Martha McSally: No One’s Coming To Save You, Take Back Your Power & Find Purpose
I Love Being Sober
Deep personal healing requires facing the self with as much courage as one faces the world. Former US Senator and trailblazing military leader , the first American female fighter pilot and the first to command a US Fighter Squadron, shares her raw, intimate story of navigating profound loss, emotional volatility, and a painful cycle of abuse that began after the death of her father and childhood dog. She discusses the critical shift from seeking external saviors to taking radical responsibility for her own recovery, a journey that involved disconnecting from a victim frequency and pursuing a...
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Healing The Brain Through TMS
I Love Being Sober
You must know the right type of depression that a person is going through to provide them with appropriate treatments – but not with TMS. Tim Westbrook, MS sits down with , who breaks down how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works even without knowing someone’s exact medication or diagnosis. He explains how TMS rebalances neurotransmitters without limitations of traditional pharmacologic approaches to help patients freely feel their emotions. Dr. Robbie also discusses how TMS differs from ketamine-assisted therapies and what must be done to make this treatment method more accessible to...
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Ketamine Therapy: The Door That Brought Me Back To Life
I Love Being Sober
Ketamine therapy has become a turning point for many who once believed change was impossible—and for , it opened the door that changed everything. After years of addiction, trauma, and self-destruction following a devastating military accident, Chad found healing and clarity through his recovery journey and the transformative effects of ketamine therapy. He shares how this experience helped him break lifelong patterns, rediscover purpose, and channel his renewed strength into , a movement that uses apparel to start conversations about mental health, addiction, and healing. His story is a raw...
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Removing Everything That Isn’t You: A Journey Back To Yourself
I Love Being Sober
Embracing your most authentic version is not about adding things to yourself, but instead removing everything that is not you. Through healing and mindfulness, unleashing the real you is possible. Joining Tim Westbrook, MS is composer and musician , who guides people on cultivating awareness, emotional balance, and peace through the power of breath and presence. He shares his work at Zen Wellness, where he teaches how breathwork and meditation can quiet the mind, reconnect the body, and open the heart. Jason also presents how he uses his musical skills to elevate meditation practices to...
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Turning Tragedy Into Purpose Through Collegiate Recovery
I Love Being Sober
Collegiate recovery is more than a program—it’s a lifeline for students trying to rebuild their lives while pursuing their education. ’s story is one of transformation, gratitude, and service. After a near-fatal drunk driving accident became her turning point, she committed to sobriety and to helping others do the same. Today, as Associate Director for Student Conduct and Recovery at , Angela leads a powerful Collegiate Recovery Program that’s changing how universities support students in sobriety. In this conversation with host Tim Westbrook, she opens up about her personal journey,...
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From Rock Bottom To Quota Crusher: Sobriety, Sales, Survival
I Love Being Sober
Sobriety does not only free you from your addictions – it can also level up your entrepreneurship approach. Tim Westbrook is joined by , a powerhouse business strategist and global speaker in long-term recovery. She explains how her recovery journey plays a huge role in building her purpose-driven brand and maintaining her integrity despite the many challenges along the way. Narelle also reflects on her humble beginnings and the traumatic experiences she went through that intensified her compassion, shaped her resilient mindset, and transformed her into a heart-led entrepreneur.
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How To Achieve Healing At All Levels
I Love Being Sober
Healing is more than just treating your wounds or feeling better. By going beyond surface-level fixes, you also address your biggest internal suffering. Joining Tim Westbrook in this insightful conversation is practitioner, speaker, and founder of Wesley Kress. He dispels the myth of the “inaccurate body” and the right way to deal with unresolved trauma, the most overlooked factor in every disease. Wes also emphasizes the importance of never shying away from difficult conversations, the positive benefits of meditation, and why self-love should always be one of your top priorities. If you...
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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...
info_outlineI’m honored to have Dr. Richard Bermudez, the National Medical Director at Brainsway, joining us. Dr. Bermudez is a pioneer in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a groundbreaking treatment for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. With years of expertise in neuroscience and psychiatry, he has made it his mission to expand the accessibility and efficacy of innovative mental health therapies. Today, he’ll share his journey from electrical engineering to medicine and how it shaped his passion for non-invasive brain stimulation treatments.
We dive into the science behind TMS and how it differs from traditional mental health treatments like medication and talk therapy. Dr. Bermudez explains the evolution of TMS technology, including its ability to stimulate specific brain networks through advanced coil designs. We’ll also discuss the transformative outcomes TMS provides for patients, as well as its potential for treating conditions beyond depression, from obsessive-compulsive disorder to nicotine dependence. Whether you're a clinician, a mental health advocate, or simply curious about this cutting-edge therapy, this discussion promises to be both educational and inspiring.
As we explore TMS, Dr. Bermudez highlights its safety, versatility, and unique role in fostering neuroplasticity. He compares TMS with other emerging treatments like ketamine therapy and discusses the collaborative innovations underway at Brainsway. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, neuroscience, or the future of non-invasive treatments.
- [03:32] We've had great success with TMS at Camelback Integrated Health and Wellness.
- [04:14] Dr. Bermudes started out as an engineer and ended up switching to biology in college.
- [05:38] He worked in a physiology lab doing neurophysiology research and brain stimulation. He learned that the brain was an electrochemical organ.
- [06:22] He ended up going into medicine and psychiatry. He became clinically interested in non-invasive brain stimulation.
- [08:44] Brainsway is like a family with a very collaborative culture. They want to transition into a true neuroscience technology company.
- [10:03] It's an exciting time for the organization and for neuroscience.
- [13:23] How TMS differs from traditional medications or therapies. Transcranial means it's across the skull but it's not invasive. They use a high-powered magnet to induce a small electrical current.
- [15:40] Brainsway developed their technology in conjunction with the NIH and their coils are what are called complex coils.
- [16:47] 8 out of 10 patients have had a clinically significant change in their depression score.
- [19:07] There are three brain networks responsible for our mental health and Brainsway has three different helmets and coils. Each one modulates a different network.
- [21:47] TMS is safe and good for all of our brains. It induces neuroplasticity.
- [23:22] Deep TMS and standard TMS. Deep TMS stimulates more areas of the networks.
- [26:54] Functional MRIs and studies related to TMS.
- [28:33] Neurological changes that TMS produces in the brain. TMS belongs with the other pillars of substance abuse treatments.
- [30:01] We learn about conditions that TMS is cleared to treat.
- [39:58] There are different targets or areas of the brain that need to be modulated to affect different brain networks. There's not a lot of evidence that TMS would work for bipolar mania or autism or ADHD.
- [43:22] We learn about the typical TMS protocol and how long it takes to start to see results.
- [51:20] Dr. Bermudes talks about accelerated protocols and the use of TMS and ketamine.
- [55:00] Avoiding toxic conversations and watching the news. You don't want negative experiences on your plastic brain. The patient experience is important and it's good to have a calm, safe, welcoming environment.
- [57:17] TMS and psychedelics like ketamine. They both have glutamate which is our excitatory neurotransmitter.
- [59:06] Things to think about when deciding between TMS or ketamine.
- [01:03:22] Safety profiles of TMS versus ketamine. Safety concerns for TMS include not having any metal in your head and likelihood of having seizures.
- [01:12:00] Misconceptions about TMS.
- [01:14:11] Accessibility and insurance cost for TMS.
- [01:20:34] A device based treatment that doesn't require a doctor or a psychiatrist will help address the shortage of psychiatric prescribers.
- [01:21:53] It's surprising how many research articles about TMS are available now.
Links mentioned in this episode: