wendy was 38 when she had a psychotic break from staying up and doing drugs and alcohol.
• [10:55] Her husband was also having an affair and Wendy shot the other woman in the arm. 
• [11:38] Wendy had lost all grips on reality and went to the county jail. She also had a 9-year year old and a 16-year-old son
• [12:25] Wendy spent a year in jail, and while she was there she realized the best way to pay her husband back would be to become a success. 
• [13:57] Wendy talks about the intergenerational pattern of her mother, herself and her oldest son.
• [14:28] A young man was shot in front of Wendy's apartments, and she went to help him. The police thought she was the young man's mother, and she thought this might be a sign to get help.
• [15:56] She changed by being of service to another suffering human being. She then started to participate in her own recovery.
• [16:34] She discovered writing and discovered that she could use her experience to help others with addiction to drugs and alcohol.
• [19:02] It was time for Wendy to become a mother for her boys and to make amends. Her book Mother Load is about losing her mother and the recovery she had to become the mother that she never had.
• [19:51] Intergenerational trauma remains unconscious and is transmitted to the offspring. A lot of information can be transmitted through our genes and what we've experienced in life.
• [21:27] One person stepping into recovery can also create a ripple effect.
• [22:25] Don't put your energy on what you don't want. Focus on what you want.
• [24:40] It's important for the family to be part of the treatment process.
• [28:18] A toxic family member can even sabotage someone they see getting sober. It's always good when an entire family is invested and wanting to do the work.
• [32:59] Writing about herself and things that happened to her was like an emotional retrieval for Wendy. Writing and going back was like recovering the parts that she left behind.
• [38:43] Wendy's book is written for anyone who's been struggling with sobriety or people who feel like they need a transfusion of Hope.
• [39:17] Hav A Sole is an organization started by Wendy's son that enables donations of shoes and sneakers to people who need them. They’ve now given out 35,000 pairs of shoes. 

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Camelback Recovery
• I Love Being Sober YouTube
• Wendy Adamson
• Incorrigible: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Loss, Addiction & Incarceration
• Mother Load: A Memoir of Addiction, Gun Violence & Finding a Life of Purpose
• Hav A Sole
• Wendy Adamson Instagram
• Wendy Adamson Facebook
• Wendy Adamson LinkedIn
• Hell Yeah or No: What's Worth Doing

The root cause of your migraines, body aches, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea is inflammation. Inflammation is the root cause of most of your chronic diseases. So when you reduce chronic inflammation, your entire world will start to turn around. There are six common sense practical medicines that you can start doing right now. These are to eat well, sleep well, move well, poop well, de-stress well, and commune well. Do all these six and your life will begin to change for the better. Join Tim Westbrook, MS as he talks to Dani Williamson MSN, FNP about those six common sense medicines. Dani owns Integrative Family Medicine and Wild & Well A Wellness Emporium in Franklin, TN. She focuses on gut health, autoimmune thyroid diseases, and hormone health. Learn more about her book, Wild & Well, as she talks more about it today. Discover why inflammation is the devil and why you should stay away.

Trigger Warning: Suicide

Back then, no one talked about anxiety or depression and that would continue to quietly grow. That would eventually lead to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. People need to be talking about this more to show that everyone gets depressed. If you have depression, you are not alone. Those suicidal thoughts that attack your self-esteem and self-worth should be dealt with. You can recover from depression. There is light at the end of the tunnel where you can go back to living a normal life. There are survivors out there just like the guest today. Join Tim Westbrook as he talks to suicide survivor, TEDx speaker, and author of the book, Worth It, Erin Matlock about overcoming ongoing destructive thoughts and self-worth. Erin had several attempted suicides until she realized that, you got to hang on to what you can. She underwent years of therapy and meds and even spent a whole year unable to move from her bed. Nevertheless, she fought back depression to regain control of her life. Now, she is an advocate for suicide prevention and helps people who are suffering from depression. Learn how you can overcome depression and live another day.

The journey to recovery demands changes in behavior and perception. To do that, we must understand the inner workings of what causes these behaviors and how to adjust them properly. Dr. Robbie Westerman, the Founder of Next Step Recovery AZ, joins us for today's episode. Dr. Robbie is a recovering addict who abused substances for years. In his journey to sobriety, he found his love and passion for neurology which he now uses to help educate and guide others to recovery. He learned and now teaches how to properly rewire pathways and transition into healthier behaviors to overcome maladaptive tendencies. There are a lot of great insights from today's episode. Dr. Robbie shares his Urge Theory of Addiction and explains the role developmental trauma plays in addiction. Join host Tim Westbrook to learn more about Robbie and be inspired by his journey with advice on how you can start your path to recovery.

In order to move through grief or other unpleasant feelings, you need to make sense of the impact and meaning they had on you across time. Grief is just feelings of sadness, helplessness, anger, and disappointment. You can put that all behind you if you just listen to your body. It’s only once you get over those feelings is when you’ll feel confident in everything you do. Join Tim Westbrook as he talks to Joan Rosenberg, PhD, about dealing with unpleasant feelings and why grief is the pathway to forgiveness. Dr. Rosenberg is the founder and creator of Emotional Mastery. She was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary films “I Am” and “The Hidden Epidemic”. She is also a TEDx Speaker and the author of 90 Seconds to A Life You Love. Learn how to gain confidence by understanding your feelings. Discover what happens to the body when you feel. Find out the true goal of speaking up. And, learn how to deal with grief so that it doesn’t linger. Know all of this so that you can put unpleasant feelings behind you.

Sometimes, no matter how wonderful your life may seem, there can be trauma that exists inside that keeps you from fully living at your best. In this episode, Mrs. American 2021 Hannah Kirkpatrick shares how self-reflection brought about a pivotal moment she needed to turn her life around against alcoholism and depression. And just like you, she’s had disappointments that caused her to question her worth. Worse, what she thought was her leverage ended up being her destruction. She takes us into the ways family support and therapy helped her in the recovery process, transforming her life and seeing through her dreams. So tune in and learn from Hannah and get sober and stay sober. Because you too can win in this pageant called life.

A relapse doesn't erase your recovery journey. You don't have to start back at square one every time you relapse. People who think like that have a hard time continuing their journey. Know that when you recover from relapse, you will come out even stronger than before. Join Tim Westbrook, MS as he talks to the owner of Art Of Our Soul and host of Escaping Rock Bottom podcast, Brandon Lee as he shares his recovery story. Brandon almost killed himself from all the drug abuse until he was saved. Learn how inner child work and shamanism helped in his recovery story. Discover how relapse is not going to destroy your life and that sometimes it can just clear your path. Find out more about trauma and how it's passed down to you. Listen in so that you can heal that trauma and not leave it untreated.

Brandon Lee is a 5-time Emmy Award winning former news anchor for CBS News based in Phoenix, AZ.

Brandon is also a recovered meth & heroin addict since 2010. When he first got sober, Brandon’s sponsor told him to go to the art store to pick up supplies and start creating. That’s exactly what Brandon did to keep his mind busy during the “alone” times.

Brandon says creating art saved his life and it continues to be his main source of ongoing therapy in recovery. Brandon has also received recognition in the art world for his abstract style painting. He was just nominated in 2021 for the Phoenix Art Museum’s “Emerging Artist Award”.

Brandon’s podcast, “Escaping Rock Bottom”, focuses on mental health. The podcast goes in-depth on all things addiction by talking with addicts in recovery about their experience, strength, and hope. His podcast is currently being used as a daily workshop at more than two dozen treatment centers across the country.

Brandon is also a motivational/keynote speaker at mental health summits – most recently the keynote speaker for the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia’s annual conference with medical professionals.

Additionally, Brandon is a best-selling author. His memoir, “Mascara Boy”, about child sex abuse and trauma remains in the Top 5 Best Sellers on Amazon in the category of Substance Abuse.

Alcohol, drugs, and other addictions risk your quality of life. If you’re on your way to recovery, you must understand that it is a continuous process. What are the frequently asked questions on how to avoid a relapse? Join your host Tim Westbrook as he dives deep into these questions so you can continue the process of healing while being aware of things to watch out for. He shares in-depth insights on the importance of spending time with the right people, talking to your sponsor, and being determined to become the best you can be. He also discusses healthy eating habits and routines that could help bring out the person you want to be.