Libsyn Directory

31. From Substance Abuse To Social Work with Daniel Hearn

Release Date: 08/03/2021

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...

187. How Somatic Stillness Can Heal the Mind with Will Johnson

Warriors Unmasked

In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes author, teacher, and embodiment pioneer Will Johnson—founder of the Institute for Embodiment Training and author of Breathing Through the Whole Body. Will shares his groundbreaking approach to meditation, one that breaks from rigid posture and invites the full sensation of the body and breath into the practice of stillness. Together, Chuck and Will explore how awakening to the body can help quiet the mind, heal anxiety, and bring us into greater alignment with our truest selves. Will explains the importance of...

186. Adrenaline Dominance: The Root Cause of So Many Health Issues with Dr. Michael Platt

Warriors Unmasked

In this jaw-dropping episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with internationally known wellness physician Dr. Michael Platt, author of Adrenaline Dominance. What starts as a conversation about adrenaline quickly becomes a transformative discussion that challenges everything we’ve been told about modern medicine, mental health, and the real causes behind conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even weight gain. Dr. Platt explains how adrenaline dominance is an often-ignored root cause behind many chronic health and emotional issues—and how simple, natural...

More Episodes

DISCLAIMER: During this story, Daniel shares facts and descriptions of personal events involving illegal drug use. Warriors Unmasked or any affiliated partners do not condone any sort of illegal drug use, creation or selling. If this episode is triggering in any way please check out past episodes and come back when you are ready!

Welcome back to Warriors Unmasked! Today’s story is one of humbling honesty and inspiring perseverance.

We have the honor of talking with recovering addict, occupational health and safety professional, and creator of Hard Knox Talks, Daniel Hearn. In today’s episode you’ll hear Daniel’s story of his substance abuse starting at the young age of thirteen, how it morphed into hard drug abuse, and the moment Daniel rededicated his life to help others through their own struggle.

Listen in as we discuss the escape drugs provided for Daniel and how that slippery slope caused him to move from a functioning addict to losing everything that was dear to him. Listen in as Daniel talks about the moment he stopped abusing substances for good, how he was able to regain custody of his son, and his new mission of carrying a message of experience, strength, and hope to those who need support to start their own recovery journey.

This episode is filled with empowering hope, and if you feel that you need even just a little bit of that, we encourage you to hit play and experience this amazing journey of recovery.

And remember you are not alone, and you can do this.

To learn more about Daniel and Hard Knox Talks, check out the links below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What’s Inside:

Using alcohol and drugs to fit in
Being a functional addict
The cliff of crystal meth
The moment things started falling apart for Daniel
Trusting your gut feeling
Being held hostage in your own home
The last time Daniel used a mind altering substance
How Daniel’s mother helped with his recovery
Life as a sober single dad
The opportunity of getting an education
And Much More!

GUEST LINKS:

Youtube: Hard Knox Talks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hard-knox-talks
Facebook: Hard Knox Talks
Website: www.hardknoxapparel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardknoxtalks/
TikTok: Daniel Unmanageable (@hardknoxtalks) TikTok | Watch Daniel Unmanageable's Newest TikTok Videos

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

1:57 - How Daniel started his substance abuse
6:21 - Gaining approval from outside sources
9:34 - Moving to hard drugs
12:26 - Recovery and relapse
17:51 - Daniel’s divine intervention
23:32 - After social workers picked up his child
29:01 - How Daniel uses his story to help others
33:27 - Regaining custody of his son
38:09 - Going back to school
41:11 - Where to connect with Daniel
43:32 - Daniel’s closing advice

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