62. The Joy Hour with Tom Lyman

Update: 2025-08-20

Description

What does it take for a successful, functional addict to finally surrender and ask for help?

Tom Lyman, a men’s life coach and founder of The Joy Hour, shares his raw and powerful story of a 12-year battle with addiction, adultery, and a double life that nearly cost him everything. He reveals the pivotal moment in his backyard on Thanksgiving that became his "rock foundation," the humbling journey through rehab, and how he rebuilt his marriage and discovered his true purpose.

This is a candid conversation about the destructive power of ego, the life-saving act of surrender, and the transformative power of creating connection to replace isolation.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

1. The stark difference between a "rock bottom" and a "rock foundation."

2. Why it's so difficult for high-achieving men to ask for help and how to overcome it.

3. How Tom’s wife’s ultimatum, delivered with love, became the catalyst for change.

4. The birth of "The Joy Hour"—a sober, connection-based movement that grew from 30 to 200 people in a month.

5. Tom’s "Recovery, Discovery, Action" framework for building a life of purpose beyond addiction.

Key Takeaways:

1. Functional Isn't Fine: You can have the big house, cars, and business success while your private life is crumbling. External success often masks internal pain.

2. Humble Yourself or Be Humbled: The ego that built your success can prevent you from getting the help you need. Surrender is a strength, not a weakness.

3. Connection is the Antidote: Mental health and addiction struggles worsen in isolation and improve through connection. Your environment is everything.

4. Your Receipts and Timestamp Don't Lie: To see what you truly value, look objectively at how you spend your money and your time.

5. Recovery → Discovery → Action = Purpose: Healing is the first step. Then you must discover your gifts and, most importantly, take bold action to live them out.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Tom Lyman

00:56 - The pivotal Thanksgiving 2021 rock bottom moment

03:17 - The functional addict facade: Maintaining a double life

05:27 - The moment his wife said "I can't do it anymore"

07:15 - The humbling experience of (paid) outpatient rehab

09:40 - How ego prevents men from asking for help

11:25 - The miraculous restoration of his marriage and family

13:23 - The origin story of "The Joy Hour"

16:05 - How a sober party became a movement for mental health and connection

19:36 - [Mid-roll Ad] The Rinse Method

21:06 - How Joy Hour creates organic support networks