On this episode, I shared the microphone with Dani. Dani is in lifelong recovery with two years of sobriety under her belt. We had a wonderful conversation about change and finding who we are sober!

The challenge to find ourselves is a process. Dani helps the listeners understand the process she went through to find her "I AM." Abuse, addiction and finding herself was all part of her process. The goal is to find who we are without the substance. 

Her first experience with trauma was at age 6 when her "abuser" water boarded her. The abuse continued and her escape  became the use of substances. Please take a ride with Dani and I as we explore the difference between sobriety and recovery, who she was without alcohol and how to eliminate stinking thinking from your life. 

Be sure and follow Dani on The Sober App and on Instagram @sober_Socially

Check out the upcoming Victory Vision Reset at www.victoryvisionaz.org for more information on how to register.  

On this episode of the Chase The Vase/Victory Recovery Podcast, I speak with Laura Palmer about the insanity of addiction.  Laura was spending over $300.00 a day and consuming "10 perc 30's on a good day." Laura's addiction began to spin out of control and when she needed to cover a drug debt, Laura made the decision to steal money from a family member. The insanity of addiction supports our poor decision making!

Laura was arrested and charged with theft. She was subsequently arrested and sentenced. After being released, she immediately used pills to control the pain of detox. Being sentenced did not scare her into stopping her drug usage. Laura's addiction was spinning out of control and the need to use pushed her into making poor decisions.  Ultimately, her actions while under the influence led her to prison.  

Laura quickly realized that prison offered her a pivot point. "Being sent to prison long enough for my brain to heal was what I needed." While in Tent City, she worked with the MASH Unit which allowed her to work with the K-9 population. 

While in prison, Laura realized that she needed time for her brain to heal. After "About three months, I stopped craving the drugs and realized that I have a chance not to go deeper into this mess, but to fix it!"

This is all she needed. Listen to the rest of the podcast to find out how Laura is living a life of recovery! 

Thanks for checking out the episode. Please share it, like it and leave a comment. We listen and appreciate your feedback. 

Check out the "Victory Recovery Reset" at www.victoryrecoveryaz.org for upcoming recovery challenges. 

Feel free to email me at [email protected]

On this episode of the Chase The Vase podcast, I have the founder and creator of "Connection Is The Cure." September Frogley created the organization after her brother lost his battle with mental illness and addiction. 

It was September's hope that she could keep Robert's legacy alive by educating the public about these issues. September kicked started her organization in Idaho by holding her first event in the Ford Idaho Center. To a packed house, she shared her message of Hope and Connection. 

I was blessed to have an active roll in the concert and was floored by the movement. At the end of the concert, I asked September if we could do a recovery/mental health concert in Arizona. This is where we stand today. We are just days away from "A Night To Connect" being held right here in my hometown of Mesa AZ. 

This podcast will shine light on the individuals struggling with mental health and addiction. We invite you to attend and be a part of the movement. If you want tickets, you can secure them at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-to-connect-tickets-339609871267

"Why did you embark on the 75 hard when you look no different", or you know your going to fall right back into old behaviors," so why do it?  These are rationalizations for other people. I need to remember that my journey, is not your journey. My effort is not your effort, and my success is not attached to your success!

But we listen to what others bark at us. Many times in life, I have been fueled by the ignorance of other. Like the time I started the Keto diet. I was dropping pounds and looking good and an individual had the edacity to tell me I would fail over the holidays. If I had listened, I would have believed his weakness.

Why do you do what you do and who has access to your effort and Why?

Stop giving your power away. Take it back and own your shit!

Check out the #take10movement for details on how to help one another recover from drugs and alcohol. It takes 10 minutes a day!

I started the 75 hard and refused to go backwards. Creating the right mindset to accomplish all the tasks had to be set at day one. But, as you know, there are so many justifiable reasons to quit. 

Here are the three most repeated reasons people quit in recovery, in the weight loss journey, at church, school or any other valuable goal. 

1. I don't have time.

2. I'm not motivated. 

3. I don't know where to start. 

There are solutions to each of these justification. Make a plan and script it. Stick to the plan one day at a time until you master your mind!

Thank you for Chasing The Vase and look forward to your comments and feedback to this podcast!

Check out the #take10challenge for details on how to take 10! Until next time, enjoy Chasing The Vase!

There are so many reasons to "kinda" do sobriety, or "kinda" develop a relationship with a Higher Power or "kinda" wanna be thin. There is an absolute commitment and ownership the accompanies all decisions. 

Four questions were posed to us this week, and all four teetered on taking ownership. It is too easy to shift blame on another or take 75% of the responsibility. 

The four questions were:

1. "I want to occasionally drink!" Response, then you want to be occasionally sober!

2. "How honest do I need to be with an employer about my addiction?" Response, Honesty is a lost commodity today! 

3. "I can't shake the shame, family keeps judging me for my past." When your ready to give it up, give it up! It's your to carry and yours to dump!"

4. "Do I really need a Higher Power?" Response, We tried all the "I Got This Crap." We can't do it alone!

Please, jump on and listen to this episode and share it with those who seek real recovery. I promise, once ownership is taken, sobriety becomes obtainable. Check out the #take10movement and share your connection with us. 

PTS is a highly discussed topic amongst first responders. We carry external and internal wounds that never seem to heal. It is my hope that this episode will help anyone suffering with PTS understand that it is an anxiety disorder and not an incurable disease. 

There are four common symptoms that accompany PST. They are:

1. Re-Experiencing the event.

2. Avoidance: Avoiding the people, places or situations that remind us of the event. 

3. Hyperarousal: Felling on edge on on Red all the time.

4. Negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself and others. 

We also discuss signs and symptoms that are directly associated with PTS. If you are a spouse, family member of friends to a first responder, this podcast is for you. It will help you understand emotions and feelings associated with PTS. 

I also discuss an amazing tool that can be used today to start the process of healing from this disorder. Let me know how it works for you by sending me an email to [email protected]. #take10movement. 

Absolute honor to share the microphone with Russell Brunson on this episode of the Chase The Vase Podcast. 

Here are some fun facts you may not know about Russell.

Did you know that Russell ate sushi two times a day for 5 years? 

Did you know that Russell can teach you how to lose 30 pounds in 3.5 days? (Not Recommended or approved by any medical professional?)

Did you know that Russell has created "hard stops" in his life in order not become overwhelmed? 

Did you know Russell has created a team of friends in his life that checks on his mental wellness while reminding his to remain balanced?

Did you know Russell set up a cot and tent in his office, so he didn't have to leave?

Did you know that Russell believes that understanding the hypnotic rhythm has allot to do with breaking the addiction process?

Did you know that Russell works out by wrestling his sons at their wrestling practices?

These are a few of the fun facts Russell and I shared during this episode. Please share this podcast with your tribe, like us and leave us a message. We appreciate your friendship. 

Please check out the #take10movement on Facebook and be a part of the change, 10 minutes at a time. 

Ashley "Smashley" Cummins. Ashley is a Police Officer of 12 years, DT Instructor, BJJ Brown Belt and a professional MMA fighter - ranked the #7 atom weight in the world. 

Her mantra is: "There is no second place in a fight for your life. Train accordingly." She believes there are no excuses. If you choose law enforcement as your profession then you don’t have a right to be lazy with your training. Firearms training, detac/combatives training, fitness, etc. Your family loves you and needs you to make it home every shift and to always remember your why. We need to "train above the standards."

Ashley is training first responders all over the world and you can learn more about her training at @jiujitsufive_o. For all of us, the goal is to stop being complacent and think the training you do is enough, it’s not.

Many of us are absolutely overwhelmed, stressed, mentally and physically tired and in a hurry to be in a hurry. As I talked to my wife about the title of this podcast, she sang to me the Alabama song, "I'm in a hurry to get things done." While thinking about this episode, I realized that my "Hurry" is self-induced and I need to fix it. 

As I evaluated my life, I realized that I am working a full time job, setting up Victory Recovery Center, organizing, inviting, and advertising our upcoming concert, coaching CrossFit twice a week and completing "75 Hard." (Finished Day 54.) I immediately realized that it is too much!

Because I love to be busy and I thrive in the chaos, pulling back and slowing down are going to be difficult. But, I realized for my insanity it needs to be done. So here are 4 suggestions that I want to offer you to work on the slow down!

1. Not everything you (we) do has a deadline. Find your balance. 

2. Prioritize you to do's.

3. Set boundaries. (Say No!)

4. Make your purpose your work. 

Check out the podcast for specific details. I invite you to implement them in your life. I would love to hear your feedback and how you applied one or all of them this week. Like up and subscribe to the show. Let me know if you life the content and if it is helpful!

Check out the #take10movement and the upcoming Connection Is The Cure Concert with Ben Fuller. You can secure tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-to-connect-tickets-339609871267