11/07/2023Present and Sober Podcast Episode 111Ben Tuff: Swimming My Way Out of the Bottle
This week we're joined by the inspirational Ben Tuff and we're diving deep into his story 🌊  (see what I did there)! Ben is here to share how sobriety, swimming, and self-discovery have made his life a beautiful and meaningful place to be! Check out his full bio below...
Ben Tuff grew up splitting his time between Atlanta, GA and Jamestown, RI. He attendedColby College where he met his now wife, Gretchen and treasured his times working at a sailinginstructor and boat captain in the British Virgin Islands. Between Jamestown and the BVI, Bendeveloped a lifelong appreciation for the ocean. Ben is a lifelong educator and has had theprivilege of working with hundreds of boarding students from across the world. In 2012, Benmade the life-altering decision to break free of the hold that the addiction to alcohol had onhim. Despite not knowing how to swim, the sport of triathlon arrived quickly in his life. Afterseven years of competitive triathlon, Ben made the switch to marathon swimming. After manycrossings from Newport, RI to Jamestown, RI on Save the Bay Swims, Ben throttled it up withthe 12.5 Mile FKCC Swim Around Key West. After that, he couldn’t stop and completed a 21-mile swim around Jamestown, a 19-mile swim from Block Island to Jamestown, and mostrecently swimming the length of Narragansett Bay by swimming 24 miles from Providence, RI toJamestown, RI. Esteemed producer, Matt Corliss, chronicled Ben’s journey to sobriety and theparallels of his recent swim. The film, “Swim Tuff: How I Swam my Way Out of the Bottle” isprojected to be released Spring 2023.

What you'll learn this week: 
[00:02:37] How Ben's anxiety-filled childhood lead to alcohol addiction.[00:16:27] The importance of connection.[00:24:20] From college graduate to boarding school teacher. Connecting with kids, finding a sponsor, and swimming triumphs.[00:31:01]  How one phone call led to an inspiring recovery documentary.[00:38:21] How sobriety brings emotional depth and transformation.[00:41:50] Making sobriety cool, changing perceptions, and reaching out.[00:47:47] Make miracles happen.
🙌 Check out Ben's links 🙌
Website: https://swimtuff.com/
Instagram:@ben.tuff
🙏 Check out Sam's new solo project 🙏
https://podcast.rebelspirituality.com/

Don't forget to...

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And now for that disclaimer...
Nothing on the Present & Sober podcast, including Ellie, Sam's and our guest's opinions, is a substitute for medical advice. Don’t stop drinking suddenly if you’re physically dependent on alcohol. Seek help for any withdrawal symptoms from a medical professional.