The Michael Chernow Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Michael Chernow: “I Overdosed… Then Used Again 4 Hours Later” Aug 05, 2026

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Michael Chernow shares the raw story of how childhood trauma led him into addiction at just 12 years old and eventually brought him within inches of losing his life. After surviving a heroin overdose, Michael returned to using only hours later because he still didn’t know how to stop. Everything changed when one phone call connected him with the mentor who gave him the structure, discipline, faith, and support required to rebuild his life. Now 21 years sober, Michael explains why asking for help is a sign of strength, how fitness became part of his recovery, and why getting back up is the only thing you need to do perfectly. He also opens up about fatherhood, meeting his wife nine months into sobriety, learning to love himself, and becoming the mentor he once desperately needed. This is a powerful conversation about addiction, redemption, faith, discipline, love, and the possibility of completely changing your life.

everybody poops Aug 04, 2026

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I felt it was time to have this conversation

Doctors Told Her She Would Die... She Refused to Accept It | Ashleigh Di Lello Jul 29, 2026

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After being told at just 13 years old that she likely wouldn’t survive her teenage years, Ashleigh Di Lello refused to accept the future doctors predicted for her. Years later, after a failed hip surgery left her unable to walk and living with debilitating chronic pain, she reached another breaking point that changed the direction of her life.In this episode, Ashleigh explains how she began studying neuroscience, nervous-system regulation and the connection between physical, mental and emotional pain. She and Michael discuss faith, neuroplasticity, trauma, survival mode, self-compassion and why the brain repeatedly returns to familiar patterns—even when those patterns are destructive.Ashleigh also breaks down the practical process she uses to help people process emotional pain, calm the brain’s fear networks and create healthier neural pathways. Michael shares his own experiences with addiction, childhood trauma, his son’s rare genetic diagnosis and the role his relationship with God has played throughout his recovery.This conversation is about refusing to let pain, fear or a diagnosis become your permanent identity. It is a powerful reminder that healing requires faith, responsibility, daily action and the willingness to move directly through what hurts.

The Biggest Failure Is Never Trying | KOH Sprouts Market Tour Jul 15, 2026

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Michael Chernow and Mattiy Christofferson sit down inside an RV after six exhausting days on the road launching the Kreatures of Habit Daily Bar at Sprouts stores across the West Coast.In this raw, off-the-cuff conversation, they break down the reality of building a company, the pressure founders feel when comparing themselves to massive brands, and why obsession is often required to succeed. They also discuss delegation, maintaining momentum, creating your own luck, and learning to accept that nobody will execute your vision exactly like you.Michael opens up about nearly sacrificing his marriage for business, the dream he is still working toward, and why success is meaningless if it costs you the people you love. This episode is a reminder that the biggest failure is not losing—it is reaching the end of your life knowing you never tried.Follow the journey as Kreatures of Habit and Ops Run travel across the country connecting with runners, run clubs, and local communities.

I wanted A Father Figure. I Found A Monster | My Story Of Childhood Abuse From A Predator Jul 08, 2026

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Michael Chernow opens up about growing up in an unsafe home, searching for a father figure, and how that vulnerability led him into the hands of a predator. He shares the confusion, shame, addiction, and anger that followed, and why he believes parents need to be more aware of who has access to their children. This conversation also goes into his near-death experience with heroin, the moment that finally pushed him toward sobriety, and the mentor who helped him rebuild his life. Now 21 years sober, Michael uses his story as a warning to parents and a message of hope for anyone who feels too broken to change. This episode contains sensitive conversations around childhood abuse, addiction, and recovery.

#ChildhoodTrauma #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MensMentalHealth #Fatherhood #TraumaHealing #SurvivorStory #ProtectYourKids #Parenting #RecoveryJourney

Discipline Is The Key To Freedom Jul 06, 2026

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In this episode, Michael Chernow opens up about the moment he realized his habits were destroying his life and how discipline became the foundation for everything he has built since.From addiction, violence, and losing control to sobriety, business, fatherhood, and personal growth, Michael breaks down why small daily habits matter more than massive life changes. He explains how little wins can rebuild confidence, why fear causes most people to quit, and why discipline is the key to freedom.This conversation is a reminder that your habits will either make you or break you. Whether you are trying to get sober, lose weight, build a business, improve your mindset, or simply become a better version of yourself, the next best decision is always available.Discipline is free. Habits are powerful. And it is never too late to change your life.

#MichaelChernow #Discipline #Habits #CreaturesOfHabit #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #SelfImprovement #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Motivation #MentalToughness #LifeLessons #Podcast #TheMichaelChernowPodcast

She Lost 30% Of Her Body Weight Trying To Be "Healthy" | Kelsey Heenan Jul 01, 2026

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Michael Chernow sits down with Kelsey Heenan for a raw conversation about food, fitness, control, and recovery. Kelsey opens up about how trying to become a better athlete slowly turned into dangerous food rules, restriction, over-exercising, and losing 30% of her body weight. Michael also shares how food became another form of addiction for him after getting sober from drugs and alcohol. Together, they talk about why eating disorders and food anxiety are not just “women’s issues,” how fitness can become punishment, and why true health has to include freedom. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt trapped by food, body image, discipline, or the pressure to always optimize.

Good vs Evil Is Happening Inside You Jun 29, 2026

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In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow reflects on the constant battle between good and evil, light and darkness, and the choices we make every single day.This message is about awareness, discipline, and understanding that life will always test who you are becoming. Michael breaks down why the real battle is not always outside of us, but often within us — in our thoughts, actions, habits, reactions, and the way we choose to show up in the world.Whether you are trying to grow, heal, stay grounded, or become a better version of yourself, this episode is a reminder that the small choices matter.Good and evil are not just ideas. They show up in how we live.

20 Years Of Marriage Taught Me This About Love | Stef Sifandos Jun 24, 2026

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In this episode of The Michael Chernow Podcast, Michael sits down with Stef Sifandos for a powerful conversation on love, relationships, marriage, intimacy, ego, and why real connection feels harder than ever.They talk about how social media creates the illusion of connection, why so many people push love away, and how old survival patterns can quietly destroy relationships. Michael opens up about his 20+ year relationship with his wife, the work it takes to keep love strong, and why communication, self-awareness, and healthy conflict matter so much.This conversation goes deep into marriage, attraction, conflict, generational trauma, fatherhood, addiction, and what it actually means to feel loved. If you’ve ever struggled with intimacy, communication, or staying connected in a relationship, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations around health, relationships, recovery, growth, and what it takes to live a more fulfilled life.
#TheMichaelChernowPodcast #Relationships #Marriage #Love #SelfAwareness #Healing #PersonalGrowth #Intimacy

Loving Someone Who Can’t Love Themselves Jun 22, 2026

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In this Monday Moments episode, Michael Chernow opens up about one of the hardest tests he has faced in his own life: true compassion.Michael breaks down the difference between empathy and compassion, and why compassion can be so difficult when you love someone who struggles to love themselves. He reflects on the people in our lives who test our patience, our heart, and our ability to stay open instead of turning away.This episode is a reminder that some relationships are not just challenges, they are opportunities for growth. Michael shares how compassion can become a master test in life, forcing us to evolve as people and maybe even as souls.If you have someone in your life who is hard to love, hard to understand, or hard to keep showing up for, this message may hit home.

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