Mike is a 57-year-old retired police officer from Long Island, NY. He is a lover of mother nature, and enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening and cooking, among other things. He is a father of two awesome adult children and Papi to two grandsons.

In this episode, you will hear Mike share his life story and how a significant incident in his career, and other events that followed, led to his mental health decline and increasing dependence on alcohol. You will also hear about how he got the help he needed, the ups and downs of his life and how he is dealing with life on life’s terms.

What we discussed during the show: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:51 Mike's favorite quotes (three): 
  1. “The Axe Forgets What The Tree Remembers”
  2. “A Satisfied Life is Better Than a Successful Life”
  3. Peace Prayer of Saint Francis:

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

• 05:36 Mike’s background
• 07:41 How his drinking began
• 12:01 How an incident in his career led to his retirement from the police force and  mental health decline
• 15:16 Mike’s attempt at recovery
• 19:08 What Mike has accomplished so far in recovery, and, what he hopes to accomplish in the future
• 22:23 Mike’s thoughts on what the key is to finding long-term success in sobriety
• 26:14 What does the word ‘forgiveness’ mean to Mike
• 27:31 Has Mike forgiven himself?
• 27:37 Mike’s rock bottom
• 28:59 Happiest moment of life
• 31:03 Who Mike looks up to
• 33:00 What is he trying to learn/grow into
• 38:09 Something people often get wrong about Mike
• 35:44 Rapid Fire round - 5 Questions
  1. What's on his nightstand: A lamp and an ASP Baton
  2. Favorite meal: Anything that is fun and exciting to prepare
  3. Favorite recovery-related resource: My Spiritual Toolkit App
  4. No. of hours of sleep every night: 8
  5. Favorite TV show: Downton Abbey
  6. What is Mike grateful for today: 
     • Continued growth and understanding of himself
     • His children
• 37:40 Mike’s advice to anyone struggling with addiction

See the full show notes and more details at https://sobersidechat.com/mike-lando/

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SoberSide Chat Podcast Details:

• Podcast Website: https://SoberSideChat.com/
• Shownotes & Transcript: https://sobersidechat.com/mike-lando/
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• Twitter: @sobersidechat