In this meaningful episode, Zach Dawson and Bob Springer sit down with Becky Savage, a nurse, mother, and the founder of the 525 Foundation. Becky shares the heart-wrenching story of a single night in 2015 that changed her family forever: the loss of her two eldest sons, Nick and Jack, to accidental drug overdoses during graduation party season.

Becky describes the harrowing morning she discovered her sons and the "out of body experience" of performing CPR on her own child while paramedics responded to a second 911 call from the same house. 

We discuss the hidden dangers of prescription drug misuse, the "gap in knowledge" that still exists today, and how Becky and her husband moved forward by focusing on their two younger sons while turning their grief into a mission of advocacy.

We also dive deep into the origins of the 525 Foundation - named after Nick and Jack’s hockey numbers - and how a simple idea from her then 11-year-old son grew into a nationally recognized nonprofit. Becky explains the foundation’s "Wise Up" program, which provides parents and educators with the facts and conversation starters needed to bridge the communication gap with youth. 

Join us for an essential conversation on prevention, education, and the life-saving power of simply starting a dialogue.

🎧 By the way, you can listen to this episode, or any past episode, on your preferred podcast platform.  👀 Or, you can watch the episodes on our website or by searching Bare Knuckle Recovery on YouTube.

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📝 Key Topics Covered in this episode:

The "Normal" Sunday Morning: Becky walks through the surreal experience of losing two sons in one night and the "prophecy" of watching them sleep.

The Danger of the Unknown: Exploring how a lack of conversation about prescription drug misuse led to a fatal mistake.

The Birth of 525: How a handful of memorial bracelets became the "seed money" for a foundation dedicated to prevention.

"God Winks": The incredible story of how the foundation received its official 501c3 status on May 25th (5/25).

Practical Prevention: Refusal skills, "exit plans," and why parents should treat leftover medication like a "loaded gun" on the counter.

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🔗 To learn more about the 525 Foundation, visit: https://www.525foundation.org/

👊 To watch and/or listen to past episodes of the Bare Knuckle Recovery podcast, or to reach out to our team, visit: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

In this episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast, Zach Dawson and Bob Springer kick Nate and Tommy out of the studio to take over the mics to speak directly to the two groups of people who reach out to them the most: moms and significant others.

Zach and Bob dive deep into the wreckage caused by active addiction, sharing vulnerable stories about the manipulation, lies, and fear they inflicted on the women who loved them most. They discuss the long, difficult road to rebuilding trust, emphasizing that sobriety is just the beginning... true recovery requires a complete change in behavior and integrity.

Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to the realities of working in the recovery field. The hosts open up about the toll the job takes on their families, the necessity of accountability among teammates, and how they navigate the fine line between helping others and being present for their own homes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The addict vs. the partner: How relationships survive the chaos and the transition into a healthy, sober dynamic.
• Rebuilding trust: Why "just trusting" an addict doesn't work and why it takes years of consistent action to repair the damage.
• The mother-son bond: Bob shares a touching story about taking his mother to breakfast with his own money and the redemption of being present for her when she passed away.
• The "monster" of addiction: Understanding how drugs change a person's personality and why they lash out at the people they love most.
• Accountability on the front lines: A raw look at how the BKR team supports each other, including a story about finding a stash of drugs on a job and relying on teammates to do the right thing.

Whether you are a mother, father, a spouse, or someone in recovery trying to make amends, this episode offers a message of hope: don't give up, because people can and do change.

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

💚🎗 Join Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering for this powerful episode as they sit down with special guests Zach Dawson from the Bare Knuckle Recovery team and Allendale Treatment, along with Jarred White, founder of FW22, to discuss Mental Health Awareness Month and PTSD Awareness Month (recorded in June).

👀 Note: If you'd prefer to watch this episode, you can find it on YouTube by searching for Bare Knuckle Recovery.

The group delves into the stark reality of mental health struggles, particularly the skyrocketing suicide rates, especially among men and veterans. They explore how modern life contributes to the problem, discussing the isolating effects of social media and "artificial connectivity," which often replaces genuine human connection; a key to overcoming addiction, depression, and anxiety.

A core part of the discussion centers on the nature of PTSD, with Jarred sharing his perspective that it's often rooted in what someone tried to do to you rather than what one has done. They also explore the complex relationship between substance abuse and mental health, noting that one can mask the other, making it difficult to properly diagnose and treat.

The episode then shifts to focus on the solution, emphasizing the critical need for action and commitment, not just talk, to achieve lasting recovery and mental wellness. They stress that treatment is not "one size fits all" and encourage listeners to find their support system and take proactive steps like exercise, prioritizing sleep, and journaling. Zach shares his personal journey, underscoring the importance of asking for help and actively working to rebuild relationships.

👊 The team closes with a strong message of unwavering support: they promise to fight tirelessly for anyone reaching out, regardless of circumstance, with a commitment to meet people where they're at, but not leave them there.

Reach out to the BKR team here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Reach out to Jarred and FW22 here: https://www.fw22.org/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

In another powerful episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast, hosts Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering welcome special guest Warren Gumpel, a leading voice and educator on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Warren shares his deeply personal journey, including his struggle with depression, anxiety, and substance use issues which eventually led him to a life-saving discovery: ketamine treatment. Ten years ago, after a couple of treatments, his depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts were gone.

Inside the Conversation

• The Power of Neuroplasticity: Warren breaks down a critical concept: ketamine is not a "silver bullet". Instead, it acts as a powerful catalyst and provides a window of heightened neuroplasticity —the brain's ability to build new thought patterns and neurons —allowing a person to implement the necessary behavioral changes in their daily life.
• Dissociation and Trauma: The discussion dives into the dissociative aspect of ketamine, explaining how it temporarily shuts off the brain's "default mode network" (the inner ego and narrative). This process allows an individual to gain a critical distance from traumatic memories, enabling them to re-examine and recontextualize them without the overwhelming physiological "fight or flight" response; an effect that works synergistically with therapies like EMDR.
• Best Practices and Safety: The conversation covers the difference between outpatient and inpatient care with inpatient facilities like Allendale Treatment offering the optimal environment for building durable habits away from triggers. Warren stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary screening approach and cautions against recreational use, emphasizing that these medicines must be used as part of a therapeutic process with medical supervision.
• The Psychedelic Horizon: Warren gives an exciting look at the future of mental health treatment, touching on the efficacy of MDMA for PTSD (especially for veterans) and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.
• A Story of Redemption: Hear the incredible story behind the documentary "Lamar Odom Reborn", where Warren helped the NBA star through his own ketamine and Ibogaine treatments following a near-fatal overdose. This moving example showcases the incredible hope and transformation possible for those struggling with trauma and addiction.

Don't miss this crucial conversation about innovation, hope, and the critical work being done to change the landscape of mental health and addiction recovery.

Discover more episodes and watch the video version of this episode on YouTube or at www.bareknucklerecovery.com

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Episode 33 of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast is one of our most powerful and practical yet. Hosts Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering are joined again by Mike Sedjo for a raw, unfiltered conversation about relapse, recovery, and what it really takes to build a sustainable sober life.

Too often, relapse is seen as the end of the road—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we dive into:

→ Why relapse is not the end of recovery
→ How to get back up after setbacks without losing progress
→ The guilt and shame of relapse—and how to break free from it
→ The role of self-care in avoiding burnout and staying balanced
→ Learning to replace “all-or-nothing” thinking with healthy temperance
→ The importance of new hobbies, joy, and community in sobriety
→ How families can support loved ones in recovery without destroying themselves in the process

This episode is packed with hard truths, lived experience, and encouragement for anyone walking the recovery road—whether it’s your own journey or someone you love.

👉 Relapse doesn’t define you. Self-care isn’t selfish. And recovery is about more than just putting down the substance—it’s about rebuilding a life worth living.

🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations on recovery, hope, and second chances.

📱 Follow Bare Knuckle Recovery for daily content and updates:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareknucklerecovery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bareknucklerecovery

Website: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

In this powerful two-part episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery podcast, co-founders Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering sit down with Scott Valentic and Bob Springer to share their incredible journeys. 

Scott, with a background in the military and as a narcotics detective, and Bob, who experienced life through incarceration and addiction, highlight their vastly different pasts that have surprisingly led them to work together towards the same mission: recovery.

Join them as they discuss:

• Their individual experiences and how their unique paths shaped who they are today.
• The initial apprehension and eventual mutual respect and understanding that developed between a former cop and a former convict.
• The importance of confronting personal struggles, embracing vulnerability, and the power of human connection in the recovery process.
• How their past challenges now serve as a foundation to help others find their path and live their best lives, emphasizing that "change is possible."

This episode is a testament to finding common ground in humanity, overcoming adversity, and the transformative power of choosing a path of recovery and service.

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Is addiction tearing your family apart? In Episode 31 of Bare Knuckle Recovery, Tommy Streeter, Nate Moellering, and guests Bob Springer and Emma Rosebrock confront the agonizing challenges of loving someone through active addiction. This powerful two-part discussion unpacks the painful realities of lying and manipulation, revealing the science behind how addiction hijacks the brain and can change the person you love.

Join the BKR team as they share raw personal experiences and offer crucial insights on:

• Setting Life-Saving Boundaries: Why they're essential, how to establish them with loved ones in active addiction, and understanding the manipulation tactics often faced.
• The Hijacked Brain: A clear explanation of the dopamine effect, the brain's pain-pleasure balance, tolerance, and how addiction rewires survival instincts, leading to behaviors that are not the "real" person.
• The "Should They Come Home?" Dilemma: A frank discussion about the complexities and potential pitfalls of allowing a loved one back into the family home after treatment or incarceration.
• Accountability Over Enabling: The critical importance of natural consequences, the family's role (and what it isn't), and why outsourcing support to professionals and recovery communities is vital.
• Debunking "Rock Bottom" & "Readiness": Challenging common myths and emphasizing that recovery is about action, even when it's uncomfortable or initially forced.
• Hope Through Shared Experience: Honest stories of past struggles, the pain caused and experienced, and the transformative journey of recovery for both individuals and their families.

If you're grappling with a loved one's addiction, feeling lost in a cycle of deceit, or struggling to maintain healthy boundaries, this episode offers profound understanding, practical advice, and a strong message of hope. 

Tune in for a brutally honest conversation that could change how you navigate addiction in your family.

https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Scott Valentic joined the Army in 2002 and served time in Iraq. Following active duty, Scott became a police officer, and then ultimately a detective within the drug taskforce.

On this episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast, Scott shares his perspective on the trauma of working in those environments, how he turned to alcohol to numb that emotional pain, his denial about having a problem with alcohol, and then ultimately how he came to be sitting here today as an employee of Allendale Treatment and member of Bare Knuckle Recovery with 3.5 years of sobriety.

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Anton Talamantes, MMA Coach & Personal Trainer in the Fort Wayne area, sits down with Nate & Tommy to talk about the parallels between exercise and sobriety.

Specifically, as a black belt in wrestling / MMA / grappling, Anton talks about the powers of mixed martial arts, especially in sobriety, and the wide range of spiritual, mental and physical benefits.

https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Jarred White, Marine Combat Veteran and Founder of FW22, is back on the show and he's talking in circles.

- Jarred talks about being shaped like a circle and making positive life changes

- He talks about the importance of the people you surround yourself with and keep in your circle

- He shares how these relationships have come full-circle with Nate's involvement in FW22 and the partnerships between Bare Knuckle, FW22 and Allendale Treatment.

- And Jarred talks about why we can't just circle November 11 on the calendar to celebrate and support our Veterans. It's estimated that 22 Veterans take their own lives every day due to unresolved mental health ailments.

Jarred's non-profit organization, FW22, is organized to facilitate community involvement in the support and assistance of Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while simultaneously educating on suicide prevention and mental illness.

Learn more about FW22 here: https://www.fw22.org/

And learn more about Bare Knuckle Recovery here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

#mentalhealthawareness #veteransmatter #substanceabuseawareness 

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/