Experiencing Healing Through YouTube
I Love Being Sober
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An Inspiring Journey Of A Recovery Leader
I Love Being Sober
The recovery journey is not just about yourself, but also about making ripples to change other people’s lives for the better. Tim Westbrook sits down with Matthew Handy, who shares how he is paying forward as a recovery leader after everything he went through. Breaking down his philosophy of “debt of recovery,” he explains how he used his first-hand experience with addiction treatments to build the vision and practices of his very own Handy Treatment Centers and . Matthew also discusses why suffering has its own share of benefits, the role of pain in achieving lasting transformation, and...
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Taking Care Of Your Gut Health
I Love Being Sober
Everything begins and ends with your gut health, from your daily mood to the body’s ability to heal itself. Tim Westbrook explores this interesting topic with global educator and keynote speaker . She explores the gut-brain connection that directly impacts a person’s mental health, which is especially crucial for someone recovering from addiction. Dr. Donese breaks down practical tips to support your mitochondrial health, the truth about the living bugs in our body, and why you should check your pool every single day. If you want to optimize your gut health to live a healthier and more...
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What True Recovery Looks Like—Beyond Sobriety With Dave Riccio
I Love Being Sober
Recovery isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about rebuilding identity, regulating the nervous system, and learning how to live with radical honesty. Automotive business owner and radio personality , also known as the “Automotive Therapist,” joins to share how his journey through sex addiction, multiple sclerosis, and deep-rooted shame became a path to healing. As co-host of and owner of , Dave opens up about meditation, movement, community, and vulnerability as the cornerstones of sustainable recovery—and why health, not hustle, is the new success.
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Beyond Meds: How TMS Is Rewiring Brains And Transforming Lives With Dr. Robert Westerman
I Love Being Sober
Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) the revolutionary mental health treatment you've been hearing about, or just another fad? , a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a seriously powerful backstory from , joins Tim Westbrook to cut through the BS and give it to us straight. In this episode, we ditch the medical jargon and get real about how TMS actually works, using magnets—not electricity like those scary ECT movies!—to fire up neurotransmitters and tackle issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Dr. Westerman, who's seen it all and treated thousands, breaks down why this...
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Beyond Tough Love: Christopher Doyle's Radical Intervention Strategies That Actually Work
I Love Being Sober
Personalized parent coaching and effective intervention strategies offer a vital lifeline for families grappling with addiction, paving the way for hope and healing. In this episode, we're honored to feature , the dedicated Founder of , who brings an authentic and deeply compassionate perspective to the complexities of addiction recovery. Chris, a retired New York City firefighter and former Head Substance Abuse Counselor for the FDNY's Employee Assistance Program, shares his unique journey and the impactful "Stop Dreaming Framework" and "Four-Part Connection Formula" he's developed to guide...
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Reimagining Mental Health Care: How Psychiatric NPs Are Driving Innovation And Change With Dr. Lindsay Hill
I Love Being Sober
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are revolutionizing mental health care from the inside out—and is at the forefront of this movement. With a dual lens as both clinician and entrepreneur, she shares how nurse practitioners can lead the next chapter of behavioral health innovation. As President of the APNA Arizona Chapter, founder of PMHNP Bootcamp™, and a consultant in AI and digital health, Dr. Hill unpacks the clinical, financial, and personal pressures providers face—and how to overcome them with strategy, support, and systems. From her own experience with TMS therapy to the healing...
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Eliminating Your Workaholic Self With Barry Garapedian
I Love Being Sober
Because society glorifies the grind so much, many people find themselves embracing and normalizing a workaholic lifestyle. Although this means more profit, it ultimately kills your well-being and destroys your relationships. Tim Westbrook explores the right way to get rid of this self-destructive lifestyle with , President and CEO of . Barry looks back on how his relentless work ethic nearly cost him everything, including his 16-year marriage. He shares how he overcame this rigid mindset, rebuilt his life, and is now coaching young people to reach their full potential – all while teaching...
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The Impact Of Healing Journeys With Pardis Mahdavi, PhD
I Love Being Sober
Going out to travel is not only about leisure and excitement, but also about expanding oneself by visiting places outside your comfort zone. Author and entrepreneur understands the transformative power of healing journeys, and so she built her business around that. In this conversation, she talks about her wellness company , which focuses on transformational retreats and coaching programs for personal growth. She explains how immersing in new cultures and traditions can help you discover new things about yourself. Pardis also delves into the benefits of plant medicine, which she describes as...
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How Sobriety Transformed His Life and Performance
I Love Being Sober
A life transformed through sobriety—today’s guest has not only overcome addiction but has turned his journey into a mission to help others. As a TEDx speaker, best-selling author and dedicated endurance athlete Nick’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery and community. In this episode, we get into his personal battle with alcohol, the moment he hit rock bottom and the strategies that have kept him sober for the long haul. Beyond his sobriety journey Nick shares how he rebuilt his life through physical fitness and personal development. From doing Ironman’s before he was sober to...
info_outlineI’m excited to continue my chat with Mary Tilson. Just yesterday, I was on her show, and we discovered we have so much in common. In 2013, Mary overcame alcohol and drug addiction and has since dedicated herself to assisting others on their journey to sobriety. After reshaping her life, she made it her mission to guide others towards recovery, founding Sun and Moon Sober Living—a community rooted in holistic healing.
As an E-RYT 500 Yoga & Meditation Teacher, a certified Professional Recovery Coach, and an International Retreat Leader, Mary draws from a rich tapestry of ancient traditions combined with modern science. When she's not imparting her wisdom, she can often be found soaking in nature's lessons amidst the majestic mountains of Colorado, where she calls home. Join us as we delve into her inspiring journey.
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[05:11] Mary didn't think she had a problem until she went to college and started experimenting with various drugs. She was blacking out and ended up in terrifying situations.
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[08:36] She desperately needed help, and called her mom asking for help.
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[10:01] She also went to yoga daily. When she went back to school, she started drinking and using drugs again, but yoga was also a big part of her life.
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[11:16] She had no concept of what someone young would do with their life if they were sober.
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[11:36] After graduating, she got a job in digital advertising.
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[13:04] She started doing cocaine late at night. She went to work after being up all night and realized that this wasn't working.
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[18:58] Trauma informed yoga and meditation. Yoga has an incredible ability to support people during healing. It gives people choice and helps them adapt and make the practice their own.
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[20:12] Movement is more than just working on the physical body. Yoga helped Mary with her recovery.
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[23:48] Fitness is mental, emotional, and spiritual.
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[28:25] Awareness being clean and sober. What are you numbing from?
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[30:18] The difference between trauma informed yoga and regular yoga.
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[33:56] Mary talks about the importance of mindfulness in recovery.
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[36:06] Understanding our nervous system and regulating. Without substances, we do need tools to regulate.
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[41:12] Mary loves cold plunges and healthy stressors. Mentally you are safe even though it's cold. It's a peaceful state.
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[46:46] The importance of embracing multiple pathways to recovery. It's not one size fits all.
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[50:48] Recovery is a program of action.
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[51:17] When it comes to habit change, making it small is much more doable. Consistency is also important to carve out new pathways in the brain.
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[54:04] There's a lot of positive reinforcement when you are sharing your wins.
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[57:50] Having a sober community is really important, because we need that sense of connection.
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