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82 - Hannah Marks - Founder of WhereHab

Real Recovery Talk

Release Date: 08/29/2019

373 - Starting Off Sober: Taking it Slow and Setting Goals show art 373 - Starting Off Sober: Taking it Slow and Setting Goals

Real Recovery Talk

In this episode, we're talking about the importance of starting slow when you decide to get clean and sober. We'll share why it's crucial not to overwhelm yourself with too much at once. Plus, we'll break down the idea of setting SMART goals—simple, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—and how they can help you in the early stages of sobriety. We'll give practical examples of what these goals might look like, tailored to fit your own situation. Whether you're just thinking about getting sober or you're already on your way, this episode will give you useful tips for setting...

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372 - Patrick's Journey: Addicted in New York to Finding Sobriety in Florida show art 372 - Patrick's Journey: Addicted in New York to Finding Sobriety in Florida

Real Recovery Talk

Get ready for a raw and real ride as we dive into Patrick's gripping tale of addiction and redemption. Hailing from the hustle and bustle of New York City, Patrick's life was a rollercoaster of substance abuse from the get-go. No substance was off-limits as he struggled to cope with the chaos around him. Hoping for a fresh start, Patrick made the leap to Florida, seeking refuge from his demons. But sunny skies couldn't chase away the darkness of addiction. Despite his best efforts, he found himself drowning in the same old cycle. Yet, amidst the struggle, Patrick stumbled upon a lifeline....

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371 - Stages of Change: Navigating the Stages of Addiction and Recovery show art 371 - Stages of Change: Navigating the Stages of Addiction and Recovery

Real Recovery Talk

In this episode, we delve into the complex journey of addiction and recovery, exploring the stages of change individuals may encounter on their path to healing. From the initial recognition of a problem to the maintenance of long-term sobriety, we unravel the intricate web of emotions, challenges, and triumphs that characterize this transformative process. Through personal stories and professional guidance, we aim to shed light on the multifaceted nature of addiction recovery, offering hope, understanding, and practical strategies for those navigating their own path towards recovery or...

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370 - Crushed by 2,000 lb steel plate: Adam's Unstoppable Journey show art 370 - Crushed by 2,000 lb steel plate: Adam's Unstoppable Journey

Real Recovery Talk

If you are struggling with ANYTHING AT ALL please feel free to reach out to us: Buckle up, folks, because today's episode is a rollercoaster ride of resilience and redemption! Meet Adam, the man who survived being crushed by a massive 2000-pound steel plate—and wouldn't change a thing about it. We'll dive into Adam's incredible story of survival, exploring the moment that changed his life forever and the remarkable journey of recovery that followed. From the depths of despair to the heights of triumph, Adam's tale is a testament to the human spirit's indomitable strength. But Adam's journey...

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369 - From North to South: Nate's Journey to Sobriety in Florida show art 369 - From North to South: Nate's Journey to Sobriety in Florida

Real Recovery Talk

Join us in this episode as we dive into the inspiring journey of Nate, a guy who found his way to sobriety without the confines of traditional treatment centers. Nestled in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida, Nate's story is one of resilience, community, and finding light in the darkest of times. Without the need for fancy programs, Nate carved his path to sobriety through the supportive embrace of the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Through shared experiences, laughter, and tears, he found a solid foundation of friends who became his lifeline on this challenging journey. Tune in as Nate...

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368 - Double Birthday Bash: Ben and Tom both TURNING 40! show art 368 - Double Birthday Bash: Ben and Tom both TURNING 40!

Real Recovery Talk

Hey party people! Grab your balloons and confetti because this episode is a double celebration! Join us as we pop champagne and blow out the candles for a special occasion: Ben and Tom both turning the big 4-0 on the exact same day! But this ain't your typical birthday bash. Nope, we're diving deep into the journey of turning 40 and what it means for us, especially considering our shared journey through sobriety. From wild nights to clear mornings, we've seen it all, and now we're ready to share our reflections. We'll reminisce about the good ol' days when a night out meant bar-hopping and...

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367 - Bringing AWARENESS to Male Sexual Trauma show art 367 - Bringing AWARENESS to Male Sexual Trauma

Real Recovery Talk

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Ben as he opens up about his journey through childhood sexual trauma. With raw honesty and vulnerability, Ben shares the painful experiences that once haunted him, and how he discovered the power of helping others by sharing his story. For years, Ben carried the weight of his past in silence, struggling with the scars left by his traumatic experiences. In this candid conversation, he bravely confronts the shadows of his past to find light and healing. Join us as Ben recounts the moment he realized that his story could make a difference in the...

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366 - How setting BOUNDARIES helped this young man get sober! show art 366 - How setting BOUNDARIES helped this young man get sober!

Real Recovery Talk

In this touching episode, we delve into the powerful story of Josh's battle with addiction and his remarkable journey to sobriety. With heartfelt honesty, Josh shares how his mother, Julia, played a pivotal role by setting clear boundaries that ultimately led to his recovery. For years, Josh struggled with the grips of addiction, feeling trapped and lost. Despite his mother's unwavering love, it wasn't until Julia decided to establish firm boundaries that Josh began to see a way out. Join us as Josh opens up about the challenging moments of facing tough love and accountability. Through tears...

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365 - Why SLEEP is so important ESPECIALLY in early recovery show art 365 - Why SLEEP is so important ESPECIALLY in early recovery

Real Recovery Talk

In this episode, we delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of addiction recovery: sleep. Join us as we explore the profound impact of quality rest on the journey towards sobriety. We'll uncover the science behind how addiction disrupts sleep patterns and discuss the challenges individuals face in achieving restorative sleep during recovery. Through this episode with, we'll examine the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. From practical tips for improving sleep hygiene to strategies for managing insomnia and other sleep disorders, this...

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364 - Why Experiential Therapy and Art can HEAL your addiction show art 364 - Why Experiential Therapy and Art can HEAL your addiction

Real Recovery Talk

If you are struggling with ANYTHING AT ALL please feel free to reach out to us:  In this episode of Real Recovery Talk, host Tom Conrad is joined by licensed mental health counselor Brian Wood, known as B Wood, and primary therapist Maya to discuss the transformative impact of experiential therapy in substance abuse and mental health treatment. Through a deep dive into B Wood's journey from Barbados to becoming a pivotal figure in art therapy, the discussion reveals how engaging with the arts and other experiential modalities can facilitate healing beyond traditional talk therapy. By...

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Hannah Marks is someone who Tom has known for seven years, and they have both been sober ever since. Hannah and Tom talk about Hannah’s journey to addiction and sobriety. Her story is a little different, because she started drinking when she was 11 and got sober at 17 years old. Hannah shares how her gateway drug was trauma, and how she started drinking after the death of her father. 

Hannah is also the founder of an advocacy website called Wherehab. This site helps people explore treatment options without a sales pitch. It doesn’t operate on leads. The focus is just to help educate people about treatment options and what would work best for their unique situation. She also has an app launching soon. We talk about trauma, sobriety, treatment, Hannah’s great life, and world travel. 

Show Notes:

  • [03:02] Trauma was Hannah's gateway drug. Her dad died when she was 11, and she started drinking a lot.
  • [03:56] After getting sober, Hannah still had a lot of mental obstacles to overcome. She had to really dig deep and do a lot of therapy. 
  • [04:27] She wasn't talk the coping skills to deal with what she was dealing with, and she didn't have a strong sense of self.
  • [05:04] After getting sober, she realized that she had more things to deal with. She learned that trauma could be from not trusting herself and having an identity. 
  • [06:18] Trauma is different for everyone.
  • [08:46] After her dad's death, it took Hannah five or six years to get her feelings back. She didn't know how to feel feelings like sadness, so she would do whatever it would take to distract herself like eat.
  • [10:11] If she wasn't getting high, she felt like she would die. Drugs and alcohol are a symptom to deal with thoughts and feelings.
  • [11:41] Hannah was 17 when she got sober. She started going to meetings and was involved with positive people. 
  • [13:58] After high school, Hannah's sister invited her to stay in Gainesville. She ended up at an AA meeting by chance after giving someone a ride. 
  • [16:50] A sense of community is so important. 
  • [18:32] Getting sober is kind of like facing the fear of death. You either have to have the community or hit rock bottom. 
  • [20:29] Wherehab is resource where you can learn about quality treatment providers without being sold leads. They have a blog, and you can learn about different treatment modalities. 
  • [22:05] Hannah has toured over 500 rehab centers.
  • [23:03] There isn't a one type fit all treatment. Different plans will work for different people depending on where they are at. The way you learn recovery will be unique to you.
  • [25:35] Hannah makes her own work schedule and goes on awesome trips around the world. She has the perfect sober life. She is also more selective about who she lets in her life. She is also going to Asia for a month.
  • [26:59] She has been to Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Canada, England, Italy, France, Japan, India,  Burma, Thailand, Germany, Austria, Hungary, or 13% of the world.
  • [27:33] She also just did a soft version of a meeting finder app. It has many functions like finding a community, mentors, and setting goals. It's called SYN or Sober Young Network. 

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