Sober Nation FM

The Art of Tough Transitions with George Kalantzis Like many people who have struggled with addiction, George started to experiment with alcohol and drugs in his early teens. During his senior year of high school, he watched as his friends got accepted to college, but he didn't have any plans for his future. That all changed when he woke up hungover one morning with a Marine enlistment card in his pocket. George's life would completely change during his time in the service. He would soon get deployed to Iraq, where he experienced several traumatic events, including watching his best friend get killed. "Rather than face those feelings, I turned toward addiction." His drinking began to increase again, and it wasn't long until he was facing legal repercussions.  The years of trying to ignore the pain experienced eventually erupted into contemplating suicide.  As he sat in his car with a gun to his head, George reached out for help. He entered therapy and began to seek the guidance of mentors who have helped him to work through his trauma and start living a happy, substance-free life. Today George is almost 2 years sober. He's a writer and coach that helps people navigate the toughest days of their lives through his program called the Art of Tough Transitions. You can learn more by visiting TheArtofToughTransitions.com Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

My Dirty Little Secrets with Tony Mandarich Former offensive lineman Tony Mandarich is proof that recovery works. Selected second in the 1989 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, Tony had stellar expectations set for him. At 6' 5" and 330 pounds, he was a big guy and admittedly had the ego to match. Although alcohol and drugs weren't initially an issue for Tony, he had been using steroids regularly for years. "It can certainly be argued, that for me, steroids were a gateway drug." Not long into his seven-year stint in Green Bay, Tony started abusing pain pills. His progressive drug use and drinking had a severe impact on his performance, and he was eventually let go by the team. In March of 1995, Tony entered treatment and started attending a 12 Step program. After cleaning his life up, he returned to the NFL for three years to play with the Indianapolis Colts for three more seasons. Today he's now been sober for over 26 years. His book,  "My Dirty Little Secrets — Steroids, Alcohol & God," details his story in the hopes of helping others that have struggled with addiction. You can learn more about Tony at TonyMandarich.com, and you can find his book on Amazon. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Real Housewives with Braunwyn Windham-Burke As a Real Housewives of Orange County cast member, Braunwyn gave the entire world a peek into what active alcoholism, early sobriety, and coming out as gay looks like. Growing up, she knew that her dad and aunt were alcoholics, but the family never talked about it. She vividly remembers drinking her first beer at fourteen and feeling like her issues with insecurity and feeling less than had been solved. Her drinking became more frequent and then progressed into other drugs during high school and college. "I never drank normally or responsibly." Braunwyn felt that getting pregnant and having children saved her life because it forced her to stop drinking for extended periods. She would often look at those times without alcohol as proof that she could drink responsibly, but that feeling of empowerment wouldn't last.  During season fourteen of Real Housewives of Orange County, unbeknownst to the rest of the Housewives cast and audience, Braunwyn was drinking every single day. After reaching her breaking point, she reached out for help and started attending Alcoholics Anonymous.  She eventually decided to open up about her struggle with alcohol and newly found sobriety as a form of accountability. A few months later, she would also come out as the first gay Housewife. She continues to work a program of recovery, share her story openly with others, and is studying to become a substance abuse counselor. You can connect with Braunwyn on Instagram @BraunwynWindhamBurke or by visiting Braunwyn.com Do you want to take your recovery to the next level? Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Quitting to Win with Crystal Waltman As a young woman, Crystal was a high-achieving athlete with a competitive drive. At only fourteen, she was already playing varsity volleyball which created a lot of pressure, expectations, and social anxiety. Around the same time, she discovered drinking, which seemed like an easy way to escape these pressures. When she went to college, her drinking progressed, and the cycle continued. "It was all about playing hard, studying hard, winning, and then blacking out again." Later on in life, after becoming a mom, Crystal fell into what we often hear described today as "Mommy wine culture." She tried to manage her drinking as best as possible, but she just couldn't stop on her own. After asking her neighbor how she was able to stop drinking, she was taken to her first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Her sobriety date is March 22, 2015.  Today Crystal is a coach, public speaker, and author who truly believes in recovering out loud. You can find her book, "Quitting to Win" on Amazon. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Nobody Cares Except You with Kosha Dillz Rapper Kosha Dillz can trace the roots of his addiction to when he was about twelve years old. Although there were substances like alcohol present, he also felt like his time as a wrestler and years of yoyo dieting were part of the problem. During high school, his substance abuse started to progress and the consequences became more severe, including multiple arrests. Kosha got introduced to recovery during his first stint in jail, but he wasn't ready to get sober. He said he tried several of the textbook "fixes" that we hear about in recovery including, starting new relationships and going back to school, but none of that solved his problem. Kosha also tried several forms of moderating his substance use, but that didn't work either. Eventually, after yet another arrest, he was forced to seek help through what he describes as a "divine intervention." He avoided a multiple-year prison sentence by moving into a sober home where he was allowed to focus on his recovery. Today Kosha is over 16 years sober. His latest album, "Nobody Cares Except You," explores the idea of service and forgiveness to himself for not "being where he is supposed to be." You can check out Kosha Dillz music on all major streaming platforms. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Sober Heart with Greg Johnson Greg learned about addiction at an early age. His father was a Vietnam veteran who started drinking and using drugs to cope with the events he witnessed during the war. For years, Greg noticed his father's frequent erratic behavior, but he didn't understand what was happening. Everything became clear when Greg was in college, and he received a call that his father had overdosed. Then, only two months later, he would find out that his uncle committed suicide after a drinking spree. "I had this fear that I would end up like them, that I would go down that same path." Greg did what he knew best to handle that fear - drink and use drugs. After multiple arrests, treatment programs, and a moment of clarity, Greg was ready to admit defeat. He started attending Alcoholics Anonymous as well as another program that would enable him to continue to grow spiritually. Today Greg is more than 15 years sober. He's a Sober Mentor and Licensed Spiritual Practitioner who helps people find long-term sobriety and start living their best lives. You can learn more about Greg and his work by visiting SoberHeart.org Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Pregame with Maggie King As a young girl, Maggie planned on avoiding alcohol and drugs due to the negative effects it had on a few close family members. That plan changed as she started to struggle more with her sexuality and the pressure she felt to succeed in school. "Knowing that I was gay and knowing that I would have to fit in and have a boyfriend, I decided I would drink to try and make things easier." From the very beginning, her drinking was excessive, and she would frequently blackout. Maggie's addiction progressed into taking pain pills after experiencing a field hockey injury in college. Eventually, things came to a head as she started to have flashbacks from a past sexual assault that she had tried so hard to forget. She started drinking and using all day to block out the emotional pain that surrounded her trauma. It wasn't long until Maggie found herself on the roof of her college's counseling building, prepared to take her own life. As she stood on the ledge, ready to jump, she felt a tap on the shoulder, but no one was there. Maggie knew she had to ask for help immediately. Thankfully, she found the professional assistance that she needed and started to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. Today Maggie has been sober for more than 3 years. She's also the author of "Pregame: Alcohol, Addiction & Recovery through the Eyes of a College Student." You can connect with her on Instagram @MaggiexKing and find her book on Amazon. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

A Happier Hour with Rebecca Weller Author and health coach Rebecca Weller says she had always been a binge drinker. In her younger years, she used alcohol as a "social lubricant" to feel less shy and more outgoing. As Rebecca got older, she realized that her excessive drinking had become a habit that wasn't at all in line with her goals and otherwise healthy lifestyle. Eventually, she started researching how to stop drinking, and she came across some very encouraging sober blogs. "I felt immediate recognition as they talked about things like not having an off switch, blackouts, and feeling so ashamed of things they did." She initially decided to commit to three months without alcohol as somewhat of an experiment. Today Rebecca has almost 7 years sober. She's a speaker, health coach and has written multiple books including, "A Happier Hour."  You can learn more about Rebecca at SexySobriety.com.au and find her books on Amazon. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Alcohol Explained with William Porter Author William Porter's relationship with alcohol began around fourteen years old, which didn't feel very odd for a young man growing up in the UK. It wasn't long before he found himself binging and drinking to get as drunk as possible. "Over the years, the amount I was drinking continued to go up as my tolerance increased." Fast forward several years, William had served a tour of duty in Iraq, gotten married, and had children. Upon return from the service, William found that adjusting to civilian life was extremely difficult, and his progressive alcoholism wasn't making matters any better. Eventually, he was faced with an ultimatum. Either get sober or lose his wife, children, and everything he cared for most. After a couple of years sober, William realized that he had learned a considerable amount about how to get sober and what alcohol does to our minds and bodies. It was at that point that he decided to write his first book, "Alcohol Explained." One purpose of the book is to break down the truth about so many of the myths surrounding why people drink alcohol. For example, although some drinkers might feel that alcohol alleviates anxiety, it's actually proven to make anxiety much worse due to the affect it has on our nervous system. Today William has over 7 years sober and he continues to help those struggling with alcoholism through his writing. You can find Alcohol Explained on Amazon or by visiting AlcoholExplained.com. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

The Sober Bodybuilder with Brad Jensen Brad recalls taking his first drink around 13 years old. The insecurity and awkwardness he felt as a chubby kid quickly faded as soon as the alcohol kicked in. As he got older, he developed a passion for fitness but realized that drinking would hamper his ability to build a great physique, so he turned to pain pills. When the pills were no longer available, his addiction progressed yet again, and this time Brad turned to heroin. For years he went in and out of jails, treatment centers, and 12 Step programs. "I didn't think I could get sober, but the seed was planted, and I started to think if these guys can do it, maybe I can too." After being arrested for driving a stolen car, Brad entered the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, got a sponsor, and started working the steps. Today Brad has over 8 years of sobriety, is the CEO of Key Nutrition, and has a massive online following. You can connect with Brad on Instagram @TheSoberBodybuilder and learn more about Key Nutrition at KeyNutrition.com Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Sober as F*** with Sarah Ordo Author Sarah Ordo says she was "your typical party girl" starting from the time she was about fourteen years old. For years her entire life was centered around drinking, which also was frequently accompanied by blackouts. Even after a near-fatal overdose, Sarah struggled to leave her old life behind. "I left like my life was in a tug of war because I wasn't ready to let go of who I used to be yet." That all changed when she entered therapy and started working through the past traumas she believes led her to escape through substances. Sobriety led Sarah to create a series of Youtube videos where she shared her progress for the world to watch and eventually to writing her first book, "Sober as F***."  Today she's over 5 years sober and continues to share her experience through her writing, podcast, events, and coaching. You can learn more about Sarah and find her books at SarahOrdo.com Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Self Recovery with Dr. Daniel Hochman Dr. Hochman is an award-winning psychiatrist and physician who specializes in the field of addiction. Although not in recovery himself, he recalls seeing family and friends impacted by the pain and damage that addiction can cause. "To me, addiction captures a lot of what of what it means to be on this journey of life, where we have constant temptations to shortcut happiness." Through his online addiction program Self Recovery, and as a consultant for addiction treatment facilities, Daniel helps patients find sobriety using a clinical and science-based approach. Self Recovery was designed to meet real-life challenges like hectic schedules, family needs, tight budgets, and fear of judgment. This on-demand treatment enables patients to conveniently explore and address the root cause of addiction, which is generally categorized as emotional pain or stress. Dr. Hochman has helped thousands of people suffering from addiction learn how to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. You can learn more about Dr. Hochman and the Self Recovery program by visiting SelfRecovery.org Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Mary Fran Bontempo is an award-winning author and 2-time TEDx speaker who teaches audiences how to uncover their brilliance and resilience 15 minutes at a time. Although not in recovery herself, she watched for years as her son David struggled with addiction for years. She saw the early warning signs, but like many parents, she justified what was happening. In retrospect, Mary has come to understand how hard it can be to see situations like this for what they really are.  "The two closest companions in crisis are distraction and denial." You deny the family member's addiction, and then you distract yourself with excuses. After being admitted to two in-patient treatment centers, David was finally able to get sober. Mary made it her mission to help the family members of addicts through her writing and speaking engagements. Her most notable books are Brilliantly Resilient and The 15 Minute Master. The 15 Minute Master offers a process to help families navigate the challenges of addiction through mindfulness and a series of simple questions. You can learn more about Mary and her books by visiting MaryFranBontempo.com Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

The Normal Album with Will Wood Singer and songwriter Will Wood can trace the roots of his addiction back to his teenage years. Like many teenagers, he used alcohol as a way to escape reality and cope with stress. As Will's substance abuse progressed, he eventually hit rock bottom and felt like the only thing he had to live for was his music. "If I'm going to fu*king die, then I might as well give this music thing a try." Joined by his band The Tapeworms, Will recorded his first album and has since built an intense and large cult following. Today he is dedicated to inspiring others, giving back, and raising money for mental health research. You can listen to his latest album, "The Normal Album" on all major music streaming platforms. Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today. If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com

Pregnant in Prison with Jessica Kent Jessica's childhood was a constant struggle. She was bullied, suffered from multiple mental health disorders, and came from a home filled with addiction. Jessica recalls taking her first drink at only twelve years old and the instant relief she felt. "Alcohol made me happy, confident, and comfortable in my own skin." From then on, it was a fast and steady progression to pain pills, and eventually heroin.  To support her addiction and avoid the poverty that so many around her were experiencing, Jessica started selling drugs. This decision eventually landed her in prison. What she didn't know when she got locked up is that she was pregnant. Nine months later, she would give birth to her daughter while shackled to a hospital bed. After serving her sentence, Jessica got a bachelor's degree and started making videos about her journey. Today Jessica is over 9 years sober, her YouTube channel has over 300,000 subscribers, and she's doing her part to change the conversation surrounding prison reform. Be sure to check her out on YouTube at youtube.com/c/JessicaKent Do you want to take your recovery to the next level?  Sobriety Engine is an incredible online community where you can find a ton of great tips, tools, and support from other men and women in recovery.  Visit SobrietyEngine.com to join today.  If you're ready to get fit and start living a healthier lifestyle while supporting your sobriety then you can learn more about having Jonathan as your personal fitness and nutrition coach at RCVRHealth.com