Explore every episode of the podcast Get a Grip Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How I Ended Up Homeless Shooting Meth in a Garage | Ep 229 | 28 Oct 2026 | 01:19:26 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Amanda Gayler for a raw and emotional conversation about addiction, grief, methamphetamine, homelessness, and the incredible journey that led her and her partner to recovery. Amandaās story is a powerful look at how someone can go from raising a family and caring for loved ones to losing nearly everything, only to find a way back to a life she never thought was possible. Amanda opens up about her childhood and growing up with a father who was seriously ill, and how she found herself raising three children by the age of 20. After suffering a back injury, she was prescribed Percocet, but her life took another devastating turn when she was caring for her grandmother. Following her grandmotherās death, methamphetamine entered the picture, and what began as another chapter in an already difficult life quickly spiraled into a full-blown addiction. As her meth use intensified, Amanda describes working at a nursing home while high, going days without sleep, and experiencing meth-induced psychosis. Family conflict over her grandmotherās house added even more chaos, and eventually Amanda crossed a line she never imagined she would: selling and injecting methamphetamine. She shares what it was like selling drugs out of a window, getting caught up in the lifestyle, going to jail, and ultimately becoming homeless. But Amandaās story reaches a breaking point when she and her partner, Jaime, are living in a garage that catches fire. With their lives in complete disarray, they find themselves facing a moment that could either destroy them or change everything. At the Hope Center, Amanda was preparing to use one last time before she and Jaime made the decision to go to treatment. What followed was a remarkable journey of getting sober together, rebuilding their lives, and discovering that recovery was possible even when the odds seemed stacked against them. Today, Amanda and Jaime are both sober and still together, proving that even after addiction, loss, incarceration, and homelessness, a new life can begin. This is a story about love, perseverance, second chances, and the hope that can emerge from the darkest moments. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin | |||
| How My Meth & Fentanyl Addiction Turned Me Into a Professional Boosterā¦ & Landed Me in Prison | Ep 228 | 25 Oct 2026 | 01:30:22 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Alana Hissong for a wild, unfiltered conversation about addiction, crime, prison, fentanyl, and recovery. From getting a DUI at 17 to building a shoplifting operation and facing years behind bars, Alana's story is filled with shocking twists and hard lessons. Alana opens up about dropping out of high school, blacking out at a young age, and developing addictions to cocaine, methamphetamine, and Adderall while raising two children. As her addiction escalated, she became involved in organized shoplifting, stealing expensive merchandise and pulling off increasingly risky thefts. One attempted robbery at the Tanger Outlets ended in a police pursuit, gunfire, and the possibility of a ten-year prison sentence. After receiving a three-year prison sentence, Alana began finding recovery, but staying sober after release proved difficult. She relapsed, returned to methamphetamine, and eventually began selling pressed fentanyl pills without initially realizing exactly what they contained. Her addiction eventually progressed to injecting fentanyl, and an overdose became another turning point in her life. After years of chaos, Alana finally began taking recovery seriously. Despite entering treatment with eight outstanding warrants, she started rebuilding her life and eventually began working in the treatment field to help others. Her journey is a powerful reminder that even after addiction, incarceration, and repeated setbacks, change is possible. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Started Using Bath Salts First... Then Meth & Heroin Took Over My Life | Ep 227 | 23 Oct 2026 | 01:44:31 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Justin Reynolds for a raw and powerful conversation about childhood drug use, methamphetamine, heroin addiction, overdoses, faith, and the fight to rebuild a life after addiction. Justin shares how his struggles began at a young age and how what started as experimentation eventually spiraled into a dangerous cycle that nearly cost him everything. Justin opens up about using bath salts as a kid while playing Call of Duty, eventually moving into smoking methamphetamine and stealing prescription painkillers from girls in his life. As his addiction progressed, heroin entered the picture and quickly became his primary struggle. He reflects on the consequences of his drug use, including getting his first DUI while on meth and experiencing overdoses that brought him frighteningly close to death. After years of destructive choices and repeated danger, Justin explains what finally pushed him toward detox and recovery. He shares how going to The Refuge became a turning point, helping him reconnect with faith and begin looking at his life differently. His journey highlights the difficult work of getting sober, finding purpose, and learning how to live without the substances that once controlled him. Justin also talks about what life looks like today and the loss of a friend he experienced while in sobriety. His story is a reminder that recovery doesn't erase every hardship, but it can give people the strength and perspective to face life's pain without returning to addiction. This is an honest conversation about meth, heroin, overdoses, faith, grief, and the possibility of transformation. Justin Reynolds' journey shows how far addiction can take someoneāand how a commitment to recovery can open the door to a completely different life. ā± TIMESTAMPS š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Grew Up With IV Drug-Addicted Parentsā¦ Then Fentanyl Took Over My Life | Ep 226 | 21 Oct 2026 | 00:42:56 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Sahara Tomlin for a raw and eye-opening conversation about growing up around addiction, fentanyl, family struggles, drug dealing, and the difficult road to recovery. Sahara shares what it was like being raised by parents who were IV drug users and how addiction became part of her life long before she understood just how dangerous it could be. Sahara opens up about becoming addicted to fentanyl pills after believing she was taking Xanax. As her addiction progressed, she found herself selling the same pills that were controlling her life. She describes trying to quit cold turkey, the frightening experiences she witnessed while spending time at her drug dealerās house, and the hustle she saw growing upāincluding the way her mother navigated life in the drug world. Her story also explores her complicated relationship with her parents and what happened when she began running with her father before making another attempt to get clean. Sahara explains how she eventually turned toward treatment, including getting on Sublocade and later receiving Vivitrol as part of her recovery journey. This is an unfiltered conversation about the impact of growing up around addiction, the dangers of counterfeit pills, and how family cycles can shape a person's life. Sahara also shares advice for anyone struggling with addiction or trying to find a way out. Her story is a reminder that even when addiction feels like all you've ever known, change is possible and recovery can begin with a single decision. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #Fentanyl #Xanax #OpioidAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AddictionAwareness #FamilyAddiction #BreakingTheCycle #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing | |||
| From Painkillers in Middle School to Heroin in High Schoolā¦ It Led Me to Crack & Prison | Ep 225 | 18 Oct 2026 | 01:17:52 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Alex Deener for an intense and unfiltered conversation about early drug use, opioid addiction, heroin, prison, violence, relapse, and the long road to recovery. Alex's story is a powerful look at how addiction can take hold at a young age and spiral into consequences that change the course of an entire life. Alex opens up about his childhood and getting caught with painkillers in middle school, an incident that led to a felony charge and being pushed into online school. With fewer boundaries and his drug use escalating, Alex became deeply involved with opioid pills during high school. At just 18 years old, he tried heroin for the first time, setting off a devastating chapter of addiction. He describes the progression from Opana to heroin and the dangerous decisions that pulled him further into a life centered around drugs. Eventually, Alex was caught with cocaine and heroin and received prison time. He shares the brutal reality of incarceration, including a jail fight that left his jaw broken and the experience of being locked up at the Ohio State Penitentiary. As his addiction continued, crack cocaine became another part of his struggle. Alex also reflects on his childhood experiences with Adderall, the challenges of trying to get sober, and the repeated trips in and out of treatment that came before he began to understand what lasting recovery would require. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio links, and more on our Linktree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Started Using Dilaudid With My Dadā¦ Then Fentanyl Took Over | Ep 224 | 16 Oct 2026 | 01:48:06 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Lauren Hamilton for a raw, emotional conversation about opioid addiction, fentanyl, family trauma, sexual assault, relapse, motherhood, and finding recovery after years of struggle. Lauren shares how an injury while attending nursing school led to pain management and an addiction to Percocet and tramadol. In a shocking turn, she discovers her father is also struggling with opioid addiction, and the two eventually use OxyContin together. As Lauren's addiction progresses, she becomes hooked on counterfeit Percocet 30s containing fentanyl, experiences repeated relapses, and struggles to find lasting recovery. Lauren also opens up about surviving a violent attack and sexual assault, experiencing a miscarriage, and watching her addiction shift from opioids to crack cocaine. Even after multiple treatment attempts and devastating setbacks, becoming pregnant with her daughter pushes her to seek help and commit to sobriety. Today, Lauren is rebuilding her relationship with her husband and working as a nurse in the recovery field, using her own experiences to help others. Her story is a powerful reminder that even after trauma, addiction, and repeated relapses, recovery and a new purpose are possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| Blackouts, Cocaine & Alcohol: I Started Drinking at 11 & Couldn't Get Sober Until 39 | Ep 223 | 14 Oct 2026 | 01:08:08 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Colleen for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, losing her brother, alcoholism, blackouts, multiple DUIs, jail time, and finding a way into recovery after nearly three decades of drinking. Colleen shares the story behind her headline-grabbing experience of being a blackout drinker from the age of 11 to 39, opening up about the painful experiences and destructive patterns that shaped much of her life. Colleen begins by reflecting on her childhood and what it was like growing up as the ābad kid.ā She discusses the experiences that influenced her early years, including the devastating loss of her brother after a friend accidentally killed him. The tragedy left a lasting mark on her life, adding another layer of pain to an already complicated childhood. Colleen also reveals that she began drinking beer at just 11 years old, setting the stage for a relationship with alcohol that would continue for decades. As Colleen got older, her experiences became increasingly complicated. She shares an unsettling childhood encounter with an older man at a movie theater and reflects on other difficult moments that stayed with her. Despite the challenges she faced, Colleen pursued her interest in art and eventually made it into the Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD). But what should have been an exciting chapter of her life quickly took a different direction when she began using cocaine during her sophomore year. What she describes as her āCocaine Careerā became another turning point in a life increasingly affected by substance use. Colleen opens up about the progression of her drinking and the frightening reality of experiencing blackouts. She recounts receiving her first DUI without even remembering the incident, followed by a second DUI not long afterward. Her story highlights the dangers of drinking to the point of losing awareness and how addiction can continue escalating even when serious consequences begin piling up. By age 31, Colleen was also dealing with medical issues, adding another challenge to the physical and emotional toll of years of alcohol use. As the consequences of her drinking continued, she eventually faced jail time related to her DUIs. She discusses what that experience was like and how years of destructive decisions affected her life, relationships, and future. After years of struggling, Colleen finally made her way back to AA meetings for what would become her last time starting over. Recovery was not simply about stopping drinking; it meant confronting the past, rebuilding relationships, and learning how to approach life differently. Colleen also discusses her relationship with her parents today and how those relationships have evolved throughout her journey. After years marked by pain, addiction, and difficult experiences, she reflects on what recovery has taught her and offers advice to anyone who may be struggling with alcohol or wondering whether change is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory | |||
| I Found My Mother Passed Awayā¦ The First Thing I Did Was Steal Her Cancer Meds | Ep 222 | 11 Oct 2026 | 01:28:31 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Z for a raw, emotional, and eye-opening conversation about prescription pill addiction, heroin, grief, family tragedy, relapse, and the devastating consequences of addiction. Andrew opens up about his childhood in Toledo, Ohio, how his parents' relationship shaped his early years, and how a series of unexpected life events eventually led him down a path he never imagined. Andrew describes growing up in Toledo and navigating his parents' separation when he was just 13 years old. After his father suffered a heart attack, his parents eventually reunited, but Andrew's life would continue to take unexpected turns. He shares his early experiences with drugs, including the first time he took LSD at a Phish concert, and how baseball became a major part of his life when he went on to play in college. Everything began to change when a baseball injury left Andrew with access to large amounts of OxyContin. What started as prescription pain management quickly spiraled into an addiction that would take over his life. Andrew explains how easily prescription opioids became a problem and how his addiction progressed as he struggled to cope with increasingly difficult circumstances. As if his own addiction wasn't enough, Andrew's mother was diagnosed with cancer, and he found himself taking on the role of her caretaker while also dealing with his dependence on Suboxone. Then came another devastating blow: his father was diagnosed with cancer and given just six months to live. Andrew opens up about the emotional weight of watching both parents face serious illnesses while he was battling addiction himself. One of the most heartbreaking moments of the conversation comes when Andrew recounts finding his mother dead. In the aftermath of that loss, he took 120 milligrams of Percocet 10s and stole the remainder of her medication. Andrew also shares the shocking decision to refill his deceased mother's pain prescriptions after her death and attempt to do it again. Eventually, the pharmacy caught on, and he found himself facing serious trouble for the first time. The conversation also turns to Columbus, Ohio, and its devastating relationship with fentanyl. Andrew discusses why the city became known for its severe fentanyl crisis and how the drug landscape has changed the realities of addiction and recovery. In one particularly revealing moment, Andrew is asked a difficult question: Would you take OxyContin again if there were absolutely no consequences? His answer opens the door to a deeper conversation about addiction, temptation, and the complicated relationship people in recovery can have with the substances that once controlled their lives. Andrew also discusses being prescribed benzodiazepines while in sobriety, raising important questions about medication, recovery, and the challenges of navigating treatment after addiction. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing | |||
| How I Went From Heroin to a 3-Year Crack Bender & Street Walking | Ep 221 | 09 Oct 2026 | 01:15:26 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nicole Pike for a raw, emotional, and unfiltered conversation about childhood abuse, prescription pills, heroin addiction, crack addiction, homelessness, losing custody of her children, and the long road back to recovery. Nicole opens up about growing up with an abusive grandmother and how the trauma she experienced as a child shaped many of the struggles she would face later in life. As she got older, Nicole began taking tramadol before progressing to Percocet and other prescription opioids. Her addiction quickly became more serious, leading her to steal her father's checks and eventually clear out his bank account to support her drug use. During her addiction to oxycodone, Nicole became pregnant with her daughter and ultimately made the difficult decision to give her up for adoption. She also shares the unbelievable story of how she met her son's father on the same night she gave birth to her daughter. Nicole's addiction continued to progress, eventually taking her from prescription opioids to heroin. She became involved with a boyfriend who was also a drug dealer, and the two were using heroin when Nicole became pregnant with her son. When she gave birth, CPS came to the hospital, beginning another painful chapter in her life. Nicole eventually entered serious recovery with her son and managed to stay clean for two years and ten months. But after that period of sobriety, she began drinking, opening the door to another devastating relapse. Her father eventually discovered that her son's father had died, and Nicole describes how that loss sent her spiraling back into alcohol and opioid addiction. After a serious car accident, Nicole's addiction took another drastic turn. She relapsed on prescription pills and crack cocaine and eventually found herself trapped in a three-year crack binge. During that period, she describes robbing cars and finding thousands of dollars, including one time when she discovered $13,000 and another when she found $6,000. Nicole also discusses experimenting with fentanyl and the desperate lengths she went to as her addiction continued. At one point, she went to ten different rehabs in a single year, searching for a way out of the cycle of addiction. Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of Nicole's story is the time she spent homeless during her three-year crack addiction. She shares what it was like spending her first night homeless on the west side of Columbus and the devastating circumstances that eventually led her to sell her body to get money for crack. This is a brutally honest conversation about addiction, trauma, heroin, crack cocaine, fentanyl, homelessness, prostitution, relapse, loss, motherhood, and recovery. Nicole's story shows just how far addiction can take someoneāand that even after years of devastating consequences, a different life is still possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| How Marijuana & Bipolar Disorder Ruined My Life & Kept Landing Me in the Psych Ward | Ep 220 | 07 Oct 2026 | 01:41:13 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Devon Fitzpatrick for a raw and eye-opening conversation about bipolar disorder, substance use, psychosis, cocaine, PCP, meth, and the devastating impact that mental health and addiction can have when they collide. Devon opens up about his childhood, including the unusual circumstances surrounding his birthāhis mother was only 12 years old and pregnant with him. He also discusses growing up in a family where bipolar disorder affected multiple relatives and how those experiences shaped his understanding of mental health. Devon describes his first experience with marijuana and the intense manic episode that followed. What might have seemed like ordinary experimentation quickly became something much more serious. He explains how marijuana and bipolar disorder interacted in his life and how his experiences repeatedly led him back to psychiatric hospitals. During high school, Devon's partying escalated. He shares stories about partying with his aunt, who was actually two years younger than him, before describing one of the most frightening periods of his life. After stealing his grandfather's car, Devon entered a full-blown psychotic episode in which he believed he was Abraham Lincoln. The episode ultimately resulted in another trip to a psychiatric hospital. At just 17 years old, Devon discovered cocaine and describes how quickly he became obsessed with the drug. He talks about his plans after high school, another trip to a psychiatric ward, and eventually entering treatment as his mental health and substance use continued to spiral. Devon also explains what it was like combining marijuana with bipolar disorder and why he believes weed played such a significant role in his repeated psychiatric hospitalizations. His story offers a firsthand look at the complicated relationship between mental health, substance use, and psychosis. After entering college, Devon relapsed and eventually dropped out. During this period, he unknowingly encountered PCP and describes the terrifying experience of smoking it for the first time. The experience became extremely violent, and Devon recounts being beaten so severely that he was left almost unrecognizable. The conversation also explores the different classifications of bipolar disorder and Devon's first experience with methamphetamine. He describes what that first use felt like and how his drug use continued to evolve throughout his struggles with mental health. This is a powerful conversation about bipolar disorder, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, psychosis, psychiatric hospitalization, and the complicated relationship between mental health and addiction. Devon's story shows just how quickly substance use can become dangerous when combined with untreated or unmanaged mental health struggles. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| I Was Addicted to Oxy, Xanax, Lean & Cocaineā¦ How I Got Sober | Ep 220 | 04 Oct 2026 | 01:47:36 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Matthew Fishrupp for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, partying, arrests, psychosis, rehab, and the long road to recovery. Matthew's story reveals how quickly recreational drug use can spiral into a life consumed by addiction, and how becoming a father ultimately changed everything. Matthew opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him growing up. After being sent to Marine Military Academy, he eventually returned to high school, where pills and marijuana became part of his life. What started as experimentation would gradually develop into something much more dangerous. He discusses his first arrest and how his choices began leading him down a path of increasingly serious consequences. When Matthew went to college, partying became a major part of his lifestyle, but Xanax addiction soon began taking control. He shares stories about getting arrested in Texas for marijuana and the frightening experiences that came with driving while heavily under the influence of Xanax. He also describes the wide range of drugs he was using, including his experiences with promethazine and lean, and how substance use continued escalating as he chased the next high. As his addiction progressed, Matthew experienced psychosis and found himself desperately trying to get back into rehab. Even treatment wasn't a straightforward path. He discusses nearly getting kicked out of rehab, meeting his future wife while in treatment, and eventually finding ways to obtain research chemical benzodiazepines after leaving. His addiction continued to evolve, eventually involving crack and cocaine, along with a dangerous episode involving liquid benzodiazepines. Matthew also opens up about what happened after he initially got sober, including periods when he continued dabbling in addiction. He explains how difficult it was to completely leave drugs behind and how the cycle of substance use continued to affect his life. But everything began to change when he had his first child. Becoming a father gave him a new perspective, a new responsibility, and a reason to stop using everything and build a different future. One of the most sobering moments of the conversation comes when Matthew discusses learning that someone who had been sober for ten years died from an overdose. His story highlights the dangers of relapse, the unpredictable nature of addiction, and the importance of taking recovery seriously, even after years of sobriety. This is a powerful conversation about Xanax addiction, prescription drug abuse, polydrug use, psychosis, treatment, relapse, fatherhood, and the difficult process of rebuilding a life after addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible, and asking for help can be the first step toward a different life. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience | |||
| PTSD, Pills, & Ibogaine - The Drug That Can Cure Heroin Addiction In a Weekend? | Ep 219 | 02 Oct 2026 | 01:52:00 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with PJ Wright for an intense and eye-opening conversation about childhood trauma, military service, PTSD, prescription medications, alternative treatments, and a profound spiritual awakening that changed the way he looks at life. PJ opens up about growing up with alcoholic parents and the challenges he experienced during his childhood. He shares how his early experiences shaped him and discusses some of the difficult family revelations he encountered along the way, including discovering disturbing information about what his cousin had done to his uncle. He also recounts being robbed while working as a gas station attendant during college, an experience that added another layer to an already complicated life. PJ eventually joined the military, beginning with the Army Reserves before entering the Air Force. His service took him to bases around the world before he ultimately found himself stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. During his military career, he became a helicopter pilot, taking on demanding training and missions that required intense focus, discipline, and courage. But life after those experiences brought a different kind of battle. PJ discusses being diagnosed with PTSD and being prescribed a variety of medications to manage his symptoms. He opens up about what that period of his life was like and how his search for relief eventually led him toward alternative treatment options and a deeper exploration of spirituality. PJ shares his experiences with PTSD treatment, intravenous ketamine infusions, and ibogaine treatment, explaining how these experiences influenced his perspective on trauma, healing, and consciousness. He also describes what he considers the most profound spiritual experience of his life and how it changed his understanding of himself and the world around him. This conversation explores the complicated journey of living with trauma, searching for answers when traditional approaches may not feel sufficient, and discovering new ways to understand personal suffering. PJ's story raises important questions about PTSD, mental health treatment, spirituality, and the different paths people pursue in their search for healing. If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, addiction, or mental health challenges, you are not alone. There is hope, and support is available. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| I Was Shot Twice During a Meth Robbery, Survived Fentanyl & Lived in Bandoās for Years. | Ep 218 | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:59:49 | |
<p>In this episode of <strong>Get a Grip Podcast</strong>, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with James Polley for a raw, intense, and eye-opening conversation about growing up gay, meth addiction, homelessness, violence, overdose, and finding a path to recovery.</p> <p>James opens up about his childhood and the challenges he faced while growing up gay. As he got older, he was introduced to meth, setting off a chain of events that would dramatically change the course of his life.</p> <p>One of the most shocking moments in James's story involves a meth-related robbery that ended with him being shot. But even after recovering from his gunshot wound, James went right back to using drugs. His addiction continued to spiral, and he experienced another devastating moment when he found his friend dead in his apartment after a night of drug use.</p> <p>Eventually, James lost his apartment and began moving into abandoned houses, spending years living in what are known as bandos. He describes what life was like during that period, how much meth he was using every day, and the dangerous situations that became part of his routine.</p> <p>In another terrifying moment, James went to a casino believing he was using meth, only to discover the substance contained fentanyl. He overdosed and was given Narcan three times, coming dangerously close to being pronounced dead.</p> <p>As his addiction continued, James found himself facing felony charges and additional legal trouble after being caught with a gun and drugs. Those experiences became a turning point, forcing him to reconsider where his life was headed.</p> <p>James eventually began his recovery journey and shares how treatment helped change his direction. He also discusses how he went from struggling with addiction himself to working in the treatment field and helping others who are facing similar battles.</p> <p>This is a powerful conversation about meth addiction, homelessness, surviving violence and overdose, the consequences of addiction, and the possibility of turning your life around. James's story is a reminder that even after years of chaos and devastating setbacks, recovery and a new purpose are possible.</p> <p><strong>If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible.</strong></p> <p>š <strong>Like, comment, and subscribe</strong> for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption.</p> <p><strong>Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:</strong><br> TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more:</p> <p><a href="https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast">https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast</a></p> <p>š© <strong>Collaboration & Business Inquiries:</strong><br> <a href="mailto:getagrippodcast614@gmail.com">getagrippodcast614@gmail.com</a></p> <p>š Let us know your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p>#GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment</p> | |||
| How Homelessness Led Me to Heroin, Fentanyl & Almost Losing My Life | Ep 217 | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:43:18 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jasper for a raw and heartbreaking conversation about homelessness, opioid addiction, heroin, fentanyl, overdose, and the journey toward recovery. Jasper opens up about his childhood and the experiences that shaped him before addiction entered his life. One of the earliest turning points came when he experienced a friend overdosing, giving him a firsthand look at the dangers of addiction. Eventually, Jasper found himself homeless and struggling with opioid addiction. He shares what life was like on the streets and the circumstances that led to him using heroin for the first time while homeless. A work injury would introduce another chapter in his addiction when Jasper was prescribed OxyContin. What began as medication for an injury eventually became part of a much larger battle with opioids. His substance use continued to escalate as he found himself drinking as many as six bottles of liquor a week while also using heroin. Jasper eventually turned to fentanyl for the first time, leading to a terrifying overdose and another life-or-death moment in his addiction. But his story doesn't end there. Jasper opens up about the beginning of his recovery journey and what it has taken to start rebuilding his life after homelessness, heroin, fentanyl, and repeated exposure to the devastating consequences of addiction. This is an honest conversation about how quickly addiction can take hold, the realities of homelessness and opioid addiction, the dangers of fentanyl, and the possibility of finding a way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| How Alcohol Slowly Took Everything From My Life | Ep 216 | 25 Sep 2026 | 00:57:22 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Gardner for a wild, honest, and ultimately inspiring conversation about alcoholism, career struggles, reckless drinking, relationships, consequences, and finding a way into recovery. Jason opens up about his childhood and some embarrassing moments growing up before talking about his first experiences with alcohol. What started as teenage drinking quickly turned into a pattern that followed him into high school and college. He shares the story of wrecking his parents' car while drunk in high school and some of the unbelievable drinking shenanigans that followed during his college years. As Jason's career began to take off, so did his drinking. He explains how alcohol gradually became a bigger part of his life and eventually began affecting his career, finances, relationships, and decision-making. He also shares stories about getting into trouble with the IRS, spending money on college girls, and some unforgettable nights involving gentlemen's clubs and bartenders. One relationship would lead to one of the most chaotic periods of his drinking. After breaking up with his favorite bartender, Jason went on an eight-day bender that ended with him wrecking his car while drunkāand somehow still driving it home. Eventually, Jason's drinking reached a breaking point. After recording a .34 BAC, he was forced to detox and confront just how far his alcohol use had progressed. Today, Jason is sober and has a completely different perspective on his past. He talks about what life is like in recovery, the importance of sponsorship, and the lessons he's learned along the way. He also opens up about where he is today and what recovery has given him that alcohol never could. This is a raw and often hilarious conversation about alcoholism, the consequences of drinking, relationships, career struggles, and the process of rebuilding your life in recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| How My 18-Month-Old Daughter Accidentally Took 16mg of Suboxone | Ep 215 | 23 Sep 2026 | 01:18:01 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jordan Py for a raw, emotional, and at times unbelievable story about alcoholism, prescription drugs, cocaine, addiction, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, and the long road toward recovery. Jordan opens up about his childhood and his first experiences with alcohol before describing how drinking gradually progressed during college. What started as partying eventually became something much more serious. After landing a job as a police radio dispatcher, Jordan admits he was showing up to work extremely intoxicated. His drinking continued to escalate after he started working as a line cook, where cocaine entered the picture and vodka became a constant part of his life. A prescription for Vicodin would become a major turning point. Jordan describes how quickly his drug use progressed from Vicodin to Roxy 30s and eventually snorting pills. But in the middle of his addiction, Jordan met the woman who would become the love of his life. Even as he was building a relationship and planning a wedding, his addiction continued behind the scenes. Jordan shares the unbelievable story of receiving $10,000 for his wedding and going on his honeymoon with Norco pills taped to his legāonly for the pills to fall out during TSA. Eventually, his wife discovered the truth. Jordan went to treatment and was placed on Suboxone, but he was still drinking heavily. He opens up about just how much vodka he was consuming and the dangerous consequences that followed, including the terrifying moment when his 18-month-old daughter accidentally got hold of his Suboxone. After eventually getting off Suboxone, Jordan's alcohol use became even more intense during COVID. He describes the bizarre games he began playing with alcohol and how his drinking spiraled further out of control. One of the darkest moments came when his wife confronted him about his drinking. Jordan responded by drinking an entire bottle of Wild Turkey and attempting to burn down the house. He was kicked out and was finally forced to confront how far his addiction had taken him. Eventually, Jordan walked into an AA meeting and began taking a different path. But even years later, he explains that alcohol remained a struggle and shares the unusual deal he made with God about when he would allow himself to get drunk again. This is a powerful and unfiltered conversation about alcoholism, prescription drug addiction, cocaine, marriage, fatherhood, relapse, consequences, faith, and recovery. Jordan also reflects on the complicated relationship between the pain he experienced, the addiction that followed, and the possibility that he may never have met his wife without the path that prescription drugs put him on. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| I Got Banned From Jerry Springer & Fenway Park... Then Got Addicted to Crack, Fentanyl & Nitrous | Ep 214 | 20 Sep 2026 | 02:44:36 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Chris Cole for an intense and unbelievable story about addiction, partying, fatherhood, relapse, and recovery. Chris opens up about his childhood, early drinking, and how Adderall became his first real addiction. His substance use eventually escalated to cocaine, and by his senior year of high school, partying and cocaine had become a regular part of his life. Chris shares some wild stories from his years of partying, including getting banned from Jerry Springer and Fenway Park after a night fueled by cocaine and alcohol. He also talks about running onto the Fenway field and getting tackled, a moment that went viral on social media. Eventually, Chris found a passion for cutting hair and began getting his life somewhat under control. But after being introduced to Xanax, the addiction returned. Becoming a father, a breakup, and repeated relapses sent his substance use into a much darker place. Chris describes smoking crack, using Percocet, abusing nitrous oxide, developing a 7OH habit, experiencing seizures and withdrawal, and eventually shooting fentanyl. He also opens up about overdosing, hospitalizations, nerve damage from heavy nitrous use, and the events that finally led him to detox and treatment. Today, Chris is in recovery and reflects on everything he went through and what life looks like now. This is a raw story about addiction, relapse, fatherhood, overdose, and finding a way back. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| How I Spent $40K on Crack in 5 Months & Still Held a Job | Ep 213 | 18 Sep 2026 | 01:22:27 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Baer for a wild, emotional, and unbelievable story about family trauma, alcohol, cocaine, crack addiction, money, crime, international drug use, and ultimately finding his way into recovery. Jason opens up about growing up in a chaotic home and the mental health struggles and abuse surrounding his father. He shares disturbing memories from his childhood, including an incident where his mother hit his father with a 2x4. Those experiences would shape Jason in ways he didn't fully understand until later in life. As Jason got older, drinking gradually became an everyday part of his life. What started as drinking eventually became a daily routine, setting the stage for an addiction that would become increasingly difficult to control. When Jason's father died, he inherited $80,000. But instead of using the money to build a better future, Jason was already deep into cocaine use. He eventually discovered crack cocaine and describes how quickly it took over his life. Incredibly, Jason spent approximately $40,000 in less than five months on crack while continuing to show up for work and maintain the appearance that everything was normal. Jason also takes Louis and Aaron through his experiences hustling in the Hilltop, where his addiction and lifestyle continued to escalate. He shares stories about getting caught up in situations that could have resulted in serious legal consequences, including an unbelievable incident while abroad. The story gets even crazier when Jason talks about traveling and continuing to find crack, including getting drugs in Mexico and interacting with military personnel while using crack. His addiction didn't stop when he left homeāit followed him wherever he went. Jason also opens up about receiving another $40,000 and what happened to that money, including a period where his addiction led him to steal valuable coins. These stories reveal just how far his addiction progressed and the lengths he was willing to go to continue feeding it. But eventually, something had to change. Jason discusses the point when he finally began moving toward recovery and started confronting the addiction that had consumed so much of his life. His story is a powerful reminder that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of whether they are still working, making money, traveling, or appearing successful from the outside. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction | |||
| How Heroin at 14 Led to 4 Mini-Strokes and Brain Surgery | Ep 212 | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:40:31 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Cory Baton for a raw and deeply personal conversation about childhood abuse, addiction, relapse, serious health complications, and the fight to finally build a life in recovery. Cory opens up about a difficult childhood and the abuse he experienced growing up. By just 14 years old, Cory was already caught in the grip of addiction, using crack cocaine and eventually shooting heroin intravenously. What began at an incredibly young age would turn into years of substance use and consequences that would affect nearly every part of his life. Cory talks about starting to shoot drugs at 14 and being introduced to OxyContin at 15. His story offers a disturbing look at how early exposure to drugs can quickly escalate and how difficult it can be to break free once addiction takes hold. After periods of trying to get his life back on track, Cory experienced relapse and found himself facing another devastating chapter. He suffered a stroke and ultimately needed brain surgery, adding an unimaginable medical crisis to an already difficult battle with addiction. One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Cory describes being on Sullivant Avenue with a walker, physically struggling after everything he had been through, while still trying to find drugs. It's a striking example of just how powerful addiction can becomeāand how far someone can fall while still chasing the next high. But Cory's story doesn't end there. He explains what is different about his sobriety this time and what has changed in his mindset after years of addiction, relapse, and consequences. Cory also shares advice for anyone currently struggling with substance use or trying to find their way back into recovery. This is an intense and emotional conversation about childhood trauma, crack cocaine, IV heroin use, OxyContin, relapse, stroke, brain surgery, homelessness, and the difficult road toward recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #addictiontreatment | |||
| How I Started Smoking PCP at 12, Became a Heroin Addict, and Lost Everything | Ep 211 | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:48:39 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Dave Marcus for an intense and unbelievable conversation about growing up with drug-addicted parents, being exposed to drugs from an early age, dealing drugs, heroin addiction, homelessness, psychosis, jail, and ultimately finding a reason to change his life. Dave opens up about growing up in a household surrounded by addiction. His father was an amphetamine chemist, meaning drugs were a part of Dave's environment from a very young age. By just 12 years old, Dave was smoking PCP, and his substance use would continue to escalate as he got older. After being expelled from multiple schools, Dave was introduced to Percocet and OxyContin. Before long, he found himself learning the street economyādealing drugs on corners and even driving prostitutes around to make money and support his lifestyle. Eventually, Dave became hooked on heroin. His addiction would cost him almost everything. Dave talks about losing his daughter's mother and his daughter, eventually finding himself living out of his car and struggling to survive. Dave also shares one of the darkest and most chaotic periods of his addiction, including a terrifying episode of psychosis while shooting speedballs and experimenting with dangerous ways of using drugs. His behavior became increasingly unpredictable as his addiction spiraled further out of control. Even family became involved in the chaos. Dave describes participating in grocery store scams with his mother and aunt, eventually watching his mother get arrested as a result of one of those schemes. He also opens up about his experiences in jail and what those moments taught him. Eventually, Dave began taking steps toward a different life. He went through detox, started attending meetings, and began looking for something beyond the cycle of drugs and survival. Today, Dave is working on developing a book and a game while reflecting on the experiences that shaped him. He explains the moment his perspective began to change and what ultimately helped him see that there could be something more waiting for him on the other side of addiction. This is a raw and unfiltered story about childhood trauma, addiction, heroin, homelessness, family, crime, psychosis, incarceration, recovery, and the power of changing your perspective. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. | |||
| I Drank Vodka Every Day for 30 Years, Found Crack, Got 8 DUI's, and Somehow Survived | Ep 210 | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:59:50 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tom McDonald for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about alcoholism, addiction, DUIs, family, prison, recovery, and what it takes to rebuild your life after decades of drinking. Tom describes growing up with a good childhood before discovering vodka and eventually spending 10 years working as a bartender. His relationship with alcohol continued to grow until he found a job working for a liquor distributorāputting him even closer to the substance that would eventually consume his life. Tom opens up about getting two DUIs on the same day, getting married, and becoming a father to his daughter while still struggling with alcoholism. After eventually making his way into a halfway house and getting a year of sobriety, Tom found himself replacing alcohol with another addiction: crack cocaine. For a period of time, Tom was smoking crack but wasn't drinking. He talks about the vodka he drank, how every single dime he made seemed to go toward alcohol, and just how completely his addiction took control of his life. After years of drinking, Tom's addiction eventually led to his eighth DUI. But this time, something happened that changed everything. His 10-year-old daughter wrote him a letter, forcing him to confront the impact his drinking was having on the people he loved most. That letter became one of the biggest turning points in Tom's life. After his eighth DUI, Tom was sentenced to three years in prison and required to attend 2,000 AA meetings. He finally began the process of getting sober after nearly 30 years of drinking. But sobriety wasn't just about putting down the vodka. Tom had to rebuild his relationship with his daughter, learn how to live differently, and eventually discover a new purpose by helping other people struggling with addiction. Today, Tom works in recovery and helps people battling all kinds of substance use issues. He shares what he's learned from decades of addiction and recovery, including some of the challenges people face with Medicaid and accessing treatment. Tom also offers his first piece of advice to someone who is on Day One of sobrietyāa simple message that could make all the difference for someone trying to change their life. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment | |||
| I Got High on My Grandmaās Fentanyl Patches | Ep 210 | 09 Sep 2026 | 01:11:40 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Ronnie Schaffer for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up with an alcoholic and abusive father, getting into the party scene at a young age, working in his dadās bar, opioid addiction, fentanyl, loss, and ultimately finding a path toward recovery. Ronnie opens up about his childhood and the impact his father's alcoholism and abuse had on him. He shares some unbelievable stories from growing up before talking about his teenage years, including dealing weed and throwing a massive high school party that would become one of many turning points in his life. After getting kicked out, Ronnie found himself living at the top of a bar before eventually becoming a bartender at his dad's establishment. What initially seemed like a way to make a living quickly became a lifestyle centered around the bar. Ronnie talks about his daily routine, drinking, and eventually starting to pop Percocet. Things began to spiral after Ronnie was kicked out of working at his dad's bar. His opioid use intensified, eventually leading him to get high using his grandmother's fentanyl patches. Then Ronnie's world was hit with another devastating loss when his dad developed throat cancer and passed away. Ronnie also opens up about one of the darkest moments of his addiction, including an incident involving a nail gun, before explaining how he eventually found his way toward medication-assisted treatment. Today, Ronnie is taking 18mg of Suboxone a day and talks openly about what life in recovery on MAT looks like for him. He shares his perspective on Suboxone, what has helped him stay on track, and the advice he would give to anyone struggling with opioid addiction. This is a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, grief, and finding a way to surviveāand ultimately rebuild your life. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment | |||
| How I Wenat From Crack in High School to a Full-Blown Heroin & Meth Addict | Ep 209 | 06 Sep 2026 | 01:09:42 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Natalie France for a raw and deeply emotional conversation about addiction, motherhood, abusive relationships, homelessness, heroin, meth, incarceration, pregnancy, and finding recovery after years of chaos. Natalie opens up about her childhood and her first experiences with alcohol before getting introduced to cocaine at just 16 years old. What started with cocaine quickly progressed into crack during high school, sending her down a path that would eventually lead to a full-blown addiction. Hoping to escape her addiction and start over, Natalie moved to California looking for a geographical cure. But changing locations couldn't change what was happening inside. She found herself in abusive relationships before meeting her first husband, and eventually discovering OxyContin. Back in Ohio, Natalie was using OxyContin and meth while raising a newborn. Before long, she found heroin, and her addiction escalated even further. She talks about what it was like trying to work and parent while living as an active addictāand how she managed to keep going despite the chaos surrounding her. Natalie eventually moved to Georgia, where she spent years taking methadone, gabapentin, and Xanax. She also found herself repeatedly dealing with the legal system over petty crimes committed to support her addiction. One of the most unbelievable moments of her story happens when Natalie is stopped by an undercover officer after leaving a trap house. In an attempt to avoid getting caught, she swallowed a large amount of meth and ultimately ended up in jail. But that wasn't her lowest point. Natalie eventually dropped her kids off, became homeless, and spent approximately a year and a half shooting heroin. Then, at 38 years old, she discovered something that would completely change her life: she was five months pregnant. At the same time, Natalie was overdosing every day. Her addiction had reached an unimaginable level. But just when it seemed like there was no way out, her cousin stepped back into her life, took her to rehab, and helped give her another chance. Natalie talks openly about what her rock bottom really looked like, what finally pushed her into recovery, and what getting sober actually meant after years of addiction. She also shares what happened with her child and how recovery began changing her life. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries: š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment #Professor #NotreDame #UCBerkeley | |||
| My Mom Introduced Me to Cocaineā¦ Then I Got Hooked on Perc 30s | Ep 208 | 04 Sep 2026 | 02:55:02 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Gage Bobo for an emotional and brutally honest conversation about growing up around addiction, a father spending years in prison, cocaine, Xanax, Percocet 30s, homelessness, crime, relapse, and ultimately finding a reason to change. Gage opens up about his childhood and what it was like having his dad spend six years in prison. He talks about his mom's cocaine use and the moment she introduced him to cocaine while he was still in middle school. What started as something he was exposed to at home would eventually become a major part of his own life. After suffering an injury playing football, Gage's life began taking an increasingly difficult turn. He shares a deeply troubling moment when he attempted to take his own life but doesn't even remember doing it. By high school, his cocaine use was off and running. Gage eventually left Ohio to work on an oil rig, but returning home brought him right back into the environment and behaviors he had been trying to escape. He talks about a night on Xanax, his first experience with Percocet 30s, and how the combination of Perc 30s and cocaine pushed his addiction to another level. As his addiction progressed, Gage reached his rock bottom. He talks about the things he did to get money, manipulating relationships, stealing, and even robbing someone. His story takes some very dark turns before he finally begins to realize that something has to change. But getting clean didn't immediately mean everything was fixed. Gage talks about entering recovery but eventually selling fentanyl to people inside a recovery house. He describes making progress in sobriety while still struggling with relationships and becoming addicted to women. A relationship ultimately contributed to another relapse, and before long, the consequences caught up with him again when the police came looking for him. Then came a life-changing discovery: Gage found out that the woman he had been involved with was pregnant. From childhood trauma and addiction to crime, relapse, recovery, and becoming a father, Gage's story shows just how complicated the road to sobriety can beāand how sometimes the biggest reason to change comes when you realize your actions affect more than just yourself. This is another raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, consequences, recovery, and finding a way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastš© Collaboration & Business Inquiries:getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment #Professor #NotreDame #UCBerkeley | |||
| I Was Prescribed Xanax at 14ā¦ Then Fentanyl & Xylazine Destroyed My Life | Ep 207 | 02 Sep 2026 | 01:15:53 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Zach Henry for an intense and deeply honest conversation about addiction, trauma, fentanyl, xylazine, family, and the devastating consequences of losing control. Zach grew up with alcoholic parents and was exposed to substance abuse and chaos at an early age. At just 14 years old, he was prescribed Xanax by a doctor, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to selling cocaine, abusing opioids, and eventually using fentanyl. Zach opens up about the early days of his addiction, including how his opiate use began, the ways his addiction quickly escalated, and how much money he and others were stealing from their parents to fuel their habits. He talks about fentanyl being cut with "Rizzi," his transition into xylazine, and just how dangerous the drug supply became. As his addiction progressed, Zach's life began to completely unravel. His girlfriend and children left, and he describes how he essentially burned his life to the ground. He talks about going to Florida, how badly he was using, getting a DUI in someone else's car, and the havoc his addiction created. Zach also gets brutally honest about the first time he injected fentanyl and the devastating lows that followed. He discusses the emergence of xylazine, the different ways it was being used, "butt dope" and "chicken dope," and eventually being arrested after repeatedly passing out. Things continued to spiral as Zach progressed to smoking fentanyl and using methamphetamine. Eventually, his addiction reached a point where something had to change. But this story doesn't end there. Zach talks about where he is today, how he and his family are making things work, and the things he does every day to maintain his sobriety. He also discusses the growing dangers of "tranq"āxylazineāand the brutal withdrawal that can come with it. This is a raw look at how quickly addiction can take everything from someoneāand what it takes to start putting the pieces back together. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Recovery is possible. š Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories about addiction, recovery, resilience, and redemption. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media:TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio & more: https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast š© Collaboration & Business Inquiries:getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #GetAGripPodcast #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryJourney #CrackAddiction #Addiction #SoberLife #WeDoRecover #MentalHealth #Recovery #Relapse #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionAwareness #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryStory #Hope #Resilience #Healing #AddictionTreatment #Professor #NotreDame #UCBerkeley | |||
| I Was a Notre Dame Professor Smoking $800 of Crack Every Day | Ep 206 | 30 Aug 2026 | 01:51:14 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ted Beauchaine for one of the most unbelievable addiction and recovery stories we've ever heard. Ted takes us back to a childhood spent moving around the country, attending nine different schools before reaching high school, and eventually discovering alcohol. His first experience with drinking quickly spiraled when he consumed half a fifth of 151-proof alcoholāand the consequences that followed were only the beginning. Despite maintaining good grades and building an impressive academic career, Ted's drinking continued to escalate. Cocaine eventually entered the picture, followed by his first experience freebasing cocaine, blackouts, and a serious car accident in Oregon. After his first treatment experience, Ted managed to stay clean for 14 years. But eventually, the underlying issues he hadn't fully understood began catching up with him. Ted discusses living with bipolar disorder without realizing it, the events that led to his relapse, and how cocaine and crack eventually took over his life. Ted describes interviewing at UC Berkeley, getting high afterward, buying crack from a homeless person in San Francisco's Tenderloin, and ending up in Section 8 housing. He received a job offer from Berkeleyābut before he could start, his family staged an intervention. He later accepted a position in Long Island and drove for four days while drunk, scoring crack along the way. He experienced severe alcohol withdrawal, including hallucinations, and eventually ended up in a psychiatric ward. Ted continued moving around the country, eventually landing in Ohio, where his crack addiction became even worse. At one point, despite earning $180,000 a year, he found himself broke and living in a one-bedroom apartment. Ted received a job offer from Notre Dame, but his addiction followed him. He describes spending enormous amounts of money on crack, smoking throughout his workday, and even using between classes. His addiction ultimately consumed his career, his finances, and nearly every part of his life. He also opens up about trying to start a family while struggling with addiction, caring for a premature baby while still using crack, and the devastating moment when his career finally came to an end. Today, Ted works in the treatment and recovery field, using his experiences to help others while reflecting on why he can no longer return to his former career as a professor. This is an extraordinary story about addiction, academia, mental health, relapse, success, failure, and ultimately finding a new purpose. Timestamps š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, and more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How Hiding My Sexuality Kept Me Shooting Oxy and Heroin Until I Finally Came Out | Ep 205 | 28 Aug 2026 | 02:04:35 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nick Newman for an incredibly raw and personal conversation about addiction, IV drug use, sexuality, relapse, recovery, and the moment he finally stopped hiding who he was. Nick starts by taking us back to his childhood and high school years, eventually discovering his parents' stash of opiates. What began with partying and prescription pills eventually turned into daily drug use, taking him from college and a career in real estate to full-blown addiction. Nick opens up about transitioning to IV drug use and what it was like shooting Dilaudid, mixing Percocet 30s with Dilaudid, and the dangerous trades and decisions that came with his addiction. Multiple attempts at treatment and even a "grand escape plan" to move away couldn't keep him from finding drugs. He shares the unbelievable story of driving into a canal while trying to get pills, attending a Scientology treatment center, relapsing, and eventually progressing to shooting heroin and cocaine. But there was another battle happening underneath the addiction. Nick reveals how struggling with his sexuality and keeping that part of himself hidden became intertwined with his drug use. He talks about relationships, being told to "pray the gay away", secretly dating a man, and eventually admitting to his girlfriendāand then everyone elseāthat he was gay.For Nick, coming out wasn't simply about sexuality. It became part of finally confronting the truth about himself and understanding some of the reasons he had continued running back to drugs. His addiction continued to evolve, including benzodiazepines, fentanyl, kratom, and another terrifying incident at the Cleveland Clinic. Nick describes using heroin and fentanyl at the hospital, overdosing during detox, and experiencing what he describes as the worst Narcan experience of his life. Even after reaching two years sober, Nick experienced another devastating relapse following a breakup and eventually turned to methadone. He shares what finally made his last relapse different, how therapy helped him begin addressing the underlying issues, and what recovery looks like for him today.This is a brutally honest conversation about addiction, identity, shame, relapse, and the freedom that can come from finally telling the truth. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastFor Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Went From Fighting in Afghanistan to Fighting a 7OH Addiction | Ep 204 | 26 Aug 2026 | 01:46:10 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Nick Newman for an incredible story that spans childhood addiction, the U.S. Army, combat deployments, prescription drugs, kratom, 7OH, and the long road toward recovery. Nick opens up about a childhood that quickly went off the rails. By third grade, he had already been suspended twice, and by the age of 10 he was smoking weed regularly. At just 12 years old, he tried crack for the first time. What followed was a teenage life filled with schemes, getting expelled from high school, breaking into cars, and stealing. Eventually, Nick joined the U.S. Army, but even basic training couldn't completely separate him from his addiction. He talks about getting high during basic training, deploying overseas, and what it was like arriving in Afghanistan and driving through Iraq as a young soldier. Nick spent eight years in the Army, including working around IEDs in Afghanistan. He shares the terrifying reality of his job, finding an IED and being ordered to leave it behind, witnessing drugs overseas, and dealing with the death of a fellow soldier. After returning home, Nick became a drill sergeant and eventually ran into serious trouble over allegations involving training abuse. Later, the VA prescribed him medications including Ambien, and his life began taking another unexpected turn. Nick eventually discovered kratom. What began as something he believed could help quickly became another addiction. He describes how much he was using, the financial cost, quitting cold turkey, and experiencing withdrawal that he describes as being "dopesick". Then he discovered 7OH. Nick explains how 7OH completely changed the game for him, how much he began using, and why quitting became so difficult. He even describes traveling to Canada and experiencing severe withdrawal in an airport and on a plane.After multiple attempts to quitāincluding relapsing on cat's claw and kratom extractāNick finally began finding his way out. This is a fascinating and brutally honest conversation about how addiction can evolve, even for someone who has served his country, built a career, and achieved financial success. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastFor Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Made It From 90 Days to Over 1 Year Sober From Fentanyl & Heroin | Ep 203 | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:57:50 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Tony Newton for a raw and honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, crime, relationships, and the journey from fentanyl and heroin addiction into recovery.Tony opens up about a difficult childhood, including being sexually assaulted and being exposed to drug use by his own parents. He also talks about having aspirations of becoming a drug dealer at a young age and how those early experiences eventually led him deeper into the world of addiction. Tony shares how his substance use progressed from prescription pills to heroin and eventually fentanyl. Along the way, his addiction brought serious legal consequences, strained relationships, and decisions that would change the course of his life. He also talks about traveling to California while his wife was pregnant, attempts to get clean followed by relapse, and the moment he realized he needed to make a serious change.The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Tony tells the story of getting caught stealing a phone from Walmart after his picture was posted on Facebook. He also discusses his relationship, stealing iPhones, and the world of fraudulent checks and how those choices kept him trapped in a cycle of addiction and survival. But this story isn't just about what went wrong.Tony talks about where he is today and what recovery looks like after making it past 90 days and continuing to build more than a year of sobriety from fentanyl and heroin. This is a conversation about facing your past, surviving addiction, learning from your mistakes, and discovering that a different life is possible. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastFor Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Had 78 Felonies, Did 7 Years in Prison & Fought Crack & Gambling Addiction | Ep 202 | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:48:07 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garne's sit down for a raw conversation about growing up around addiction, crack cocaine, prison, gambling, and finding a new way to live. Their guest shares how his life spiraled from cocaine and crack addiction into a criminal lifestyle that eventually led to 78 felony convictions and a seven-year prison sentence. He opens up about getting his first prison number, serving time in six different prisons, and what it was really like inside Noble Correctional Institution during some of its worst years. He also shares just how far his crack addiction took him, including some unbelievable stories from the streets and the craziest thing he ever found in a car. After years of addiction, crime, and incarceration, he eventually found a way to get sober and start rebuilding his life. But recovery came with new challenges. He talks about working security, getting away during a traffic stop, wild situations he encountered on the job, and battling another addictionāgambling. From sneaking into casinos to nearly falling back into destructive patterns, this episode is a reminder that addiction can take many different forms.This is an honest conversation about addiction, incarceration, second chances, gambling, and what it takes to finally change your life. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How My Fentanyl Addiction Turned Into Xylazine Addiction | Ep 201 | 19 Aug 2026 | 01:23:20 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Briana Noda for a raw and deeply personal conversation about growing up around addiction, becoming a mother, fentanyl and heroin addiction, xylazine, incarceration, and finding a way into recovery. Briana opens up about her childhood and what it was like growing up with addiction in her family. She shares how both of her parents struggled with drugs and how her grandfather was involved in selling cocaine. Despite everything around her, Briana had plans to join the Navyāuntil she found out she was pregnant. Her story continues with prescription painkillers, becoming a mother, and eventually moving back in with her father. Briana describes how her drug use progressed and the first time she experienced fentanyl pills, including taking an entire 30mg pill and losing consciousness. From there, Briana's addiction escalated from fentanyl pills to heroin. She explains why she preferred snorting heroin over injecting it, the brutal reality of withdrawal, and eventually moving to Florida in an attempt to escape the cycle. But moving didn't solve the problem. Briana found herself using heroin and crack in Florida while trying to survive with her boyfriend. She talks about stealing license plates, getting back to Ohio with a stolen plate, having her car towed, and eventually facing felony charges. One of the most frightening parts of Briana's story begins when she unknowingly starts using xylazine. She describes falling asleep in a car, police being called, her boyfriend falling asleep while driving, and eventually experiencing severe xylazine withdrawal after going to jail. Briana also shares the terrifying experience of suffering what appeared to be a seizure and ending up in the emergency room, as well as the charges her boyfriend faced involving xylazine. After years of addiction, legal trouble, dangerous situations, and withdrawal, Briana finally began moving toward recovery.This is an honest conversation about how addiction can develop within families, how quickly fentanyl and other substances can change someone's life, and what it takes to finally break the cycle. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcastFor Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Walked the Streets for 15 Years to Feed My Crack Addictionā¦ Then I Lost My Children in Sobreity | Ep 201 | 16 Aug 2026 | 00:57:37 | |
In this heartbreaking and powerful episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Tina Lester for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, prostitution, incarceration, recovery, and unimaginable loss. Tina's story takes us back to her childhood and the beginning of her addiction to crack cocaine. She opens up about using crack while pregnant with her son, eventually becoming involved in prostitution to support her addiction, and the dangers she faced while working the streets. Tina shares some of the most frightening experiences of her life, including an encounter with a client that left her fearing for her life and the complicated relationship between prostitutes and pimps. Her addiction and lifestyle eventually led to a prostitution charge and time in women's prison, where she experienced situations that would stay with her long after her release. At one point, Tina says she made millions of dollars as an escortābut despite the money, the lifestyle came at an enormous personal cost. After getting out of prison, she relapsed and found herself back in the cycle of addiction.Then Tina's story takes an even more devastating turn.She opens up about losing her daughter to heroin addiction and learning about her death from a nurse. She then suffered the unimaginable loss of her son, who died in a motorcycle accident while under the influence. Tina also discusses the loss of her daughter to fentanyl, including the devastating reality of drugs containing extremely high concentrations of fentanyl. The losses didn't stop there. Tina shares the pain of losing her grandson and her brother and what it was like trying to process all of that while battling addiction and eventually finding recovery. Despite everything she has experienced, Tina continues to move forward and share her story. She reflects on her years walking the streets, the consequences of addiction, the people she lost, and the lessons she hopes others can learn from her life. This is a raw story of addiction, survival, grief, and the devastating impact substance use can have on an entire familyābut it's also a story about resilience and the possibility of finding a way forward. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| My Mom Cooked Meth & I ODād on Fentanyl at 13 | How I Survived Addiction & Abuse | Ep 200 | 14 Aug 2026 | 01:01:09 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Victoria Lombardo for an incredibly raw and emotional conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, family dysfunction, abusive relationships, and finding a way forward after unimaginable loss. Victoria's story begins with a childhood surrounded by addiction and abuse. She opens up about growing up while her mother was involved in methamphetamine use and the traumatic experiences that shaped her from a young age. At just 13 years old, Victoria survived an overdose after unknowingly taking fentanyl that had been contaminated with another substance. As she got older, the trauma continued. Victoria shares disturbing experiences involving people she trusted, sexual abuse, and a suicide attempt at a Christian festival. She also discusses entering an abusive relationship and how those experiences affected her choices and her understanding of what a healthy relationship should look like. Despite everything she had been through, Victoria pursued an education in dental assisting and tried to build a future for herself. But cocaine and other drugs began taking over. She shares some unbelievable stories about using drugs with family members, selling drugs through a drive-through, and one bizarre incident involving a glove that ended up in a quesadilla and eventually in the hands of a homicide detective. Her addiction eventually became a family affair, with Victoria describing how she and members of her family were using drugs together. Meanwhile, her relationship became increasingly dangerous, including an incident where she was awakened by her boyfriend choking her and holding a gun to her head. After reaching a breaking point, Victoria's family staged an interventionāeven though addiction was affecting multiple members of the family. That moment ultimately helped lead her toward treatment and recovery. But just as Victoria reached one year clean, she experienced another devastating loss: the death of her mother.Today, Victoria reflects on everything she survived, how she continues to move forward, and what she wants people struggling with addiction and trauma to know. This is a powerful conversation about survival, addiction, abuse, family, grief, and the strength it takes to rebuild your life. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Was 8 Years Sober From Heroin... Then My Doctor Prescribed Me Klonopin & I Almost Relapsed | Ep 199 | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:51:00 | |
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes turns the microphone around and interviews co-host Louis Essig about a chapter of his life he never expected to experience. After years of sobriety from heroin addiction, Louis thought he had put his darkest days behind him. Then he landed what he considered his dream job and was prescribed benzodiazepines (benzos). What began as a legitimate prescription quickly became something much more difficult to control. Louis opens up about the reality of benzodiazepine dependence, including the brutal withdrawal symptoms, restless legs, and the consequences that followed as his prescription began spiraling out of control. He explains how addiction can take unexpected formsāeven after years of sobrietyāand why being clean from one substance doesn't necessarily make someone immune to another addiction. The episode also explores how Louis' benzo use became intertwined with gambling. What started as another outlet eventually created its own set of consequences, including getting caught gambling at a Pennsylvania casino. Louis shares what it was like trying to detox from benzos on his own, the mistakes he made along the way, and the moment he realized he needed to take responsibility for what was happening. In a unique twist, Aaron flips the script and puts Louis in the interviewer's seat, forcing him to confront some difficult questions about his experience and what he wants others to learn from it. This is a brutally honest conversation about relapse, prescription medication, cross-addiction, gambling, and the reality that recovery is an ongoing journey. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| Shooting Meth, Stealing Cars & Homeless in Cincinnati | Ep 199 | 09 Aug 2026 | 00:42:12 | |
In this episode ofĀ Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Catherine White for a raw and unfiltered conversation about meth addiction, life on the streets, crime, homelessness, and the difficult journey toward recovery. Catherine opens up about her childhood and the experiences that eventually led her toward substance use. When meth entered her life, things quickly began to change. She shares what happened when she progressed to shooting meth for the first time and how addiction began taking control of her decisions and relationships. Her story takes another devastating turn when her boyfriend receives a life sentence for two murders. As Catherine's addiction continued to escalate, she became involved in stealing cars, including one incident where she discovered a gun inside a stolen vehicle. She also talks about stealing from UDF and facing a felony charge as the consequences of her addiction continued to pile up. Catherine discusses her attempts at sober living and what life was really like trying to stay clean while still battling the pull of addiction. She also shares the story of leaving sober living, ending up in a rundown hotel, and stealing a running vehicle that she kept for an entire month. The conversation doesn't shy away from the realities of addiction and homelessness. Catherine talks openly about the drugs she was using, how addiction affected her life, and what it was like trying to survive while homeless in Cincinnati. Most importantly, Catherine shares where she is today and the lessons she has learned from everything she's been through. Her story is a reminder that even after addiction takes you to some of the darkest places imaginable, recovery and change are still possible. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Became a "Career Criminal" After Meth & Heroin Took Over My Life | Ep 197 | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:51:54 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Andrew Robbins for a raw conversation about growing up in crime, meth addiction, multiple prison sentences, and what it takes to finally break free from a life on the streets. Andrew's struggles began at an early age. By just 14 years old, he was sentenced to juvenile detention for aggravated robbery, setting him on a path that would lead to years of incarceration and addiction. He reflects on how one decision after another pulled him deeper into the criminal justice system and made prison feel like a normal part of life. As he got older, drugs became a major part of that lifestyle. Andrew shares the shocking story of using an entire gram of methamphetamine the very first time he tried it, a decision that accelerated his addiction almost immediately. He opens up about his first prison sentence, the violent realities of incarceration, and some of the most unforgettable things he witnessed behind bars. Eventually, addiction escalated even further as he transitioned to intravenous drug use. Andrew discusses how much methamphetamine and heroin he was using every day, the physical and mental toll it took, and why escaping addiction felt nearly impossible. Even after serving time, the cycle continued. He explains how he found himself back in prison during the COVID-19 pandemic and what it truly means to be labeled a "career criminal." More importantly, he challenges that label by sharing how recovery gave him the opportunity to rewrite his story. Today, Andrew uses his past to encourage others who believe they're beyond saving. His message is proof that no matter how many mistakes you've made, your future doesn't have to be defined by your past. This episode is a powerful conversation about addiction, incarceration, accountability, and redemption. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Believe My Brother's Passing Was Covered Up... Then I Lost Myself to Coke & Perc 30's | Ep 196 | 05 Aug 2026 | 01:17:46 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Army veteran Andrew Robbins for a heartbreaking conversation about military service, family loss, addiction, and finding hope through faith and recovery.Andrew's journey began with a childhood that led him to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he hoped to build a meaningful future. During his service, a parachuting accident left him seriously injured, introducing him to prescription opioid painkillers that would unknowingly change the course of his life.After leaving the military, Andrew returned home only to discover that his brother was battling a severe heroin addiction. As his family struggled to help him, Andrew watched addiction consume someone he loved. He shares the emotional toll of opening his home to his brother, witnessing overdoses firsthand, and the financial devastation addiction caused.The conversation takes a tragic turn as Andrew recounts the disappearance of his brother, filing missing persons reports, and the agonizing months of uncertainty before his brother was finally found. He opens up about learning how his brother died, reading the toxicology report, and the overwhelming grief that followed. Unable to cope with the loss, Andrew's own addiction spiraled. Cocaine eventually gave way to counterfeit Percocet pills, and his life quickly unraveled. He discusses leaving a successful career, hitting rock bottom, and realizing he could no longer continue living the way he had. Andrew shares how faith, the support of his church community, and a commitment to recovery helped him rebuild his life after unimaginable loss. Today, he uses his experiences to encourage others who are grieving, struggling with addiction, or searching for hope.This is a powerful conversation about loss, resilience, forgiveness, and discovering purpose after tragedy. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links and Merch: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Was a Minister's Wife... Then I Started Selling Myself for Oxy 30s | Ep 195 | 02 Aug 2026 | 01:11:05 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Kimberly Ferrizzi for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, faith, betrayal, and finding lasting recovery after losing everything. Kimberly's story begins with what appeared to be a picture-perfect life. She married her grade-school sweetheart, who went on to become a minister, and together they built a family and a future. But behind closed doors, a prescription for migraines would unknowingly open the door to a devastating opioid addiction. She shares how legitimate pain medication slowly became an obsession, leading her to manipulate prescriptions, seek out pill mills during the height of the opioid epidemic, and learn dangerous ways to misuse medications. As her addiction intensified, Kimberly found herself making choices she never imaginedāincluding exchanging sex for pills and eventually selling herself simply to avoid withdrawal. Kimberly speaks candidly about the humiliation, desperation, and emotional toll addiction took on her family. From stealing her own children's allowance to being arrested on Christmas Eve after her husband reached his breaking point, she reveals just how far addiction pushed her from the person she once was. Even after entering treatment, the challenges didn't stop. Kimberly discusses navigating inappropriate situations during recovery, rebuilding her life from the ground up, and eventually finding love again while immersed in the biker community. She also reflects on the difference between simply abstaining from drugs and truly embracing recovery. Today, Kimberly is living proof that redemption is possible. She shares the lessons she's learned, how recovery transformed every aspect of her life, and why she continues to tell her story to give hope to others still struggling. This episode is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn't discriminateāand that no one is beyond the reach of recovery. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Lost My Leg, Started Selling Carfentanil & Got Addicted to Percs | Ep 194 | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:48:59 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Quan White for an unbelievable conversation about violence, addiction, incarceration, and finding purpose after surviving experiences that most people could never imagine.Quan;s story begins with unimaginable childhood trauma. At just a young age, he witnessed his mother shoot his father multiple timesāan event that forever changed the course of his life. Growing up surrounded by violence, survival quickly became the only way he knew how to live. As he entered the streets, Quan became caught in a cycle of crime and retaliation. He shares how he ended up facing an attempted murder charge, the dangers of living by the "no-snitch" code, and why street rules often create even more tragedy instead of protecting anyone.Not long after leaving prison, Quan survived another life-altering event when he was shot in the femoral artery. He opens up about nearly dying, almost accidentally shooting responding police officers during the chaos, and ultimately losing his leg as a result of his injuries. The conversation also dives into the rise of prescription opioid addiction, pill mills, counterfeit pills, fentanyl, and the devastating impact these drugs have had on communities. Quan speaks candidly about selling dangerous substances, witnessing the deadly consequences of addiction, and the emotional burden of knowing how many lives were affected.He also reflects on a fatal car accident that changed his perspective, the crimes that led to more than five years in prison, and some of the unforgettable experiences he endured while incarcerated. Today, Quan has chosen a different path. He discusses rebuilding his life, overcoming the obstacles of recovery, and why he continues to share his story to warn others about the realities of street life and addiction. This is a powerful conversation about accountability, survival, redemption, and second chances. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| My Twin Brother & I Were Born Addicted to Crack, Abused, and Human Trafficked | Ep 193 | 29 Jul 2026 | 01:12:56 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Kaylee Ferren for one of the most heartbreaking and inspiring stories ever shared on the show. From being born addicted to crack cocaine to surviving years of severe abuse, exploitation, addiction, and trafficking, Kaylee's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Kaylee and her twin brother entered the world already battling the effects of prenatal drug exposure and developmental challenges. Instead of finding safety, she endured unimaginable abuse throughout her childhood while living in foster care. She shares the horrific conditions she survived, the failures of the adults who were supposed to protect her, and the lasting trauma those experiences created.After eventually being removed from that environment, Kaylee continued to struggle with the emotional scars of her childhood. She opens up about self-harm, juvenile detention, and the mental health challenges that followed years of abuse. As a young adult, drugs became a way to numb the pain.What began with marijuana quickly escalated to crack cocaine, leading Kaylee into a devastating cycle of addiction. After reconnecting with her biological mother, more family trauma surfaced, sending her even deeper into substance use. Eventually, her addiction left her vulnerable to being exploited and trafficked, forcing her into situations no one should ever have to endure. Kaylee courageously shares how addiction and trafficking became intertwined, the violence she experienced, and the difficult choices she made simply to survive. She also discusses entering treatment, surviving an overdose, relapsing after leaving recovery, and what finally helped her break free from the cycle. Today, Kaylee is rebuilding her life and using her story to bring hope to others who have experienced abuse, addiction, or exploitation. Her message is proof that even after unimaginable trauma, healing and recovery are possible.This is an emotional conversation about survival, resilience, and the power of never giving up. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| From 6 DUIs on Quaaludes to Shooting Cocaine & Stealing From My Family's Business | Ep 192 | 26 Jul 2026 | 01:14:11 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Troy Sierer for a remarkable story of addiction, family, redemption, and long-term recovery. Troy's addiction began during his junior year of high school when he was introduced to Quaaludes, a drug that quickly took control of his life. What started as experimenting with pills soon spiraled into a pattern of reckless behavior, including multiple DUIs before he was even out of his early twenties. While working alongside his father in the family pizza business, Troy appeared to be building a successful future. Behind the scenes, however, addiction continued to escalate. He opens up about stealing from the family business, progressing to intravenous cocaine use, and the devastating impact addiction had on the people who loved him most. Troy shares the shocking reality of injecting cocaine and crack cocaine, the desperation that comes with severe addiction, and the heartbreaking moment his father discovered his drug use. Faced with an ultimatum, Troy chose addiction over family, stealing from his father and disappearing before eventually reaching the point where he knew something had to change. The conversation explores the moment surrender finally became possible, what early recovery looked like, and how Troy built a life that has stood the test of time. He also discusses the daily practices that helped him maintain sobriety, the principles he lives by, and how he endured the heartbreaking loss of his wife while remaining committed to recovery. Today, Troy uses his experience to inspire others, proving that no matter how many mistakes you've made, it's never too late to rebuild your life. This is a powerful conversation about accountability, forgiveness, and the life-changing power of recovery. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Traveled the World to Escape Heroin... Just to Find Meth & Fentanyl | Ep 191 | 24 Jul 2026 | 01:23:21 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Chris Tudor for an incredible story of addiction, world travel, relapse, and the realization that no matter where you run, you can't outrun yourself. Chris' struggles began early with juvenile detention and behavioral issues that hinted at a lifetime of chasing the next escape. After spending time at a recovery center as a young person, he believed he could leave addiction behindābut the patterns continued to follow him into adulthood. Following his first felony stop, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army hoping to build a better future. Instead, he found that his addictive behaviors simply shifted into different areas of his life. After leaving the military, he joined a traveling sales team before eventually building a successful career growing marijuana.On the outside, life looked promisingābut behind the scenes, alcoholism and opioid addiction were taking over. Chris shares how prescription OxyContin changed everything, leading him down what many knew as the "OXY Highway" before heroin completely consumed his life. In a desperate attempt to escape addiction, he moved to Detroitāonce known for its massive heroin marketābelieving a change of scenery would somehow fix the problem. When that didn't work, Chris took his search for sobriety across the globe. From obtaining a work visa in New Zealand and experiencing opioid withdrawal on an international flight, to getting a DUI overseas and traveling through Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia in search of a fresh start, Chris discovered that geography couldn't solve what addiction had created. After returning to Ohio, his addiction became even more severe. He survived a fentanyl overdose, hit rock bottom after nodding off around his daughter, and eventually found himself homeless while using both methamphetamine and fentanyl.Chris shares what finally led him to treatment, the lessons he learned from years of running from addiction, and why true recovery only began when he stopped trying to escape himself.This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery isn't about finding a new placeāit's about becoming a new person. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Survived Meth Addiction & Life-Threatening Alcohol Withdrawal | Ep 190 | 22 Jul 2026 | 01:40:10 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Rachid Yatkin for an unforgettable conversation about childhood trauma, incarceration, addiction, and the fight to rebuild a life after years of destructive choices.Rachid's story begins with a turbulent childhood marked by conflict at home. He opens up about his complicated relationship with his father, enduring abuse from his mother, and growing up as what he describes as a "Ritalin baby." He also reflects on what it was like being a student during the September 11th attacks and how those early experiences shaped the person he would become. As he got older, Rachid became involved in the streets, eventually robbing drug dealers and finding himself caught in a cycle of crime that led to burglary charges and time in prison. He shares the harsh realities of life behind bars, from witnessing violence and disturbing events to becoming involved in violent encounters himself. The conversation also explores the surprising availability of drugs inside prison and how addiction continued even while incarcerated. After his release, Rachid returned to dealing drugs before his own substance use spiraled further, eventually leading him to methamphetamine and severe alcohol addiction.At his lowest point, alcohol completely consumed his life. Rachid speaks candidly about the staggering amounts he was drinking, the terrifying experience of alcohol withdrawal that landed him in the hospital, and the moment he realized he had to make a change or risk losing everything. Today, Rachid is committed to recovery and uses his experiences to show others that no matter how dark life becomes, there is always hope for a new beginning.This episode is a powerful conversation about accountability, redemption, and the courage it takes to change. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How Heroin Turned Me Into a Homeless Felon | Ep 189 | 19 Jul 2026 | 01:10:55 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with Shawn Mims for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, homelessness, and the journey toward lasting recovery. Shawn's story begins with a difficult childhood that set the stage for years of destructive choices. He shares how he started smoking cigarettes at just nine years old, long before he understood the consequences of addiction. After losing his father, Shawn struggled to cope with the grief, and substance use quickly became an escape. As a teenager, marijuana became a major part of his life, eventually leading him to drop out of school. What started with weed soon escalated into experimenting with harder drugs, pulling Shawn deeper into a lifestyle of addiction and crime.By just 18 years old, Shawn was facing multiple felony burglary charges. He reflects on the decisions that led him there, the consequences that followed, and the experiences that shaped his outlook on lifeāincluding a memorable psychedelic experience that forced him to confront parts of himself he had been avoiding. When heroin entered the picture, everything changed. Shawn opens up about his first experience with the drug, the rapid downward spiral that followed, and how addiction eventually left him living in a homeless shelter with nowhere left to turn. Despite years of struggle, Shawn found a way out. He shares what recovery looked like for him, the changes that helped him stay sober, and why he believes anyone can rebuild their life no matter how far they've fallen.This episode is an honest conversation about loss, addiction, second chances, and the hope that recovery can bring. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Didn't Know My Meth Was Cut With Fentanyl Until It Was Too Late... | Ep 188 | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:50:48 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig sits down with T.Y. Brooks for a raw and honest conversation about growing up in the streets, juvenile detention, addiction, and finding a new path through recovery. T.Y.'s struggles began at an early age. After getting into trouble as a kid, he spent two and a half years in the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS), an experience that shaped much of his teenage years. Once back on the streets, he quickly became immersed in the drug culture, experimenting with opioids and finding ways to make money through illegal hustles. He opens up about trying OxyContin for the first time, selling counterfeit drugs, and how partying with substances like MDMA eventually led him down an even darker road. When methamphetamine entered his life, everything changed.T.Y. shares what it was like discovering meth before the COVID-19 pandemic, how the drug evolved over the years, and the terrifying moment he unknowingly used meth that had been contaminated with fentanyl. He discusses the dangers of today's illicit drug supply, the increasing risk of accidental overdose, and how addiction became harder than ever to escape. After attempting to clean up his life, T.Y. experienced setbacks and relapse before finally finding a recovery that worked for him. He reflects on the lessons he learned through addiction, what sobriety looks like today, and why he believes anyone struggling can still turn their life around. This episode is a powerful conversation about resilience, accountability, and hope in the face of addiction. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Got Clean After Shooting Every Drug & Relapsing on Fentanyl | Ep 187 | 15 Jul 2026 | 01:05:28 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes and Louis Essig sit down with Eddie Pennington for a gripping conversation about growing up in addiction, surviving the streets, and finding hope after years of substance abuse and legal trouble. Eddie's story begins in a home where addiction was already a part of everyday life. Raised by an alcoholic father and a mother battling crack cocaine addiction, he was introduced to alcohol at a young age, drinking Little Kings while still a kid. As if that wasn't enough, a devastating car accident during his early teens became another defining moment in his life. As Eddie got older, his drug use escalated from experimentation to full-blown addiction. He shares how he became involved in transporting drugs on trips to Florida, eventually developing a severe crack cocaine addiction before progressing to intravenous drug use. The conversation dives into the realities of street life, including boosting stolen vehicles, committing retail theft, passing fraudulent checks, and the criminal lifestyle that funded his addiction. Eddie explains how those choices eventually caught up with him, leading to serious charges and life-changing consequences. After getting sober, Eddie believed the worst was behind him. But addiction had one more chapter to write. He opens up about relapsing while in a relationship, becoming addicted to fentanyl, surviving another devastating car accident, and nearly losing his life to an overdose. Today, Eddie reflects on the lessons he learned through recovery, the importance of accountability, and why he continues to share his story to help others who are still trapped in addiction. This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter how far addiction takes you, recovery is always possible. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| How I Ended Up in LA "Prison" After Heroin Took Over My Life... Then Came the Extradition from Hell | Ep 187 | 12 Jul 2026 | 01:13:24 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Lynn Vetum for a powerful conversation about addiction, incarceration, relapse, and the long journey to lasting recovery. Lynn's story begins with what appeared to be a normal childhood, but everything started to change after leaving private school and entering a new environment. Like many people, her first experiences with alcohol seemed harmless at the time, but they quickly escalated into a lifestyle of partying, substance abuse, and increasingly dangerous choices.After being kicked out of college, Lynn found herself bartending, where cocaine, Vicodin, and Percocet became part of her daily life. What started as recreational drug use soon evolved into a full-blown opioid addiction, eventually reaching the point where she was taking 8 to 10 Percocet 30s every day just to function. As prescription pills became harder to find, heroin entered the picture. Lynn shares the terrifying progression from swallowing pills to injecting heroin, working at a gentlemen's club while battling addiction, and the moment she crossed a line she never imagined she would. She also opens up about overdosing, being arrested, and entering rehab for the first timeāonly to discover that recovery would be much more complicated than simply stopping the drugs. The conversation takes several unexpected turns as Lynn discusses attending the world-renowned Passages Malibu treatment center, being arrested there by the U.S. Marshals, and being extradited from California back to Ohio. She also shares the remarkable story of her mother's chance encounter with former Ohio Governor John Kasich during one of the darkest periods of her life. Even after finding recovery, the battle wasn't over. Lynn explains how fentanyl changed the landscape of addiction, why it felt different from heroin, how alcohol nearly became a substitute for opioids, and what finally helped her achieve lasting sobriety after years of relapse and legal trouble.Today, Lynn dedicates her life to helping others by sharing her story, writing about recovery, and proving that no matter how hopeless addiction may seem, change is always possible.This is an honest conversation about addiction, accountability, redemption, and the work it takes to build a new life. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Didn't Realize I Was Pregnant Until 7.5 Months Because of My Crack Addiction... | Ep 186 | 10 Jul 2026 | 01:00:36 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Aaron Garnes sits down with Lauren Shoemaker for a powerful conversation about addiction, loss, recovery, and finding hope after years of chaos. Lauren's story begins with a difficult childhood before addiction slowly took hold during her late teens and early twenties. What started with cocaine quickly escalated, leading to intravenous drug use and a lifestyle centered around survival. She shares how addiction consumed every aspect of her life, from selling methamphetamine to terrifying encountersāincluding being held at gunpoint while involved in the drug trade. The conversation also explores Lauren's battle with anorexia, offering an honest look at the physical and emotional toll of an eating disorder alongside addiction. She reflects on the heartbreaking loss of her child's father to liver failure and how grief pushed her even deeper into substance use.As heroin entered the picture, Lauren's life spiraled further. She opens up about stealing from retail stores to support her addiction, the moment she was finally caught, and the unbelievable discovery that she was more than seven months pregnant without knowing it. Lauren shares what it was like entering jail on a felony warrant while seven and a half months pregnant, making the difficult decision to place her son for adoption, and relapsing shortly after giving birth. She speaks candidly about the cycle of relapse and recovery, surviving a near-fatal fentanyl overdose, and the treatment program that finally helped her begin rebuilding her life. Today, Lauren is focused on recovery, healing, and creating a future she once thought was impossible. Her story is a testament to resilience and proof that recovery can begin even after the darkest moments. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Shot Someone at 17... Then Became a Crack Addict | Ep 185 | 08 Jul 2026 | 01:16:57 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Jason Mains for an incredible story of violence, addiction, prison, relapse, and the ongoing fight for recovery. Jason's life was marked by trauma from an early age. As a teenager, he survived a brutal assault after being jumped and thrown from an overpassāan event that changed the trajectory of his life. Just two years later, at 17 years old, Jason made a decision that would alter everything when he shot another person, leading to a lengthy prison sentence before he was even an adult. While incarcerated, Jason witnessed unimaginable experiences, including discovering an inmate who had taken his own life. Prison became a place where survival was the priority, but addiction would continue to follow him long after his release. Once back on the streets, alcohol and cocaine quickly took over. Jason explains why drinking always led him back to cocaine, how his addiction escalated into crack cocaine, and the dangerous lifestyle that followedāincluding robberies, violence, and repeated trips through the criminal justice system. Throughout the conversation, Jason also shares the unexpected role art and music played in his life. From creating portraits while in prison to performing music after his release, he reflects on how creativity gave him purpose, even as addiction continued pulling him back. The episode takes another unbelievable turn as Jason discusses experimenting with methamphetamine, taking massive amounts of LSD, relapsing after four years of sobriety, and ultimately finding himself back in jail and treatment.Today, Jason is once again fighting for his recovery and speaks candidly about the challenges of staying sober, taking responsibility for his past, and continuing to move forward one day at a time. This is a raw conversation about consequences, redemption, and the reality that recovery is often a journeyānot a straight line. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||
| I Was a Daily Blackout Drinker... Then I Got 5 DUIs | Ep 184 | 05 Jul 2026 | 01:01:21 | |
In this episode of Get a Grip Podcast, Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes sit down with Ben Solove to discuss a lifetime of alcoholism, repeated second chances, and the decision that finally changed everything. Ben's story begins with an ordinary childhood, but like many people, his relationship with alcohol started at a young age. What seemed like harmless drinking gradually became a dependence that followed him through high school, college, and adulthood. After attending The Ohio State University, Ben eventually dropped out and took a job at Chi-Chi's, where drinking became woven into his everyday life. He shares stories from the restaurant industry, following the Grateful Dead across the country, and the culture that normalized heavy drinking while masking a growing addiction. As alcohol tightened its grip, the consequences became impossible to ignore. Ben opens up about drinking on the job, the first DUI that should have been a wake-up call, and how he ultimately accumulated five DUIs in just five years. He reflects on the legal trouble, damaged relationships, and the emotional toll of watching his life slowly unravel. The conversation also explores his first marriage, the divorce that followed, and the moment he realized he could no longer continue living the way he had been. Through drug court, accountability, and a willingness to finally change, Ben began rebuilding his life from the ground up. After completing the program, Ben moved to Key West hoping for a fresh start. While life continued to throw unexpected challenges his way, including another painful relationship ending, he remained committed to his recovery and the life he had worked so hard to build. This episode is an honest conversation about alcoholism, consequences, redemption, and proving it's never too late to start over. š„ Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope. š Donāt forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience. Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below! Get a Grip Social Media Links: ā https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: š© Email: getagrippodcast614@gmail.com š Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #getagrip #redemptionstory #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #addictionrecovery #recoveryjourney #trauma #childhood #oxy #dealer #soberlife #wedorecover #childhoodtrauma #healing #inspiration #awareness #kingpin #trafficking #hustle #opioidcrisis #neardeathexperience #fyp #prison #bar #mistake #change #survivor #survival #tv #television #inspire #parole #officer #school #teacher #students #study #student #changinglivesdaily | |||