Healing isn't clean. It's courageous.

Ryan Escalera and I don’t share the same story—but we speak the same language. The language of recovery, of brotherhood, of looking in the mirror and deciding to rewrite the script we inherited. In this conversation, we talk about addiction, but we also talk about fatherhood, identity, culture, and choosing goodness even when it's hard.

Ryan’s journey through sobriety as a single dad is gut-wrenching and grounding. He opens up about the cultural norms that make alcohol feel inescapable, the triggers he faces, and how community and connection help him stay the course. And for the first time, I go deeper into my own story—what brought me to the edge, what made me stay, and what ultimately pulled me back.

This isn’t a PSA. This is real life. This is two men talking about the hard stuff. The moments that hurt. The days that nearly took us out. And why we keep choosing to stay, to show up, and to be better—not perfect—but better.

Key takeaways:

• Recovery isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily practice.

• Fitness, therapy, and brotherhood aren’t fixes—but they’re lifelines.

• Our relationships with our fathers shape us. And we get to decide what we pass on.

• You are not your addiction. You are not your lowest moment.
• Choosing goodness is hard. But it’s always worth it.