What if the part of you that wants to drink, use, or self-sabotage isn't the enemy — it's just trying to protect you the only way it knows how?

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, recorded live at Camelback Recovery's outpatient center in Scottsdale, Arizona, host Tim Westbrook sits down with licensed professional counselor and IFS therapist Kristy Crabtree for a deep conversation on trauma, healing, and what it actually means to recover from the inside out.

Kristy breaks down Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in plain language — explaining why we all have protective "parts," why no part is bad (even the addictive ones), and how to work with your inner world instead of fighting it.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What IFS therapy is and why it works for addiction and trauma

• The difference between a "manager" and a "firefighter" — and which one is driving your behavior

• Why your addictive urge has a positive intention (and how to redirect it)

• How trauma gets stored in the body and blocks spiritual growth

• A simple breathwork technique to regulate your nervous system right now

• How to begin healing the inner child without becoming overwhelmed

Kristy Crabtree is the founder of Inner Light Counseling in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and Sacred Revolution, a consciousness expansion practice. She is the author of Sacred Revolution and Reclaiming Eden, and host of the Transcendence Talks podcast.

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, recorded live at Camelback Recovery's outpatient treatment center in Scottsdale, Arizona, host Tim Westbrook sits down with Michael Bernoff — founder of the Human Communications Institute, developer of Human Interaction Technology™, and author of Average Sucks. Michael has been alcohol-free since New Year's Eve 2016, not because he hit a rock bottom, but because he made a clear-eyed decision: there was nothing good about drinking, and he refused to be an influence that pulled anyone else toward it.

This conversation goes deep into the psychology of language and identity in recovery. Michael breaks down why the words 'sober' and 'addict' can quietly keep people stuck, why 'learning to live differently' is a more powerful frame than 'getting sober,' and what it actually means to raise your average when you've been running on empty. The live audience at Camelback Recovery joins in with real questions — and Michael works through them in real time, demonstrating exactly the kind of powerful, in-the-moment coaching that has impacted hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Topics covered: the decision to stop drinking, language and identity in recovery, Human Interaction Technology, raising your average, the word 'addict' and why it may be working against you, learning to live differently, self-image, communication strategies, CORE Live event, and what it means to become an example for someone else.

If you're in recovery or considering treatment in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area — or anywhere in the country — this episode will challenge the way you think about sobriety and give you practical tools you can use today.

#ILoveBeingSober #CamelbackRecovery #MichaelBernoff #AverageSucks #SobrietyPodcast #RecoveryPhoenix #RecoveryScottsdale #ArizonaRecovery #LiveDifferently #HumanInteractionTechnology #AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #LanguageMatters #IdentityInRecovery #PersonalDevelopment #OutpatientTreatment #CORElive

In this powerful live episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Camelback Recovery for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation on addiction, recovery, and the future of mental health care in America. Known globally for his work in law, public health, and policy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also brings decades of personal experience in recovery. In this candid discussion, he shares his journey through addiction, what it took to get sober, and the daily practices that have helped him maintain long-term recovery.

Together, Tim and Robert explore what real recovery looks like beyond abstinence, the role of community and purpose, and why addiction must be treated as a chronic condition—not a short-term crisis. They also dive into critical issues facing the current system, including where treatment is falling short, the need for long-term, outcomes-driven care, and how aligning incentives could transform recovery outcomes across the country.

Recorded live in front of clients and staff at Camelback Recovery, this episode concludes with an open and honest Q&A, offering insight, connection, and hope for anyone on the path to recovery.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s personal recovery journey

• What it really takes to get and stay sober

• The role of community, service, and purpose in long-term recovery

• Why the current addiction treatment system is broken

• What real, lasting recovery should look like

• The future of addiction and mental health care in America

It's easy to get lost on your way to recovery. It only takes a single step in the wrong direction to relapse. In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook breaks down five mistakes you don't want to make, along with how and why avoiding these mistakes can save you from relapse and help you continue on to the kick-ass sober life you want to live. Don't miss out and navigate your way towards recovery and sobriety.

Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally is essential to maintaining a happy and successful life. It's so important that you are willing to do everything to avoid a relapse and stay on your path to recovery. So how can you make self-care a priority? Tune into this episode as we dive deep into why it's important to take care of yourself if you want to take care of your loved ones too. Live a kick-ass sober life and achieve the life you have always dreamed of!

Do you know that you'll have a 67% chance of making it to five years if you stay in therapy for a year? Tim Westbrook, MS, discusses how essential it is to follow your recommended treatment plan to avoid a relapse. Your goal should be to make it a year. You NEED the accountability, connection, and support to live a kick-ass sober life. The key is your willingness to follow the plan that's tailored for you. Be willing to take suggestions even if you disagree with them. Listen to this episode for more tips on how to avoid slipping.

If you're in your first year of sobriety, it's really easy to relapse. This is why you need a positive support network. This is a group of people in a shared safe place where you can connect with them. You can get a sponsor to help you with that or you can stay connected to people who are also in recovery. There are a lot of ways to build a positive support network. Join Tim Westbrook as he shares some secrets to avoiding relapse.

For people in their first year on the road to recovery, the need to avoid a relapse is critical. Like it or not, your friends play a big role in your recovery. In this episode, Tim Westbrook dives deep into why toxic friends are not good for your health. He takes a look at relationships, their impact on your recovery, and why you need to cut those toxic friends out. Tune in for more great insights on sobriety and recovery and live your best life.

Do you know that triggering situations can result in a relapse? Host Tim Westbrook, MS, gives valuable strategies for safeguarding yourself from triggering situations and avoid a relapse. The first thing you need to understand is that addiction is a way to escape the pain. So you need to do your best to cultivate healthy relationships for a happy, serene life. Avoid conflicts as much as possible. The moment you feel any negative emotions creeping up on you, call a friend, therapist, or anyone you trust. Discuss your feelings so you won't have to end up relapsing. Tune in for more tips!

There are all kinds of addictions, from drinking to drugging, gambling, sexual indiscretions, and many more. It's not easy to break free from those, but it is possible. Getting rid of these is a challenging path, and throughout the recovery, you can have a moment of relapse, which could be dangerous. Join your host Tim Westbrook as he shares the five secrets to avoiding relapse. He is the CEO of Camelback Recovery, a structured, drug-free environment that assists those in early recovery to discover and normalize a new, sober lifestyle and pave the path for long-term sobriety.

If you are in your first year of sobriety, the chances are that you have either lost everything or you don't have much. The chances are that you are miserable. Luckily, there is a 12-step program, consisting of very simple steps that can help you live happy and free. Today, Tim Westbrook is joined by his good friend Jason Austin. Jason's sobriety date is August 16, 2004. Throughout his time as a sober man he has gotten married and divorced, he has two teenage boys. He is also an entrepreneur and owner of one of the leading fire protection companies in Arizona. Plus, he is an avid squash player and he practices yoga. He will tell you himself, everything he has is a result of the 12-step program. Join in and be inspired by Jason's recovery journey.

Where are you now emotionally, and where do you want to go? You are your best sound healer in coming up with musical prescriptions that fit you best. Tim Westbrook presents Barry Goldstein, a Grammy Award-winning music productions and musical branding expert. Barry explains that your heart synchronizes to the music tempo. So if you listen to a song with 60 beats per minute, your heartbeat will move into a relaxed state. You need to create a playlist that allows you to move your energy where you want it to. But first, you need to tune in with your internal music. Your breath, and your heartbeat. Doing so brings you to greater self-awareness. Listen to this episode for more tips on using music for health and wellbeing.

How do you create healthy habits? Tim Westbrook, MS welcomes Dr. Jaime Hope, an attending emergency medicine physician at one of the country's busiest level 1 trauma centers. Dr. Jaime talks about how the first step is identifying what habits you want to develop. They should be cognitive load, low choice, and easily repeatable. Then answer the question, why do you want to develop them? Next, start small. If you're going to create a habit of working out, start with just 5 minutes a day. As you become more consistent, you can increase the allotted time. If you want to learn more, this episode's for you. Dive in!

Most people in recovery assume they have a broken brain, and it hinders them from getting better. But it is not the case. Every person in recovery always has a chance to succeed – all they need is the right support and treatment methods. Tim Westbrook is joined by Dr. Jason Giles, founder of Addiction Doctors, who has been helping people recover from addiction not just through clinical expertise but also real-life experience. He shares how he discards the notion of having a broken brain after going through addiction, and instead focuses on a long-term, intergenerational approach that focuses on the actual root of the problem. Dr. Giles also dispels the misconceptions about willpower, the three important things that make a difference in recovery, and how breathwork and meditation can lead to a powerful mindset shift.

Navigating relationships is one thing, but it becomes a whole different ordeal when you're in recovery. In this episode, Love Coach Annie Lalla joins Tim Westbrook to offer insights on what love should and shouldn't look like at this stage. The two discuss when relationships are detrimental versus beneficial to both parties. When does a person know they're in a good place? When should relationships be prioritized? They dive deep to answer these questions and other dilemmas for people trying to balance their love life while battling addiction or other dependencies. Annie also explains why living your best life is the best bird call to find your life mate. Tune in to learn more.

"Life happens for you, not to you." This old adage could not be truer with the incredible story of our guest today. On a mission to elevate the consciousness of humanity, one morning at a time, Hal Elrod has been impacting so many lives—whether an addict or alcoholic in recovery or just an individual not in recovery. In this episode, he joins Tim Westbrook, MS to continue to pay it forward by talking about The Miracle Morning for Addiction Recovery. He explains the importance of setting yourself up for success for the rest of your life by simply winning every morning. Having been through events that defied all odds, Hal offers great insights about becoming a better version of who you are. So join him as he shares the tools to help you win at life, one morning at a time.

Relapsing is not a part of any sobriety program because the goal is constant recovery. Tim Westbrook, MS welcomes his long-time sponsee, Alex Mandossian, the CEO at Marketing Online and a funnel marketing and conversion coach. Alex shares how he's been sober for 11 years when he started sliding back to excessive drinking because of the pressure of career and family life. From that experience, he learned the importance of self-awareness. When you're not self-aware, you get yourself in trouble no matter how intelligent you are or how much money you've made. If you want practical strategies for avoiding relapsing, this episode's for you.

With all the toxins around us, we don't realize that we have to stay healthy. We should be aware of our lifestyle habits, including sleeping patterns, exercise routine, hobbies, interests, and more. But what approach achieves high-performance health? Tim Westbrook interviews Dr. Nicole Srednicki in this episode. Dr. Srednicki is a Doctorally Prepared, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who graduated from the prestigious Georgetown University, Magna Cum Laude, in Washington, D.C. She utilizes cutting-edge, science-driven, regenerative medical therapies and techniques. Tune into this episode to gain valuable insights into prioritizing our health and focus on essential things. Let's learn how to improve our habits and have a better lifestyle.

Are you suffering from addiction? There's nothing wrong with you; your mind just needs a reboot. Tim Westbrook welcomes Dr. Don Wood, Ph.D., the CEO at Inspired Performance Institute. Trauma is at the root of all addiction. So to heal addiction, figure out a way to heal the trauma. When you have lingering painful memories, your brain is still trying to resolve them—putting you in a constant fight or flight response. The reaction is an emergency management system designed to turn on when there's a threat and turn off when there's no threat. Join in the conversation and discover how you can start the process of healing. 

We all need proper and decent sleep to perform our daily tasks and responsibilities. If we are sleep-deprived, it will negatively affect our personal and professional lives. Discover the art of sleeping with Dr. Peter Martone. Also known as Dr. Sleep Right, Dr Martone has been a chiropractor for over 21 years, innovatively helping patients to help heal from the inside out. His techniques have been featured nationally on CBS NBC ABC in Fox. He's currently traveling the country, teaching people how to master the art of sleeping. In this episode, Dr. Martone shares these effective techniques and their impact on our everyday lives. So stay tuned and discover ways you could improve the quality of your sleep.

Breaking free from addiction doesn't always mean going through the 12 steps. Alternative therapies are focusing on treating the person as a whole. That's what is meant by a holistic approach. Joining us on the show is Dean Taraborelli, the founder of the Sanctuary, an integrative addiction recovery center in Sedona, Arizona. Sanctuary is a residential, non-12 step addiction recovery and trauma healing center, specializing in addictions of all types, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Dean has challenged traditional models head on with a revolutionary Integrative Addiction Recovery program that combines the latest advances in science with ancient healing modalities to treat the whole person and has helped hundreds of clients to recover from addiction and to live full, meaningful lives. Today we are going to talk about Dean's experiences with his own recovery along with the holistic approach to breaking free from addiction.

Much like alcohol and drugs, money can become an addiction as well. Walter Clarke was once obsessed with earning more to satisfy his never-ending wants, but now leads a better life focused on spiritual money. He joins Tim Westbrook, MS as he looks back on how he chased money all his life, only to become miserable, devastated, and depressed. He reflects on his path to redemption, eliminating his unhealthy relationship with money. Walter has chosen to concentrate on providing value instead of simply being materialistic. He warns everyone not to be consumed by society acting as a huge Madison Avenue, painting happiness as if a by-product of amassing immense wealth and possessions.

Dan Brulé is known as the Bruce Lee of breathwork. He is a modern-day teacher, healer, and a world-renown pioneer in the art and science of breathwork. He has trained a lot of people, from athletes to members of the Special Forces. He teaches them how to use breathing for personal growth, professional development, self-healing, and spiritual awakening. Dan is also the author of several books including Just Breathe: Mastering Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, Business and Beyond. Tim Westbrook brings Dan in to talk about breath therapy and how it can help in dealing with addiction. Tune in and discover why breathwork is the new yoga.

If you had any kind of trauma and it still haunts you, seek help. The only way you can fight trauma is being open about it instead of hiding it. Tim Westbrook brings Marilyn Murray on the show to walk us through the topics of trauma and abuse. If there's anyone who can speak about this topic, it's Marilyn. She is regarded as a pioneer in the treatment of trauma. Learn how she survived sexual assault at such a young age and how she has given therapy to sex offenders. Find out what the Murray Method is and how the Trauma Egg originated. Learn how to transform your trauma into wholeness with Tim and Marilyn.

This episode is a little different, and it might be exactly what you need. Instead of just talking about addiction recovery, self-love, and healing. We're inviting you to experience it. Donny Starkins is here to offer a powerful conversation on self-love in recovery, exploring why so many people struggle with unworthiness, shame, and low self-worth, especially in early sobriety. You'll learn how self-abandonment shows up in everyday life, what self-love actually looks like in action, and how mindfulness, discomfort, and presence can become powerful tools for growth. Then we shift.

This episode transitions into a live, guided self-love workshop with Donny, designed to help you reconnect with yourself, regulate your nervous system, and build real confidence and inner worth from the inside out. If you've ever felt like you're not enough, either you have struggled with guilt or shame, or are looking for practical tools to support your mental health and recovery journey, this episode is for you. This isn't just something to listen to. It's something to experience.

Healing is not a lonely business. It takes a village. With interventions, the family creates a plan to help their loved one struggling with addiction. In this episode, Tim Westbrook, MS invites Nanette Zumwalt to share with us her expertise as one of the top interventionists in the industry, both nationally and internationally. Nanette helps us understand what an intervention is, what role a family system plays, and how the process goes to find the healing they need. She talks about what happens when a family also needs to do the work and how we are navigating this current environment with technology. Encouraging those who want to become interventionists, Nanette then discusses why they need to become more professional and offers advice on how to get there. Plus, she also talks about the individual recovery support services, extending help to those who need that professional support person.

When addressing any form of addiction, most people think of going to rehab or AA meetings. But Deanne Adamson takes it to another level and presents another solution: psychedelic therapy. She joins Tim Westbrook, MS to talk about how this can help a person dealing with addiction get into actual work that directly impacts mindset, perspective, and spirituality. She shares how beating alcoholism inspired her to set an example and later start Being True To You, a transformational addiction recovery program. Tim and Deanne also talk about becoming an effective transformative coach, how it differs from a counselor, and how an individual can benefit from working with both experts.

A good nutritional diet and addiction recovery go hand-in-hand. People forget that stress and depression mostly start in the brain, in the mind. So a good and healthy diet will help solve some brain inflammation and other negative things. To learn more about nutritional diets, join your host Tim Westbrook and his guest Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN. Kristin is a senior fellow at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. She is the creator of their fuel well nutrition program. She is also the lead dietician and manager of the wellness nutrition services at Cleveland Clinic. Learn how nutrition helps addiction recovery. Learn why fish and plant-based foods are critical to your health. All of that and more in today's episode.

Addiction is a problem faced by many people, and sex addiction is a common one. In this episode, we talk about sex addiction and how to heal and recover from it. Tim Westbrook interviews Robert Weiss PhD, LCSW. He is the Chief Clinical Officer of Seeking Integrity, a unified group of online and real-world communities helping people to heal from intimacy disorders like compulsive sexual behavior and related drug abuse. Dr. Weiss discusses healing sex addiction and other sexual issues and differentiates it to love addiction. He then talks about the path to recovery and why intimacy is important in healing. 

Trauma does not appear out of thin air. It comes from deep-seated issues and experiences that start from our childhood. Likewise, healing from trauma does not happen overnight. In this episode, Tim Westbrook is joined by Shalev Amar, also known as Freedom From Trauma on YouTube. Shalev works as a lawyer in his own Amar Law Group but has dedicated most of his life to learning about trauma and finding ways to overcome it. As someone who's undergone trauma his whole life, he gives personal advice on how he is working to overcome them through various methods. Healing is a lifelong journey, and how you cope matters. Shalev has made it his mission to educate and inform people on healthy methods to do so. Tune in to learn all about them and see what might work for you.

Substance use and addiction are not just born out of external and environment factors. There is often a deep-seated cause that we don't treat—our personality. In this episode, Dr. Ramani Durvasula joins host Tim Westbrook to discuss how narcissism manifests itself and influences substance-related issues. Ramani is a licensed clinical psychologist, professor of psychology, author, consultant, speaker, and expert on narcissism. Her practice has focused greatly on highly antagonistic personality styles and their impact on mental health and relationships. She dives deeper into the many subtypes of narcissism and how each subtype should be addressed when treating patients recovering from substance use. Ramani explains the parallels between addiction and narcissism and further explains how narcissistic behavior can affect addiction and narcissism as a risk factor for the same. 

Recovery from addiction takes many paths, and one path is recovery propelled by purpose. You have to be prepared to change and find your purpose in life. In this episode, Tim Westbrook interviews lead generation expert and recovering alcoholic David Hill about his journey towards sobriety. David talks about what pushed him towards alcoholism and the spiral of abuse that pushed him towards alcohol. He talks about what brought him to the path of recovery and shares insights on what you need to do and keep doing to continue walking on the road of sobriety.

Mental health has been present since the beginning of time. This is something the human race can't get rid of. People back then were using ancient healing traditions to deal with it. As people and technology progressed, therapies have gotten more effective. You have cold water therapy, red light therapy, and more. These all come from ancient traditional healings with a more technological edge. To learn more about these types of therapies, join your host, Tim Westbrook and his guest Dr. Donese Worden. Dr. Worden is an award-winning physician-researcher and global health educator. She is the owner of REPOWER Medical Clinic and is a naturopathic medical doctor. Learn all about mental health issues and what therapies you should use to solve them. Also, learn about the importance of gut health and rotational diets. Live a better lifestyle today! 

People who are trying to stay sober don't stay sober. It's not all doom and gloom. Sobriety can also be fun. You've chosen to be sober because you want to be a better and happier person. Look at the bright side of things, learn new hobbies, and connect with healthier people. These are all the things sober lifestyle coach Courtney Andersen does with her clients. Courtney is a lifestyle coach and the host of her podcast, Sober Vibes. Join your host, Tim Westbrook as he talks to Courtney Andersen about having fun in sobriety. Learn how Courtney transformed herself, from alcoholic to life coach. Listen to what she does to enjoy life being sober. Also, learn why safe sober sex is key to all good relationships.

There is a lot more to recovery than just going to inpatient treatment, seeing a therapist, and going to 12-step meetings. While these things are important, you also need to find long-term solutions that can help you recover and continue living a happy, joyous, and free life. You need not only cut out bad habits from your life, but you also need to form healthy ones in turn. Bringing someone who can help you out on this new path, Tim Westbrook sits down with Michael Roviello, the co-founder of Optimyze, which is the only human optimization center in Phoenix designed to align your mind, body, and breath with the four elements of nature. Here, they talk about mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness using natural methods, including red light therapy, breadboard breathwork, and cold water therapy. What is more, Michael also shares his journey with pain and medications that later on took him to the Amazon jungle exploring healing modalities used by indigenous people to explore the mind-body and spirit with great results. He then founded the Wim Hof Method using cold water, breathing exercises, and a change in his mindset as a tool for self-healing and a deeper understanding of self. Join in on this insightful and jam-packed conversation to learn more about the importance of holistically working on yourself for long-term recovery.

In this episode of I Love Being Sober, Tim Westbrook sits down with Dr. Jack Wolfson, a board-certified cardiologist known as the Natural Heart Doctor, for a powerful conversation about heart health, longevity, and the lifestyle habits that truly prevent disease.

Dr. Wolfson spent years practicing conventional cardiology in one of Arizona's largest heart groups before questioning the traditional medical model. Today, he focuses on root-cause medicine, helping people prevent and reverse heart disease through nutrition, lifestyle changes, environmental awareness, and holistic health practices.

Recorded live at Camelback Recovery Outpatient Treatment Center, this conversation explores the deep connection between mental health, stress, addiction recovery, and cardiovascular health.

Tim and Dr. Wolfson discuss why modern medicine often treats symptoms instead of causes, how chronic stress and trauma impact the heart, and what people in recovery can do to rebuild both their physical and mental health.

If you care about longevity, natural health, mental wellness, and living a sober lifestyle that supports long-term vitality, this episode will give you practical insights you can start applying immediately.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why heart disease remains the leading cause of death
• The connection between stress, mental health, and heart health
• Lifestyle habits that support longevity and disease prevention
• The role of nutrition and inflammation in cardiovascular health
• Environmental toxins and their impact on the body
• How people in addiction recovery can rebuild physical health
• Simple daily habits that support long-term wellness

About r. Jack Wolfson

Dr. Jack Wolfson is a board-certified cardiologist, bestselling author of The Paleo Cardiologist, international speaker, and founder of Natural Heart Doctor. His work focuses on preventing heart disease through natural and holistic approaches that address the root causes of illness.

Learn more and assess your own heart attack risk here:

https://naturalheartdoctor.com/heart-attack-risk-test/

About the Podcast

I Love Being Sober is a podcast hosted by Tim Westbrook, exploring addiction recovery, mental health, biohacking, and the lifestyle practices that support a fulfilling sober life.

Have you heard about biohacking? If you haven't, then this episode is a must for you. Listen in as Tim Westbrook chats with Larry Arnold, his friend and go-to physical coach. As you go through the addiction recovery process, one of the things that you have to be mindful about is your health and wellness. Made up of edgy and emerging techniques like red light therapy, NAD and power plates, to the older, more established ozone therapy, biohacking is a set of unconventional modalities that help the body heal itself. Curious about how each of these works? Join in and learn how you can incorporate biohacking in to your lifestyle and start building a new life beyond addiction.

Following the path towards recovery is not an easy feat. So when one is long on their way at it, we can call for a celebration! New York Times bestselling author of eight books, Anna David is a person in long-term recovery, having recently celebrated her 20th year! In this episode, she takes us behind the work she has to put upon herself to live a happy, joyous, and free life. Her journey shows us that the path to long-term recovery is more than just to stop drinking, taking drugs, or doing addictive behaviors. It takes a complete change, where you need to develop new healthy lifestyle habits. Follow Anna in today's show to learn what those are and how she made it and started living a new and happier life. Plus, she then shares how she is helping people write and publish their books, lending new knowledge on how you can make your messy life into a memoir. Anna has been published in The New York Times, Time, and The LA Times, among many others, and has appeared repeatedly on The Today Show, The Talk, The CBS Morning Show, and dozens of other programs. Her newest book, Make Your Mess Your Memoir, is a combination of a memoir and a business book.

They say all addiction stems from trauma. For Darren Waller, it's the mindset he carried of having to constantly prove himself to those around him, even if it meant going down the wrong path. At 16, he started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs. In this episode, he joins Tim Westbrook to share with us his comeback story, his journey to recovery, and how he found peace and purpose in his life. Darren takes us through the highs and lows in his life—how he went from being arrested, getting suspended in college and NFL (including a yearlong ban in 2017), going to rehab, and working at Sprouts to going back to the practice squad to back to back 1,000-yard seasons, the Pro Bowl, and becoming the all-time single-season record holder for receptions in a season in Raiders history. Follow along this conversation to learn how Darren pulled himself back from the dark place he found himself in, got comfortable with the uncomfortable road to sobriety, and took off the mask that has been keeping him from truly living life as it should be. 

Studies have shown that serotonin, known as the "happiness chemical," promotes well-being and boosts our mood. Do you want to feel good and happy? In this episode, Tim Westbrook brings on Scott Donnell, the CEO of Hapbee, a wearable device that is scientifically designed to promote your desired mental state at the touch of a button. Backed by fifteen years of research, Scott explains the technology behind Hapbee which mimics signals that your brain already understands, using ultra-low frequencies that help you feel calm, alert, focused, relaxed, or sleepy on command. If you want to start taking control of your mind and mood and unlock your potential, you don't want to miss this episode.

Without proper rehabilitation for narcissistic people, helping them deal with their psychological difficulties is challenging. On top of the tedious task of understanding narcissism, there's also their higher potential to resort to substance abuse just to address their needs. Going deep into this mental health issue with Tim Westbrook is Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and certified narcissist expert. Together, they discuss how a narcissistic personality is typically fueled by insecurity, manipulation, frustration, and disappointment, leading to drug addiction and alcoholism if pushed to the limits. They also talk about how to properly approach and mingle with such people, especially when getting into a close relationship with them that may involve gaslighting, unbalanced emotions, and numerous relapses.

Neuroplasticity holds great promise in holding the key to addiction recovery. This is especially true with alcoholism, the mechanism of which relies heavily on hardwired patterns in our neural pathways. While it is certainly true that alcoholics are born with the predisposition towards alcohol addiction, it's not a fact that we are powerless to change. Joining Tim Westbrook in this episode, addiction consultant and addiction recovery expert, Dr. Robb Kelly explains how we can work with the human brain's plasticity to change the neural pathways responsible for alcohol addiction. He also shares the highlights of his powerful recovery journey, which he documents in his book, Daddy, Daddy Please Stop Drinking.

How do you deal with or reduce stress and be sober? Most of the time, everyone looks for something when stressed, and for Tim Ringgold, he found recovery in music. In this episode, Tim Westbrook interviews Tim—a certified music therapist, author, and host of Reduce Your Stress—about his journey of recovery from his addictions to a sober life through music. He discovered how music affects the brain and how to get back into the rhythm by listening and playing music or even making music. Join them today as they discuss Tim's journey through sex addiction to recovery and the healing powers of music. Sex, drugs, and rock n' roll are in that order for a reason!

Life is not without its obstacles and challenges. How you deal with them is what separates you from the rest. How do you overcome whatever life throws your way? Tim Westbrook is with Whitney Jones—two-time Miss Fitness Olympia, five times Pro Champ, and owner of Pro Physiques—to share with us the champion mindset, learning how to be unstoppable and roll with the punches. Together with it, Whitney also takes us across her own journey, letting us into her own share of struggles with eating disorder, depression, and workaholism. Through it all, she shows the importance of self-care, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and setting high goals. Join Whitney in this episode to find out how she stands in power in her life as the champion that she truly is.

"Life Gives to the Giver" is a conversation with Joe Polish, who created one of the most elite business networking groups in the world for industry transformers. His foundation, Genius Recovery, helps people with addiction recovery. His two groups, Genius Network and 100k, are the most sought after connection networks in the world that are tailored to building a better entrepreneur.

Joe's mission around recovery is to help change the global conversation around addiction to be viewed with compassion instead of judgment. Check out the trailer for Joe's award winning documentary at https://www.connectedthemovie.com.

Without a doubt, recovery houses have been helping a lot of addicts go through a successful metamorphosis to become sober once more, allowing them to serve society once more. However, in this time of COVID-19, such communities are put to a serious test. Tim Westbrook analyzes the problem currently faced by recovery houses with Sazha Ramos, Founder of Recovery Organization Resources, together with Rogan O'Donnell. They talk about how some people use the fear of pandemic to leave recovery houses, only to become worse and relapse. The three aim to address this through proper self-care, staying healthy, and keeping a critical mind when consuming information from the media.

In this powerful live conversation recorded at Camelback Recovery, Tim Westbrook sits down with Dr. Don Middleton to explore the intersection of faith, addiction medicine, and lasting transformation.

Dr. Middleton is a board-certified physician with more than 30 years in family medicine and currently practices addiction medicine at the internationally renowned Meadows Behavioral Health in Wickenburg, Arizona. He also serves as medical director at Vital 4 Men and was named Arizona Physician of the Year at the state medical convention.

In this episode, we dive into his book The Dunamis Effect: When Your Higher Power Is Jesus and discuss what happens when Christian faith becomes the foundation of 12-step recovery.

This conversation covers:

• Christian 12-step recovery and the meaning of "Dunamis"

• The role of Jesus as a Higher Power in addiction recovery

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and faith-based recovery 

• The balance between science, scripture, and sobriety

• Rebuilding identity after addiction

• Overcoming shame after relapse 

• The future of Christian recovery ministries

Dr. Middleton also shares his perspective on the controversy surrounding medications in recovery and how medical science and spiritual transformation can work together — not against each other.

Whether you're early in recovery, a treatment professional, part of a Christian recovery ministry, or simply curious about the role of faith in sobriety, this episode offers practical insight and hope.

Learn more about Dr. Middleton's work:

📘 The Dunamis Effect: When Your Higher Power Is Jesus (Available on Amazon)

🌐 https://dunamisinitiative.com

📱 Follow "Dunamis Initiative" on Facebook and YouTube

There is way more to recovery than just abstaining from drinking and doing drugs. People can get clean and sober by seeking other things to achieve fulfillment. On today's show, Tim Westbrook chats with Jason Campbell, the Founder of Zen Wellness, an organization committed to health, healing, and longevity using the skillful means of time-tested Medical Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga. A 7th-degree black belt and Zen Wellness Master Teacher, Jason has been teaching the eastern healing and spiritual arts for over 25 years. Together, Tim and Jason talk about self-care and discipline, and explore the magic of meditation, music, and breathwork in assisting sober living, emphasizing how quieting your mind is such an important thing to do.  

We often hear the term "leap of faith." While that may be true for some situations, it's actually more of a push than a leap in most. For Emily Sadler, it was a push of faith. Emily is the Founder of the staffing service company called ETC. by Emily. Prior to ETC.'s success, she was battling an alcohol addiction, which started when she was a teenager. On today's show, Emily opens up to Tim Westbrook about her alcohol addiction and how she came out of it bright, shiny, and happy. They also tackle the importance of having a job or some purpose early in a person's recovery, which is what she's doing through ETC., extending a helping hand by employing people in recovery.

BJ Fogg reveals the truth about habits and why the traditional approach is all wrong. Learn how to untangle negative habits from your life and replace them one tiny habit and behavior at a time, so that you can build momentum and reach your goals easier than you thought possible.

• BJ Fogg is a behavior scientist at Stanford, where he directs research and innovation at the Behavior Design Lab. He also teaches his models and methods in graduate seminars.
• 14 years ago, BJ's nephew became addicted to opioids after being exposed to steroids and drug culture in high school. BJ and his family tried to support him in his recovery as best as they could, but despite all the effort on his part, his nephew died from an overdose.
• It wasn't an intentional overdose. His nephew had been sober for the prior six months and something must have happened in his life where he felt like he needed to go back to using the drugs. Unfortunately, he went with his prior dose, which his body couldn't handle anymore.
• BJ's family believed that his nephew was on the path to recovery and he was going to be okay. It wasn't until the overdose did that suddenly become an incorrect assumption.
• BJ usually helps people make habits, which is relatively straightforward. Breaking habits is much more complicated and difficult, especially with addiction. Addictions are a different kind of challenge. If your habits are life threatening, you need to get some help.
• BJ knew at the time that environment has a major impact on behavior, but he didn't consider that in regards to his nephew. If he could go back and change something, it would be to take his nephew out of Las Vegas and completely change his environment.
• There are three ways to create lasting change. The first is an epiphany, which can't be designed. The other ways are changing your environment and taking small steps to create new habits.
• One of the answers to addiction is a radical change in environment.
• Developing new healthy behaviors to replace old, unhealthy behaviors is how you shift your identity.
• Creating new habits is not that hard if you do it in the right way.
• The Tiny Habits method can be very approachable. Pick any ambition you have and you can take small actions which will move you towards your goal. You can systematically come up with the golden behaviors that can be turned into positive habits.
• If you can find a behavior that you really like doing that moves you towards your ambition, it can be very easy to wire that into a habit. You don't have to pick only one method; try out a bunch that you already like and want to do and you will make it much easier.
• There are different means to an end. If a program works for you, then stick with it. If there's something that doesn't work, be willing to explore and try other things out. If the program or person isn't a good fit for you, go out and find one that is.
• BJ grew up as a Mormon and never drank alcohol growing up, but that changed after moving to California with his partner and being exposed to wine culture. He began to notice that alcohol became a feature of his everyday life and decided that he wanted to stop.
• It wasn't particularly difficult to stop drinking for BJ as he already had experience with changing behavior. There is a big difference between changing behavior and untangling bad habits with the latter requiring a little more effort.
• Moderation in all things does not apply to addiction. Quitting something 98% is harder than quitting something 100%.
• Start with the easiest tangled behavior by either removing the motivation, removing the ability, or removing the prompt. Once you do that, you will feel like you can take on tougher habits.
• Over time and after developing new habits, cravings, and desires, get redirected to more healthy ways of being satisfied. The temptation eventually goes away.
• Find those things that you do that works for you and allows you to calm down and reduce your stress. When you have those, you won't consider your addictive behavior as an option. The urge will pass.
• If you pick habits that you want, it becomes a delight. You can create habits by feeling good. That's why you pick habits that you want that help you feel successful.
• If there is a person in your life that you share a bad habit with, make a new healthy habit together. Surround yourself with people that want to be in recovery and find a sponsor to help you. Stay away from your friends if they aren't serving you in recovery.
• One of the interesting things that BJ noticed is that once he and his partner stopped drinking, their social group also started drinking less as well.
• If you want to stop an unhealthy habit, make a list of all the times in the day those negative behaviors manifest and think of them as a set of related behaviors. Your first response will likely be sadness, but you can get through that by making a plan to untangle those behaviors. Start with the easiest one to eliminate, build momentum, and keep going.
• Start with the easy wins and build confidence, and the other wins will resolve on their own. The more practice you have at creating habits, the more your skills of change will increase.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

tinyhabits.com

bjfogg.com

Check out the Preface of the book for free on Audible