FIGHT LIKE DAVID

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

Time Under Tension is a philosophy often learned in the gym. (TUT) refers to the amount of time a muscle (your brain) is held under tension or duress. While it creates amazing results in the gym, TUT in recovery is not the best practice. 

The idea of recognizing unnecessary pressures in your life will help reduce relapse and unnecessary tension and stress. Too often, we create TUT without an escape! We lack the necessary tools in order to escape the "fall." If we are not careful, our daily patterns create the tension.

I share three stories that describe how TUT can get out of control and begin to take on a life of it's own. I invite you to listen to the podcast and evaluate what areas in your life are creating unnecessary and harmful tension. Once identified, you must release it, let it go and get rid of it. Too often, our addictions take on a life of their own because we fail to stop like enough to become aware of the process. 

This is your invitation to slow down, evaluate and act! Thanks for listening, subscribing and leaving a review!

Check out the "Night Of Connection" that is coming up July 14th. You are invited and I hope to see you there. You can grab your tickets to the event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-to-connect-tickets-339609871267. See you soon!

I am thrilled to have Christian Artist Ben Fuller on the show. This episode was unique and we openly talked about the redeeming power of a loving Savior. Ben has been deeply affected by childhood trauma and addiction. His life became unmanageable and out of control.

Due to generations of hurt in his family, Ben struggled with certain aspects of growing up and turned to cocaine and alcohol at a young age. In 2015, Ben got involved in a devastating drug-fueled relationship which led him to understand better, the other side of addiction. In addition, come 2017, he abruptly lost his best friend to a heroin overdose and his entire outlook on life shifted.

Ben knew he needed a change and the change happened when a family friend invited him to church. As he walked the halls into the auditorium filled with 3,000 people, he knew one day he would sing "that kind of music" for the rest of his life. Falling face first into his new-found relationship with Jesus, he began writing with a burning desire to share what God did to turn his life around. Today, Ben lives completely sober, while sharing his story filled with hope, mercy and grace. By turning his testimony into songs, he has been rejuvenated with a new passion and mission; to share his story with the world and all who are ready to listen.

Ben has excepted an invitation to come to Mesa Az on July 14th, 2022. We are excited to put on the invent in hopes we can connect with one another. That our hearts will begin to heal and find hope in the music and conversations. 

To secure a ticket, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-to-connect-tickets-339609871267 to secure a ticket to the event. 

Pornography is one click away, and is becoming ever more immersive and addicting. How is it changing people’s behavior, relationships and desire?

On this episode, I share the microphone with Bob Gardner. Bob and I break down and discuss ways to break the addiction cycle and ways to identify the addiction process. 

Many people we work with are told that they will struggle with their porn addiction for the rest of their life? The thought of repeating this viscous cycle makes them feel hopeless, stuck, and not worth even trying anymore?

I pray that this episode provides home. If this podcast is helpful, then share it with your friends and families. The battle to overcome pornography is not impossible. Let's get started. 

If you have question, reach out to me at [email protected].

The parable of the talents was shared twice in the Bible. Why? Why would Jesus share it publicly then in private amongst His people?

Have you ever thought if Jesus was giving out the talents, would you have received a talent, two talents or even three? When Jesus gave out talents, He gave them out on ability, He trusted the three men with his money. The question is often asked, "do you trust them, are they reliable? I believe this was a test, and a change to demonstrate skills and gifts. 

We are all given gifts and it is up to us to qualify them. My greatest gift ever given was fatherhood. To be entrusted with His children! At some point, I will have to answer to my King about my effort. 

On the flipside, I was given a gift of addiction. That may sound crazy but my battle with it and through it strengthened my talents. It was a specific gift given to me and He provided me the skills to overcome it! 

So what talents are you working with? Where are you implementing your skills? I would love to hear all about them and to be able to share on an upcoming episode. Share your results at the #take10movement. 

Till next time, keep chasing the vase! 

The war on drugs has been waged, lost, waged and lost. Think about it this way, in 2018 there were 67,367 overdoses reported in the U.S In 2020, there were over 100,000 overdose deaths. We're not winning and no one is coming to save us. 

We all want to understand the root cause of addiction and most of us blame it on the substance. For those in active recovery, we understand that it is not the drug or the alcohol it is US. We come to the realization that it is all about our decisions, our environment and our behaviors. In order to find recovery, we must change our cage!

Take some time to listen to the podcast and learn how the Vietnam War and Rat Park changed our view of addiction. Would love to hear your opinion on approach to addiction. 

Please visit the #Take10Movement on Facebook and become a member. 

My next guest lost his daughter Alexandra to a fentanyl poisoning in 2019. Since that time, he has taken up the fight to keep others from becoming victims to this epidemic. Matt Capelouto has issued the warning that, "The spike in fentanyl-related deaths should be treated as a national security threat!"

His daughter was attending Arizona State University and battling with the stressors of college life and being on her own for the first time. During Christmas break, Alexandra reached out to an individual on Snapchat while seeking relief for insomnia and depression and was dealt a counterfeit drug that was laced with fentanyl. Matt said, "I want it to be clear, my daughter didn't die from an overdose. She was poisoned." 

This entire situation was just a tragedy of epic proportions. The man who sold the counterfeit pill is currently standing trial in the Federal Court System for murder. So many lives destroyed by this one careless act. 

Matt is working to pass the Alexandra's Law, and advance legislation to help mimic the current DUI laws in California. A dealer would be hit with a warning following the first offense. If a subsequence offense occurred and a person died from the distribution of fentanyl, that subject would be subjected to murder charges. 

Please follow Matt and his cause on Facebook and join the fight in your community and make sure you join the #take10movement on Facebook. 

Keep Chasing The Vase!

My next guest is an active duty Master Police Officer in Virginia and Author of the award-winning powerful book (turned movie releasing 2021), Break Every Chain. With 18 years of police work Jonathan has been to "all the calls." 

Jonathan indicated that the calls added up on his ability to cope with the demons. Before he knew knew it, he was overcome with darkness, PTS and alcoholism.  Jonathan and I discuss the roll of the police officer and the toll the job takes on our lives. The inability to get help played a vital role in his alcohol abuse, PTS and , suicidal ideations. Jonathan needed help and he needed it quickly. 

He found himself in the middle of the biggest fight of his life, it was the battle between light and darkness. The winner would retain his soul! After "allowing the enemy to destroy his life and his family for so long," Jonathan made the decision to cry out and get help from the One who saves!

Jonathan's battle was not easy or overnight. He was under attack and needed a lifeline.  Listen to this episode to learn more about Jonathan's recovery and his search for light. 

His story has also been told on the big screen. His movie, Break Every Chain is currently streaming on Prime Video. Thank you Jonathan for your resolve and courage!

Check out the #take10challenge for ways to help one another heal! Keep Chasing The Vase!

Have you ever walked into an interview drunk?

Have you ever said, "I got this", when you really didn't?

Promised yourself to get to the gym tomorrow but slept through those promises?

Picked a fight with your significant other so you could look at porn?

These of course are just some questions posed on the road to relapse. 

In this episode, I speak open and honestly about relapse and Self-Sabotage, while offering tools and support while seeking sobriety. This episode is full of relapse justifications and the top 10 reasons addicts relapse!

Please share this episode with those you love and leave me a comment and message. Thank you for the support. 

Check out the #take10movement and take ten today!

Let me start off by saying I am thankful we have men like Jason A. Ramos. Jason is a Smokejumper and firefighter. What is a Smokejumper you ask? They are America's most select elite airborne firefighters tasked with putting out fires before they are out of control They are the first line of defense. These men are willing to risk their lives to battle these deadly infernos. The only caveat is they do not arrive to the scene in a bright red firetruck, they halo into the fire!

Smokejumpers fight fires in the most remote and rugged terrain all over the U.S. I hope that this episode was able to describe a portion of bravery these men display on a daily basis. When Jason was told, he was too small and weak to become a Smokejumper, he did not buckle or walk away from his dream. Learn how to fought to become one of America's most elite!

Jason is the author of "Smokejumper A Memoir By One Of America's Most Select Airborne Firefighters." He is an advocate the first responders and has been on the TedX stage sharing his experiences. This podcast will highlight the remarkable story of my friend Jason Ramos and his will to overcome life's challenges. 

I am proud to share this space with Jason, please listen to the episode and share your comments with us. It is not everyday that we get a glimpse into the lives of the men and women in uniform. From me to you, thank you my brother!

Please check out the #Take10Movement and become get involved in changing lives!