When we experience bullying or face emotional hardship, it’s hard to imagine a world in which everything will turn out okay. At just 20 years old, Doug Bopst was addicted to opiates and spent time in jail for “possession with intent to sell.” It felt like a death sentence at the time. But in dedicating himself to doing the work to shift out of a victim mindset, mindful movement, and the people who believed in him, this is not where Doug’s story ends, but where it begins.

Doug Bopst is an award-winning personal trainer, author of three books, and host of the Adversity Advantage Podcast on a crusade to inspire others to overcome adversity and become the best version of themselves. Doug has been featured on NBC’s ‘Today Show,’ Men’s Health, Forbes, Rich Roll’s podcast, Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, The Skinny Confidential Him and Her podcast, and more. There’s even a short documentary about his story, From Felony to Fitness to Free.

In this honest conversation about facing demons and coming out the other side as a changed person, Doug reveals how he was able to kick addiction and reinvent himself, sharing how instrumental exercise and talk therapy have been in healing childhood wounds and limiting beliefs.

Doug and Karena discuss how important it is to be surrounded by people with similar values, not let the fear of other people’s opinions keep you from being true to yourself, and build self-trust and resilience through doing hard things. No matter how low you’ve been, Doug’s story is proof that you can heal and become the best version of yourself.

(00:03:27) Becoming a Felon at 20: Childhood Wounds Lead to Life-Changing Choices

(00:19:03) What Doug Lost (and Gained) While In Prison

(00:28:48) Processing Limiting Beliefs & Strengthening Self-Trust Through Talk Therapy

(00:38:40) Overcoming Victim Mentality & Healing in Community

(00:44:24) Cultivating Resilience by Making Peace With the Past

Resources:

• Website: dougbopst.com
• Instagram: @dougbopst
• YouTube: Doug Bopst
• Podcast: The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst
• Read: The Heart of Recovery by Doug Bopst
• Documentary: From Felony to Fitness to Free
• Tone It Up Refresh & Reset Challenge 2024
• Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing
• Follow Karena Dawn on Instagram: @karenadawn
• Follow The Big Silence on Instagram: @The.Big.Silence
• Subscribe: The Big Silence YouTube Channel
• Therapy For All: Resources for those in need

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“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.

Producer, Bobby Goldstein.

The Big Silence is produced by Crate Media.