Libsyn Directory

22. You Are Enough: Overcoming Your Struggle Through Keeping It Simple with Thea Daniels

Release Date: 06/01/2021

How Vulnerability Became His Superpower — David Shamszad’s Story

Warriors Unmasked

In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with entrepreneur and author David Shamszad, who opens up about his decade-long battle with untreated bipolar disorder and addiction, and how he rebuilt his life through treatment, community, and self-belief. From facing the darkest moments of mental illness to founding an 8-figure real estate company, David shares the real, raw, and redemptive story of what recovery can look like. You’ll hear how vulnerability became his greatest strength, why he wrote his memoir I Am Someone You Know, and what he wants others facing...

Living On Purpose — Shaun Murphy on Faith, Fatherhood & Finding Strength in the Storm

Warriors Unmasked

In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck sits down with Shaun Murphy, a father, entrepreneur, and man of deep faith, for an open conversation about grief, identity, and rediscovering purpose. After the unexpected loss of his father, Shaun found himself questioning everything—his path, his business, and even his faith. Through that pain, he discovered the power of presence, the importance of slowing down, and a deeper connection to his calling. If you’ve ever faced loss or felt called to pivot into a more intentional life, this conversation will remind you that growth doesn’t...

195. From Rock Bottom to “Make It Great”: Ian Fee’s Journey of Sobriety, Self-Worth, and Second Chances

Warriors Unmasked

What happens when you’ve burned every bridge, lost your family, and can barely look at yourself in the mirror… but you still wake up knowing there has to be more? In this honest and powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Ian—author of Wild Ride to Sobriety and founder of Make It Great—to explore what it truly takes to go from self-destruction to self-respect. Ian opens up about his early start with alcohol, the choices that cost him everything, and the moment he decided he was done being the villain in his own life story. With unflinching vulnerability, Ian...

194. Breaking the Cycle: Dustin Dunbar on Healing Addiction, Generational Trauma, and Choosing a New Legacy

Warriors Unmasked

What do you do when the very thing you swore you’d never become… becomes your reality? In this gripping and deeply honest episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes psychologist, coach, and former TV personality Dustin Dunbar for a raw conversation about the grip of generational addiction, the illusions of control, and the power of finally choosing freedom. Dustin shares his childhood story growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father and grandfather—and how he set out on a mission to never repeat their mistakes. For years, he seemed to succeed. With a doctorate in psychology, a...

193. Finding Faith on the Side Road: Link Forester on Fatherhood, Loss, and Loving What Matters Most

Warriors Unmasked

What if the unexpected turns in life weren’t detours—but the actual path to everything that matters? In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with financial advisor, husband, father, and author Link Forester to talk about the moments that redefined his life. From becoming a father while still in college, to taking a leap of faith and leaving a stable career, to enduring every parent’s worst nightmare—the loss of a child—Link’s story is one of resilience grounded in faith, family, and a healthy dose of humor. Link shares how he and his wife Carla...

192. From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Lisa Nezneski’s Path to Healing, Resilience, and Mindful Living

Warriors Unmasked

What happens when your entire life crumbles in a matter of months? When the people you trust betray you, your health gives way, and you're left staring into a future you never expected? For Dr. Lisa Nezneski, that wasn’t a hypothetical—it was her reality. In this powerful episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Lisa—pharmacist, poet, mindfulness teacher, and shamanic healer—to explore her extraordinary journey from heartbreak and upheaval to deep healing and transformation. Lisa opens up about the moment she learned her wages were being garnished, how that shock...

191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner

Warriors Unmasked

In this deeply educational and heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Lisa Skinner — a behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With decades of experience as a community counselor, senior care director, and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s: Its Secret Faces, Lisa brings powerful insight to one of the most complex and misunderstood diseases of our time. As someone who has helped thousands of families — and cared for eight of her own family members with dementia — Lisa offers compassionate, practical advice...

190. The Power of Intention and Human Performance with Dr. Toper Taylor

Warriors Unmasked

In this thought-provoking episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Dr. Toper Taylor—a seasoned executive, media innovator, and now, intention researcher—on a mission to explore the scientific potential of human thought. With a career rooted in global brand building and entertainment leadership, Dr. Taylor now turns his curiosity toward how our minds shape reality and how intention can impact human performance, mental health, and our overall experience of life. Chuck and Dr. Taylor dive deep into what intention truly is—beyond casual goals—and how it exists as energy that can...

189. Healing from Infidelity: A Conversation with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem

Warriors Unmasked

In this heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem—founder of The Infidelity Counseling Center and creator of Systematic Affair Recovery Therapy (SART™)—to explore why infidelity happens, how it impacts both partners, and practical steps couples can take to heal and prevent future betrayal. Through candid anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Dr. Alsaleem walks listeners through the emotional aftermath of an affair, emphasizing the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and structured therapy. He delves into the nuances of rebuilding trust,...

188. Why Coaches Need Mental Health Support Too with Carly Baker

Warriors Unmasked

In this important and timely episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Carly Baker, head coach of the Women's Rugby program at Endicott College and Assistant Director of the Graduate Sport Leadership Program. Carly brings a powerful and honest voice to a topic that often goes overlooked—the mental health and wellbeing of coaches. As a former multi-sport athlete turned professor and coach, Carly shares a unique, dual perspective. She opens up about the pressure to win, the relentless expectations placed on coaches, and the emotional toll it can take behind the scenes—even in...

More Episodes

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Have you ever had a day where you just don’t feel OK? You push through and plaster a fake smile on, if this is you lately then we encourage you to listen to this episode because we are firm in the belief that it is okay, to not be okay.

Our guest today is the definition of courage, perseverance, and battling mental illness. Thea Daniels is a leadership coach, recovering alcoholic, mother of two, and a self-employed “hair-apist.” You’ll hear how Thea works with the belief that happiness and fulfillment fuel how we live, and that recovery is more than just dealing with it and dying.

Listen in as she tells her story beginning at the age of 12 with alcohol and self-harm, and how by 20 years old she was enlisted and working through alcoholics anonymous. Thea talks about the dangers of self-medicating as well as being aware of where you are in your journey and how she took the steps to start her own recovery. You’ll learn some practical tips like changing your perspective, remembering to slow down, and even her P.A.C.T. process that can help you stop and reevaluate.

This episode is full of understanding what ignites YOU and how you can achieve your dreams by asking powerful questions, really listening to your own answers and allowing yourself to make proactive instead of reactive decisions. Thea talks about taking the complexity out of your journey and finding the answers within yourself to live simply and get through the times when you are not OK.

We hope this episode encourages you, and that you know that you are not alone and you are worth it. To connect with Thea or follow her on social media check out the links below!

Always In Your Corner,

Chuck and Clint

More of What We Talk About:

Why alcoholism was prevalent in Thea’s life
Dealing with the issue of self-medicating
Identifying the issues that cause self-harm
Allowing yourself to feel anger
Unlearning the unhelpful thought processes that stop us
The moment when Thea knew that she needed to change
Filling the hole with things that grow you
Understanding the journey of recovery
Finding a new outlook on life
Taking a huge dream one step at a time
Tips to help you reach your next goal
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Email: [email protected]
Website: http://theadaniels.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheaDanielsDesign
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thea-daniels-a6283123/

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 Welcome Thea!
1:21 American Hat Company Ad
2:05 Get to know Thea
7:45 How Thea started self-medicating
12:02 Why Thea started to self-harm
18:20 When Thea decided to get sober
27:44 The steps Thea took to get where she is today
34:26 When Thea lost her Mother to cancer
36:48 The importance of loving your life
40:59 Keep it simply
43:49 How to connect with Thea
42:20 Life happens
47:03 Thea advice and inspiration

TOPICS