Welcome to another episode of Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Wisdom, where we explore stories of connection, resilience, and the beauty in our imperfections. In this episode, we dive into an inspiring and honest conversation with Dan Karaty, a renowned choreographer for Britney and JT and TV personality So You Think You Can Dance, who opens up about his journey to sobriety and the struggle with alcoholism.

Episode Highlights:

Dan's Early Days:

• Dan talks about his initial encounters with alcohol during his high school years, describing it as a means to fit in with the "cool kids."
• He reflects on how these early experiences set a precedent for his relationship with alcohol.

Career Success and Escalating Dependency:

• Dan’s rise to fame in the entertainment industry, working with celebrities and on popular TV shows.
• The pressures of the limelight and how it exacerbated his reliance on alcohol for social comfort and stress relief.

The Turning Point:

• A poignant moment involving his daughter, leading to the realization of the impact his addiction had on his family.
• Dan’s candid recounting of his decision to seek help and the challenges of admitting he needed it.

Rehabilitation and Recovery:

• Insight into Dan's experiences in rehab, the struggles, and the newfound sense of community and understanding.
• How the rehab process started Dan's journey towards genuine self-reflection and healing.

Post-Rehab Life and Lessons Learned:

• The importance of a supportive network, including his wife Natasha’s role in his recovery.
• Dan's approach to sobriety, including his daily routines, therapy, and the continuous process of self-improvement.

Advice for Others:

• Dan offers advice to those who might know someone struggling with addiction, emphasizing honesty, support, and the understanding that change won't happen overnight.
• Encourages open conversations about addiction and mental health.

Closing Thoughts:

• Reflections on the importance of being true to oneself and the power of vulnerability.
• How facing and overcoming challenges can lead to a deeper connection with oneself and others.

Dan's story is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience and change. His journey from the highs of celebrity to the depths of addiction and back to a life of sobriety and self-discovery is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Key Quotes:

• "I try to make a point of doing a little bit more each day to keep growing."
• "The admission process for me was the worst part about it. It is the most degrading, humiliating. That's a whole different kind of bottom."

How to Connect with Dan:

Website | Podcast | Instagram | LinkedIn

Dan's Book: If I’m Being Honest

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Let's celebrate our scars as golden symbols of resilience and strength. 

My name is Michael. I help people prevent a bad moment from turning into a bad day and help them heal, grow, and develop more resilience. 

I'm not a doctor or therapist. But I have been through the “ringer,” as they say. I was involved in a cycling accident, and my trauma team doesn’t know how I survived. Along the way, I’ve tried it all to heal and in my podcast, I share what I’ve learned in hopes that something might help you. Plus, I want to create a connection with you so you’re not alone in your journey. You’ve got this!

If you feel you need more mental health support, please contact NAMI. This is a good place to start. 

If you have a question or comment, please reach out to [email protected]. 

With Whole Again: A Fresh Approach to Healing, Growth & Resilience after Physical Trauma through Kintsugi Wisdom, listeners explore resilience through personal stories of trauma, scars, and injury while learning to overcome imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism with self-compassion, self-love, and self-worth. Through insightful discussions on stress management, mindfulness practices, and digital wellness, the show offers practical tools like breathwork, grounding techniques, visualization, and daily affirmations for anxiety relief and stress relief. Inspired by the art of kintsugi, the podcast embraces healing as a process of transformation, encouraging a shift in perspective from worry and being overwhelmed to gratitude and personal growth. By exploring the mind-body connection, micro-dosing strategies for emotional well-being, and holistic approaches to self-care, this podcast empowers listeners to cultivate emotional resilience and live with greater balance and intention.