The Hopeaholics

Latest Episodes:

Ryan Beckmann: Breaking the Silence with Hockey | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Ryan Beckmann: Breaking the Silence with Hockey | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this gripping episode, we dive deep with guest Ryan Beckmann, a Canadian-born former junior hockey player whose life story is a testament to the power of recovery. Ryan opens up about his harrowing experiences with childhood trauma, starting with abuse at age five that shaped his struggles with addiction, mental health, and a skewed perception of intimacy. From building a multi-million-dollar RV dealership empire to losing it all—along with a $3 million debt—Ryan’s journey took him from the streets to rehab after missing his children’s milestones. He shares how a chance connection with NHL legend Theo Fleury, whose book resonated with Ryan’s own pain, led to a life-changing charity hockey event aiming to raise $1 million for mental health initiatives like Canucks for Kids and Puck Support. This episode explores Ryan’s reconciliation with his father after nearly a decade of silence, sparked by shared trauma, and his ongoing healing through Celebrate Recovery and faith. Packed with raw emotion, hope, and practical insights, this conversation highlights the importance of community, breaking generational curses, and finding purpose through pain.

You can buy your tickets here:
https://www.lackcantscore.com/

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saved-a-recovery-experience-tickets-1382200110739
Check out Ryan's GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ultimate-goalie-showdown-where-hockeys-heart-shines
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:03:47 - Childhood Trauma and Its Lasting Impact
00:04:47 - Early Substance Use and Hockey Career
00:06:20 - Marriage and Immigration to the U.S.
00:08:10 - Relapse and Business Collapse
00:09:29 - Hitting Rock Bottom and Seeking Treatment
00:10:34 - Connection to Theo Fleury’s Story
00:12:10 - Strained Relationship with Father
00:15:02 - Son’s Health Crisis and Hockey Community Support
00:17:16 - Charity Event for Mental Health
00:18:54 - Reconciliation with Father
00:21:25 - Sharing Trauma to Help Others
00:22:00 - Additional Traumas and Their Impact
00:26:39 - Struggles with Intimacy and Fatherhood
00:43:21 - Celebrate Recovery Program
00:49:35 - Charity Event Details and Support
01:00:03 - Proposal for Recovery Summit

Pat Ridge: Seeking Validation Through Mischief | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Pat Ridge: Seeking Validation Through Mischief | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this extended, unfiltered conversation, Patrick opens up about his multifaceted life—from his early days filming with a Hi8 camera and capturing memories with friends like Chad’s wife Donna and her sister Vicki, to his wild first high on Vicodin during a high school snowboarding trip, and his rise in the music scene with Hyper Crush, touring with Lady Gaga, only to face ego-driven setbacks. He shares the founding of Graceland, his highly structured sober living facility, and the chaotic yet transparent journey of helping others like Nick Harris via live streaming, despite toxic online backlash. Patrick gets real about losing 20 years of sobriety, his relapse with CBD and Delta-9, and the strain it put on his marriage and role as a father to his one-and-a-half-year-old son, Wolf, while reflecting on the power of behavior over sobriety milestones, the influence of structured programs like Liberty House, and his current mission to create engaging, funny recovery videos. From mischievous beginnings and seeking validation to finding peace at the lake and admiring artists like Scribbler in Kensington, this episode is a rollercoaster of lessons, hope, and resilience—perfect for anyone navigating addiction, sobriety, or the messy beauty of life.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:03:19 - Early Filming Passion
00:04:40 - First High Experience
00:07:00 - Mischief and Validation
00:09:10 - Streaming and Sober Living
00:12:39 - Graceland Structure
00:16:13 - Music Career with Hyper Crush
00:19:23 - Art as a Lifeline
00:21:21 - Seizure and Turning Point
00:23:26 - Inspiration from Liberty House
00:25:29 - Marriage and Fatherhood
00:28:38 - Social Media Addiction
00:35:43 - Sobriety Across Programs
00:36:37 - Critique of Time in Sobriety
01:21:14 - Fascination with Scribbler
01:23:28 - Daily Routine Post-Relapse
01:26:03 - Finding Joy at the Lake

Tobias Stroman: Battling a Broken System | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

Tobias Stroman: Battling a Broken System | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Tobias Stroman, a man whose life has been shaped by profound loss, resilience, and an unyielding drive to find purpose through pain. Tobias bravely shares the heart-wrenching saga of his older brother, Elijah Stroman, wrongfully incarcerated at 18 for 23 years of a 37-year sentence, only to be released by the Washington State Department of Corrections with no guidance, housing, or counseling. Tragically, just seven months after tasting freedom, Elijah lost his life to a fentanyl-laced batch of cocaine in a hotel room, days before his 42nd birthday. Tobias recounts the family’s devastation during the trial, his mother’s nightly tears, and their relentless fight—fueled by attorneys and a private investigator—to prove Elijah’s innocence. As a young teen, Tobias grew up fast, taking jobs and entering real estate and life insurance to fund costly legal battles, all to bring his brother home. He opens up about his own descent into addiction—alcohol, cocaine, and ecstasy—trying to numb the pain of Elijah’s absence, losing a job, marriage, and home along the way. A pivotal moment came driving from Arizona to California at 2 a.m., when a misdownloaded sermon and a minivan with a cross led Tobias to cry out for God’s help, launching his journey into AA and sobriety. Despite a relapse after Elijah’s viewing, Tobias called his sponsor, recommitted, and now channels his grief into a powerful vision: raising fentanyl awareness, opening a detox facility and sober living home, and advocating for those released from prison to navigate a world of challenges Elijah never mastered.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:03:06 - Brother's Wrongful Incarceration and Release
00:04:15 - Tragic Loss to Fentanyl
00:05:21 - Impact of Wrongful Conviction
00:08:29 - Challenges of Reentry
00:12:20 - Family Devastation During Trial
00:13:57 - Relief at Elijah’s Release
00:17:02 - Fighting for Elijah’s Freedom
00:18:18 - Personal Relapse After Loss
00:19:22 - Growing Up Fast
00:22:06 - Spiritual Awakening on the Road
00:24:41 - Entering AA
00:26:50 - Relapses and Losses
00:28:49 - Renewed Commitment to Sobriety
00:43:45 - Vision for Helping Others
00:49:18 - Rebuilding After Tragedy

Vechi Mutum: Weaponizing Excuses to Avoid Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Vechi Mutum: Weaponizing Excuses to Avoid Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Vechi Mutum delivers an unflinching and inspiring account of his journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery, offering hope to anyone facing their own battles. Vechi endured a childhood filled with violence and instability, leading to a suicide attempt at 14 and early struggles with mental health. These experiences set the stage for a descent into addiction, starting with compulsive sugar consumption as a child and escalating to prescription drugs like Norco and Valium after a knee injury derailed his firefighter dreams. By his early 20s, Vechi was entangled in methamphetamine use, introduced by a neighbor, which fueled a life of homelessness, criminal activity, and estrangement from family. Now over a decade sober, Vechi shares profound reflections on rebuilding his life, including an 11-year marriage, adopting their son, and raising two boys with intention, teaching them resilience and accountability. The episode also highlights Vechi’s passionate advocacy, including a call to treat fentanyl use as attempted suicide and a demand for better support for veterans battling addiction. With raw honesty, Vechi discusses navigating the “dark hallways” of recovery, from false legal accusations to the ongoing wreckage of past mistakes, emphasizing the power of doing “the next right thing.”
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:05:19 - Early Addiction to Sugar
00:07:04 - Rejecting Higher Power in AA
00:08:04 - Struggles as a Teen
00:09:13 - Suicide Attempt at 14
00:11:11 - Injury Derails Firefighter Dreams
00:12:11 - Prescription Drug Abuse Escalates
00:14:42 - Introduction to Methamphetamine
00:16:30 - Homelessness and Criminal Activity
00:17:43 - Losing Custody of Children
00:19:19 - Selfish Excuses for Addiction
00:21:06 - A Stranger’s Compassion
01:06:36 - Urgent Call to Treat Fentanyl as Attempted Suicide
01:09:57 - Veterans Deserve Better Support
01:14:32 - Protecting Kids from Fentanyl
01:16:30 - Fatherhood as a Privilege
01:18:31 - Rebuilding Family After Mistakes
01:19:21 - Teaching Sons Resilience
01:20:30 - Navigating Dark Hallways

Dr. Samantha Harte: The Troubles of Wearing Perfectionism | The Hopeaholics Podcast May 29, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Samantha Harte: The Troubles of Wearing Perfectionism | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this transformative episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, Dr. Samantha Harte bares her soul, recounting a journey from addiction and spiritual bankruptcy to profound recovery and purpose. From overdosing on cocaine the night she was accepted into her doctoral program to grappling with a marital crisis marked by infidelity, Dr. Harte’s story is one of resilience and redemption. The tragic loss of her sister to a drug overdose in 2022 became the catalyst for her bestselling book, sparking a mission to integrate spirituality into health and wellness. With raw honesty, she shares how applying the 12 steps to her marriage, confronting untreated shame, and listening to her intuitive self led to healing and an 11-year marriage with two children. As a physical therapist and founder of Strong Harte Fitness, she challenges the broken healthcare system, advocating for holistic care and self-advocacy, including hormone health. Her 90-day Hardcore Hustlers program empowers women to break cycles of dysfunction and embrace their potential. This episode is a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to overcome addiction, rebuild relationships, or find their true calling.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:14 - Hitting Spiritual Rock Bottom
00:03:38 - Sister’s Overdose Sparks Purpose
00:05:16 - Vowing to Write a Book
00:06:58 - Rejecting God in Early Recovery
00:08:27 - Spiritual Rock Bottom in Marriage Crisis
00:09:05 - Applying 12 Steps to Marriage
00:10:06 - Making Amends to Herself
00:11:20 - Breaking the Perfectionism Circuit
00:12:16 - Intuition Guides Furniture Choice
00:21:11 - Shame as the Ultimate Offender
00:29:14 - Embracing Multiple Identities
00:33:29 - Launching Strong Harte Fitness
00:35:18 - Creating Hardcore Hustlers Program
01:04:38 - Punishing Herself Through Fitness
01:18:36 - Discovering Husband’s Affair
01:23:41 - Choosing to Stay After Betrayal

Dane Carter: Addiction’s Grip and Lack of Hope | The Hopeaholics Podcast May 26, 2025

Show notes

Dane Carter: Addiction’s Grip and Lack of Hope | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Dane Carter delivers an unflinching account of his transformation from a life consumed by addiction and a 13-year cycle of incarceration to one of sobriety, purpose, and impact. Beginning at age 13 with juvenile detention for fighting and drug use, Dane’s path spiraled through prison terms, culminating in a desperate struggle with fentanyl and meth, marked by a high-speed chase and weeks holed up in a San Luis Obispo motel room. A life-changing anonymous call from a Corona, California, detox center offered him a scholarship for treatment, sparking a four-year sober journey that includes building a fitness and mindset coaching business and finding love with his fiancée, met during rehab. From surviving a motorcycle crash just 12 days into detox to narrowly avoiding a life sentence after a violent New Year’s Eve incident, Dane’s story is a testament to resilience and divine intervention. Emphasizing that “your past does not define you—your next move does,” he shares how rejecting a victim mindset and embracing activities like gym workouts fueled his recovery. Now dedicated to helping others through his platform, Dane’s raw honesty and actionable insights make this episode a compelling beacon of hope for anyone navigating addiction or seeking redemption.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:20 - Rock Bottom in a Motel Room
00:03:00 - Anonymous Call That Changed Everything
00:04:04 - Wake-Up Call at Mom’s House
00:05:14 - Early Incarceration and Juvenile Struggles
00:08:25 - Realizing He Was the Problem
00:09:27 - Persistence in Finding a Sponsor
00:10:12 - Motorcycle Crash During Detox
00:11:08 - Building a New Life with Martina
00:15:00 - Spiritual Connection Through the Call
00:18:36 - Getting a Face Tattoo During Hard Times
00:43:22 - Rejecting the Victim Mindset
00:46:19 - Capturing the Sobriety Rush
00:51:10 - Escaping a Life Sentence
01:06:08 - Past Doesn’t Define You

Tifany Manit: Bouncing Back with Self-Belief | The Hopeaholics Podcast May 22, 2025

Show notes

Tifany Manit: Bouncing Back with Self-Belief | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Tifany Manit shares her transformative journey from obesity and crippling social anxiety to a life of purpose, health, and spiritual fulfillment. Growing up in Palo Alto, California, Tifany faced childhood bullying and weight struggles, culminating in a pivotal moment at 21 when a family photo spurred her to lose 65 pounds through disciplined diet and exercise. This sparked a cascade of achievements, including degrees in journalism, culinary arts, and business hospitality, despite her father’s discouragement about entrepreneurship. A brown recluse spider bite and norovirus led to a profound “come to Jesus” moment in 2024, prompting sobriety and a deepened faith. Now, Tifany is building an organic, no-refined-sugar ice cream brand, revamping her social media for food and lifestyle, and venturing into gaming streaming, embodying her mantra that “rock bottom is a trampoline.” Her story of resilience, self-belief, and actionable change is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:29 - Pivotal Weight Loss Decision
00:04:13 - Culinary and Fitness Discipline
00:08:07 - Overcoming Social Anxiety
00:10:32 - Educational Achievements
00:11:31 - Defying Discouragement
00:15:07 - Empathy for Her Past Self
00:20:18 - Health Crisis and Spiritual Awakening
00:23:30 - Choosing Sobriety
00:37:28 - Overcoming Analysis Paralysis
00:47:42 - Rock Bottom as a Trampoline
00:50:15 - Building a Culinary Brand
00:51:51 - Revamping Social Media
00:53:24 - Venturing into Gaming Streaming
00:57:46 - Embracing Self-Belief

Rebekah Nowell: The Gift of Grief | The Hopeaholics Podcast May 19, 2025

Show notes

Rebekah Nowell: The Gift of Grief | The Hopeaholics Podcast
In this deeply moving episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Rebekah Nowell shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, healing, and transformation through profound trauma, addiction, and grief. Raised in the Mississippi Delta within a missionary family, Rebekah recounts a childhood shaped by her parents’ calling to serve abandoned children in Central America, where she lived in Costa Rica and Honduras until her teens. Her life took a devastating turn in December 2012 with the tragic loss of her two-year-old son, Brennan, in an accident involving her father, triggering a decade-long struggle with cocaine, alcohol, and unprocessed trauma from childhood molestation and eating disorders. A pivotal moment in April 2023 marked the beginning of her recovery, as she quit cocaine cold turkey, pursued accelerated resolution therapy, grief counseling, and later achieved 16 months of sobriety from alcohol by 2025, despite facing significant health challenges like low iron and gastrointestinal issues. Guided by faith and a supportive recovery community, Rebekah now dedicates her life to reaching women secretly grappling with addiction, particularly those hiding their pain behind a polished facade in places like Orange County. Her recitation of the “Holes” poem by Scott Lewis beautifully encapsulates her journey from despair to purpose, emphasizing the power of safe spaces to heal shame and inspire hope. This episode is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the universal connection forged through shared pain.
#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:04:11 - Missionary Upbringing
00:06:27 - Pivotal Decision to Heal
00:08:22 - Loss of Her Son
00:12:03 - Sobriety and Therapy Journey
00:14:20 - Mission to Share Hope
00:15:30 - Early Traumas Uncovered
00:26:38 - Protecting Inner Peace
00:30:09 - Power of Recovery Community
01:00:06 - Post-Sobriety Health Struggles
01:05:02 - Bold Prayer for Alignment
01:10:00 - Reaching Women in Hidden Pain
01:12:17 - Shame Dies in Safe Spaces
01:20:31 - Inspiring “Holes” Poem

CJ Sparxx: The Bigger Life After Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast May 15, 2025

Show notes

CJ Sparxx: The Bigger Life After Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast
CJ Sparxx’s journey from a 15-year battle with addiction to over six years of vibrant sobriety is a raw, inspiring story of resilience and transformation. Raised in a strict, religious Northern California farm household, CJ felt like an outsider, her insecurities fueling an early reliance on alcohol to quiet a “loud” inner voice. By her late teens, addiction escalated, leading to multiple DUIs, eviction from home, and lost relationships, culminating in a four-day relapse that laid bare her disease’s grip. A turning point came when a sober friend’s joy—and his heartbreaking withdrawal after her chaotic behavior—pushed her into AA, marking the start of a life rebuilt on self-worth. CJ reframed her alcoholic tendencies as a strength, channeling her relentless drive into confidence and purpose. She overcame self-hatred, learning to assert her needs without apology, and rebuilt family ties, now connecting regularly with her parents and sober brother with empathy for their struggles. CJ’s advocacy emphasizes curating positive mental inputs to sustain sobriety, from motivational content to the power of visualization. From earning the nickname “Wolverine” for enduring chaos to embracing vulnerability as a recovery advocate, her story is one of redemption and hope.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:03:26 - Strict Farm Childhood
00:05:47 - Reframing Alcoholic Strength
00:10:34 - Wolverine’s Chaotic Coping
00:12:29 - Learning from Mom’s Self-Talk
00:15:03 - Rock Bottom Revelations
00:18:38 - The Fade That Changed Everything
00:23:55 - Sobriety’s Bigger Life
01:26:29 - Embracing Self-Worth
01:30:06 - Rebuilding Family Ties
01:39:01 - Pivoting Beyond OnlyFans
01:41:27 - Power of the Mind
01:43:37 - Curating Positive Inputs

DJ Paden: Crashing Into Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast May 12, 2025

Show notes

DJ Paden: Crashing Into Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Join The Hopeaholics Podcast for an unforgettable episode featuring DJ Paden, a former 24 Hour Fitness general manager whose life was reshaped by addiction and redemption. Growing up in Huntington Beach amidst his father’s alcoholism, DJ began drinking at 12, later battling opiate addiction after a workout injury. His struggles peaked with four DUIs, culminating in a harrowing 105-mph crash in 2015 that totaled his truck and led to eight months in county jail. There, DJ began his transformation, losing 40 pounds and finding glimmers of hope. After a brief relapse, a spiritual surrender in April 2016 marked his nine-year sobriety journey. Rising from rock bottom, he rebuilt his career, advancing from a UFC Gym sales rep to regional manager, now leading the Huntington Beach location. As a men’s ministry director, DJ channels his faith to guide others, despite enduring the tragic loss of his father and two brothers to addiction in 2022-2023. His raw, vulnerable story of resilience, forgiveness, and purpose shines in this emotional episode, offering a beacon of hope for those battling mental health and addiction. Tune in to witness the power of recovery and the ripple effect of sharing truth.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics
Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics
https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics
Buy Merch:
https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com
Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com
If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.
Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:
https://www.infinitigroupllc.com
Timestamps:
00:02:34 - Role of His Wife in Sobriety
00:03:00 - Rock Bottom: Fourth DUI and Crash
00:04:16 - Divine Warning Before the Crash
00:04:38 - Consequences of the Fourth DUI
00:06:19 - Opiate Addiction Trigger
00:07:10 - Reconciliation with Father
00:09:14 - Jail Transformation: Physical and Mental Shift
00:11:02 - Early Sobriety Struggles
00:21:05 - Relapse After Jail
00:23:09 - Turning Point: True Sobriety Begins
00:24:53 - Career Rebuilding with UFC Gym
00:45:05 - Tragic Loss of Brothers
00:49:41 - Faith Through Grief
00:52:09 - Ministry and Purpose
00:57:35 - Sharing Hope to Prevent Despair
00:58:53 - Living for God’s Glory
01:03:19 - Learning Gentleness Through His Wife
01:06:14 - Embracing a Gentle Identity

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