In this episode, Jake White interviews John Danaher, a counselor and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, about the connection between counseling, substance abuse prevention and recovery, and Jiu-Jitsu. Josh shares his personal journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and how he discovered the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu in his recovery process. He explains how Jiu-Jitsu is an immersive experience that engages the mind, body, and emotions, and how it can be used as a therapeutic tool. John also discusses his company, Leverage Counseling, which aims to integrate Jiu-Jitsu and counseling to provide a holistic approach to healing and personal growth.

Chapters
00:00 The Connection between Jiu-Jitsu and Counseling
05:01 Trauma-Informed Therapy and EMDR
09:35 Building Leverage Counseling
15:44 The Power of EMDR Therapy
17:58 Applying Jujitsu Principles
20:58 Talking to Yourself 10 Years Ago
24:25 Teaching and Confidence Building
26:36 Idol Worship and Enjoyment
32:30 Confidence Building in Jujitsu
32:58 Proclivity to Shortcuts
33:57 The Pleasure and Pain of Substance Use
36:04 Getting Connected on Different Levels

Links from the episode

• Leverage Counseling - https://leveragecounseling.com/ 
• Christian Counseling Services of Arizona - https://christiancounselingservicesaz.com/
• Joshua Danaher LinkedIn page -
  https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-danaher-ms-lac-5171b93a/

Takeaways
Jiu-Jitsu can be an effective tool in substance abuse prevention and recovery due to its immersive nature that engages the mind, body, and emotions.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-informed therapy that focuses on memory reconsolidation and can be used in conjunction with Jiu-Jitsu to address traumatic experiences.
The use of crutches or coping mechanisms is not inherently negative; it is important to choose healthy and fulfilling crutches that support personal growth and well-being.
Integrating different learning styles, such as physical, emotional, and intellectual, can enhance the effectiveness of drug prevention programs.
Building a sense of community and providing opportunities for individuals to connect with positive activities and relationships can be instrumental in preventing substance abuse and promoting personal growth.

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...

jake@vive18.com
instagram.com/vive18_