Comeback Stories

Latest Episodes:

Owning Your Worth Dec 28, 2023

Darren and Donny explore self-abandonment's impact on our lives and relationships, discussing familiar behaviors like people-pleasing and conflict avoidance. They share personal stories, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our self-worth and taking charge of our lives.

Offering practical tips for self-care and breaking free from societal conditioning, the hosts conclude with a powerful reminder: by valuing ourselves, we can authentically pour love into others. Join this empowering conversation to start a journey toward self-love and fulfillment.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Presence over Presents Dec 21, 2023

In this episode, Darren and Donny spotlight the essence of the holiday season: prioritizing presence over presents. They advocate for cherishing moments with loved ones, emphasizing human connections over material possessions. Encouraging listeners to set boundaries and be fully engaged in relationships, the conversation urges a shift towards meaningful experiences. They delve into self-love, authenticity, and reevaluating life's pursuits, inspiring a reflective and uplifting perspective on the holiday season and beyond.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond The Snap Dec 14, 2023

Join Darren and Donny as they sit down with Graham Mertz, the University of Florida's quarterback, in an episode filled with inspiration and resilience. Discover Graham's journey from a football-loving youngster to overcoming self-doubt and finding faith. He emphasizes the joy of serving others and the importance of leaving a meaningful legacy. Tune in as Graham shares his wisdom on goal-setting, fulfillment, and how his love for golf aligns with life and football.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Unlocking Purposeful Living Dec 07, 2023

Join us for a profound exploration of self-discovery and empowerment with BC Serna on the newest episode of Comeback Stories Podcast. Darren and Donny engage in an stirring conversation with BC, uncovering the adversities he faced in his early years, his relentless pursuit of belonging, and the pivotal moments that fueled his unwavering journey towards leadership. BC's introspective journey from a nomadic lifestyle to embracing fatherhood resonates deeply, echoing profound gratitude for the chance to inspire and nurture connections. It serves as a testament to the innate potential within us all to unearth purpose and cultivate impactful relationships. This episode is a catalyst for emotional reflection and resilience, urging you to craft your own triumphant comeback story.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Empowering Your Recovery Journey Nov 30, 2023

Get ready to embark on an inspiring journey with our special guest, Hilary Phelps, on the Comeback Stories Podcast. Hilary, a respected advocate for addiction recovery, warmly invites us into her world filled with both triumphs and challenges, offering invaluable insights into discovering purpose and embracing genuine authenticity.

Hilary's remarkable journey as a distinguished speaker, addiction recovery advocate, writer, and devoted holistic wellness coach empowering women, unfolds across 16 years of unwavering sobriety, marked by the pivotal moment when she bravely broke her silence.

This heartfelt conversation serves as a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of addiction, seeking to lead lives fueled by authenticity and passion, or striving to find the strength to rise above harsh criticism and emerge empowered. Join us as Hilary generously shares practical strategies and heartfelt wisdom, delving into the importance of setting boundaries, nurturing one's inner voice, and embracing the transformative power of community support.

Don't miss this transformative episode, a source of hope, resilience, and profound wisdom—a perfect addition to uplift your spirits during this holiday season.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Cultivating Hope Through Gratitude Nov 23, 2023

Join us on the Comeback Stories Podcast for an episode filled with gratitude, self-discovery, and purpose. Darren Waller and Donnie Starkins offer their perspectives on adopting gratitude as a guiding force when confronted with criticism and challenges. Learn how gratitude can redefine any moment and become a constant presence in your daily life.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Transforming Pain into Purpose Nov 16, 2023

Step into the raw and unfiltered world of William "King" Hollis with hosts Darren Waller and Donnie Starkins. From the depths of despair to the heights of impact, Hollis bares his soul, recounting his journey from the darkest corners of addiction to the pinnacle of motivational speaking. This episode is a powerful reminder that, no matter how dark the past, the human spirit has the capacity to rise above adversity and leave an indelible mark on the world.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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An Unbreakable Mindset Nov 09, 2023

Lolo Jones' unwavering determination and resilience are front and center in this episode. Join co-hosts Darren Waller and Donnie Starkins as they explore Lolo's incredible journey, offering invaluable insights into finding strength in the face of challenges and setbacks. Discover how she overcame adversity and rose to greatness, and let her journey inspire you to tackle life's challenges head-on. Tune in for a dynamic and empowering discussion that promises to ignite your determination and leave you inspired to pursue your own aspirations. This episode of Comeback Stories promises to be a game-changer in your journey to personal growth.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Balancing Act Nov 02, 2023

Tune in to hear the raw, authentic, and powerful testimony of Sylvester McNutt III, a man who faced adversity head-on and emerged stronger than ever. Hosts Darren Waller and Donnie Starkins delve into insightful dialogue on self-awareness and the art of loving properly. Discover the keys to authentic living as Sylvester shares his career-defining journey, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and navigating life with patience. Learn how Sylvester's experience as a father, author, and public speaker has taught him to lead with love and balance as they discuss how duality has played a crucial role in his personal growth.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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I Want to Live Oct 26, 2023

Embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation as former Major Leaguer turned Mental Health Advocate, Drew Robinson, who makes a triumphant return to the #ComebackStoriesPodcast. In this riveting episode, Drew shares his powerful story of overcoming tragedy and finding hope amidst the darkest moments of his life. Hosts Darren Waller and Donny Starkins lead with heart and purpose, creating a safe space for Drew to unleash a storm of raw emotion and vulnerability.

As a seasoned captain in the world of mental health and advocacy, Drew reflects on his career-defining year, from his near-death experience to his inspiring comeback. Through vivid storytelling, he delves deep into the lessons he has learned, the tools and practices that have helped him heal, and the importance of acknowledging mental health struggles without shame or guilt. This captivating conversation is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection.

Don't miss this episode of #ComebackStoriesPodcast. Subscribe to the Inflection Network YouTube channel, and follow us on iHeart, Instagram, and X for more inspiring content, stories of transformation, and heartfelt conversations.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Love Unbroken Oct 19, 2023

Darren Waller and Donny Starkins invite you to join them on an incredible journey of love, resilience, and redemption in the upcoming episode, "Love Unbroken." Cybill Fox and Rob Richardson share their deeply personal story of enduring 21 years of incarceration while keeping their love and commitment alive. Beginning as high school sweethearts and enduring a tough separation through incarceration, their account highlights their enduring love and indomitable resilience. Their story embodies hope, illustrating that determination and unity can conquer the most formidable adversities. Prepare to be moved and inspired by their transformative journey as they lead with heart and purpose, defying all odds to emerge stronger together.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Unconditional Love and Second Chances Oct 11, 2023

Get ready for a captivating exploration of self-discovery and transformation in this episode of Comeback Stories. Join your hosts, Darren Waller and Donny Starkins, along with their special guest, Zach Skow, as they uncover the incredible story of Zach's redemption, a journey profoundly shaped by the life-altering power of rescue dogs. As the co-founder of Marley's Mutts, Zach's personal experience with addiction inspired the creation of a transformative organization connecting dogs and incarcerated individuals.

During their discussion, Darren and Zach emphasize the search for purpose in life, spotlighting how Zach's devotion to rescue dogs has grown into his life's core mission. They take a deep dive into the transformative potential of dog rehabilitation and its profoundly positive impact on the dogs and the individuals participating in the program.

Take advantage of this inspiring conversation filled with raw emotion and heartfelt moments. Tune in to learn how Zach's story of redemption and the love of rescue dogs have become a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Protecting Your Joy Oct 05, 2023

Step into a world of personal growth and unwavering faith as hosts Darren and Donny welcome Deborah Joy Winans. In this episode, Deborah brings her extraordinary journey to life, imparting the wisdom she gained from turning 40, surmounting life's hurdles, and uncovering the transformative force of self-love. Deborah's remarkable strength shines as she candidly discusses her personal battle to conquer a challenging pregnancy. Join us for an episode of 'Comeback Stories' that promises to enrich your soul and renew your sense of self-love and faith. Deborah Joy Winans' heartfelt words will remind you that, regardless of life's challenges, you are indeed on the right path and cherished unconditionally.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Leading with Purpose Sep 28, 2023

In this thought-provoking episode, we embark on a journey into the heart of leadership. Join Darren and Donny as they share their incredible stories of self-discovery and transformation. Learn how their past mistakes and moments of selfishness have become the very building blocks of their inspiring journeys as purpose-driven leaders. This conversation is a testament to the remarkable transformation that is possible when we lead with heart and purpose.

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN #InflectionNetwork

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Finding Courage Sep 21, 2023

Co-founder of Sacred Sons Aubert Bastiat doesn't hold back when catching up with Darren and Donny. Aubert courageously revisits the night he nearly ended his life but instead started a relationship with God. He also grieves his sister, who died by suicide, and outlines how he transformed his pain into guiding others toward peace.

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN

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Release and Rekindle Sep 14, 2023

In this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren and Donny reunite with Trent Shelton, the former NFL player who reshaped his life as a motivational speaker. Join them as they revisit Trent's upbringing in New Orleans and the transformative moments that defined his journey. Delve into 'the dark work' as Trent and Darren share their personal battles with instant gratification and self-numbing. Trent's poignant reflections on coping with the loss of his mother provide profound insights into the 'art of fulfillment.' Don't miss this empowering episode that encourages you to release your potential and rekindle your passion for life.

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN

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Anchoring the Present Sep 07, 2023

Join Darren and Donny for an insightful discussion on the art of being present. In this episode, they explore the significance of using physical reminders to stay grounded in the moment, including Donny's tattoo and Darren's jersey number change. Listen as they share personal anecdotes, drawing parallels between their experiences and their strategies for managing stress and impulsive behaviors. Gain valuable insights from Darren's perspective as the "new kid" with the New York Giants and Donny's candid journey to overcome mindless eating and endless scrolling.

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN

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Straight from the Source Aug 31, 2023

ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter calls the show while driving to the airport — a perfect glimpse into a day in the life of America's foremost football news-breaker. He takes Darren and Donny back to the beginning, explaining how he stumbled into his renowned journalism career by accident after a series of rejections. Darren is curious about how Schefter deals with pressure, and Donny gives Adam the space to honor Joe Maio, his wife's former husband who tragically died on 9/11 and is the subject of his The Man I Never Met memoir. Before jetting off (literally), Adam defines what "comeback" means to him.

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#ComebackStoriesPodcast #AllIN

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Detaching from the Outcome Aug 24, 2023

New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau reunites with Darren after they both left the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason. Foster admits why he hasn't come on the podcast before now and how his perspective has shifted. When Foster began exploring free agency, he was focused on the frustrating tight end market, but that all changed when his visit to the Saints uncovered a rare form of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Foster walks Darren and Donny through every painful and revelatory detail, and Darren recalls the moment Foster told him about his diagnosis. Donny and Foster also give Darren his flowers for being such a steadying presence in their lives. Now in remission, Foster looks ahead and unpacks his complicated emotions around suiting up for his hometown team.

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Plant or Pivot Aug 17, 2023

Uncover the untold story of rapper Armani White’s journey from West Philly to the center stage as he shatters misconceptions of instant success with his hit “Billie Eilish.” Join hosts Darren and Donny as they delve into Armani's resilience in the face of adversity - overcoming house fires, relentless house fires, relentless gun violence, his father's battle with cancer, and discovering how Armani, through vulnerability, learned to embrace bravery, celebrating small victories while embracing the uncertain future. Discover how music and fitness served as therapeutic outlets for Darren and Armani, and watch as Donny reveals Darren’s rap talents.

0:00 - In West Philadelphia Born and Raised

9:48 - The Seed of Inspiration

24:23 - Planting Your Feet

41:20 - Get Out of Your Own Way

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Been Here For Years Aug 10, 2023

Co-Founder of Inflection Point Entertainment and esteemed sports journalist Michael Smith takes Darren and Donny on a deeply personal journey, sharing stories from his days as a church kid in New Orleans to becoming a trailblazing sports host and analyst. Michael reveals how he overcame professional obstacles, navigated change, and ultimately found empowerment in launching a production company and The Inflection Network. Michael’s “comeback” story is one of passion, persistence, and proper perspective.

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Back Like We Never Left Aug 03, 2023

Comeback Stories hosted by New York Giants tight end Darren Waller and mental health and mindfulness coach Donny Starkins is back! And we’re proud to announce we’re part of Michael Smith’s Inflection Point Entertainment's new podcast network family!

On this episode entitled, “Back Like We Never Left,” Darren and Donny come back together after a summer full of change. After a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Giants, Darren shares how he's adapting to his new surroundings while maintaining his recovery and healthy habits. Donny also gives an update on evolutions in his life.

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Introducing: Comeback Stories Jul 27, 2023

“Comeback Stories,” hosted by New York Giants tight end Darren Waller and mental health and mindfulness coach Donny Starkins, joins Michael Smith’s Inflection Point Entertainment's new podcast network with the debut of a new third season.

The show will continue to spotlight real-life tales of resiliency including insight into the hosts’ ongoing recovery journeys and interviews with guests whose stories illustrate a broad spectrum of “comeback” stories.

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Steven Pressfield's Comeback Story Part 2 Apr 27, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined virtually by Steven Pressfield, an American author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays, for a part 2!

Steven is filled with so much knowledge and continues to share all that he has learned in this journey called life. In this episode Darren, Donny, and Steven talk about how desperation saved them, making the most out of the time you have here on earth, getting uncomfortable, being selfless, and so much more!

Follow Steven Here:

https://twitter.com/SPressfield

Have a question or topic for our next show? Text or leave us a VM at 480-701-8844

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DARREN WALLER

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DONNY STARKINS

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Steven Pressfield's Comeback Story Apr 20, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Steven Pressfield, an American author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays, including his 1995 novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, and 2002 non-fiction book, The War of Art. The War of Art has sold over a million copies globally and has been translated into multiple languages.

He joins Comeback Stories to share the process of becoming an author and the lessons he's learned along the way. Steven wrote for 27 years before he got his first novel published, he was 55. During those previous years, he worked 21 different jobs in 11 different states. Steven also goes into great depth about how resistance has been his greatest motivation.

Today Steven has written over 20 books, some of which are best-sellers, some that have been turned into movies, and many that have changed the lives of those who read them.

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Emmanuel Acho's Comeback Story Apr 13, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker turned analyst for Fox Sports 1. Emmanuel shares how his story as a Nigerian-American shaped his childhood and his father's continuous impact as an adult.

He then explains how he was able to partner with Oprah on his book, “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” as well as work with a mystery caller who pushed him to find his purpose as a communicator and fine-tune his revelations to those who will listen.

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Austin Ekeler's Comeback Story Apr 06, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined virtually by Austin Ekeler, a top running back in the NFL. In the last two seasons, Austin has led all running backs and wide receivers in touchdowns and has become the most valuable player in the fantasy football community.

He joins Comeback Stories to share a little about his childhood and how growing up in his household helped him develop mental toughness at an early age. Austin credits how gaining that mental toughness early on as why he is as successful as he is today. He also walks us through his underdog story and how growing up his size he was constantly overlooked and doubted.

Austin has a relentless work ethic in the gym and is passionate about prioritizing his mental health and physical fitness. He shares his take on the importance of working hard and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in order to achieve the goals you set out for yourself.

Austin also has a heart for helping others and started the Austin Ekeler Foundation with the mission to help create opportunities for people to fulfill their passions and ultimately their lives. He is now heading into his 7th season in the NFL and is excited to see where he is going to end up next.

Whatever locker room gets him is a lucky one!

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CC Sabathia's Comeback Story Mar 30, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined virtually by CC Sabathia, a former MLB pitcher, six-time All-star, Cy Young Award Winner, and 2009 World Series Champion. CC talks about how his childhood and being so young in such a big game led him to become an alcoholic. CC details his battles with losing his father, depression, alcohol dependency, and lack of identity during what should've been the peak of his career.

He then describes what led him to the point where he was fed up and offers his experiences and perspectives for anyone currently trapped in a similar situation. He provides hope that there is another side to this thing!

CC has now been sober for seven years and is co-hosting a podcast called “R2C2,” he is passionate about helping inner-city kids through his foundation and works to stop the stigma around mental health and alcohol dependency.

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David Nurse's Comeback Story Mar 23, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny welcome David Nurse, a 2x best-selling author, and speaker. David is known for his expertise in player development and mental toughness, with his motivational coaching business, he has helped thousands of employees and athletes develop unshakeable mindsets.

David breaks down how he bounced back after being cut from his semi-pro team, and the impact his family had on him. He then describes how to leave the fear of other people's opinions off the court

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Napheesa Collier's Comeback Story Mar 16, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny welcome Napheesa Collier, 2x WNBA All-Star & 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Napheesa talks about the competitive drive instilled in her at a young age, and how her determination took her to UCONN where she sharpened her skills against the best of the best. She details the mindset of being "too black for the white people, and too white for the black people", and how that can lead mixed-race children to become people pleasers.

Napheesa explains the challenges female athletes face on the road to motherhood, and how the blessings of a child outweighs any potential negative effects on a career. She then describes how she finds the time to take care of herself mentally, while keeping a tight schedule for her daughter.

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Branden Collinsworth's Comeback Story Mar 09, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny welcome Branden Collinsworth, Nike Master Trainer, yoga instructor, human performance coach & compassionate humanitarian. Branden explains his journey "from the streets to the sky" drawing on life lessons learned while growing up in the projects on the East Side of Las Vegas. Brandon talks about becoming an addict at a young age, dropping out of high school and how immersing himself in literature turned his life around.

Branden dives deep into his evolving yoga practice and how you should strive to separate the physical benefits from the mental. He reinforces how yoga can help you find your true self if you show up with intention, compassion and a purpose of inching toward enlightenment.

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Zac Clark's Comeback Story Pt.2 Mar 02, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny catch up once again with Zac Clark, star of ABC's The Bachelorette & founder of Release Recovery. Zac begins by explaining how a new year can be an opportunity to reset priorities and center yourself around areas of growth. He talks about the full spectrum of relationships, and applying principles of close connections to even people seeking autographs or selfies with him.

Zac talks about being real and opening up on The Bachelorette, and how he became well conditioned to break himself down after therapy. He then describes the art of "The Comeback" and how we all make mistakes, but the beauty lies within the opportunities we have to embrace those mistakes and bounce back better.

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Eben Britton's Comeback Story Feb 23, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Eben Britton, a former NFL offensive lineman, health advocate, cannabis activist & host of The Eben Flow podcast. Eben describes growing up as a child of divorce, and how pressure quickly mounted to be the "alpha" of the household at a young age. Eben explains how he then found an escape in athletics, and believed that "doing battle" usually solved all his problems.

Eben talks about having a "thinking disease" being in a family line of alcoholics, and how a transformative treatment helped him gain a real sense of hope. Eben explains how he now values time above all, and how turning to hot yoga & psychedelics enriches his life today.

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Zion Clark's Comeback Story Feb 16, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Zion Clark, an All-American / world record-holding athlete, actor & musician. Zion talks about being born without legs (caudal regression syndrome), getting bullied and having those experiences drive him to sports & wrestling specifically. Zion says one specific coach and his family embraced his disability and gave him the positive outlook to flip his perceived weakness into a strength.

Zion talks about the success of becoming the first in his family to go to college, and the realization that dropping out was his true path to happiness. He ends the conversation by explaining his routine to keep mentally sound amongst all the different roles he's taken on recently.

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Zay Jones' Comeback Story Feb 09, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Zay Jones, a former teammate of Darren's who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Zay talks about his upbringing in a house with five siblings and how his parents' sacrifices paved the way for his success. He goes on to describe how injuries, unwanted criticism and an arrest in his early NFL years had his career flashing before his eyes.

Zay reveals how those hardships turned into his strength and how he uses that energy to serve & support other teammates. Zay talks about the rigors of football and how love & positivity on the field can have a ripple effect on other aspects of life.

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Michael Vick's Comeback Story Feb 02, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Michael Vick, 4x Pro Bowl Quarterback and the NFL's 2010 Comeback Player of the Year. Michael starts by talking about his childhood and burying the trauma of physical abuse while being raised in a rough neighborhood. He then goes on to recount how football gave him a purpose, and how the community supported his eventual journey through college and into the NFL.

Michael talks about how his swelling arrogance as a star player led to eventual imprisonment, where his perspective on family and freedom did a complete 180 degree turn. Michael describes how he's made it a point to change lives through working with charities like the Vick Family Dream Fund and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula.

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Neal Brennan's Comeback Story Jan 26, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Neal Brennan, a comedian, writer, producer, director & podcaster. Neal talks about his days creating, writing & producing Chappelle's Show, and how his life suddenly changed when the show came to an abrupt halt. Neal talks about achieving goals and the toll that road to success can take on a successful person's mind & body.

Neal talks about his podcast, highlighting career and mental health "blocks" for some of the most famous comics, and the concept of how male vulnerability is changing in today's modern society. Neal also talks about going from believing nothing, to almost believing anything when it comes to the world of healing...no matter how embarrassing it may be!

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Mark Groves' Comeback Story Pt.2 Jan 19, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined once again by Mark Groves, human connection specialist, host of The Mark Groves Podcast & founder of Create the Love. Mark picks up where he left off in talking about becoming best friends with yourself and aligning your choices with your values.

Mark talks about relationships, and how men can embrace feedback from their partners in a way that leads to evolution. He talks about being a good friend when someone goes through a bad breakup, and how keeping your distance may foster a quicker/healthier recovery through the grieving process.

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https://www.instagram.com/createthelove/

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Mark Groves' Comeback Story Pt.1 Jan 12, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Mark Groves, human connection specialist, host of The Mark Groves Podcast & founder of Create the Love. Mark starts by recounting his childhood, and how weight & appearance issues turned him into a people pleaser. Mark says in today's world men aren't supposed to be emotional, but in fact that's exactly what men need to exhibit more consistently.

Mark talks about learning through relationships and how every connection needs to be nurtured in a very unique way. He also reveals a "sensitivity superpower" and how it becomes a method of celebrating love.

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Darren & Donny's New Years Transitions Jan 05, 2023

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny reflect on our most impactful guest appearances of 2022, and also turn the page to set some New Years resolutions/transitions for 2023. The guys outline their biggest areas of growth in the past year, detailing their many spiritual, mental and physical advances.

Donny talks about his "shift" mindset and teachings, an art of harnessing courage to surrender expectations and willingly lean into the unknown. Darren speaks to seeking new connections that can help him get in the best possible headspace to accomplish his various personal goals for 2023.

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Tracy Duhs' Comeback Story Dec 29, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Tracy Duhs, aka "The Hydration Queen", a wellness advocate and scientist specializing in the innovative and intelligent practice of proper hydration. Tracy talks about how her childhood surroundings led her to an unconventional path as a teenager, with the ultimate goal of helping people become healthier & happier.

Tracy talks about how she operated with more freedom than most in her formative years, and how that led to a certain pressure to make calculated choices and perform beyond others her age. Tracy then explains the science of restructuring water so we can consume it as nature intended, and the vast benefits proper hydration can have on our lives.

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Michael Gervais' Comeback Story Dec 22, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Michael Gervais, renowned performance psychologist and founder of Finding Mastery. Michael talks about becoming a psychologist through trying to "figure himself out", and a prolific career that followed, leading him to eventually work with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, Olympic Medalists & various musicians & artists.

Michael says there are "no hacks and shortcuts...but there are decisions to make" along our path to personal growth and fulfillment. He offers advice on how to interpret stress and anxiety when we are thrown into certain situations, and how our emotions simply make us unique from others.

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Susan Borchardt's Comeback Story Dec 15, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Susan Borchardt, former Stanford hooper and founder of The Athlete Blueprint. Susan takes you through the devastating injuries she endured during her playing career, and how those experiences evolved into becoming a sports performance coach for the likes of Sue Bird and Kelsey Plum among others.

Susan takes you inside her performance training practice and reveals how the world's top athletes are at their best when focusing on their breath, sleep, yoga & overall mental state. She preaches consistency in practice and says the commitment to the smaller details always adds up to success.

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https://www.instagram.com/the_athleteblueprint/?hl=en

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Jason Redman's Comeback Story Dec 08, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Jason Redman, decorated retired Navy SEAL Lieutenant and best-selling author of The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader. Jason takes you through his 21 year Navy SEAL career and how an enemy ambush gave him an overcome mindset. Jason speaks to the many obstacles that were placed in his path, and how he used negativity and rejection as vehicles to get to his desired destinations.

Jason takes you through a harrowing combat incident that left him in a position to dig out of a deep hole, and how he now uses that battlefield experience to display true leadership today. He talks about being given a choice and how he used that gift to find incredible strength and drive forward.

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Dan Jameson's Comeback Story Dec 01, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Dan Jameson, a close friend of Darren's and Director of Syndicate Sports Performance. Dan recounts his childhood growing up poor in the Bay Area without a father figure. He talks about self-destructive behaviors haunting him even now through adulthood, and how he's learned to become almost too comfortable living in chaos.

Dan talks about an extremely rare medical condition that brought an acute sense of awareness at the time, but now serves as a blessing as he moves forward with his unique Comeback Story. He offers some sage advice to people struggling with addiction/depression, and also details practical methods of overcoming various challenges along his incredible journey.

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Don Bergeron's Comeback Story Nov 17, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Don Bergeron, a close friend and teacher of Donny's through his own personal healing process. Don starts by recounting his childhood and overcoming acute hyperactivity issues. He details days in special education with a learning disability, being told he'd never move past a certain point or go to college.

Don speaks to various "plant medicines" and how just one hour under their influence can amount to decades of therapy for some. He talks about how his own experiences & extreme transformation under these plant medicines inspired him to help other men facing similar challenges.

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Michael Aidala's Comeback Story Nov 10, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Michael Aidala, a leading performance coach. Michael talks about how he thrived at sports as a child and felt immense pressure to meet his father's expectations. He talks about then breaking free from those expectations and utilizing unconventional tools to find his own path.

Michael describes when he decided a change was necessary, and the steps he followed to change his mindset. He speaks about how small actions add up to larger decision-making habits, and how he helps men to focus on introspective practices to feel more connected to others and the world around them,

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https://www.instagram.com/mike.aidala/

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Davidji's Comeback Story Pt.2 Nov 04, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, we bring your part two of Darren & Donny's wide-ranging conversation with Davidji, Author & Master of Meditation. The planet's most prolific creator of guided mediations, Davidji details a time-tested approach for staying in the present by becoming truly "still" before action.

Davidji speaks about obsessing over desires, and how those thoughts get in the way of us staying present/vulnerable to ensure we get there. He also talks about perceived failure and how we all are making tiny "course corrections" in life, which add up over time to help guide us to our rightful destination.

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Davidji's Comeback Story Pt.1 Oct 27, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, we bring your part one of Darren & Donny's wide-ranging conversation with Davidji, Author & Master of Meditation. The planet's most prolific creator of guided mediations, Davidji starts by revealing how his love of music served as the foundational building blocks for his spiritual growth.

Davidji talks about how the hustle & bustle of growing up in New York City led him to a life of stillness and appreciating the present moment. He explains how a simple focus on breathing can bring you to a "present moment practice", allowing you to temporarily calm your mind and become more efficient in your everyday routines.

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Zac Clark's Comeback Story Oct 20, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny head to New York City, where they are joined on stage by Zac Clark, star of ABC's The Bachelorette & founder of Release Recovery. Zac talks about growing up in a seemingly ideal household, and how his addiction patterns started forming during his time as a high school & college athlete.

Zac details how his dishonesty to loved ones and doctors led to serious/irreversible consequences...and eventually rehab. He also brings perspective to his road to fame and details the motivation behind starting Release Recovery, a safe & supportive program focused on helping people reclaim their lives from addiction.

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https://twitter.com/zacwclark

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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Tommy Rosen's Comeback Story Oct 13, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Tommy Rosen, a world-renowned yoga instructor, addiction recovery expert, author & founder/host of Recovery Addiction 2.0. Tommy takes you through the psychological & physical dynamics of a complicated childhood, and how his swelling anxiety led to crippling patterns of addiction.

Tommy talks about finding his sacred moment where he came clean to himself and knew it was time for a change. Reflecting on his journey, he recounts how yoga played a remarkable role in his incredible recovery.

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https://twitter.com/tommyrosen

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Jewel's Comeback Story Oct 06, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Jewel, a singer-songwriter, actress & author who has received 4x Grammy Award nominations and sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Jewel talks about growing up in the wilderness in Alaska and how nature taught her how to cope with growing depression & isolation. Her family dynamic set the tone for her career as a singer, and she talks about how abuse finally led her into therapy.

Jewel also details some difficult decisions she had to make along her road to success, to maintain her vision and grow a career on her own terms. Her concept of being patient, investing & nurturing an "honest art" eventually proved to be a more fulfilling path on her road to happiness.

Follow Jewel here:

https://twitter.com/jeweljk

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Brandon Marshall's Comeback Story Sep 29, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Brandon Marshall, fmr All-Pro NFL wide receiver and founder of Project 375. Brandon begins by telling you about his childhood, and how abandonment issues led to larger challenges in early adulthood. He also talks about the moment where he knew his purpose was bridging the gap to bring awareness to mental health issues in America.

Brandon describes the unique perspective of being one of the first public figures to use his platform to talk openly about mental health issues, and how his daily sacrifice is making a difference...one person at a time.

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https://twitter.com/BMarshall

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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Ricky Williams' Comeback Story Sep 22, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Ricky Williams, 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and fmr NFL All-Pro running back. Ricky talks about the road to achieving his childhood dream of playing professional football, and how when he reached the NFL...he was immediately searching for another dream to achieve.

Ricky talks about feeling a lack of purpose in being defined as only a "football player," and how his unpopular decisions around exiting the NFL brought him to true happiness. He dives deep into that pivotal moment where his life as a football player ended, a moment that freed him to pursue & accomplish goals that were unique to him.

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https://twitter.com/rickthelaureate

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Kelsey Plum's Comeback Story Sep 15, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined in studio by Kelsey Plum, All-Star PG for the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces & 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist. Kelsey talks about how an ultra-competitive childhood atmosphere led her to take a path less traveled, and how that paved the road to success when transitioning into adulthood.

Kelsey details her battles with depression due to fan expectations, and the lack of identity she had during what should've been the peak of her career. She then describes what led to her change in mindset, and offers her incredible perspective & advice to anyone currently trapped in a victim's mindset.

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Steve Smith Sr.'s Comeback Story Aug 25, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Steve Smith Sr., 3x All-Pro & 5x Pro Bowl NFL Wide Receiver. Steve talks about growing up in Los Angeles during turbulent times, and how that shaped his personality both on and off the field. He talks about one traumatic childhood experience in particular that led to years of anxiety and self-doubt.

Steve details how comfortable he is today in his own skin, knowing the roads he went down as a man. He talks about how marriage and a feeling of needing others leads to fulfillment, but also provides the love we need to overcome adversity.

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https://twitter.com/CutToIt

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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Rich Paul's Comeback Story Aug 18, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Rich Paul, Founder & CEO of Klutch Sports Group & Head of UTA Sports. Rich talks at length about growing up in an impoverished East Cleveland neighborhood and witnessing horrible tragedies as a child. He explains how these experiences brought a certain balance to life and provided him with the proper perspective to measure success.

Rich also discusses the impact of losing his father as a young man, how he's working to empower diverse young entrepreneurs, and his blueprint for building trust with likeminded clients over the decades.

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https://twitter.com/richpaul4

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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Brad Lea's Comeback Story Aug 11, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined in studio by Brad Lea, Chairman & CEO of LightSpeed VT and host of The Dropping Bombs Podcast. Brad describes how certain early life situations offered him a perspective to mentor and help others do good. He preaches content, repitition, practice & accountability in his daily work at LightSpeed, and tells you how all four attributes can create power.

Brad continues to explain how his life lessons led to writing his latest book The Hard Way, a book loaded with teachable moments from his past so others don't make the same missteps. He says we all have "choicemakers" within us, and making the choice to take full advantage of every precious "Million Dollar Morning" is paramount to a fulfulling life.

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https://twitter.com/TheRealBradLea

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Erik Harris' Comeback Story Aug 04, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Erik Harris, Free Safety for the Atlanta Falcons. Erik describes growing up poor in a turbulent household with 5 siblings, and how his mother's leap of faith changed everything for him. He details how the lack of a father figure led him to sports, which instilled discipline and taught him how to overcome adversity.

Erik tells you how he was able to train for CFL tryouts while working overnights at UPS...and how his determination & resiliency turned into an life-changing professional football contract. He also talks about how faith (and gospel signing) saved him from his own ego and how reflection has led him to becoming a truly grateful servant.

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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David Meltzer's Comeback Story Jul 28, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by David Meltzer, 3x International Best-Selling Author and Host of The Playbook Podcast. David's mission in life is to empower over 1 billion people to be happy, and he details how he overcame his own share of pain & setbacks on his road to happiness.

David explains how his faith and consistent nature has allowed him to maintain a "profitable, purposeful & passionate" life. He also describes how therapy is absolutely essential for everyone, teaching us how to both heal and learn about ourselves simultaneously.

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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Maxx Crosby's Comeback Story Jul 21, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Raiders Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby. Maxx starts by describing how he grew up extremely insecure as a child and had a singular focus in chasing his dream of being an NFL star. He then talks about how alcoholism overpowered that strong will and almost took everything away at the height of his early NFL career.

Maxx speaks about the support he's received to stay the course and how those loved ones have inspired him to stay sober for over two years now. He also describes to how a day-to-day approach in getting sober gave him both the structure & perspective to amplify his leadership on the field.

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Michael Phelps' Comeback Story Jul 11, 2022

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Michael Phelps. Michael shares his story of battling depression on his way to winning 28 medals, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all-time. Michael talks about consciously deciding to leave himself vulnerable, the process of dealing with deep rooted family issues & his subsequent therapy and recovery.

Michael tells you how small changes made a huge difference in his mental health awareness, how quarantining during the pandemic helped to separate his personal & professional lives, and why becoming a mental health advocate has opened his eyes to a greater sense of self.

Support & Follow Michael Here:

https://michaelphelpsfoundation.org/

https://twitter.com/michaelphelps?lang=en

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🚀 DARREN WALLER 🚀

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Tony Hoffman’s Comeback Story - One Choice That Can Change Everything Oct 07, 2021

After overcoming drug addiction that led to homelessness and prison, Tony Hoffman went on to acquire many great accolades. His goal is to motivate his audience through the methods he personally used to overcome his struggles into the one choice that can change the rest of their life for the better. Learn about the quote that Tony discovered in prison that unlocked the mental shackles he had placed on himself, and about Tony’s journey out of addiction and despair into a life of service and gratitude.

Tony grew up in a typical middle class family where his parents worked all the time. His parents' absence very often meant that Tony had to figure things out on his own. He was naturally gifted at sports and fell in love with basketball despite being short.
The biggest challenge as an athlete for Tony was that he didn’t have the life skills necessary to be coachable while growing up. Tony struggled with mental health issues because of the hole in his life where he needed his parents to be.
Tony talks a lot about being 12 years old, which was the time in his life when he started to form his perspective on the world. His social anxiety led to self-loathing. He confessed his thoughts to his mother, but her inability to handle the situation only made things worse.
Tony didn’t want to be treated like he was better than other people. He had to hire a sports psychologist to help him accept that he was gifted, and beating someone in sports doesn’t mean you are better than them.
He ignored many teachers who tried to teach him about life when he was younger because he wasn’t ready to learn at that time. Tony’s first basketball coach was one of them.
Tony quit racing at 18 to take a computer networking job in San Francisco. It was at that time he started experimenting with marijuana. This process of experimentation led to an oxycontin addiction which eventually resulted in Tony being a part of an armed house invasion of his best friend’s house to steal pills.
Tony likens an opioid withdrawal to suffering from a flu that’s 100 times worse than usual, and you can get rid of the symptoms with a single pill.
Tony’s rock bottom occurred a few years later where he was strung out on heroin and meth, and his brokenness made him lose all concern for himself. The drugs that he thought were fixing his pain were killing him, and he knew that and didn’t care.
Tony had a spiritual experience on Jan 21, 2007 after being sentenced to prison. Tony tells people that he had been in a mental prison for 23 years, one that he created himself. Most people have created a mental prison for themselves without realizing it. While he was in jail, Tony saw a quote on the ceiling of his cell that changed his life.
Tony realized that his gift was given to him for a reason and he became committed to getting out of prison and making the most of it. He decided that he would commit to doing the little things well and that would lead to making the big things better.
Tony changed his narrative from quitting everything he ever tried to knowing that he is deserving of love and passing it on to other people.
Human beings seem to be the only beings on the planet that only take and rarely give back. Tony feels like that is the source of his discontent, and he can only feel fulfilled by giving and service to others.
The pandemic has been challenging for Tony since he shifted so much of what he was doing to public speaking, but as long as he knows what his values are they will always lead him to where he is effective. Focusing on the house, or the car, or the wealth will always lead to an empty well.
Understanding your core values is important because they are the bedrock for who you are. When you fall out of alignment with those core values, that’s when things fall apart.
Tony views going to prison and being stuck with himself as a gift. It forced him to assess the times in his life when he felt happy and what his core values are, specifically determination, focus, compassion, and empathy.
Being in prison highlights what really has value in your life. It shows how valuable your time is, your ability to walk and breathe and communicate with people in a way that inspires them.
Tony’s definition of discipline is doing good work even when you don’t feel like it. This plays into Tony’s morning routine where it’s very regulated. One thing he focuses on in particular, is that when he’s in a vehicle he spends as much time as possible meditating.
Tony’s sobriety model is based in spirituality and honesty. He needs to be able to be honest with himself and others, and quiet time is how he connects with his true self. Committing to be honest with yourself is the foundation for being a better person.
There are many paths to sobriety. Use what works for you.
If you’re struggling right now, talk to somebody who knows what you want help with. Sometimes something as simple as a conversation is all that stands between you and what you want.
Tony’s comeback story goes to his best friend KP. KP has struggled with addiction just like Tony and has put in the work to get sober and has picked himself back up each time he fell down.

Mentioned in this Episode:

@tonymhoffman on Instagram

Facebook.com/TonyHoffmanSpeaking

One Choice podcast

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Impact of the Lone Wolf Oct 01, 2021

Carl Nassib joins us to do his first interview since coming out publicly in the NFL. His story is a testament for everyone to look deeper and realize that we all share similarities in this life of truth, discovery and triumph. In hopes to inspire the youth and bring further awareness about the LGBTQ community. Being the first does not mean having to stand alone.

Carl felt he had a huge obligation to the LGBTQ community to come out publicly and tell his story. He did not come out publicly to break barriers. It wasn’t until 4 years ago when he actually realized he was Gay. He struggled with the idea that he needed to be someone else’s priority.
He came from an Athletic family of 4 kids, his Mother, father and siblings were also in sports.
Carl never lacked in Confidence, due to his mother who alway’s pushed him to be his best, keep a high standards.
He never puts too much stock in things or people that put him down in life, only focuses on the things that brings him happiness.
While in College at Penn State was the nation leader in sacks.
Before becoming a Raider, he played for the Browns but was later cut from the team. This fueled his fire to play better and be the best.
He learned early on to not focus on being like others but to be himself.
Carl is the first active NFL player to come out publicly as gay, which coming out to his family was already stressful, however with the support of family and friends, this eased his decision to go public.
He feels that if he can just help a few kids who are also finding themselves in a similar situation than it would allow him to sleep better at night.
Teammates Darren Waller, Maxx Crosby have played a pivotal role inspiring Carl by telling their individual life stories in a team meeting. Choosing to come out publicly in the NFL has proven to be even more stressful, most would believe it to be the opposite.
Your confidence shouldn’t be based on what other people say if you think you’re amazing because of what other people say, you don’t have confidence.
Be confident seven days a week.

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Oliver Davis’ Comeback Story - The Daily Discipline Philosophy Sep 30, 2021

Oliver Davis shares the story of how his love for football and the willingness to put in the work every single day eventually became the basis for his successful private coaching practice, and how setbacks can be blessings in disguise on your journey to doing what you love. Learn about Oliver’s 4D philosophy and why something as small as a 1% improvement each day can change your life completely.

Growing up was competitive for Oliver, especially being the youngest kid in a large family. It was a challenge moving to Georgia after living for years in Texas, but overall it was fun.
At the time, moving from a small town to another state was a big change and very disruptive to Oliver’s life and expectations, but looking back, it was the best move his family could have made at the time.
In many ways it was good for Oliver. He went from being a big fish in a small pond on the football field, to playing with guys that were bigger than he was, so he had to learn how to adapt.
He remembers being frustrated with having to sit on the bench a good portion of the time, but Oliver always believed that if he put in the work he would get his shot.
At the end of Oliver’s sophomore season, everything changed. His new coach came in and changed everybody’s mindset around grades and what it means to succeed in life beyond just excelling on the field.
Oliver never made it to the NFL, but he knew that chances were slim being 5’8” tall and was more than happy being able to give it everything he had when he was on the field. Now he carries that same mindset into the world of business.
The first real message that stuck with him came from his coach during his sophomore year who put grades first. He taught Oliver that he could be the next guy to come through and make a difference.
It’s easy to think that some people are meant to be certain things, but some people work their way to being the best, and why can’t that be you?
Oliver’s lowest point was in being barred from playing football during his senior year. He remembers going to a number of different camps and working with a number of different teams just to keep football in his life. He leaned on his discipline and took a major chance that eventually resulted in landing a position in the AFL.
Oliver’s father was always a positive example of hard work and consistent effort in his life, and he demonstrated the pattern that Oliver could emulate and bring to the field.
Once Oliver’s family was on the way, he knew he needed to start thinking about making money outside of what he was earning in the AFL. He got a job merchandising for Coca-Cola and quickly figured out a system that grew his route rapidly, born out of his mindset and discipline.
Oliver started running into a ceiling on what he could earn and achieve at that job, so he pivoted into brokering and logistics. He didn’t know what he was doing, but he had the mindset of success and doing what it takes to figure things out. The whole time, football coaching was always on Oliver’s mind.
He decided that he was going to make a go of turning his passion into a business while still working full-time. Oliver asked his boss for a probation period to give him some runway, and put up some videos on Instagram and jumped into private coaching.
It’s a process to find your purpose. Some things aren’t going to work for you and that’s okay.
If people were really disciplined and didn’t just talk about it, and stayed true to what they want they would get what they want. The common thread through every story of success is they never gave up.
Oliver never expected to be an entrepreneur, but all his experiences and training have moulded him to be the leader he is today.
Daily discipline determines destiny. The things you do every single day will lead you to where you are going to be.
If you think you’re worthy of the things you want, honor that every single day. If you can get 1% better every day, you will eventually achieve all the goals that you’re working towards. It will just be a matter of time.
If you’re struggling right now, it’s never too late to get yourself in order. There are multiple examples of people who achieved their success at the age of 50. Always know that no matter where you are now, you can make the choice to change and improve things.
Be optimistic, think positive, and write things down. You have to be the first person to believe in yourself and set the foundation for you to build on.
Oliver’s comeback story shoutout goes to his wife. She was the one person that never doubted him and could see the vision he had.

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Laura McKowen’s Comeback Story - Being One of the Luckiest Sep 23, 2021

Laura McKowen shares her story of discovery and pain in struggling with an alcohol addiction, and how nearly losing her daughter brought her back from the brink. Find out how Laura learned the way to find purpose in the everyday little things that make up life, why gratitude outweighs pain, and why the struggle with addiction is the common peril that connects everybody.

Laura grew up in a suburban town in Colorado. Her parents were divorced and she spent a lot of time around people who drank. As a consequence of her parents separating, she became hyper-attuned to everyone else’s emotions. The demands of the external world eventually became too stressful to handle and they manifested internally.
Her earliest memories of struggle were of contorting herself around her father’s tendency toward anger. She experienced that as low self-esteem and being whoever the other person needed her to be at the time.
If you don’t have a sense of identity for yourself and your sensation of being okay is determined by the outside world, you’re not going to feel okay.
Laura was told by authority figures in her life that she was tough and resilient because she didn’t project her pain on the surface. She tried to live up to that perception, which only drove the pain deeper.
We develop false selves when our needs are not getting met. We need these false selves on the surface to interface with the world, but if you don’t have a stable core underneath, you are always performing which leads to addiction because the pain can be too great.
We often build our entire lives around this performance. To denounce it is to blow up your life, so we avoid doing that.
Laura’s grandmother comes to mind as one of her earliest teachers, but she found many of her teachers in books. She had always been attracted to Buddhism and has been drawn back to Pema Chödrön many times over the years.
Her greatest moment of adversity was hitting the wall with her drinking. After waking up next to a stranger instead of taking care of her four year old daughter, she knew she had a major problem. Despite her outward appearance of success, Laura put in jeopardy the most important person in her life and she couldn’t reconcile those two things.
Extracting herself from the emotional, physical, and psychological addiction was the hardest thing she had ever done. It was the dark night of the soul that lasted a year and a half.
In that time of purgatory, Laura got a taste of sobriety. Just getting through a day without drinking was the challenge she had to overcome and it took a few months of effort before she had a tough day that didn’t require a drink to get through.
Being an author, podcast, and CEO are all parts of the expression of Laura’s potential, as much as the little things.
Your purpose doesn’t have to be as big as your destiny. It can be the moment to moment events of each day and how you choose to show up for them. It’s often the unseen actions that feel the best.
Being in purpose is a practice, but what we practice gets stronger.
“If you bring forth what is within you, what will bring forth will save you, and if you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.” -Gospel of Thomas
When you spend time with people who have been through something hard, nothing surprises you anymore. What’s extraordinary is the ability to let something go and make meaning of it.
At the beginning of Laura’s reckoning with her alcohol addiction, she realized that we all have some addiction. It’s the most ordinary story of humanity, and she realized that she wasn’t alone in her struggle.
The struggle is the common peril that connects us.
Gratitude is a blanket over everything Laura experiences now. She’s grateful specifically for being okay in any given moment, even when she isn’t really alright. Being satisfied in an everyday moment is enough.
What is enough? We all feel the disease of more and it will erode all your achievements and happiness if you let it.
Darren practices self acknowledgement to avoid the never ending race of needing to always be more. Acknowledge yourself for the progress you have made.
Defining your own level of success is important for feeling happy. Don’t measure your success against other people’s standards.
Everyone has to do this work, but for people in recovery the stakes are a bit higher so it’s more present and clear in our lives.
Writing your thoughts and feelings down has been proven to improve health factors and doing it coaxes things from the subconscious to the conscious, which is the only way to release them. If you can maintain an attitude of curiosity, you can start to reveal things to yourself.
Verbalize what scares you to someone you trust.
Laura’s comeback story shoutout goes to her daughter. She has taught Laura what it means to love someone without reservation. Without her, Laura wouldn’t have learned how to talk to herself. Being a mother grounds her to her true purpose.

Mentioned in this Episode:

lauramckowen.com

theluckiestclub.com

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The Four C’s of Mental Toughness Sep 20, 2021

On this episode of “Monday Motivation Raw,” Donny talks about the “Four C’s of Mental Toughness,” and how these four practices/qualities can make your mind strong, and your life beautiful.

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Kelsey Chittick’s Comeback Story - Our Greatest Obstacles Turn Out To Be Our Greatest Gifts Sep 16, 2021

Kelsey Chittick talks about the emotions and pain of losing a partner, and how the process of grieving and allowing herself the space to feel and release her emotions showed her that healing is possible. She learned that when you share your pain with the people that support you, it gets better.

Kelsey says she grew up living a charmed life. She spent her childhood in a small town in Florida with a close-knit family. Kelsey focused on sports as she got older and eventually met her future husband in college.
This gave her a strong foundation for the rest of her life. Her grandfather was very spiritual and her mother and father allowed Kelsey to choose her own spirituality, as long as it ended in love. Her mom was way ahead of the game, diving deep into self-improvement and meditation well before it was cool.
She didn’t struggle as a child in the same way that some others have. Kelsey’s brother dealt with addiction to drugs and alcohol, but Kelsey’s first real experiences of pain didn’t happen until she was in her 30’s, after she had kids and when her husband passed away.
Her first real teacher was her grandfather. He taught Kelsey that she had everything she needed inside of her to heal and be who she wanted. Kelsey says she married her husband because he was so similar to her grandfather.
We are given a vehicle and must decide how to drive it. Kelsey’s husband Nate used his football career to get people to pay attention, and then used it to have real conversations with them.
Two years before Nate died, Kelsey started to feel that something was off. She could tell that he wasn’t the same and something was wrong. Kelsey later went on a spiritual retreat to Jamaica and on the last day she got the call that brought her to her knees.
On the flight home, Kelsey made the decision to be there for her kids and do what she needed to do to be present. Now meditation is the most important part of her routine. She still gets anxious and fearful, but she fights to be alright everyday.
You have to do it until it stops feeling weird. Yoga and meditation can be challenging when you begin but if you keep at it, eventually it becomes easier.
Kelsey’s lowest point happened around a year after her husband died. After all the logistics were finalized, there was just the hole that was left. The nights with the kids were the worst. She was not prepared for their pain and it took two years for Kelsey to figure out how to support them, which for them was sitting next to them without saying a word.
At the beginning of Kelsey and Nate’s relationship, his brother was 13 years sober, and they committed to sitting with the awful. After Nate died, this became about embracing the grief and feeling the emotions until they passed. Kelsey allowed herself to feel the tsunamis of grief as they came so she could move on.
Kelsey has always loved to write and be on stage. The experience of losing her husband gave Kelsey the opportunity to write about something truly meaningful, and the book she wrote after Nate died was born out of the journals she wrote afterward.
Compared to the pain of the last four years, Kelsey feels like she’s on drugs, metaphorically speaking. The joy outweighs the pain now and life feels more bright. It wasn’t until recently that she could see the beauty of it all.
The power of journaling is that it gives you the ability to get things that are eating you up out of you.
Writing things down is the great gift of handing something over to something bigger than you. One benefit of journaling is you see your growth over time and when hard things happen, you get the mindset of having dealt with hard things before.
We’ve all been through hard times, and they need to be honored just like the good times.
There is a difference between meditating, yoga, and having a meditation practice, which is something that Kelsey realized only recently. When doing anything public like a podcast, Kelsey used to get herself fired up but now she tones things down so she can settle herself.
Her morning routine starts with a meditation from Sam Harris. If you’re just getting started with meditation, start with something in your ear. It could be either music or someone speaking but it will help you. After a while, you can get to sitting in silence. That's great.
For Kelsey, emotion needs motion, so she moves her body a lot through walking and yoga. Yoga has helped her process a lot of the emotion and pain that came from the last four years.
Kelsey is proud of making it through everything. When life is simple and easy, you don’t think you can handle the hard times. Kelsey was tested, and she and her kids made it through.
We don’t have a lot of choice about what happens to us, but we have a huge choice on how we deal with what happens and how we define it, and a lot of that comes from the language we use. Kelsey decided to change the story she was telling herself about her life and reframe it.
What you speak becomes your truth, and your truth becomes your reality.
You can go back and change one thing in your life without changing everything. She doesn’t want her son to play football, but she wouldn’t go back and change the fact that her husband did play because then she wouldn’t have had the life she did have with him.
If you’re struggling right now, find a community and people who will hold you accountable who are also joyful and will keep you moving. Do one thing better each day and find support. Time heals but how you get there is up to you.
Kelsey’s comeback story goes out to everyone in her town, who showed up in ways that are hard to describe after Nate’s passing, as well her friends and family who carried that pain with her.

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The Beginner's Mind and a 29th Birthday Sep 13, 2021

Today is Darren's 29th birthday and the start of the season - yet a great day to have that beginner's mind...

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David Meltzer’s Comeback Story - Blending Faith and Money Sep 09, 2021

David Meltzer shares some of the most powerful lessons he’s learned in the process of losing over $100 million dollars and nearly losing his life and family, and then rebuilding his life from scratch. Learn about David’s philosophy on faith and money, and why gratitude and humility are the keys to accelerating the process of creating wealth and happiness in your life.

David grew up in the world of “not enough”. He had no shortage of love and happiness, but his family certainly struggled with money. This shaped him as he got older because, in his mind, the only missing piece to his life was money. That gave him a drive to achieve everything he could, but it also gave him a major chip on his shoulder.
The story of not having enough had positives and negatives. In a healthy way, it taught David to keep his options open and be creative when figuring out how to solve problems in his life. During the pandemic, the ability to see opportunities where other people can’t has been a superpower.
The problem with growing up with not enough is that you are always asking for crumbs, because you don’t know any better. The size of the world you live in is so small when you’re poor, and you focus on what you don’t have rather than realizing how limitless life really is.
Many people that achieve big results in their life still feel unhappy because they are constantly chasing the things they don’t have. You need to find a way to be enough for yourself.
When David lost everything, he was almost relieved. He had this extraordinary gift to sell but he never really felt like he earned it. He bought things he didn’t need to impress people he didn’t like. Losing everything allowed David to reassess his approach and appreciate what he has.
When you appreciate what you have, you add value to it and expand it. When you give it away, you now have a bigger space to receive even more. Appreciating what you have must be part of the process.
Receiving starts with our belief system. The moment that David shifted his paradigm and realized that he was already happy and healthy, he just needed to identify how he was getting his own way.
Where are you putting all your energy? Put your emotion and energy into the relationships that are feeding you instead of the people bleeding you.
David was abused as a nine year old. Pain and trauma are going to happen to everyone, it’s part of living, but it’s what we do with the pain that’s important. Pain was trained into David to be a propeller.
Faith was David’s ultimate GPS because he had faith that anything that happened in his life was an opportunity to grow, learn, and accelerate instead of a punishment.
Everyone has a different definition of meaning and happiness that’s unique to them. The way that you reconcile that with your successes will determine how much you can give and how great an impact you can have.
David’s mom and two grandfathers were the biggest influences in his early life. One lesson he learned along the way though was that just because someone loves, that doesn’t mean they give good advice.
Two years before David lost everything was the greatest moment of adversity. He almost lost both his life and family after years of going down the wrong path in life. On the edge of taking his own life, David realized that he didn’t hate his father, or his best friend, or his wife, he hated himself.
Of everything that David teaches, the two things that have had the most impact are gratitude and to ask for help. The same lessons he learned before he was 3 years old.
If you say thank you before you go to bed for the next 30 days it will change your life.
No one knows everything, but we often pretend we do. There are only two types of people in the world: people who don’t know and ask for help, and arrogant people that pretend they know and cause separation and offense and pain. Come from a place of humility in everything you do.
David’s early story was that he wanted everyone to love him, but that’s changed to simply loving himself. When you try to get people to love you it turns people off.
Gratitude changes the way that we see the world and turns what we have into enough.
People need to know their what, who they can help and who can help them, how to get it done through the lens of gratitude, and then apply the why within. The more you get done, the more you will be profitable, passionate, and personable in what you do.
David is always grateful for his health. He spends an hour everyday on his health because when you’re healthy you get as many wishes as you want. When you’re unhealthy, you have only one.
Happiness is the greatest virus. All you need to do is witness giving and happiness is released.
If David were to give his younger self advice, it would be the same thing that’s currently on his nightstand: ask for help. Asking for help is the fastest way to accomplish something, but it also allows people to feel important and special. Be ignorant and humble, and ask for help.
The key to life is to be interested, curious, and creative. Ask people open-ended questions and be more interested than interesting. When combined, it accelerates the process of creation.
Meditation is the practice of being quiet so that you can acquire a higher vibration. It’s the one practice that has changed David’s life more than anything else.
David’s comeback story shoutout goes to his mom and wife.

Mentioned in this Episode:

david@dmeltzer.com

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Be Impeccable With Your Word Sep 06, 2021

On this week's episode of "Monday Motivation Raw," Donny taps into the 1st Agreement from Don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements.” He shares some powerful lessons and insights on why it's so important to be impeccable with your word, and how this one agreement will totally transform your life.

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Ryan Clark’s Comeback Story - Your Comeback Story Is Still Being Written Sep 02, 2021

Ryan Clark shares the lessons he learned from his near death experience and how facing death allowed him to realize how precious life really is. Ryan also tells the story of losing one of his oldest friends to suicide in college, and how that changed his perspective on life and why you shouldn’t wait to be a better friend and person to those people in your life, because they aren’t always going to be there.

Ryan didn’t grow up rich but he doesn’t have a story of childhood adversity that many people do. Even at an extremely young age Ryan wanted to play football, to the point of preferring to watch a game in 8th grade instead of kissing his then girlfriend.
Ryan’s earliest memory of pain involved one of his oldest childhood friends. His friend took his own life and it was Ryan’s first time dealing with the death of someone close to him.
Up until that point, Ryan considered himself tough. At his friend’s funeral, he recalls how angry his sister was and how confused he felt. It was his first true memory of pain.
Up until that point, you think you have an infinite amount of time with the people that are close to you. Thinking back now, Ryan wonders if the questions his friend was asking him were actually an attempt to get Ryan to ask him the same questions. To start a conversation that could help.
The emotion he dealt with most was regret and being upset at himself. It was the first time Ryan started to ask what kind of friend he is. This experience of pain allowed Ryan the introspection so he didn’t have to relive the same relationship with his son.
The person who mentored Ryan the most was his oldest first cousin, Gary Lewis. He would talk to him constantly about life and showed him that football is not just about the glamorous lifestyle, it’s about the discipline and focus you need to get the things you want from life.
He taught Ryan that even his time is valuable. Gary was the first man other than his father that had a huge impact on who he became.
The adversities that Ryan has dealt with ended up being the greatest thing for him. He recalls a day where he felt like he was dying. After losing 20 lbs over a couple of weeks Ryan began shaking uncontrollably and truly believed he was going to die. He began praying for his wife and his family, and upon accepting his fate his shaking stopped.
The doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him for weeks until he called a doctor in Pittsburg who ran a test. Two hours later Ryan was in the hospital and went through five procedures over the course of the weekend.
Ryan had a Sickle Cell Crisis and by the time he got to the hospital, his spleen was four times larger than normal.
One of the key lessons Ryan learned from his experience is that not everyone is built the same. The truth about concussions in the NFL was coming out around this time and it gave Ryan the perspective to understand the anxiety and depression that other player’s were experiencing.
All these experiences brought lessons in the loss for Ryan. Death can teach us how to live.
Everybody’s comeback story is unique to them and it’s not so much about the story as what you take from it. It’s important to value the stories of other people instead of trying to compete with each other.
When telling his story, Darren tries to relay the message that you don’t have to be perfect to impact the lives of other people in a positive way.
The story doesn’t stop when you overcome a trial. Everyday you have to wake up and defeat the obstacles in front of you. Even with millions of dollars, you have to overcome your bad habits, some of which get amplified by having money.
We all want our story to be bigger.
Ryan is grateful to simply be alive. He’s also grateful to God for keeping his family safe, especially his mom. He’s even grateful for the trials he’s gone through, as a football player and off the field, and having to grow up once his football career was done.
Losing his first passion led to Ryan having to find a new one. Now learning about the world and how he can help has become his new passion.
For someone who’s stuck, the first thing to realize is you shouldn’t be embarrassed. It’s never too late to start, but don’t start too late. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can start feeling and being better right now, but don’t put it off.
Don’t wait to feel better. Take action now, and you will feel better. You can’t control how people see and value you and you can’t control how you see and value yourself, just start.
Ryan’s comeback story shoutout goes to people who are still in their story and actively working to be better right now.

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Acknowledge Yourself Aug 30, 2021

For this week's Monday Motivation, Darren reflects on the power of self-acknowledgment.

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Baron Baptiste’s Comeback Story - Meditation, Yoga, and How To Stay Out Of Your Head Aug 26, 2021

Baron Baptiste, the founder of Baptiste Power Yoga, talks about some of the major realizations and key lessons he’s learned in his life and why the hardships we encounter are things that allow us to choose how they shape and define us. Learn how Baron let go of his anger and resentment and how that became one of his life’s most impactful turning points.

Baron describes his childhood with two words: freedom and painful. His parents were dedicated to natural ways of living and eating, with his father being an herbalist and running a yoga center. With the freedom, he didn’t have the same bonds as other families, which resulted in a deep sense of loneliness.
He recalls being the kid that everyone picked on and because of the shame and embarrassment. He never told anyone what was happening. In the long run, the pain of being alone developed into resilience later on in life.
Baron’s father was his first real teacher. He had a natural way of serving people and being around that bled into Baron’s perspective as he was growing up. Another big influence was a visiting yoga teacher from India who exposed Baron to athletically physical yoga for the first time. As he continued to study with him, he showed Baron the power of a mind/body practice.
Baron’s childhood was stacked with a lot of trials and tribulations. Since he didn’t fit into the mainstream very well, he fell into a peer group that didn’t have the greatest habits. In his teenage years, Baron was failing school rapidly and getting into drug use.
Baron continued on this path, got married and had three kids, but eventually he and his wife decided to separate, and that experience brought back the same sense of deep loneliness.
Baron saw two options. He could put his suffering and pain on others or he could take responsibility for his life and who he wanted to be.
Before his divorce, Baron was taught a different way of meditation that focused on observation of his thoughts. It was at that time with that focus, that Baron realized how much resentment and anger he had inside him, brewing just below the surface. Prior to hitting bottom, he didn’t see himself as an angry person at all.
He realized that he had a lot of anger towards his father for not being present in his life when Baron was growing up. It was forgiving his father that lifted a sense of heaviness off his shoulders, and that moment of forgiveness became a major pivot point in his life.
You can feel justified in your anger and resentment, but at some point you need to let go of the things that no longer serve you.
Yoga was always a part of Baron’s life but it never directly impacted his experience of living. It was more of an intellectual pursuit until he learned to embody his experience with meditation. He began exploring other kinds of teachings like Christian and Judaic mysticism and Zen Buddhism.
You can access the power of meditation without going through the 12 steps. You just have to be willing to sit with your shit. Meditation is about getting to the root of the problem, digging it out, and healing yourself.
In life, we are either expanding or contracting. Resentment is a way of contracting and closing ourselves off. As the saying goes, “It’s like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”
Around the age of 19, Baron decided to give up alcohol and drugs, and despite not being addicted to those substances anymore, the 12-step program still had applications in his life. After attending some meetings with a friend, he had the realization that he needed to forgive his parents as well as acknowledge his judgement and resentment, and let it go.
Everything changes when you stop blaming, and start taking ownership.
Baron is most grateful for his three healthy, bright, and intelligent sons as well as whatever higher power has been watching over him and allowing that to happen. He’s grateful for the experiences and hardships that he’s had that have strengthened him and made him better.
Make your practice about staying out of your head, in whatever way that means for you. There is power in staying out of your head. Meditation is a unique way of doing that. It allows you to be present to the physical sensations of your body and the universe.
If you find meditating difficult, just find a comfortable place and just sit. If you feel resistance, just put your attention on your breath and watch your thoughts. Just sit without expectation and see what happens.
Your thoughts aren’t you.
Separating yourself and becoming aware of your awareness gives your negative thoughts less power over you.
Baron’s friend John Sullivan gets his comeback story shoutout. He’s the one guy who has always been there in the hardest of times.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Baronbaptiste.com

@baronbaptisteyoga on Instagram

@baronbaptiste on Twitter

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Sylvester McNutt’s Comeback Story - Telling The Full Story Aug 19, 2021

Sylvester McNutt III brings some hardwon and deep wisdom to the podcast. From a childhood where he faced death down the barrel of a gun held by the hands of his father, to nearly being expelled in high school and turning his behavior around and becoming a model student, to the simple yet powerful lesson he learned about love in a brief conversation with an elderly lady on the streets of LA.

Sylvester describes his childhood with one simple word: colorful. His father was in the military and his family moved around quite a bit. As he got older, Sylvester was able to appreciate the duality of his early life where his father was a great leader but a poor teacher, and his mother was an excellent teacher but not the most loving mother.
Around the time his brother and sister were born, the entire family dynamic changed from healthy and happy to violent and unhealthy. He sensed the changes but didn’t really have the language to describe so he got into sports to cope.
Sylvester actually stole his first journal from a 7/11. As difficult as his childhood became, it launched his deepest curiosity.
One of his earliest memories of pain was when he faced death directly because of his father. That’s when he developed a deep mistrust of his parents.
The consequences of the constant disruption and mistrust were anger issues. This led to Sylvester getting into a number of fights in school until a teacher directed that anger towards sports.
Another important teacher in Sylvester’s life was his Assistant Principal in high school. Sylvester was always a difficult student and after being suspended for 42 days he essentially had to beg to stay in school. His Assistant Principal was willing to show him the motherly love Sylvester needed to turn things around and gave him a deal that allowed him to stay in school.
In his final high school years, Sylvester had perfect attendance and straight A’s because he had something bigger than his trauma, which was his team.
Slyvester’s coach required him to take up track in preparation of excelling at an even higher level, and despite hating running, that experience became the path that led Sylvester to yoga. In so many ways, sports saved him.
Sylvester’s father passed away in 2014 which gave him an acute sense of his own mortality. He was in a position where he didn’t have the money to fly back for the funeral and was forced to ask for help, which was one of the greatest things that happened to him.
Speaking at his father’s funeral and helping people grieve their loss was when he realized his destiny and decided to pursue speaking.
His journey to becoming the speaker he is today has helped him heal all the trauma of his childhood. He no longer has hate in his heart and feels blessed to be able to heal other people with his words.
Being present enough to ask why he drank alcohol was enough for him to want to be sober. Sylvester is now five months sober and is looking forward to his first birthday with a sober toast, many of which have also started reevaluating their relationship with alcohol.
While he was in his trauma, Sylvester was in survival mode. He pushed hard in his corporate job and became one of top salespeople in the organization, but that turned sour after he became afraid of his own success.
Sylvester recalls a story of his encounter with an elderly woman/potential angel who revealed the truth of love to him. When someone gives you love, you honor that. You don’t justify it.
Many people downplay the love that they receive because of shame. Shame makes you feel small and reject love.
Today, Slyvester is most grateful for his little boy. Fatherhood has given Sylvester another way to see the world and a more complete perspective on life.
Journaling is a powerful way to dismiss thoughts of not being worthy or not enough. You can ask yourself “do I need to hold this thought?”, many of the times you don’t.
We teach people how to treat us. As human beings, we seek safety, but the trouble with a complete break in a relationship is that lack of opportunity for repair. The solution is boundaries.
Boundaries are about developing a framework that allows us to interact with each other and a vessel for safety. If you’re struggling with boundaries, know that boundaries are where you end and the other person begins. They are about respect, not about one person always being right.
If Sylvester could send a message to his younger self, it would be to “stop trying to do it all on your own.” Find a community. It’s okay for other people to know about your pain and failure. Strength is in the full story, not just the success.
Sylvester’s comeback shoutout goes to a number of friends and family members that have supported him and showed him the right path forward.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Free Your Energy podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/free-your-energy/id1418852169

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Sharpening Your Saw Aug 16, 2021

On this week's episode of “Monday Motivation Raw,” Donny shares the importance of “Sharpening Your Saw” and how this is a daily practice that keeps your body healthy and strong, your mind alert and calm, and your spirit connected and inspired.

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Aubrey Marcus’ Comeback Story - The Alchemy of Gratitude Aug 12, 2021

Aubrey Marcus, the Founder of Onnit, talks about how some of the lowest points in his life and relationships revealed what he was struggling with internally and what he needed to let go to move forward. Aubrey shares some incredible wisdom and discusses why gratitude is the ultimate choice, why truth comes as a whisper and how you can calm your mind so you can hear it, and why fear is the cage we all construct for ourselves.

One of the things that stands out to Aubrey about how he grew up was that his parents split up early on and he quickly had two step-parents as well. Every single one of his parents was exceptional at what they did in the world and this gave him a unique, well-rounded environment and a lot of pressure to perform.
His earliest memories of pain involved his father and certain moments of intense rage. These experiences shaped how Aubrey communicates and the language he uses to be effective. Another challenge was the level of expectation that Aubrey had for himself growing up. He still struggles with his internal judge and tries to make it more of a coach instead of a critic.
The internal judge is often a driver for high performance, but there’s a good chance that high performers would still achieve at that level without it. What could you have accomplished with a more positive mindset?
Aubrey’s first real spiritual mentors outside of his parents include Don Howard, Ted Decker, Joe Rogan, and Bodie Miller. Aubrey also looks to some of the great mentors of the past to learn from as well.
Adversity was more of a compounding series of events for Aubrey going into 2018. He had challenges in his relationship, health, business, as well as issues with his friends and it all culminated with a car accident. That six-month stretch of his life was the most challenging he’s ever experienced.
In the depth of his struggle, Aubrey turned to prayer and letting go of his attachment to his business’s success and accepting the possibility of failure. All the issues in his life became pearls of insight that he could share with others, and the act of sharing was one of the things that helped the most.
Aubrey’s podcast was initially inspired by being one of the early guests on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Aubrey’s clothes business developed out of what they were doing with Onnit, but the nature of a cut and sew business is very challenging. One lesson he learned along the way was that if you want to be successful, you have to back it with a lot of chips and really go all in.
Every time that Aubrey has shared something vulnerable, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
As bad as the car accident was for Aubrey, it was the turning point for a lot of the issues that he was experiencing. His greatest challenge was in his polyamorous relationship where he felt overwhelmed by the pain of knowing his partner was a guy that he couldn’t deal with.
There was another moment in the business where the CFO of Aubrey’s company walked out in the middle of a meeting. As rough as that was, the relationships in his personal life were the hardest aspect to deal with.
Struggling with the other guy his partner was going out with revealed to Aubrey that he entangled sex and love and needed to separate the two.
Aubrey is grateful for his wife and his health. He feels like an unseen hand has been guiding his life and moving him forward.
Gratitude is a choice, and it’s one of the most important choices you can make. It changes the way you see the world and it’s something that you have to practice every single day.
The mind is noisy, and the truth often comes to us as a whisper. To hear that whisper you have to quiet what your body is screaming for, which is where meditation practice comes in.
One of the easiest ways to hear those whispers is to get into the flow state in whatever way works most effectively for you.
People have categorized psychedelic medicines as a drug which is part of the stigma, but in the right context, they can create hybrid sobriety and free you from the habit of being yourself.
That doesn’t mean that plant medicine can’t be abused if they are used like drugs, but when used properly they reveal your true self which isn’t addicted to anything.
Addiction is an attempt to solve a problem according to Dr. Gabor Mate, and studies are showing how plant medicine can help solve some of those problems.
Sobriety won’t necessarily solve your issue, but you usually need another practice to help you get to the root of the problem.
Finding the right guide is crucial to using plant medicine correctly. Do your research and come with the right amount of respect before jumping in with both feet.
If Aubrey could speak to his younger self, it would be to tell him to enjoy it more and know that it will all work out. But after five years of giving that answer, he’s not sure he has been taking that advice. He’s still trying to find the time to enjoy his life and do his best.
Today is a good day to die is a philosophy of living in such a full way that each day is a good day to die. Living with a fullness of life and heart is a philosophy that Aubrey has embraced and an ideal that he tries to live up to.
The thing that is holding us back is always ourselves. We live in prisons of our own creation, the trick is to let ourselves out. There are now more cages than ever for us to place ourselves in and there’s never been more fear in the world than there is today.
Coincidentally, the people most afraid to die are the most afraid to live. Fear is the real virus. Stop fearing the conversations you know you should have, stop fearing putting down boundaries in relationships that are unhealthy, stop fearing to be yourself.
Aubrey’s comeback story shoutout goes to his mom and her unconditional love.

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Self-Worth Comes From Within Aug 09, 2021

For this Monday Motivation, Darren speaks on the inner nature of self-worth.

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Ryan Leier's Comeback Story - A Modern Day Yogi With the Heart of a Lion Aug 05, 2021

Ryan Leier joins the podcast this week to talk about his struggle with depression after experiencing one of the greatest losses a parent can go through, and how yoga gave him the tools and the foundation for him to take life one step at a time. Find out how a yoga and meditation practice can help you create the space in your life to allow you to respond instead of simply reacting.

Ryan grew up in a typical middle class family. One of his earliest memories of pain was around relationship troubles and breakups. These challenges led to anxiety and depression, and in his early 20’s, Ryan started to feel pain from simply being alive.
Ryan’s first teachers were his father and mother. His dad was not just a father, but also his coach and mentor. His mother was his earliest guide on how to live right and treat other people well.
Sports and athletics had been a part of Ryan’s life until the age of 27. Being a father while living in Iceland was a big struggle for Ryan, and he’s thankful in some ways that he injured his shoulder playing basketball because that put him on the path to yoga.
Ryan’s selfishness got in the way of being a dad for the first couple of years of his daughter’s life, which is something that he does regret.
When he decided to give up basketball to be a present father, that’s when the depression really set in because so much of his identity was tied into his sport.
The greatest point of adversity in Ryan’s life was in losing his daughter five minutes after being born. He held everything together for the following 7 months until he, essentially, had a mental breakdown. It was a tough struggle to escape the depths of that depression and, in some ways, it still is.
For months afterward Ryan didn’t want to be alive, and he may not have made it through without the support of his friends and family.
Ryan studied the philosophy of yoga in high school and he often practiced meditation during that time, but it wasn’t until his shoulder injury and using yoga to rehab did Ryan get hooked on the practice.
Yoga is a way to freedom. It has the tools to get the best out of yourself, no matter what your goals are. There’s some medicine in it for everyone. Yoga and the movement is the opportunity to get out of your own way.
The emotion that kept coming up for Ryan was the feeling that he was never good enough. Without his meditation practice, he sometimes finds that voice creeping back into his life.
For Ryan, his meditation practice gives him the space to choose his response instead of simply reacting. Meditation gives you the space for grace to come in.
Ultimately, meditation is the practice of awareness, which is the basis for the ability to choose.
Avoid riding the uncontrollable rollercoaster of praise and dislike from other people.
Ryan is most grateful for the love and companionship of his friends and family. In his darkest days, those were the people that helped him see the light.
Sometimes, our pain is caused by the story we tell ourselves that we’re all alone, but that’s rarely the case. Ryan thought that it was a weakness to ask for help for most of his life, but now he understands that no one is perfect and being humble is a sign of strength, not failure.
If Ryan could give some advice to his younger self, it would be to be a student and keep learning. Once you think you’ve got everything figured out, that’s when you get squashed like a bug. To ask for guidance and pay attention to his elders.
You will never have every aspect of your life under complete control and that’s okay.
All things must pass, and you have some say in how long it lasts and how deep it goes. Find something that gives you inspiration and makes you feel light. There are tools available to help you get through the darkness.
During the pandemic, Ryan’s daily practice of yoga and prayers has been his lifeline and helped him stay out of the depths of depression and anxiety.
When Ryan was depressed, every little step was a challenge. One part of the practice is to simply wake up and make your bed, and that makes taking the next step a little bit easier.
The quality of your performance is determined by the quality of your practice.
Ryan’s comeback story shout out goes to his daughter Kaia and his ex-wife Kaitlin.

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The Power of Positivity Aug 02, 2021

On this episode, Donny talks about the power of positive thinking, and the 7 tips to bring more positivity into your life.

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Carson Daly’s Comeback Story - Bringing Mental Health Out Of The Shadows Jul 29, 2021

Carson Daly, known for his charisma and energy on stage and on the mic, shares how he struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, and how he almost ended up hiding away from the world completely. Find out why Carson is so passionate about bringing mental health into the national conversation, why it’s so important to find someone you trust to talk to if you suffer from depression and anxiety, and how gratitude and meditation allow you to take life one day at a time.

Carson grew up with fond memories in Southern California. He lost his father when he was young but his mother remarried and he became part of another family. Carson’s parents are a big part of how he thinks and feels like he does now.
When his father died, Carson wasn’t old enough to really recognize it as pain at the time. The pain was dispersed later in his life.
Carson’s earliest real teacher was his fifth grade teacher, Mr. Simons. He was the first non-parent person to make a real impact in his life and was always looking for deeper, teachable moments. Carson’s mom was also a big source of life lessons for Carson growing up. He got a balance of confidence from his mother and practicality from his stepfather.
Carson wanted to be a professional golfer when he was younger. He was actually good friends with Tiger Woods in high school. He tried to go pro but it didn’t pan out for him.
Carson got connected with radio in his early 20’s and, being dedicated, he rose the ranks very quickly.
Only in the last few years did Carson realize that he struggled for decades with depression and anxiety. There were multiple times where he would have panic attacks and think he was going to die without understanding what the real problem was.
For Carson, anxiety was not a clinical term growing up. He believed that for a long time until he was educated enough to know how wrong that was.
The best day for a lot of people with mental health scenarios is the day they get diagnosed. When Carson was finally diagnosed with panic disorder, it was a major turning point in his life and a great awakening.
Society has a perception of people on television and in sports. Carson is working towards making it more acceptable to talk about your struggles.
Carson chose cognitive therapy as his treatment instead of opting for a pharmaceutical solution. One of the first things his therapist wanted him to do was hyperventilate and trigger a panic attack to help him understand the threat that his body was perceiving.
At Carson’s lowest point, he was on the verge of agoraphobia. The danger of panic attacks is that you may begin to avoid situations that could initiate those attacks, which gradually compresses your world until you're stuck in bed and hiding away from everything.
Carson put in a lot of work in therapy to push through that fear around triggering panic attacks. The only way to get through them was to go through them.
The breakthrough moment for Carson happened on the Today Show and it happened organically. After another guest shared his mental health journey, Carson said he had dealt with essentially the same struggle. Now Carson owns the mental health space on MSNBC.
Carson now uses his platform and voice to highlight mental health issues and other people who are helping bring the conversation to the rest of the world.
Carson’s willingness to share his experience came from doing the 12 Step work in recovery meetings. Knowing that he had the power to impact and help somebody else motivates him to have that conversation and share his story with whomever wants to hear it.
Suffering in silence is never the way. We can’t live life alone.
If Carson could send his past self a short message, it would be something along the lines of “things will get better, even if you don’t believe it.”
If you know what’s holding you back but don’t know the next steps, talk to someone. If you can get into therapy, do it, but if that’s not an option, find someone you trust and just start an honest conversation. You will feel much better and it will allow you to explore your courage and ability to talk in other venues. Talking is the key.
Feeling grateful is vital. Carson now practices gratitude everyday and that helped counteract a lot of the ailments that he suffered from.
If you’re meditating, focus your mind on something around you and, when your mind strays, bring it back. Each time you do, you grow stronger in your awareness. One of the best ways to begin is by downloading a meditation app like Calm.
Starting your day with meditation instead of picking up your phone is game changing. Meditation can integrate with your daily practice of surrendering and letting go. This practice allows you to be free from yourself and step into your power.
Taking life one day at a time has allowed Carson to pull back his perspective and stick to his journey and the positive trend in his life. No one day or one moment is as big or as bad as it may seem.
Carson’s comeback shoutout goes to God and his first therapist that diagnosed him.

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Your Anointing Is In Your Authenticity Jul 26, 2021

Your Anointing Is In Your Authenticity - words from Darren Waller

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Drew Robinson’s Comeback Story - Surviving Suicide and Finding Life on the Other Side Jul 22, 2021

Drew Robinson shares his incredible story of struggling with depression and surviving a suicide attempt, and how the experience of living through it opened his eyes to how much he would have missed out on and what life really has to offer. Learn why Drew’s focus on perfection created a vicious negative feedback loop in his life and how he’s learned to let go of his ego and live life one day at a time.

Growing up for Drew was fast paced. He was constantly outside and constantly getting into trouble, with baseball being a major focus throughout his life.
Drew was the kind of kid who wore his heart on his sleeve all the time. He was emotional about setbacks and always tried to follow in his brother’s footsteps but felt like he always fell short.
We all have an image of perfection in our minds when we’re growing up, and chasing the illusion of perfection leads to the constant sense of being less than you could be. For Drew, this felt like every mistake he made meant he was a bad person and failing at life.
Living a life like that can be extremely painful. Drew sought distractions to make himself feel better, at least temporarily, but they didn't do anything to really improve the situation.
There is so much room for comparison in life and professional sports. Drew felt like a lesser player when he compared himself to other baseball players and this led to feeling like a lesser person. It’s a recipe for a negative emotional balance.
Drew is grateful to have survived his suicide attempt and come out of it with a different mindset. The moment he woke up, he started asking how he could use his experience in a positive way.
Drew’s first real teacher was his high school baseball coach. He still speaks to him on a regular basis because it’s not common to find a person that cares about you as a person first, and what you do second.
Leading up to Drew’s suicide attempt, he called off his wedding and questioned every decision he was making. He was worried about being done with baseball after being an athlete for his entire life and he started questioning whether life was worth the effort.
He started planning out his suicide very methodically, even writing out the things he wanted to say in his suicide note. He had a number of opportunities to reach out to people that cared about him but unfortunately, he didn’t risk that kind of connection.
On April 16, Drew shot himself in the head and survived. Over the next 20 hours, he realized that he wanted to live and regards that moment as a beautiful experience within terrible circumstances.
When Drew shot himself, he killed his ego. Having a near death experience revealed how important the little things in life are. It made Drew realize that there was so much more to life than baseball.
His relationship with baseball has completely changed. He’s still trying to improve his skill set but he’s trying to find the sweet spot between his profession and the rest of his life.
The middle ground is the holy ground. We are all trying to find our center and it’s important to have the tools and techniques like meditation and journaling to do that.
In the same way that one negative thought can turn into suicidal thoughts and then actual planning, one positive thought can manifest some incredibly positive things as well.
Drew had to stop the narrative that he wasn’t quite good enough in the various areas of his life in order to begin telling his comeback story. Dropping the expectation of perfection was the beginning of accepting the process of failure and growth.
Drew is grateful just to be alive now and recognizes how much he would have missed had his suicide attempt been successful.
Drew didn’t have self-love and that led to him always spinning things around to be about him in pursuit of that feeling of value. The lack of self-love prevented Drew from accepting the love from other people in his life.
Filling yourself up allows you to pour things onto other people; whether that’s love or encouragement, it comes from believing in yourself first.
Once you start caring about yourself, you will be surprised how quickly it affects the people around you.
Being able to receive something from others is one of the most beautiful things that Drew has ever experienced.
In terms of non-negotiables, Drew meditates and journals every day. He also focuses on having real, meaningful conversations with the people in his life instead of just the surface things. He’s deepend his relationships more in the past year than his entire prior life.
If Drew could have a conversation with his younger self, he would tell him that worrying about things going wrong isn’t going to help things go right, right now. He would ask himself to be more present.
If you don’t know where to start, begin by talking about it with someone. Inside his own head, Drew’s thoughts seemed so logical, and figured out but had he spoken to someone else, he would have realized what he was missing.
Drew’s comeback story shoutout goes to Diana, his psychiatrist, and his family. They have stepped up and supported Drew throughout everything that’s happened and he realizes he’s very lucky to have that kind of support system.

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Know Your Values Jul 19, 2021

Donny talks about the importance of knowing your core values, and how they will influence every decision in your life, including your career, relationships, goals, and your life’s purposes.

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Richard Maraj’s Comeback Story - Finding Gratitude and Love After a Life-Changing Car Accident Jul 15, 2021

Richard Maraj shares his story of how he escaped a downward slide into depression after suffering a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed and unable to walk again, and how he discovered his passion for spreading a message of spirituality, gratefulness, love, and joy.

Growing up for Richard was fabulous. As one of the youngest of 10 siblings, he always had someone to play with and he excelled in sports at school. It wasn’t until the day after he graduated from high school did things change where he was paralyzed in a car accident.
The accident seemed to end everything in Richard’s life and he was devastated, leading to further depression. When he went to University to learn kinesiology he felt even more isolated and he began using marijuana and alcohol to numb the pain. It was at university where Richard saw another injured person using crutches instead of a wheelchair.
He began using crutches himself but it was an arduous experience and involved a lot of pain and difficulty, but learning how to use crutches and being able to move without a wheelchair forced Richard to push through and gave him the drive and belief that he could do anything.
Sometimes people come into your life and they can be the uniting force and catalyst that allows you to believe in yourself.
Richard’s mom was his first real teacher. She gave him the support that allowed him to figure out the crutches and always guided him towards taking the time to do things well.
Find what ignites your passion. Your talents and abilities are not always attached to your job, but you should find the gift you have that you were meant to share.
Live the slash. You can be more than just your profession.
Richard was encouraged by his brother to join Toastmasters, and before he knew it Richard was competing in the World Championship of public speaking. This opened him up to speaking gigs and helped spread a message of motivation, which eventually evolved into a ministry of spirituality, forgiveness, and wellbeing.
When Richard stopped believing that his life was hopeless, it opened up his life and what was possible for him. Our own self-worth is the most influential aspect of how much love and joy we receive.
Almost everybody has a belief around what they are capable of. We need to be more flexible and willing to see what’s possible.
Gratitude is the foundation for Richard’s life. You have to be grateful for what you have today because if you can’t, you will never be able to be grateful for the things you have when you make it. An attitude of gratitude opens yourself to solutions and joy.
Forgiveness is the other pillar of Richard’s life. Forgiveness and letting go is one of the hardest things that humans can do. When you hold bitter resentment and hatred in your heart, there is no room for love or joy. Forgiveness frees you from the past and lets you move beyond the pain.
Our perspective on the world affects how we see everything, which is why a growth mindset is so important. A fixed mindset only sees obstacles and failure.
For anything that happens to you, there are three things that can come of it: it can make you worse, leave you unchanged, or it can improve you and take you to greater heights.
If a situation looks hopeless, ask the question “what can I learn from this?”.
Curiosity is what opens up relationships and creates more intimacy and depth.
If Richard could send a short message to his past self, it would be to keep being himself and live his most authentic life. Richard has realized that the more comfortable he has been with himself the more effective he’s been as a speaker and spreading his message.
Connect with someone who has the mindset of success. Find role models and ask them questions if you can.
Richard’s comeback story shoutout goes to his mom and brother, as well as the person who comforted him after his car accident and kept him safe until the ambulance arrived.

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Expectations Jul 12, 2021

Sure, we want things to go a certain way ...

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Nick Santonastasso’s Comeback Story - The Unshakeable Mindset Jul 08, 2021

Nick Santonastasso delivers some inspiring wisdom learned from 25 years of adversity. Being born with no legs and one arm gave Nick a choice in life. He could resent the hand that he was dealt, or he could choose to live life to its fullest and turn that obstacle into a launchpad for success, growth, and learning. Nick shares the mindset and beliefs that allow him to crush it every single day and how your story of adversity is the foundation for your success if you choose it to be.

Growing up was incredibly challenging for Nick. One of the biggest advantages he received early on was his parents focusing on the 30% chance of him surviving and not the 70% chance of him dying. What you focus on you get more of, and Nick pulled through to continue to take on the obstacles in front of him.
Nick’s parents gave him as many opportunities to figure things out for himself as much as possible. Early on, Nick developed an empowering relationship with failure and rejection, and became solution-oriented above all.
Focus 10% of your energy on the problem, analyze it, feel it, and then commit the rest of your energy to the solution because what you focus on you get more of.
You need to realize that who you are is built over time and you need to put in the work every day.
Focus = Emotion = Action = Results. What is wrong in your life will always be there to focus on, but on the flip side what is right is always there too and you get to choose.
In middle and high school, Nick was looking for the secret sauce which was confidence. Confidence is a skill that you hone and practice, and is following through on your promises.
How many times have you made a promise to yourself that you broke? Every time you do that you diminish your self integrity and your word and your relationship with yourself. One broken promise can lead to a downward spiral.
Confidence and self-worth is the foundation to your success, because you will never make more than you think you are worth, in all areas of your life.
When something negative happens to us, we have the choice of stacking thoughts either negatively or positively. For Nick, an early experience of pain from bullying led to him choosing to break through the pain and choosing the positive path.
Your brain is a problem solving machine and if you ask it a question it’s going to give you an answer. Negative, disempowering questions like “why me?” will give you disempowering answers. Great leaders don’t give you answers, they lead you to the right answers by asking the right questions.
What are you willing to sacrifice for your dream? What are the limiting beliefs that you need to cut out that are not serving you? Who are the people in your life that you need to cut out that are no longer serving you?
Love your family and friends, but choose your peer group. If you spend time with people with low standards, it’s only a matter of time before you lower your own standards.
Change is hard because our brain is always trying to bring us back to our old identity. We are in a constant battle with our old self that is trying to sabotage our growth.
Nick recalls an event when he was on an airplane and how he chose to look at the situation in a positive light. Reframing is a technique that you can use to find the empowering meaning from a negative event.
One of the most painful moments in Nick’s adult life was when his brother overdosed. Nick had to rise up and be there for his father. He learned that he can’t control everything in his life, that things will happen and they can either sink you or you can learn from it.
Your adversity sculpted you. Your adversity is a blessing that enables your ability to cultivate a more powerful character.
Nick has a daily practice that he uses to maintain his unshakeable mindset. Two of his non-negotiables are drinking a gallon of water and 45 mins of movement.
Most people have a dirt road to happiness and a highway to hell. Most people design the rules of their life to make it hard to feel successful. You are in charge of your rules.
Gratitude is the most powerful emotion because it outweighs all the negative emotions. You can be grateful for the things that you have, but you can also be grateful for things that haven’t happened yet, and doing so pulls it toward you. This is why visualization and meditation can be so powerful.
Avoiding your phone in the morning is a simple way to keep the ball in your court instead of giving your power away to the world.
If Nick could offer a piece of advice to his younger self it would be to stay the course. Most people aren’t persistent enough to get the results they want. Also, seek validation from within and take your power back. The only opinion that matters is your own.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Only compare yourself to the next greater version of yourself.
If you know you need to change but don’t know where to start, begin by consuming great content. Your mind is a garden, and if you don’t tend your garden weeds will grow. Find someone who has the mindset and lifestyle you want and model them. Be conscious of the people that you are learning from.
Always have your goals and ambitions at the top of your mind and always share them with people because you never know who is going to open the next door for you.
Nick’s comeback shoutout goes to his brother and his business partner. Sometimes it takes a person from a different walk of life to see a gift in you that you may not see for yourself.

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How Free Do You Want To Be? Jul 05, 2021

Happy Fourth of July!

In this episode, Donny talks about the power of “Freedom” and the tips and practices to find more freedom in your mind and in your life.

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Anahata Ananda’s Comeback Story - Shamangelic Healing Jul 01, 2021

Anahata Ananda shares her story of pain, discovery, and transformation. Learn how Anahata found Shamanic healing as a path towards recovery from a childhood poisoned by her hate of her father, and how shadow work and addressing that pain unlocked her ability to forgive, love, and reach her true potential, and help other people do the same thing.

Anahata Ananda is the founder of Sedona’s Shamangelic Healing, she blends the compassion and tenderness of an Angel and the wisdom and strength of a Shaman to guide profound journeys of core healing and spiritual awakening.
As a Certified High-Performance Coach, Shamanic Healer, and Soul Guide, Anahata has guided thousands of individuals through core life shifts, helping them to turn their life around and create the life of their dreams. Anahata masterfully creates a safe and loving space for inward transformational journeys that empower individuals to release their fears, open their hearts and reclaim their power.
Growing up, Anahata's childhood was bittersweet. She spent a lot of time outdoors exploring but at home it was scary. She lived in fear of her father and his volatile anger, and no one in the family really acknowledged it.
One of her earliest memories of pain was when her father spanked her when she was really young for doing something she didn’t realize was an issue. This experience planted a seed of hate for her father which made the rest of her childhood challenging.
That hate closed a part of her heart. Anytime you feel a wound of any kind where someone hurts us, a part of us shuts down and our inner child begins to withdraw, which is what happened to Anahata.
This kind of experience creates a lot of confusion around relationships in life. Anahata started drinking and smoking at a young age because that’s what she saw adults in her life doing.
Most of us with any kind of wounds are overcompensating because we usually don’t have the tools to deal with the pain. We are taught to ignore and sedate things, and anything you stuff down is going to have unintended consequences.
When one piece of your life doesn’t feel right and hasn’t healed, it’s going to attract situations where it can be resolved. Sometimes the inner healing work can take decades.
Our biggest wounds and insecurities will become our greatest superpowers later on.
It’s easy to love the people that love us back, but it’s the people that have harmed us the most is where the test of real love is going to happen. For Anahata, her father was her greatest teacher because if it wasn’t for her relationship with him she never would know or understand what forgiveness is.
The cost of not wanting to forgive led to a lot of addiction, denial, and chaos in her life. It wasn’t until Anahata started exploring Shamanic work and examining her shadow did she let out her feelings of sadness and rage.
Darren and Donny recently did some Shamanic breathwork with Anahata. During that session, Darren reconnected with his fifteen-year-old self and recognized the pain he felt then.
We feel the moment when we start to self-abandon, especially when surrounded by money and power. Having a commitment to yourself allows you to know when that’s happening and how to stay on the path you’ve chosen.
Anahata brought a lot of cracks in her foundation to the relationship with her husband. They managed for a while, but once the twins arrived, those cracks widened. You need the tools of conscious communication, clear agreements, and boundaries for a healthy relationship.
Her hardest point of adversity was when she divorced her husband and had to let go of the family unit that she held so dear. She could tell that staying in the relationship would be more chaotic than the alternative.
When you’re on your personal development journey, you find a willingness to look at your part in the wound. You can’t get to forgiveness if you’re still angry and hurt.
There is a parenting gap for all of us between what we needed and what we received. You need to go back to the inner child and bring them home.
The journey of reclamation begins when you go back and look at all the places you should have said no. On the journey, you start to see the correlations between the unconscious choices you made in the past and the pain you were dealing with.
Along the way, you learn how to communicate, set clear boundaries, how to do self-care and love again, and eventually learn how to forgive.
You can’t bypass the core wound. If you do, your subconscious still continues to make decisions from that place.
If you feel a tension in your relationship or something that doesn’t feel right, there is something that wants your attention and needs to be addressed. Personal development helps you get better at identifying those things and avoiding real chaos.
Having a coach and mentor to point out what you’re doing from an outside perspective is very valuable. There may be an underlying lesson in an experience that you are too close to see. Being coachable is one of the greatest qualities someone can have if they want to keep elevating.
It’s also important to have people around you that want you to shine and want to be the best versions of themselves. You may have to let go of certain social circles if they aren’t working towards that kind of improvement.
Personal development and coaching is not using what you did or did not get as a child as an excuse to hijack the rest of your life. It’s about taking ownership and staying in the work.
It’s our responsibility to improve on what we have been given.
Most people want to avoid pain and conflict, but that is what leads to self-abandonment. You don’t want that stagnated version of yourself making decisions for you and you do that by becoming good at saying no.
As you grow, the cracks in your foundation will be tested. As things in your life level up, your weaknesses will be amplified. Listen to your inner dialogue and you will become aware of where those cracks are, which will point you in the right direction on fixing those issues.
Anahata is grateful for the people in her life and the people in her tribe. Because of the work that Anahata put in on herself, she now also has great adult relationships with her children as well.
If Anahata could send a message back to her younger self it would be “follow your heart. You’re enough. Be you and do it your way. Play and laugh along the way, and live life for yourself first.”
If you know what’s holding you back but don’t know what to do about it, follow the people that are getting the results that you want. Once you know the path, start taking the steps and pay attention to whether it’s the journey you really want to be on.
Anahata’s comeback story shoutout goes to the first Shamanic healer that helped her with her shadow work, but she also wants to recognize the different people that have appeared in her life at the right moment to teach her something, including her father.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Shamangelichealing.com

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Recognize The Impermanence Jun 28, 2021

Darren Waller talks this week about living life with a greater sense of urgency.

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Sarah Blondin’s Comeback Story - Rediscover Your Heart Jun 24, 2021

Sarah Blondin shares some incredible heart-centered wisdom and what she learned during the lowest period of her life. Listen to a deep discussion on the tragedy and pain inherent to life, as well as the love and joy, and why everyone is in the process of rediscovering their heart.

Sarah grew up exposed to the struggle of addiction early on. She had supportive parents and a good household, but growing up next to a recovery center and seeing human pain on a constant basis led to her internalizing the pain.
We are born as children seeing a sea of pain without the ability to articulate or deal with it, and that’s part of the reason that we are seeing so much disconnect and fading out today.
Sarah recognized that people don’t want you to see their pain. As a society, we ignore and suppress pain and avoid shining a spotlight on it. She recalls a time in Vancouver where she encountered a man on the street that became aggressive and threatening, and how all the people around her turned away and ignored what was happening.
Covid has exposed a lot of the unresolved pain and trauma in society because we don’t have any idea how to process it.
Sarah had an English teacher who helped her see the magic of writing stories to take people out of their experiences.
Sarah has had three major low points in her life, and she noticed that each one came with the birth of a more expanded version of herself. The first was when she was working in Vancouver, and even with her early success, she felt painfully out of integrity with herself. Her second happened after moving to the country where she had a near-psychotic break with reality and her third was an extremely dark period in her life.
Since she has been through the depression, the reality shake-up, and the anxiety Sarah feels like she’s been rattled as deep as she can go but now she’s able to stand stronger because of it.
Transformation is extremely painful. We have to shed the layers of who we are to become who we can be.
It’s about surrendering and re-finding your ground and going back to your life the best you can. You need a ritual or process to open a deeper relationship with yourself, without that you risk a neurosis that you might not escape from.
Sarah had always been a writer because that was how she processed the world. Whatever you do quietly on your own time is probably the thing that has the gold dust that is going to help the world.
Sarah started her work and put it out into the world in order to help herself, but other people connected with what she was doing organically.
None of our problems are unique. We all struggle with the same problems. Sarah doesn’t ask what other people need to hear, she asks what she needs to hear.
We are all working to excavate some sort of gift within us that we can offer back to the world.
When you go through the Twelve Steps, it gives you the tool of service that gives you purpose and freedom and the ability to stay out of your own way.
Sarah has been in a deep state of gratitude recently. Even pain can be a gift when you embrace the love on the other side. As you get older you gain the wisdom of learning that the learning never stops.
If Sarah would send a message to her younger self, it would be “it all hurts, but you can handle it.”
Meditation is the practice of admitting what is happening inside of you. It allows you to see the things that you’re holding in your body without even knowing it. As long as you choose and become disciplined in something, it has its own unfolding.
We don’t have to worry so much about how our pain gets healed, we just have to see it. Maybe we are all supposed to be a little more messy and show up for the process.
Awareness is the first step to creating any sort of change.
The nice thing about seeking refuge on your yoga mat is you don’t have the distractions to prevent you from feeling something. It’s all information and it’s there to teach you about something.
Is the price you pay for listening to your fear worth the sacrifice of living in alignment with your heart? Going towards the things that are uncomfortable lead to the greatest revelations and transformations.
Pain hits the heart first. We are born with our mother’s pain within us and we can’t walk ourselves through it.
Men have trouble living in their hearts in particular. Something happens in the world that teaches young men to abandon their heart.
If you’re just starting this journey of intimacy, don’t come at it thinking it’s going to be easy. Accept the invitations as they come.
Sarah’s comeback story shoutout goes to her husband who has been there to support her and anchor her from the beginning.

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Why We Need Mindfulness Jun 21, 2021

Donny is back this week with Monday Motivation Raw. In this hot take, he shares his keys to recovery, no matter what you might be recovering from. He covers topics such as: honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, gratitude, and the importance of staying in the middle of the herd. Donny & Darren created these short, but powerful Monday episodes to help you start the week with the right mindset and perspective. We hope you enjoy!

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Lisa Bilyeu’s Comeback Story - The #1 Mindset Shift That Made Quest Nutrition Possible Jun 17, 2021

Lisa Bilyeu shares the wisdom she has learned in her journey from stay-at-home housewife to millionaire business co-founder alongside her husband, Tom Bilyeu. Learn how Lisa took a chronic and debilitating health issue and turned it into the foundation for extreme ownership in her life, and why she believes the mindset she discovered at her lowest point was the key to her success.

Lisa was brought up in the metropolis of London but has Greek roots and would always go back to the village where she grew up each summer.
It was from Lisa’s father that she learned the foundational lesson of working hard and putting in the effort is how you achieve something. Coming from nothing doesn’t define who you can be, it just means that you have to believe in yourself and put in the work.
Many of us grow up with the belief system of what our parents pass on to us, which is pretty much what happened to Lisa. Even with her big dreams of making movies in America, she found herself falling into the lifestyle of the stay-at-home wife before starting Quest Nutrition.
Lisa was bullied as a young girl and struggled with a painful internal belief that she wasn’t good enough and all the insecurities that come with that.
Lisa’s mother was her first real teacher. She chose to stand on her own after divorcing Lisa’s father, and seeing her be empowered while raising Lisa and her siblings showed her what was possible with hard work.
Looking back at her mother’s story, Lisa realized that she had body image issues and lost her way later on.
In the early days of starting the business with her husband, Lisa quickly learned that picking herself back up was her superpower and she built the confidence that if she didn’t know something she could learn it.
Lisa’s experience with helping her mother get healthy again is the origin story of the content that they would begin to create and where Impact Theory was born.
If you don’t believe something is possible, you might as well give up now. If you do believe it’s possible, you are going to overcome the obstacles that get in your way and stop making excuses. Mindset is the key to the comeback story.
The most difficult point in Lisa’s life occurred during the early days of Quest Nutrition when the work involved 24 hour days and plenty of hardship and success. Right at the moment where things started to take off, Lisa couldn’t eat much of anything without feeling completely awful. With more money than she ever dreamed, Lisa was more miserable than ever.
She realized that the fact she was sick was her fault and she needed to accept responsibility for the situation and take control of her own health. She started tracking everything about what she ate instead of taking a pill to solve her problems. This expanded out into the rest of her life and is how Lisa lives now: complete ownership.
For Lisa, there was no rock bottom. It was just 8 years of a life that she didn’t want, despite the fact that it wasn’t a bad life. Even though she didn’t want it, her mindset fell into the narrative of her childhood.
Lisa used to say that she couldn’t do something, but now she says she could do it if she put in the work but maybe she doesn’t want to. There is nothing out of your reach, and that mindset is incredibly empowering. Instead of running away from your weaknesses, you need to shine a light on them and focus on shoring them up.
Mindfulness gives us the space to make better decisions and make fewer mistakes.
It’s not about when we fall, it’s about how we get back up. Society tends to focus on the fall and use it to define people, but we need to move past that and focus more on who we show up as each day and who we are trying to be in the future.
Lisa is most grateful for her husband, everything else in her life could go. From the beginning of their marriage, they focused on doing what they needed to do to build a happy successful marriage, not just being married.
If you have a common goal with your relationship, you can communicate with each other and trust that criticism, feedback, or complaints, are in service to your shared goal. Like a business partnership, each person has a role and responsibilities and they execute them together like a team.
As long as we keep nurturing, loving, and growing at the forefront they become the foundations for a relationship.
Relationships are like sports, they take practice and work to become good at.
If Lisa could say something to her younger self she would send her an emoji that would make her laugh. Lisa believes that her hardship and struggle made her into who she is now, and embracing that hardship is empowering for her.
If you’re not feeling confident right now, start by asking different questions. Break down the thing that you want from your perspective, instead of from someone else’s perspective.
Don’t focus on the “shoulds” and take them out of your vocabulary. Not asking yourself the hard questions forces you to stay exactly where you are, whether you like it or not.
Lisa’s comeback shoutout goes to herself. At the end of the day, your comeback story starts with yourself.

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Paul Vautrinot’s Comeback Story - Escaping Life In The Tunnels of Las Vegas Jun 10, 2021

Paul Vautrinot tells his incredible story of living as a drug addict in the flood tunnels below Las Vegas and how a “conversation with a cricket” became the turning point in his life. Learn about how Paul now helps other addicts escape and get their lives on the path to recovery like he did.

Paul’s childhood was volatile to say the least. His mother was a prostitute who was addicted to both crack cocaine and alcohol. He moved a lot until he was 8 years old when his grandparents put him with a different family. Despite those hardships, Paul believes that he was generally a happy kid.
One of the defining moments in Paul’s life was, after a rollercoaster period of his mother getting sober and relapsing repeatedly, he realized that he didn’t have to pour his emotion into things he couldn’t control.
He came to the understanding that nothing would affect him for the rest of his life. As bad as those emotional highs and lows were, Paul knew that he could just ride out the wave.
The downside to that is that he has trouble connecting with people. The trauma he experienced as a child put him perpetually on guard, to the point where he has difficulty creating relationships.
Early on, Paul spent a year with a foster family that showed him what life could look like. This gave him a whole picture perspective and not just his side of the story.
Every bottom is a trapdoor. Paul’s bottom happened at the age of 24 when he found himself homeless on the streets after everyone in his life refused to take him in. He literally had nowhere to go, but that was just the beginning.
Eventually, Paul made his way to the flood channels of Las Vegas where he lived for two years and bought into the lifestyle of a committed drug addict. The whole time he had the thought at the back of his head that he was not meant for that kind of life.
One day, he heard a voice that said that Paul was going to die with a needle in his arm if he continued with this lifestyle. He retells the story of how he was going to escape that starts with his girlfriend swinging a piece of wood at his head and having a conversation with a black cricket and ends with him being arrested by the police.
Part of what was holding him back was a fear that he wouldn’t be able to live a normal life. Despite how hard his life was, it was easier to keep doing what he knew.
Paul’s recovery started with Alcoholics Anonymous, where he sat listening to other people describe their stories, and he realized that he had no evidence that AA was not going to help, and plenty of evidence that it worked for other people.
Freedom House came into Paul’s life during his recovery and he decided to invest himself and do his best. He started off at the lowest level and within two and a half years, he was promoted all the way to Program Director of the organization. It was at that time that the founder of Freedom House told Paul about Crossroads and brought him on to help build that up.
Many of the social services available to people have a 2-year wait list. Paul believes that there is no reason that we can’t provide instant placement and social help for people that are ready to enter the program, and that’s where Shine a Light comes in.
Paul is most grateful for his family, which was something that he would never have. His family has shown him the gift of flowing instead of forcing things. His experience has given him the ability to face life on its own terms.
One of the greatest lessons that he’s learned is that he gets to choose his own level of distraction. If you want something to be important, you can choose for it to be important. If you don’t think it’s important, let it go.
At first glance you may think you’re powerless, but the very next step gives you your power back. The power to respond with love instead of reacting with fear.
If Paul could send a message back to his younger self, it would be “it will all be worth it.” If it had not been for experiences, Paul would not have what he has today.
The advice that Paul gives to people who don’t know if they are capable of escaping their older life is usually the same: There is a better life to live and you have nothing to lose. Your current life is still going to be here so you might as well try to be better.

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Consistency: Even When You Don’t Feel Like It Jun 07, 2021

Darren Waller shares a few thoughts on consistency - even when the feelings aren't there.

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Matthew Berry’s Comeback Story - From Miserable Hollywood Screenwriter to Fantasy Sports Expert Jun 03, 2021

Matthew Berry explores his journey from being a writer for television and film in Hollywood to the Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst for ESPN and all the lessons he learned along the way. Learn why Matthew believes that problems don’t discriminate, and why pursuing external things to make you happy only leads to misery and depression in the long run and what you should do instead.

Matthew grew up in a very middle-class family where he and his family moved around a lot. Matthew was always the new kid in class, which was challenging for someone who was socially awkward. It wasn’t until high school did Matthew meet a core group of friends that are still in his life.
Because he was alone a lot, Matthew became an avid reader and a big fan of sports, which became the platform for his later career.
One of Matthew’s biggest fears is having things taken away from him. This may be due to the constant movement he experienced during his childhood where whenever he became friends with someone it was eventually taken away from him when he moved.
One of his earliest memories of pain was being bullied in high school. He recalls a time in high school where his Tennis team played a trick on him and abandoned him at a 7/11, forcing Matthew to walk the two miles back to the school.
Not counting his parents, one of the first real teachers to see something in Matthew was his tennis coach.
Problems don’t discriminate. Even with people that seem to have everything in life, we all have moments of gripping doubt and ego and sadness.
Matthew’s lowest point in life happened after he moved out to Hollywood with the goal of writing for show business. On paper, it looked like he had a great life but he found himself extremely depressed. During therapy, Matthew discovered that, while he enjoyed telling people he was a writer, he didn’t actually like the process of his work and being in Hollywood.
In order to save his life and get it back on track, Matthew realized that he had to get out of his marriage and quit show business, both of which comprised the whole of his identity at that point. At the age of 35, Matthew found himself divorced and alone in an empty house, trying to make a living running a fantasy football website.
Matthew was living his life for everyone else, and the trouble with that is that the minute the external thing is over you have to find the next thing to be happy. When Matthew decided to leave Hollywood, he decided to chase happiness instead of chasing the trappings of happiness.
Committing to fantasy football is what allowed Matthew to find all kinds of opportunities and relationships. Once he decided to focus on happiness, the rest fell into place.
Matthew is the most grateful for his kids, his wife, and his health. He knows that he has a lot to be thankful for and he doesn’t take it for granted.
Everyone has their own things that they are dealing with. Sometimes it’s hard to remember, if you are ever feeling bad about yourself turn on the news and I assure you somebody else has it worse.
Life is not a race, it’s a journey. Everyone gets to where they are supposed to be. Maybe not as fast as the person next to you, maybe not on the timeframe you want, maybe not in the way you expect, but everybody gets to the place where they are supposed to be.
Matthew’s comeback shoutout goes to his supportive wife who stood by him as he pursued his dream of making fantasy football a real career.

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Anna David’s Comeback Story - From Cocaine Addict to 6-Figure Entrepreneur May 27, 2021

Anna David, best-selling author and entrepreneur, shares her story of addiction and depression, and how one word became the turning point for her that allowed her to become sober and build a new life. Hear Anna’s story of recovery and some of the more common misconceptions around addiction, and how she now helps other entrepreneurs tell their own stories of recovery with her publishing company.

Anna David grew up in a very money-motivated and education-focused family. Because the external view of her family was wealthy and upper-class, she didn’t realize that there was anything wrong or understand the trauma until she was in college.
Anna’s parents first went into marriage counseling when she was 5 and she remembers being in the waiting room thinking that it would be better if they just got divorced. Even then, Anna felt like hers was an unhappy family and that they would all be better off if they were separated.
Anna’s addiction was a major challenge for her where she felt trapped between two worlds. She knew that cocaine was killing her by making her depressed, but she couldn’t conceive of a world where she would be capable of giving it up.
A lack of courage and faith was the main thing holding Anna back from turning things around. Part of her rock bottom was getting tattoos that she didn’t think through or really care about, but when she got the word courage tattooed it became surprisingly meaningful to her. It wasn’t until she found the courage to change did anything improve in her life. A tattoo can become a form of visualization and manifestation.
One of the biggest initial victories for Anna was when she made up her mind to change and not wavering in her conviction over the course of the next week before she joined a rehab program. Anna had been so isolated in her addiction that she loved rehab and being around people and the process of sobriety forced her to relearn almost everything.
Building relationships and friendships while in rehab were incredibly valuable for Anna and became the foundation for her sober life.
Writing was always something that Anna wanted to do. She majored in Creative Writing and worked for a huge number of publications. While she was writing books, she went through the maze of traditional publishing and while it was a dream come true it was also a brutal business. This experience with the struggle of traditional publishing is what led Anna to start her own publishing business where she helps entrepreneurs publish their own books.
All entrepreneurs need a book. Everybody has a book in them, but not everybody should be writing that book.
In some ways, it’s harder for people who are addicted but never hit a true rock bottom, because it’s not a quick road or immediately obvious that the addiction is destroying your life.
For Anna, community and connection are the cornerstones of sober life. We are all seeking community, no matter the approach to sobriety. Sometimes it takes being completely isolated before you realize that you need a community to be happy.
One of the more common misconceptions around alcoholism is that people think it’s about how much you drink. There are plenty of people that drink more than alcoholics but don’t have the same self-destructive relationship with alcohol.
Another is that sobriety is all about willpower, but that’s not always the case. Most sober people no longer have the desire to use what they did when they were addicted because of the steps they’ve taken to remove themselves from the environment and habits that caused the problem.
Anna has a lot to be grateful for now. She is grateful for being able to be a good girlfriend, and for her business to be able to thrive despite the fact that she never believed she would ever make that kind of money.
If Anna could send a message to her younger self, even knowing that she probably wouldn’t listen, she would tell her “don’t try harder, resist less.” Surrender and feel the relief.
Many people believe that the key is to keep grinding and figure it out on their own, but the path starts with humility and surrendering.
Anna would say that God speaks through other people. If you don’t know what to do next and feel like you’re being nudged in a specific direction, pay attention to that and see what happens.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Launch Your Book with Anna David podcast

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Keys To Recovery May 24, 2021

Donny Starkins shares his keys to recovery, no matter what you might be recovering from. He covers topics such as: honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, gratitude, and the importance of staying in the middle of the herd.

Donny & Darren created these short, but powerful Monday episodes to help you start the week with the right mindset and perspective. We hope you enjoy!

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Tom Bilyeu’s Comeback Story - The Only Belief That Matters May 20, 2021

Tom Bilyeu, founder of Quest Nutrition and Impact Theory, delivers an incredible message of transformation and power. Hear Tom’s story of how his dream of becoming a filmmaker fell apart and how he lost his ambition to achieve in life until he had a life changing realization, and discovered his step-by-step formula for fulfillment and success in life.

Tom Bilyeu’s life growing up was right in between blue collar and white collar life. He didn’t grow up poor, but did learn the frustration of having to earn the money to buy the things he wanted when he was young. He was diagnosed with ADHD but his mother refused to medicate him for it, which is something Tom is very grateful for. His childhood shaped his work ethic and cultivated who he is today.
Tom made himself two promises as a child. One he hasn’t managed to keep and one he’s kept very closely. The first was never doing anything that made him nervous, the second was not letting other people tell him what to do, and as an entrepreneur he’s done well with that one.
Tom has recently started examining just why he is so driven in life. His father had a deep love for cars when Tom was growing up, but Tom always hated the hobby. This led him to wonder if his father could love him if he hated his father’s greatest passion. This anxiety may have led to Tom being so driven to achieve.
As he grew into his adult life, Tom began experiencing a recurring nightmare of being trapped in a loveless marriage. This was probably due to subconsciously picking up the distance between his parents when he was younger.
Tom attributes Stephen King as being his first real teacher because King’s books taught him to read. Reading has been the foundation for Tom’s success. His father gave Tom a copy of The Gunslinger when he was young and twenty years later, it still resonates.
Tom now spends an average of 2.5 hours every day learning or reading, and believes that is what makes the difference.
Tom’s early 20s were difficult. Tom went to film school before YouTube and smartphones were prevalent, and that’s when he realized that he didn’t have talent as a filmmaker. Despite his high ambitions, Tom felt like he was at a dead end and found himself selling video games with no real opportunities worth pursuing.
A major turning point was when Tom asked his girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage and he said no. The reason he didn’t want Tom to marry his daughter is that he accurately identified that he didn’t have the drive to see his ambitions through. Tom was lost, scared, frustrated, and hopeless with no idea what to do.
That shame got Tom moving, which is when he became somewhat controversial. Shame can be a powerful motivator if you don’t let it break you. He started making changes to his life, one small step at a time.
As a kid, Tom was excited for the future and all the possibilities before him. As a young adult, the reality of being broke and less talented than he thought brought that excitement crashing down hard. The first big narrative shift in his life happened when he realized that he was telling himself that he wasn’t smart enough to succeed in the way he wanted.
Because of brain plasticity, he began to embrace the word “yet”. Buying into brain plasticity, which Tom refers to as the only belief that matters, changed his life.
If you invest your time and energy into a skill set, you will get better at it.
Tom is grateful for his wife more than anything else. Relationships are a compromise and you will make sacrifices when you’re in them, but if you get it right, it’s incredible. The greatest gift that life has to offer is a shared experience.
Tom pursued the typical dream of getting rich when he was younger, particularly fast cars, big houses, and nice things. After about 8 years of really pushing, Tom was worth two million dollars on paper and realized that he hated his life. Money is very powerful, but it can’t change the way you feel about yourself.
You’re living in a virtual environment created by your brain and the only thing that is actually real for you is how you feel. This realization led to Tom pursuing experiences that made him feel alive over everything else.
People usually ask “What would you do if you couldn’t fail?”, but that’s the wrong question. Tom started asking himself “What would I do and love, even if I were failing?”
There are certain things that are true about humans. We seek status and we are social creatures. If you don’t contribute to the group you will feel bad about yourself and you won’t feel connected or fulfilled.
Fulfillment, as a formula, works like this: You have to work hard because part of your brain insists that you earn what you have. You should develop a set of skills that are unique to you based on something that you care about, then leverage that skill set to serve you and other people. If it only serves yourself or other people but not both, it won’t work.
The punchline of life is not success, fame, or notoriety. It is entirely how you feel about yourself when you’re by yourself.
It doesn’t matter who you are today, it only matters who you want to become and the price you are willing to pay to get there.
Everything in life is a process. Find something that you find interesting, the thing that gives you more energy than it takes away. Don’t expect it to feel like you are saving the world, but if you find yourself unable to stick to it more than a few times, you may just not be resilient enough to push through the fact that even passion has an overhead.
When you find the thing that holds your attention and is worth pushing through, start telling other people about it in an embodied way. You’re having a biological experience, and embodying a feeling with excitement and energy will tell your brain that this thing matters. Your brain will justify whatever energy level you bring to the table.
Treat your desire like a process. Tell yourself and other people what it is you're fighting for, and you’ll end up in a self-reinforcing loop where the harder you work, the better you get, and the better you get, the better you are able to serve yourself and other people.
We are wired to do something that matters.

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Accept and Advance May 17, 2021

There’s is no comeback without awareness. We must accept who we are, where we are, and what we’ve done without being paralyzed by the weight of the truth. Honesty is uncomfortable in the beginning, but freedom is impossible without it. Don’t lose hope! You will be better for going straight through the pain rather than finding a way to avoid it.

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Danica Patrick’s Comeback Story - The Importance of Mindset, Goals, and Self-Love May 13, 2021

Danica Patrick, one of the most successful and recognized female racers in the world, shares her story of what she learned during her career, on and off the track. Learn about why a growth mindset was key to Danica’s success growing up as a racer, the vital importance of setting lofty goals, and why self-love is the best foundation for real relationships in life.

Danica is one of the most successful and recognized female racers, having been the first female to lead the Indy 500, the first female to win the Poll position in the Daytona 500, and won the Indy Japan. No other female has come close to what Danica has achieved in her racing career.
Danica grew up in Illinois and life was very normal, but she admits that she hasn’t experienced anything else so most people will think their childhood is pretty “normal”.
She began racing at the age of 10 so being competitive was a source of struggle and conflict with her father, but Danica doesn’t have many specific memories from her childhood.
Danica’s first real teacher was her father. She doesn’t recall having any role models in particular. One of the first lessons she learned from her father was that wherever your eyes are, that’s the direction you will go. This has become a metaphor that Danica has taken to heart.
Danica is a future thinker and gets very attached to outcomes. This makes her willing to work through the pain when she sets a goal so that she can achieve it.
Professionally, one of Danica’s lowest points was when her sponsor left in 2017. She had to face the possibility of being done racing and how that was going to change her life. Personally, she’s dealt with a lot more sadness in grief in her relationships.
Danica realized that the times where she happiest were when she was performing her best, and that when she was happier she also performed better. Recognizing the dynamic of her own joy and how her well-being affected her performance was a big realization.
If people grow up in a household that only rewards success they tend to refrain from taking on new challenges because of their fear of failure. A growth mindset is critical for every aspect of life.
Home is a state of being. It’s inside you and you carry it with you. As a culture, once we wrap our head around how powerful the mind is there will be some drastic shifts in the world.
So much of who we are is hidden in the subconscious mind. Once you recognize that everything in your reality is there to show you who you are, it becomes informational. We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.
The body follows the mind. When it comes to football or racing, success is 90% mental and 10% physical. The fear of failure is more impactful than the physical skills of the body. Belief in yourself carries an immense amount of weight of the end result.
If you set your goal to be ambitious and lofty, the halfway point will still involve achieving great things. If you make your goals small you end up selling your potential short.
Small incremental goals along the way will keep you motivated and give you perspective on the progress you’re making. Compliment your lofty goal with smaller goals along the path.
To set the proper goals for yourself, you need to know who you are and what your values are.
Boundaries are not about placing limitations on other people, it’s about what you will and won’t allow into your space. Being able to say no from a place of love is a very important life skill or you can find yourself giving away your energy to people and things that don’t resonate with you. Without boundaries, there is no way to really know who someone is.
Values are the bedrock of who we are, and we teach people how to treat us.
Knowing who you really are is hard. Work, life, kids, activities and other people make it very difficult to get to know who you are. You need time alone to figure those things out, and once you know who you are you know what you are willing to put up with and be around.
Change is not part of the process, it is the process.
The ego is impatient because it knows its time is limited but the soul is patient because it knows that it has forever.
The more you love yourself the more other people can love you. Without that self-love, you won’t be able to accept the love of someone else because you won’t believe that it’s true.
Accountability is one of the most important dynamics in personal and professional relationships. Danica’s most grateful for being accountable because it empowers her to shape the direction of her life. Without accountability you won’t follow through and will end up with more of what you don’t want.
If you can recognize in yourself that you are stuck against a roadblock you are already most of the way there. People often walk through life passively and can’t see the obstacles in front of them, they just believe that’s the way life is. Pick up a book, listen to podcasts, and consume information about what you want and let that information reprogram your brain.
You are in a hormonal addictive loop to something. Whatever it is that you don’t want anymore, your body is really good about asking for it. Wherever you are really uncomfortable, that’s where the real shift can happen.
Danica’s comeback shoutout goes to her family. They’ve always been a soft place to land for her no matter what is happening in her life.
Community is especially important. Giving back to your friends, group, or tribe, even when it’s uncomfortable, is important to nourishing the relationships that make up life.

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Mike Bayer’s Comeback Story - Relentless Honesty, Awareness, and Asking For The Right Kind of Help May 06, 2021

Mike Bayer shares his story of growing up and struggling with his sexuality, and tells how that pain led to a meth addiction that almost destroyed his life. Learn how Mike realized the source of his pain and how he turned his story into a platform for helping thousands of people overcome their addictions and live more fulfilling lives.

The theme of any great change is relentless honesty.
Everyone has a different upbringing and we all have a different relationship with our upbringing. Mike grew up playing basketball and from the outside it looked like everything was going well but he never felt okay with his life. He started doing drugs at a young age largely due in part to being gay but being unable to admit it.
Shame is a cloak of toxicity that eventually seeps into all areas of your life. Growing up was only okay when Mike was stoned, and doing drugs became a slippery slope into misery and addiction.
For athletes, teachers are usually coaches. Mike didn’t have any great mentors when it came to athletics. It wasn’t until Mike’s parents sent him to therapy when he was younger where he felt comfortable enough to admit to someone that he was gay.
The issue wasn’t so much that Mike was gay and accepting that, it was an issue of not feeling good enough to be accepted by his peers. Therapy is what allowed him to connect the dots and identify where the pain was coming from.
Therapy is like physical exercise. When you want to get deeper into why you feel a particular way, therapy is a way to put in the work.
Mike’s low point was simple. After suffering for months from a brutal meth addiction, he looked in the mirror and realized that he was sick and tired of being a loser. He had no purpose and was on a downward trajectory that wasn’t going to change unless he changed it.
Mike shares the story of his sugar momma and the crazy experiences he had when he was under the influence.
Awareness is the key to change. When it comes to hitting bottom, you can always go a little deeper. Mike found himself going back to drugs the day after he would throw them away in the effort to quit. Mike’s awareness and realization was that he was not the man he was supposed to be.
We have to own our lives and take ownership for where we are right now and the actions we took to get us here.
Mike got sober at 22 and he never thought he would be a person who could help other people to do the same thing. After being six months sober, Mike started working in treatment while also working other side jobs and did whatever he could to get into the field of counseling. He went from being a counselor to doing interventions and the work continued to evolve.
According to Mike, an attitude of gratitude keeps away the bad attitude. Mike is incredibly grateful for the life that he has today because he never thought that his life would be the way it is now.
If Mike could send a message to his younger self, he would essentially tell himself that a person has to make a choice to be better and to always stay coachable. If you’re going to be a coach you have to be able to listen. People aren’t going to remember what you say to them, they are going to remember how you made them feel.
Donny and Darren tell the origin story of the Comeback Stories podcast and how their friendship developed.
Asking for help is a transaction. If you ask for help, you have to be willing to do what it takes when you receive that help.
Mike uses the SPHERES acronym to help identify which area of a person’s life needs work and what type of help they should be asking for. To use it, you need to rate your Social Life, Personal, Health, Employment, Relationships, Education, and Spiritual Development.
We all have blind spots and assessments are a great way to figure out the root cause of an issue.
Knowing your purpose helps you eliminate confusion. If you’re not sure in the moment, look for your purpose and redefine it if you have to.
Everything is one decision away from what we want. Most of the decisions we make each day are made on autopilot but there are also decisions that we can control that can significantly improve our lives. There is usually a single decision you can make everyday that can change things for the better.
Life is better when we show up being who we truly are. That way we don’t second guess who we are and are just content in the moment.
Mike’s comeback shoutout goes to his first sponsor Mark Hertz.

Mentioned in this Episode:

coachmikebayer.com

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Reflecting On Eight Years Of Sobriety May 03, 2021

A quick check-in with Donny. A few words of inspiration and why sobriety is the best thing that ever happened to him.

Continuing to show up.

Freedom from myself.

8 years sober this Wednesday.

#dothework

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Holly Whitaker's Comeback Story - Learning to Love Yourself Apr 29, 2021

Holly Whitaker shares her struggle with substance abuse and addiction, and how her experience led her to creating the digital recovery program Tempest. Holly is on a mission to change the conversation about alcohol in society after realizing that her seemingly successful life was just a show, and that there is a different path to recovery available to everyone.

Growing up, Holly’s life was fairly idyllic. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom and her father ran his own business. They lived a nice middle-class life but Holly has memories that something that wasn’t right. A big part of Holly’s recovery was identifying the incidents that put her on the path to struggling with substances.
The biggest impact on Holly’s life happened when her parents got divorced after her father came out of the closet. This forced Holly to confront her own sexuality at a very young age and resulted in her and her mother struggling financially. Up to that point, Holly had always been industrious but that all changed after the divorce.
It often doesn’t matter what your childhood was like. We can all end up in the same place.
Holly’s first memory of pain was her early story of feeling like the “other” in her family. At a very young age, Holly experienced a significant feeling of not belonging anywhere.
Holly’s experience with teachers was frustrating. As a high-energy child, Holly didn’t have a teacher who was invested in her development until high school. Her first teacher put Holly onto a trajectory of being disliked for many years.
When we get close to the bottom, we can either stop and tell ourselves the truth of what’s happening or we can claw ourselves out and keep it going. Holly had many moments of being near rock bottom where she knew that she needed help to escape, but it took six months after her worst moment before she finally got sober.
Trying to live up to the image of who she was told to be held Holly back from accepting that she wasn’t happy. It wasn’t until she realized that she had a choice. She could either keep the toxic relationships in her life and die, or sever those relationships that weren’t serving her.
You don’t have to live up to other people’s standards. Be okay with being a mess. You have to work every single day on your own life, you will improve and you will encounter the same sorts of problems each day, just in a different form.
Our values are the bedrock of who we are, and if we make decisions that are not in alignment with our core values, things get messy. If you know what you are and what you stand for, the criticism you receive won’t cut as deep. Knowing who you are creates a solid ground for you to stand on.
Holly didn’t go to Alcoholics Anonymous until she was already six months sober. She started her recovery by researching alcohol and addiction and those books led her to other sources. Eventually she realized that there was something wrong with our society and alcohol’s place in it. The evidence pointed Holly to a choice to either keep drinking or invest in her recovery and learn how to stop. She went to AA because she was tired of being afraid of failing and it gave her a sense of community with people who were struggling with the same experiences as her.
Holly created her company to put people instead of institutions at the center of the recovery process. She gathered all the different elements of recovery into one program.
Historically, we used to believe that people suffering from addiction had lost the right to make decisions for themselves. The existing system often coerces people and takes away their choice instead of reminding people what they have forgotten.
We help people by reminding them of things that they have forgotten, showing them the possibilities, and reminding them of the power that they have.
Your hardest challenges are the ones that make you. They are the most fertile ground for growth that you can have.
For Holly, being in recovery is part of her everyday life. She has to uphold the tenets of her recovery each day by doing the work and living as authentically as possible.
Holly wrote her book not just for women, it’s meant for everyone because she wanted to change the conversation around alcohol. If we are talking about true liberation, we have to look at everything we are doing that is keeping us from our power.
Everyone has something to be grateful for. Holly tries to practice gratitude for everything that comes her way because she knows it’s so easy to think we don’t need it.
Learn to suffer. Suffering is not a mistake, the mistake is trying to cover it over with whatever you can.
Holly’s friend Colleen gets her comeback story shoutout. Comeback stories are not just the before and after comparisons, they are also the stories of people who continue to stay with it and show up everyday.
Holly’s life has been filled with ups and downs over the past 6 months and the one thing that has kept her centered has been meditation. She still resists meditation even a decade later but she still puts in the work because it’s worth the effort.
You’re not trying to escape the cycle of substance abuse, you’re trying to have compassion for yourself. If you can love yourself, you change the way you treat yourself and won’t have to drink to escape your self-criticism.

Mentioned in this Episode:

jointempest.com

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Inky Johnson's Comeback Story - The Beauty of Adversity and Finding Your Purpose Apr 22, 2021

Learn about how Inky Johnson turned a career ending injury into a story of inspiration and personal growth. Inky shares his experience in dealing with an injury that completely changed his life and how he went from struggling to understand it to using it as a platform for spiritual growth and service to other people.

Inky Johnson grew up in a city outside of Atlanta, born to a young mother of just 16 years of age. His early years were hard but they were some of the best years of his life. Growing up that way shaped and molded him, and gave him the motivation to improve his family’s life.
Inky loved football growing up but he also played basketball, baseball, and competed in track and field sports. An influential coach helped him make the decision to pursue football seriously.
The one thing we all have in common is that we will face opposition and adversity. One of Inky’s earliest memories of pain was experiencing a police raid when he was a child. He will never forget how that experience and ones like it shaped his decision making and choices as a young man.
Inky’s first real teacher was his eighth grade teacher and basketball coach. He recalls a moment where his teacher told him that he was better than the environment he was growing up in. The teacher took Inky under his wing and began picking him up each day before school, teaching him proverbs, and encouraging Inky to write about his dreams, goals, and aspirations. He continued to do that throughout high school and it completely changed his life.
Inky’s greatest moment of adversity happened when it looked like he was set to achieve everything that he wanted. During a simple practice, Inky suffered a life threatening injury and woke up in the emergency room, being told that his football career was over.
The greatest challenge was in trying to understand. When a person goes through something that they don’t understand and is painful, it can prevent them from moving into their purpose. The opposition can be so heavy and strong that it makes seeing why and what you should do very difficult.
Inky turned and faced his situation and instead of trying to understand it, he focused on just surviving it. Once he attained a certain level of peace around his new situation, he was able to accept it and see where it fit into his purpose.
We all get to a point in the journey where we yield to our circumstances. Whenever you are going through something and trying to change your life, it’s a “you issue.” Don’t blame other people or circumstances, getting back into balance is down to you. Inky had to yield first to get to a place of understanding.
Inky has been speaking for the past 14 years and the husband and father in him wouldn’t change what happened to him. He noticed that what happened to him started to affect other people and impacted their lives in positive ways. By serving a greater purpose than just himself, Inky has found an incredible amount of peace, which he is very grateful for.
Purpose is about finding your natural gifts and talents and then using those to be of service to the world. For Inky, that means leaving the world better than he found it and leaving a legacy of action for his children.
The beauty of opposition, adversity, and challenges are that they introduce us to who we really are and help us identify with other people and have a level of empathy for their struggles and their journeys.
Inky’s comeback shoutout goes to his mother. She always let young Inky chase his dreams and gave him the space to pursue his goals.
Never forget that you’re worthy and that all of us go through struggles. Three of the hardest words for a person to say are, “I need help.” Don’t go through it alone; ask for help and you may be surprised by the answer you get. Once you get through your struggle, find someone who is dealing with what you made it through and help them through it.
It’s selfish of us to go through what we go through and to hold that experience to ourselves. We can only keep what we have by giving it away.

Mentioned in this Episode:

inkyjohnson.com

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Trent Shelton’s Comeback Story - The Power of Rehab Time Apr 15, 2021

Internationally successful motivational speaker Trent Shelton talks about his story and struggle with fear and depression, and how his life changed completely once he accepted the power of his voice. Learn about the challenges Trent encountered during his professional football career and how those struggles became his message that he now shares with over 12 million followers every day.

Trent grew up in the New Orleans area with his two older brothers and family. Sports were a major component of Trent’s life and his parents were always supportive of him and the things he pursued.
One of Trent’s earliest memories of pain was because he was asthmatic and had a lot of difficulty breathing when he was younger. It was so bad that during one coughing episode Trent burst the blood vessels in his eyes. His mother drove him to the hospital where Trent stopped breathing and blacked out. He spent a week in the hospital and it was then that he realized how fragile life could be.
Trent learned to never take life for granted and realized that God has a plan for his life. The pain was not there to break him, it was there to build him, and it gave Trent a lot of emotional resilience from a young age.
Trent’s parents were his earliest teachers. He learned how to have faith and resilience from his mother and he learned how to be a supportive father and husband from his dad.
Trent grew up across the street from people that went on to play professional football and that showed him the fruits of hard work. Hard work can make any reality and dream come true. Get around people that make your dreams tangible and make you feel like you can accomplish them.
Trent found some success as an athlete when he was in school but during one of his first drafts, he found himself being left behind. Athletes put a tremendous amount of significance on their performance, and it was the first time in his life where Trent really felt like he wasn’t enough. A couple of weeks later, Trent was cut from the team.
He went back to his parent’s place and sheltered himself. What you suppress will turn into your depression, that's what happened to Trent. For the following three years he lost himself in the journey to try to make it as a professional football player.
Instead of the love of the game, everything was based on the fear of being cut for not living up to what people expected.
It’s hard for athletes to look within and accept that they need to heal. The selfish season is about making sure you take the time for you so you can show up in your life in the way that your family or your team needs you to.
It’s about doing the dark work, the work nobody sees. That can be reading books, listening to podcasts, taking care of your body, and having the difficult conversations you need to have. Selfish season is about burning whatever necessary bridges you need to burn, the ones that are leading your life to destruction.
Fear controls so many people’s lives and it prevents people from becoming the person they were created to be. The fear of staying the same has to outweigh the fear of change.
Failure is just a feedback sample. You have to look at the cost of inaction and what you’re going to pay for not pushing forward.
Your perspective is under your control. It’s the window of how you see the world and it can be one of two things: the prison perspective or the power perspective. The prison perspective holds you back, the power perspective puts you in the driver’s seat.
How you see life will determine how you feel about life, how you feel about life will determine what you do with your life, what you do with your life will determine what you get.
The clarity of your perspective is determined by the quality of your practices. Self-love and self-care are crucial.
No matter what you have, if you don’t fix yourself at a core level, you will still have nothing. Once the thrill of external things wears off, you will still have to deal with the pain.
Trent hung onto his football career, not because he loved it, but because he didn’t know who he would be without it. In order to accept reality, he had to release it.
Most of the time we try to solve things at a surface level. To harbour true strength, we need to conquer pain at its deepest level. Once Trent released his fears and the things holding him back, he began the process of repairing the holes left behind.
Trent is an introvert so he did not expect himself to become a speaker. It wasn’t until a friend saw that Trent had something within him and encouraged him to speak to a group of high school kids did he discover what he was capable of.
Your transparency can become someone else’s transformation. Realizing your past had a purpose can bring incredible healing to your life.
You are more than your sport.
Detach your emotions from the outcomes and strive to stay in the middle.
At some point in your life, your moments turn to memories and memories are all you have. Fulfilling memories with the people that are closest to Trent are now the most important things in his life and what he’s most grateful for.
Ask yourself why you feel like you are being held back. Is your fear really yours or did somebody give it to you? You have to understand where your mindset comes from before you can address it. Be open to working with other people who are willing to coach you and get around those people.
There is nothing great you can do without a vision.
If Trent could send a message to his younger self, it would be “It all starts with you.” We usually live in a blaming and complaining mindset, but if you want to change your life and be better you need to take responsibility for your life and take your power back.
Trent’s mom gets his Comeback Story shoutout. She instilled faith and perseverance in Trent and taught him that there was always something bigger than him in his life.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Straight Up with Trent Shelton podcast

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Jon Gordon’s Comeback Story - The Power of Positivity Apr 08, 2021

Jon Gordon, best selling author and motivational speaker, shares his hard-won insights into happiness and fulfillment, and talks about the power of positivity in transforming your life. Learn how Jon escaped a life of misery and depression and turned his life around, by pursuing service instead of his ego and focusing on encouraging and inspiring one person at a time.

Jon grew up on Long Island New York in a Jewish-Italian family. It was not a very positive household overall and he often got into fights with other neighborhood kids. It often felt like he was battling for survival.
He played lacrosse at Cornell University, where he learned about culture, leadership, and teamwork. He didn’t originally plan on playing lacrosse but an instrumental high school coach convinced him to stick with it and showed him that coaches can change your life forever.
Basketball was always Jon’s favorite game, so the transition from lacrosse wasn’t the worst. The real challenge was when Jon’s wife almost left him when he was 31. He had experienced a rollercoaster of bouncing around between law school and a dot-com job and blamed her for the circumstances for his life. It wasn’t until she said she was leaving that he started to question why he was so miserable.
He was addicted to trying to prove himself and earning the validity of someone successful. The more he chased that idea, the more miserable he became. Jon started taking walks of gratitude, praying, and meditation, and those things helped him escape the rut he was in.
We are all addicted to something, and it’s not always the usual substances. Many people are addicted to their work, or their smartphone, or social media.
Your past is a part of who you are and your soul has wounds that define you. For Jon, his biological father leaving was deeply impactful on him and shaped his attitude on life. A major life-changing moment for Jon was forgiving his biological father and letting go of the past.
We all have wounds, and we all try to fill those wounds. Your wounds are your constraints and you can either heal them and rise above them or the wound can become infected.
We are not strong enough on our own. That’s why every addiction program includes a higher power.
The most important first step in Jon’s turn around from misery was in committing to serving others instead of just building up his ego. You become a person of significance when you make others significant. This became the foundation for Jon’s future work writing books, speaking, and sending out his weekly newsletter.
Ironically, the greatest self growth strategy of all is to help others grow. When you are focused on yourself, you don’t grow very much but when you become a conduit for others, your growth rises to a whole other level.
Jon wasn’t successful right away. His first book was rejected by 30 publishers and not one book store in the US would carry the book. He decided to go on a 20-city tour that he paid for himself to promote the book and even when there were only five people in the crowd he knew his mission was to encourage and inspire as many people as possible, one person at a time.
When Covid hit, Jon went back to the rookie mindset and continued to push his vision, even though his talks were being cancelled left and right.
When he got started, selling five million books was never the goal. It all comes back to what your intention is, where your heart is, and what you focus on.
Don’t chase things to build up your ego.
So many people struggle with feeling unworthy. People aren’t afraid of success, they feel like they are unworthy of success. When we forget who we are, we forget the power we have inside us.
Would you choose to have a negative thought? Ideas and thoughts emerge from your subconscious all the time and some of them will discourage, distract, and divide you. Recognize those thoughts as lies and speak truth to them. Greatness and potential are within you and once you start speaking that to yourself, you will start walking with power.
The key is to unite the self. This can be done with meditation, prayer, and mindfulness.
Success is doing what you love and loving how you do it. Success doesn’t have to be tied to your performance, that’s the mistake that many athletes and professionals make. The fear of underperforming will drain you.
Perform for an audience of one.
The narrative of the universe is a battle of good versus evil. We are spiritual beings on a human journey and we each experience this epic struggle in our lives every day.
We can always change our story. As a coach, you have to know the story someone tells themselves so that you can help them tell a better story.
So often, our minds don’t need fixing, it’s our souls that need healing. No matter what is happening outside of us, it’s always about what is happening on the inside.
Talk to yourself, but don’t always listen to yourself. Write down all the negative thoughts that come into your mind and then flip the paper over and write down words of encouragement. Make refuting your negative thoughts into a daily practice. Take small action steps each day to feed your positivity and at the end of the day think about what went right. What you look for you will find.

Mentioned in this Episode:

jongordon.com

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Tim Storey’s Comeback Story - The Miracle Mentality Apr 01, 2021

Tim Storey, the acclaimed author, speaker, and life coach to world-famous celebrities and athletes, shares his wisdom on the Miracle Mentality that he wants everyone to be able to achieve. Learn how Tim helps his clients create their own comeback story through forgiveness and insight, and how you can use his teachings to better understand yourself and live a more full life.

Tim Storey is known as the Comeback Coach and has helped a number of popular celebrities, business people, and athletes.
Everyone is on a journey in life and begins with a lot of momentum, but we usually run into obstacles that we need to overcome, and it’s those life turning points that Tim helps people with.
Structure was missing in Tim’s family because of financial stresses. It wasn’t until Tim was in 4th and 5th grade did his teachers really start to take notice of him and those teachers played a big part of his growth as a person.
When you have a set back, you have choices. You can sit in it, you can settle, which is what most people do, you can cement yourself, or you can push through it. When you feel the sting of a set back, God is preparing the comeback.
Tim recalls a memory of a race when he was in school where he forfeited his opportunity to win in order to help someone else who was having an asthma attack. That’s when he realized that he’s a humanitarian that will gladly give up his chance to win to help an underdog win.
Sometimes you just have to sit with someone when they are in crisis. Tim is always looking for people he can help, regardless of who they are.
Tim’s brother died from his addiction and that experience helped him understand that addiction is widespread and plenty of people need help.
The average person nurses, curses, and rehearses their problems. To get past that, you have to be awake, take an inventory, and partner with the right people. That’s Tim’s strength. He’s not afraid to ask for help or get therapy if he needs to. He’s smart enough to know that he needs an infusion of strength into him as well.
It’s rare that someone will change quickly. A slow transformation is the one that lasts.
A lot of celebrities are surrounded by people who want to take advantage of them, so trust is always an issue. They face the same challenges as most people, but they get amplified by their celebrity status.
There is a price to do what we do. The deeper Tim goes with someone, the more he needs to know in order to help them.
Tim tells the story of a famous football player that believed that his problems were taking over his life, but when he went back to his childhood school, he reconnected with his innocence and put his life into perspective.
We talk about triggers in recovery as a negative thing, but there are positive triggers as well. Tim triggers himself every day by reconnecting with the music of his childhood and that helps keep him grounded.
A lot of what we are looking for is momentum, but there are a number of people that will come into our lives that will want to hold us back. Their offense towards you will put you on the defense and kill your momentum. If you’re too offended, you will pass by the things that really matter. You have to forgive in order to keep moving forward. Freedom comes from forgiveness.
Not everyone will accept your apology. Not everybody is going to be supportive of your comeback story.
Meditation has changed Tim’s life. Every morning, Tim prays and meditates which puts him in such a state of peace that people ask him what he does to stay so calm. Meditation allows Tim to stay calm, cool, and collected no matter what happens in his life.
The Miracle Mentality is how we think when we’re kids, and we need to relearn how to release it to make great things happen.

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Miracle Mentality by Tim Storey

timstorey.com

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Alex Smith’s Comeback Story - The Comeback Player of the Year Mar 25, 2021

Alex Smith shares the story of how his promising NFL career was derailed by a broken leg which led to an infection which threatened everything. Hear how Alex found a new mindset while in recovery and rehab at the Center for the Intrepid and how he became the Comeback Player of the Year in 2020 after he was told he would probably never play football again.

Alex grew up on the mean streets of San Diego as the third child of four. He was fortunate enough to have a supportive family and not really know adversity as a child.
He distinctly remembered being frustrated in his youth, and his dad helped him cultivate the mindset of accepting that certain things will happen and how to move on. That helped Alex avoid being distracted from what he was trying to achieve and stay focused.
It’s easy for us to have tunnel vision with what’s going on in our own lives. Alex’s parents helped him understand the wider vision which helped him be grateful for what he did have.
After Alex left college, his best friend fell into a deep depression and ended up taking his own life. It was during a time where Alex was concerned with what was happening in his own life and he missed his chance to make contact with him. It’s one of the first big challenges in Alex’s life and one of the things he regrets.
The more comfortable we can be with death, the more grateful we can be for each day that we are alive.
Alex’s adversity begins with when he broke his leg. So much of his identity was wrapped up in being a football player and when infection set in and they had to remove so much of his leg, he wasn’t sure what his life was going to be like. It took months for him to come to terms with it and he had to relive it each morning when he woke up.
The mental battle and doubt was the hardest part of Alex’s struggle. Seeing his kids live their lives kept Alex motivated to try to get his life back.
The Center for the Intrepid is the center for all limb injuries and they offer treatment to civilians that have injuries that are deemed warlike enough. In return they get to study you so they can continue to improve their treatment and rehab process. It was there that Alex started his rehab and found a new outlook on life.
The Center allowed Alex to enjoy the process of recovery and to focus on simply taking one step at a time. Putting all the focus on a single small step made it achievable instead of overwhelming.
Alex struggled with the weight of the expectations he felt when he was first drafted and it became a self-perpetuating circle that was unhealthy and unproductive. He went from loving football to feeling like it was a burden. It wasn’t until he flipped his mindset and he realized that he needed to “just live” and enjoy the moment because it wasn’t going to last forever.
The times when Alex doubted it was going to work out were just before something good came around the corner.
“Just live” became a mantra for Alex and it’s the message he would send back to his younger self. Don’t try to be perfect or worry about other people’s validations.
Being mindful and present in your life is how you accept the stresses and frustrations of life. Even in a sports context, being present is how you perform at the highest level.
The main things in life you control are your effort and your attitude.
Alex eventually returned to the football field once he had recovered enough. He was determined to see how far that road went and that it would have been disrespectful to walk away from the opportunity that was put in front of him.
Alex’s comeback shoutout goes to his wife. She managed to keep their whole life going while he was getting through his recovery and has been extremely supportive.

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George Mumford’s Comeback Story - Seeking Truth and Wisdom Despite the Pain Mar 18, 2021

George Mumford shares the wisdom he has learned during his life as a coach to some of the highest performing athletes in history, and what he learned from his personal struggle with addiction and pain that nearly cost him everything.

Michael Jordan credits George Mumford with the transformation of on-court leadership of the Chicago Bulls that led to 11 NBA National Championships. He has worked with a number of world-class athletes and helped them achieve at some of the highest levels of their sport.
His coaching method is focused on the whole being approach and treating athletes as people instead of a performer.
Principles are universal and timeless. They allow you to make choices that are aligned with the feedback that you get and let you live in recovery.
George was one child of thirteen and remembers the theme of his childhood being “be seen, not heard”. He learned how to cope by living in his own personal world and holding his sensitivity within. He was injury-prone in school while playing sports because of the stress placed on his life.
He found himself in a strange place where he had to mature quickly and know a lot about life, but without knowing what to do with them.
In college, George realized that he could be more social when he was taking pain medication which led to an addiction to painkillers. That developed into alcoholism and drug abuse until his spiritual rock bottom.
He went into a 21-day detox program and realized that the person that comes out of the program has to be different than the person that went in or nothing was going to change.
One of George’s memories of pain involves his father humiliating him before his sister’s wedding. This experience made George feel like he couldn’t ever ask for what he needed and led to him becoming self-reliant. Trauma can take many subtle forms and understanding that is the only way to heal. In many ways, George’s father was just acting in the way that he was taught.
People are doing the best they can with what they have. Seek to understand rather than be understood, and the best way to help yourself is to help others.
George’s first real teacher was his grandmother. She would give him a card on his birthday and call him Master George, rather than simply George. At the time George didn’t understand what she meant she was trying to impart that he was equal to other people and beneath others.
He also found a number of mentors growing up in the athletes he knew like Muhammad Ali and Jim Brown.
In terms of comeback stories, George admires Frederick Douglas, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, and Harriet Tubman.
We all have a masterpiece. Our job is to break through our shell and share our divinity with the world.
The spirit is the life, the mind is the builder, and the physical is the result. George allowed the world to be his teacher because great men are open to new experiences and continued learning and growing.
George encountered a number of struggles growing up, especially being injury prone and getting injured enough to lose his place on his sports team. It was a real challenge to be in school and not be an athlete because he didn’t know who he was at that point. He struggled considerably once his addiction got to the point where he realized that no matter how many drugs he was too much and not enough at the same time.
After getting clean, George’s doctor explained to him that his nervous system never dealt with the world on the world’s terms. Once George was off the drugs he had to find an alternative solution to dealing with his pain which led him to meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and taichi.
Instead of a curse, it was an opportunity to learn how to be with himself.
George began listening to that small sensitive voice within himself while meditating and he realised that one of the things he was missing was being intellectually stimulated. For the past 36 years, George has read a book a week and began sharing the wisdom he’s learned. He wanted to learn as much as he could to help people see things as stepping stones instead of roadblocks.
There are four steps to self-knowledge. The first is you are your own best teacher. The second is to be responsible with no excuses. The third is you can learn anything you want to learn. The fourth is that true understanding comes from reflecting on experience. Understanding and living this gives George more joy and purpose than he’s ever felt before.
No matter who you are or how good you are, at some point your athletic career will end. When it does you will need to know who you are.
George is committed to living now and enjoying the journey. He’s grateful for the opportunity to share what he’s learned and to continue to grow and evolve.
What you develop spiritually is the only thing that will stick with you for your whole life. Winning isn’t about winning championships, it’s about knowing that you got better today.
Pain comes from identifying what we do with who we are, so when we can’t play sports or lose our ability to perform we become lost.
If George could send a message back to his younger self it would be “you can be anything you want to be” and “no struggle, no sweat.” Embrace whatever comes and believe it can be overcome.
You need to integrate your darker self, but also choose to embrace the positive aspects of your mind. You can create a space between stimulus and response and control your habits. 90% of our long-term happiness is predicated on how our nervous system interprets our experience. You can choose to interpret things in a way that empowers you.
If George had to shout out someone he would choose the avatars like Jesus Christ, the Buddha, Muhammed, and others. George focuses more on the wisdom of the teachings and the archetypes rather than individuals in particular.
Any experience is an opportunity to learn profound teachings if the student is ready to learn.

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Andre Norman’s Comeback Story - Saving Lives At The Academy of Hope Mar 11, 2021

Listen to the incredible story of Andre Norman, who went from violent prison kingpin to the Ambassador of Hope for thousands of people trapped in the cycle of incarceration. Learn about the key lesson that turned Andre’s life around and helped him escape his past of violence and trauma, and eventually become a Harvard fellow and respected leader who helps people overcome their own addictions and negative behavior.

Andre had a rough childhood being raised in a household with violent parents. Early on, at the age of 9, Andre learned three lessons that went on to define his life. He ended up in prison because of those lessons.
When you quit on everything positive, all that’s left is negativity, and negativity takes you to one of two places: prison or the graveyard. The lesson Andre learned about quitting is what led him to prison where he met thousands of people, all with essentially the same story as him.
Andre became quite a skilled trumpet player in sixth grade, but he was forced to quit playing in order to keep his friends. This was the point where Andre gave up on his dream, and without it, his life took a dark turn.
The opposite of addiction is connection. Some games you win by not playing, some of the scenarios we face in life we are choosing to play when we should be walking away from the table.
As we grow up we start to make agreements with ourselves that lock us onto a particular path. We have to make space to make choices.
Andre’s first really important teacher was his 3rd grade teacher. She taught him how to read and showed him the capacity he had and how to access it. On the negative side, Andre’s cousin taught him how to rob people and sell drugs at a high price.
Being taught it’s okay to quit was foundational to the way Andre learned to live his life. We can only do what we see, and when we’re taught that drugs and alcohol are the solutions to our pain, it’s no wonder that’s what people resort to.
Andre didn’t become an addict, he became violent as an outlet for the pain and trauma in his life. Addicts convince themselves they are okay and their reality is fine. Addiction is like being the frog in a slowly heating pot of water, eventually the water boils and you die. 80% of the problem is believing the false stories we tell ourselves.
It was in prison where Andre started to see the truth of his situation and realized that he was the king of nowhere. The first thing he decided was to establish the goal of going to Harvard to begin the process of change.
Andre started listing all the obstacles in his way and began working down the list improving the different problem areas in his life.
If you are locked up in a scenario that is unhealthy for you, that is a complete waste of time. Without a purpose, you are wandering through life, but not really living. Andre understood that he needed to change his purpose if he wanted to change his life.
There are millions of dollars being made behind the walls of prisons, trading in illegal contraband. The people who are lost in the system are struggling everyday for a share of this shadow economy.
Being free is a concept that means you have the ability to impact people’s lives. It’s not about your ability to move around. Andre became free six months before he was let out of prison when he freed his mind.
There is nothing more powerful than mental freedom. That’s when you understand that you are more powerful than bad days or addiction.
Andre’s plans were initially all about him, but that’s not what life is about. A key mentor entered his life to show him that service is the key to getting out of your own way.
For Andre, helping people stay alive supersedes the material aspects of life. The realization that he could actually save people’s lives became the core motivation for Andre’s work with the Academy of Hope.
Two and half years ago, there was a riot in a prison in South Carolina where multiple people died. The administration locked down the whole prison to avoid retaliation and called Andre in after 5 months of lockdown. Andre spoke to the whole prison population in a voice they understood. He showed them the administration cared and drastically improved the situation.
The prison system is not based on education, it’s based on punishment. One of the bigger initiatives of Andre’s organization is bringing in the great thinkers to the prisons and providing books that teach real, powerful lessons.
If Andre could speak to the fifteen year old version of himself, he would tell him to find a professional counselor. He had real issues and needed professional help, in the same way you don’t go to your girlfriend for a toothache.
When it comes to emotional issues and mental trauma, we often take the advice of people with no skill set. Counselling and therapy are the key, and when you go, you need to be 100% honest. When seeking help, the worst thing you can do is tell a lie.
Once Andre determined that he was no longer a quitter, his whole life changed. It took him 25 years to accomplish his dream of graduating from Harvard but he never gave up.
Andre’s comeback story shoutout goes to Gordon Hoss. He was the man who saw that Andre wasn’t going to quit and pointed Andre in the right direction. Gordon gave him the key to unlock his future.

Mentioned in this Episode:

andrenorman.com

cafeofhope.com

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James May’s Comeback Story - Accepting The Truth and Changing Your Pattern Mar 04, 2021

Listen to James May as he tells the story of his life as a heroin and cocaine addict, and how he went from consistent run-ins with the wrong side of the law and a near-miss with a violent death, to accepting the truth of his situation and starting a treatment program for people in recovery.

James is coming up on seven years in recovery from a crippling heroin and cocaine addiction. James grew up in a poor family in a wealthy neighborhood, and that mismatch had a profound impact on his life.
His first run-in with the authorities was in 3rd grade after James set some toilet paper on fire in his school’s bathroom. As a child, James tried to find the approval of the wrong crowd and found himself stealing and vandalizing.
James’ first memory of pain was from 2nd or 3rd grade, where he was humiliated and traumatized after being rejected from the girl he liked and deceived by who he thought he was a friend.
The kids who made fun of James when he was younger became the target of his rage as he grew older, and one of the underlying reasons he began selling drugs was to try to ruin their lives.
James’ grandfather was his first real teacher who showed him how to live well. No matter what happened in his life, James’ grandfather still showed up every day of his life. James’ grandparents were as much parents to him as his real mother and father.
James started smoking marijuana in 8th grade, and that quickly escalated to oxycontin and other harder drugs in high school. He sold a considerable amount of drugs at that time and eventually went to jail for dealing drugs.
James got arrested in 2008 and charged with a violation of the Georgia RICO Act. He was part of an operation that was selling marijuana and Xanax through the mail.
After that incident was James’ first attempt to get sober. Unfortunately for him, James burned every bridge in his life and life became very dark. He developed a resentment towards God and ultimately was hoping to die from his drug use. This whole time was a three year period of despair.
The biggest thing holding James back was accepting the truth of who he was and what was happening in his life. James believed that it was everyone else’s fault and wanted to prove everybody wrong. He was at odds with the world, and it wasn’t until he came to grips with the fact that he was molested as a child did James start the path to recovery.
James’ lowest point was right before he got sober. He remembers a crazy interaction where his drug dealer got into a shootout, and shortly afterward James got pulled over and finally asked for help. After being in jail for two weeks and the withdrawal symptoms passed, James finally felt free.
The reality was that James needed to change his pattern. The path of reconstruction and healing his wounds was the only way James could achieve peace in his life. Just stopping the drugs and alcohol wasn’t enough.
None of us can do this alone. Even a star athlete has a support system around them that allows them to perform at that level.
James’ life is now completely different. When he finally got sober James lived at a homeless shelter where he got the passion he has now to help others. He has made it his mission to help other people and started a sober living program for men. The program started slow but now it’s serving 50 to 60 people at a time.
Service work is now the most important aspect of James’ life at the moment. The work is what gives James’ life meaning.
James is most grateful for the guy or girl that wants to get sober. He has found a renewed belief in God and being able to help others recover is the fuel in James’ tank.
If James could send a message back to himself it would be to keep going and not lose the drive. Stay humble, put your principles into practice, keep growing, and don’t put a limit on what God can do in your life.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The biggest thing that holds people back is the judgment of the world. Addiction doesn’t define you, it’s just a journey to go through. Connection is a powerful piece of the recovery process.
James’ comeback story shoutout is Spencer Stein, the person who went through the recovery process with James the first time and who is now James’ business partner in helping people.

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Seane Corn’s Comeback Story - Embracing Your Shadow To Find The Light Feb 25, 2021

Seane Corn shares her experiences with childhood trauma and sexual abuse, and how that put her on a path of self-discovery. Listen to Seane’s story of growing up as a hypersensitive child with obsessive-compulsive behaviors that she used to manage her anxiety, pain, and grief, how she learned to process her emotions, and the teachers along the way that showed her how to release her anger and allow Seane to help others do the same.

For Seane, growing up was complicated. On some levels, it could be considered the ideal childhood and at others, she felt unsafe, unprotected, and ungrounded. As a young person who was hypersensitive to the world Seane could feel when something was off.
Due to the lack of support for her sensitivity and feelings, her natural reaction was to shut down and dissociate and create compulsive behaviors to try and regain control. Seane wouldn’t change her experiences because those complexities were what made her do the work to become who she is now but she would prefer people like her had more mentors to show her the way.
Seane’s earliest memory of trauma was a sexual assault at the age of 6. As a result of that, she developed an obsessive-compulsive disorder which only became more exacerbated as she got older. What she wasn’t aware of was those compulsive patterns were a way for her to self-regulate her nervous system. Any time she felt anxiety, the patterns helped her feel calm, and this self-regulating effort developed into drug and alcohol consumption later on in her life.
These survival mechanisms were a response to a trauma that wasn’t allowed space to discharge.
It was once Seane moved away from home and lost her family support system that her random partying became more intensified. The patterning no longer staved off the anxiety and isolation, and drugs and alcohol became the only way to help her feel comfortable socially.
Everyone in Seane’s life has been a significant teacher, including her abuser. The reason that Seane has so much self-awareness at this point in her life is that she went into therapy at the age of 18 and did the work.
It wasn’t until she was in therapy that Seane even realized that the trauma of her childhood was the source of her compulsive behaviors. It was then that she understood that she was going to have to stop drinking and using drugs, to commit to sobriety at every level if she was going to heal.
Your coping mechanisms work for a while but eventually they turn on you. They became the biggest obstacle from living the life you actually want. For Seane, the anxiety was always living in her body without ever being discharged or processed. This led to her always being triggered and seeking more control, which resulted in a vicious cycle of compulsive behavior.
Sobriety is a lifelong journey. Seane’s patterning still comes up, but when it does, she recognizes it as anxiety and a need to breathe through the grief that’s underneath.
Seane’s low point occurred when she was bartending and high on drugs to the point where she was genuinely scared she might die. She never wanted to experience that again. Seeing other people die from overdosing became a vivid visual example of her destiny had she continued down that path.
Seane’s narrative continues to grow and evolve, even now. As a young person she just wanted to be liked and accepted, and love and hurt became synonymous. She had to work very hard to reclaim her love and beauty and separate it from her pain.
The more that cultivate self-esteem, the more in relationship we will be to spirit. Otherwise, we look to the external world for validation and will never feel fulfilled.
All the moments that invoke the shadow is what gives us fodder to learn about the light that teaches us patience, acceptance, and love. Life is a constant process of dismantling our identities so that we can continue to move into the right relationship with our highest essence.
Your identities and narratives aren’t bad. They serve a purpose and a part of the essential journey we are all on.
Once we own our wound we can write the ending of our story. Until then, the wound will hijack your life.
Seane is deeply grateful to be part of a community that is helping break the shame and pain that many people have. In a world damaged by trauma, many people are responding to hate with hate, and it’s an important time to be able to show the world another way.
If Seane could send back 140 characters to her younger self her message would be to simply cry. Her suppressed grief manifested into rage and other problems and she often wonders that if her younger self had space to cry would her path have changed. She would also want her to know that she will be okay and that pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice.
Seane has two comeback story shoutouts. The first is her mother, as someone who showed her what a strong, independent, fiery woman could look like. The second is her teacher Mona Miller, who was the first person to teach her anger work and help Seane develop her relationship with God.

Mentioned in this Episode:

SeaneCorn.com

Revolution of the Soul by Seane Corn - https://www.amazon.ca/Revolution-Soul-Through-Radical-Conscious/dp/1622039173

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Tyrann Mathieu’s Comeback Story - Getting Unstuck Feb 18, 2021

Tyrann Mathieu talks about how his childhood without parents shaped his life and how he realized that chasing the love of other people was taking him in the wrong direction. Learn how Tyrann almost lost everything, and how he changed the narrative so that experience would drive him to even greater success.

Growing up for Tyrann was a mix of both worlds. His parents weren’t around because his father was in prison for murder and his mother wasn’t responsible enough to raise him on her own.
Tyrann was raised mainly by his grandparents and aunt and uncle. Tyrann remembers asking his mother why he didn’t live with her and she couldn’t provide an answer, which has always been a source of pain for him.
It was lucky for Tyrann that his grandmother instilled structure in his life because that allowed him to get into sports and stay out of trouble.
The pain of his relationship with his mother still comes up, but he reminds himself that he’s not in that situation anymore and it shouldn’t determine his life.
An early memory of pain was when Tyrann’s grandmother sent him to live with his uncle. At the time he didn’t realize why she did it, but looking back on it now he can see that it was probably the best thing she could have done for him.
If you can shift your perspective you can find meaning in your pain. It’s not the event that happens, it’s the meaning that we attach to it.
Tyrann’s high school coach was his first real teacher. He made Tyrann realize that football could take him places if he took it seriously, and could be the foundation for a greater mission.
If that particular teacher had not come into Tyrann’s life he would not have chased his dreams the way he did.
Tyrann’s fall from grace was in being kicked out of school and not being able to play football. Not having football in his life forced Tyrann to put his trust in himself, and a lot of his success in the NFL he attributes to that early struggle.
The lies that Tyrann told himself were the things that held him back. Tyrann wanted people to believe in him and to feel like he was enough for them.
We have to go through those low moments to find the real answers in our life.
Going to jail for possession of marijuana was where Tyrann realized that everyone was watching him and he let people down.
Tyrann had to stop chasing love from the people in his life before he could start telling his comeback story. We all have the story in our heads where we are not enough.
Tyrann had to stop believing what other people were telling him and believe in himself. If we don’t address the narrative of not feeling enough you’re going to get stuck and it won’t matter what success you have in your life.
If that feeling is hijacking your mind you will never escape the feeling of inadequacy. Much of what we are experiencing in the world right now is a result of unfaced fear and unresolved trauma.
Tyrann is most grateful for his children and being able to give them the life that he never had. The things we can’t put a price on are things we become the most grateful for.
If Tyrann could send a message to his younger self it would be to keep going and to smile first.
As a kid, he didn’t know that people were looking to him for inspiration and that there is value in pushing forward for more than just yourself.
Trust in the process and enjoy the journey.
Don’t just crush your goals, have a good time doing it.
If you feel like you are being held back, dig deep and take the blame off others. Figure out what your part in your situation is your responsibility and what you can do about it.
Patrick Peterson was one of the first people to believe Tyrann was an elite talent and helped him believe that about himself.
Having Patrick in his life has given Tyrann someone to look to for inspiration.
For those days where you are struggling to find gratitude, think about the people that have always been there for you.
Your comeback story is not about freedom for yourself, it’s about freedom from yourself. Being patient and accepting of yourself is the beginning of self-love.

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Donny Starkins’ Comeback Story - His Journey from Addiction to Helping Others Free Themselves from It Feb 11, 2021

Donny Starkins reveals his journey from a star baseball player with the world and success ahead of him to a drug addict that couldn’t escape his pain until he hit rock bottom. Find out how Donny realized he needed help, and how his experience with drug addiction and pain allows him to help other people free themselves from addiction and tell their own comeback story.

Donny’s childhood was easy and his parents always tried to make the best of a bad situation. Sports came easily to him and one of his early dreams was to play professional baseball.
He ended up playing at Arizona State, the same school as his father, where he suffered multiple injuries to his knee. His fifth surgery was experimental and resulted in unbearable pain, to the point where Donny realized that he would never play baseball again which sent him into a downward spiral of addiction to pain medication.
He avoided physically hurting anyone else over the course of his addiction other than himself. Even after overdosing in Mexico and having his brother-in-law pick him up in the middle of the night, Donny still didn’t believe that he had a problem.
His family wanted to help so Donny went into Alcoholics Anonymous solely to get his family off his back. It took a lot more pain and worry before Donny finally surrendered and accepted the fact that he had a problem. That was when he started to really hear the message that people were sharing during the meetings.
After three and half years sober Donny had a relapse because he stopped doing the work. Another knee injury led to Donny relapsing for 8 months. At the time, Donny felt ashamed for relapsing, but now he looks back on that as a major turning point in his life.
An early memory of pain for Donny was waking up from that surgery and losing his purpose. Baseball had been Donny’s life up to that point and he didn’t want to feel the emotional pain of that loss. The void was filled by taking pills.
Another painful memory is not being present with his grandfather before he passed away. It wasn’t until after his death was Donny able to make amends.
You need to show up for your family and friends, and when you do that it’s like living amends and it releases the shame and guilt of the past.
Donny’s first teacher was his father. His father kept Donny humble and showed him the benefits of thinking about the game of baseball differently. He taught him that you never know who’s watching and you always have to give 100%, which ultimately led to Donny landing scholarships.
Accepting the change from baseball star to drug addict was extremely difficult and prevented Donny from getting help and getting sober.
The feeling of neutrality and indifference to the substance he was addicted to was one of the biggest reliefs and spiritual experiences of his life. It was his unwillingness and ego that were holding him back from experiencing that.
The overdose was not the lowest point in Donny’s life. Donny’s lowest point is a memory of waking up and the very first thing he wanted was to take his pills. At that point, everything in Donny’s life revolved around getting pills. He isolated himself from everyone else in his life and his only friend was his dog.
Donny made a lot of bad decisions that hurt a number of people in his life. He felt buried by his guilt and shame, and it wasn’t until he released that shame did Donny get access to a higher purpose for his life.
Your mess is your message. Donny’s experiences and pain allow him to help other people through their own pain and tell their own comeback story.
Gratitude changes the way we see the world. Donny is grateful to be sober because without that every other good thing in his life goes away.
Yoga has also become an important aspect of Donny’s life. After a lifetime of thinking yoga was not for him, Donny took one class and realized that he was going to do yoga for the rest of his life. The greatest gift, beyond the physical benefits, has been the relationships and people that Donny has been able to meet because of his yoga practice.
If Donny could share something with his younger self it would be: Know your values, live your values, love yourself first, you’re here to serve so share your gifts with the world.
Donny never understood his values growing up, but by knowing his values now he knows exactly who he is.
Fill your own cup first. It’s selfish not to do what you need to do to feel full, because by avoiding self care you are not able to give more to others.
The only story that matters is the one we tell ourselves. Our thoughts create our reality and we can change that by changing the story we tell ourselves.

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Darren Waller's Comeback Story - Stop Giving Your Power Away to Other People Feb 04, 2021

Darren Waller (Las Vegas Raiders, tight end) delivers an incredible message in the inaugural episode of the Comeback Stories podcast and talks about his struggle with addiction and drugs and how his life story and struggle has transformed into his most powerful asset. Learn how even an accomplished professional football player can struggle with doubt and anxiety, and why the story you tell yourself is the only one that matters.

Growing up for Darren was confusing. He was blessed with a good family, a good neighborhood, intelligence, and athleticism, but he was always sensitive to the harsh words of other people.
Despite access to a number of resources, Darren found himself going down a dark path.
Darren grew up in suburban Atlanta, Georgia playing a number of sports with the friends he grew up with. His earliest memory of pain is being told that he wasn’t black enough by his peers. He adopted that as truth when he was younger and didn’t realize the pain that it would cause him throughout his life. Even now, Darren still struggles with doubt despite being one of the best players in the game.
Pain is part of the shared human experience. If you’re alive, you’re going to go through the pain and that is what connects us and is the essence of common humanity.
Darren’s first real teacher was his father. He saw the way his dad treated his mom and respected her, and that became the template for how Darren treated women in his own life.
In terms of balance, Darren understands that no matter how well things are going, they could get worse, and if things are going badly they will eventually get better.
The way that Darren’s father loved him is how Darren thinks about his other relationships and it allows him to live a better life because of it.
The feeling of not being good enough led to Darren trying to earn people’s approval by becoming better at football, and it was around that time that he started experimenting with drugs in an effort to escape the anxiety of trying to please people all the time.
As his football skills improved, Darren felt worse and worse internally. After becoming a pro athlete, instead of feeling better the anxiety and pain only got worse and his drug use increased exponentially.
The status and lifestyle were something he thought he wanted but none of it gave Darren happiness or peace. Darren ended up sabotaging his own success and getting suspended from the team. He had to go through the process of recovery and relearn the value of hard work before getting another chance at football a few years later.
The biggest thing holding Darren back was trying to get approval and respect from others before he showed it to himself. Other people’s approval was either making or breaking him and he had to shed that mindset to stop trying to fill the void inside himself with other people’s approval.
Darren’s lowest point was fourfold: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It was August 11, 2017, when Darren overdosed in his Jeep. He had said that he had changed but his behaviors didn’t match the declaration. He ended up reliving all the pain he had been trying to mask in his life and that’s when he realized he had to change his life completely.
If you’re at your lowest point, you’re not alone. Darren had to stop telling himself that what makes him different is what is wrong with him.
The real story is what makes him different is what makes him special. He had to free himself from giving his power away to other people.
All that arises starts with our thoughts. You can train your mind to work with you instead of against you. Darren is grateful for his recovery because so much has come because of it. By surrendering all the things that he thought would make his life worth something, he has allowed himself to learn and grow in ways that weren’t possible before. All the things that Darren was afraid to talk about have become his greatest asset. Just because you’re striving for greatness that doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect.
Choose progress over perfection every day. Being authentic and sharing your story, complete with imperfections and mess, connects you more than trying to project a fake facade. Darren’s life used to consist of hiding nearly everything about him in the belief that it would make him feel free, but he’s done hiding.
As people, we tend to see others clearly but we’re not able to see ourselves very well. We need to be around other people that want the best for us and who are willing to guide us when we need it. If you’re not addressing your fear you’re going to keep getting the same results in your life.
Look at your pain and fear and figure out what it’s teaching you. In the depths of his addiction, Darren’s greatest fear was having other people see him the way he saw himself. He bent his life around making sure that other people told him what he wanted to hear instead of what he needed to hear.
Fear is now an opportunity for Darren to trust himself and his belief that he’s doing the right thing.
Fear is now an opportunity to be the best he can be. We’re all recovering from something right now.
We all have a comeback story within us, and sometimes we have to change our story to make something new happen.