From Survivor to Thriver

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Do you know someone struggling with a gaming addiction? 

Gaming can be a great way to decompress and relax, but when it starts to interfere with your normal functions and day-to-day life, it becomes a problem. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Dr. Agam Dhawan to discuss the signs and symptoms of gaming addiction, what causes it, and how you can get the help that’s needed. 

Dr. Agam Dhawan is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating mental illness (depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD & video game addiction) in male gamers through his private practice called Level Up Psychiatry.  

Growing up he felt lonely, felt girls didn’t like him and no one wanted to be his friend. Gaming was his escape. He’d daydream until the bell rang, come home, binge Oreo cookies, and game in the basement until it got dark. And honestly? Agam loved gaming. 

Eight years later as a psychiatrist, it's now his mission to help young men level up in real life. He could've gone down the dark road of being lonely, spending Friday nights on video games or porn and he’s grateful he didn't go down this path. 

Today, he shows men they can level up their mental health, fitness, grooming, and social skills in real life, just like stats in their favorite video game.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The difference between a healthy relationship with gaming and a gaming addiction
• The role of male parental figures in seeking out mental health care
• How to create boundaries around gaming 
• How motivational interviewing can help understand addiction
• The true danger behind video game addiction
• The psychological reason that  gaming is so addicting, particularly in men
• How you can level up in real life 
• The type of help available to people with gaming addictions
• Key signs and symptoms of someone with a gaming addiction
• What caregivers should and shouldn’t do for those with addiction

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Agam! If you want to learn more and find out how to work with him, you can check out his website. You can also follow him on Instagram. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“If we look at any type of addiction work, we know that the change has to come from within the person. That's just a fact.” -Agam 

“Guys are more drawn towards that achiever mentality that draws them really strongly to gaming and can lead to addiction.” -Agam

“In the casino or in the gaming world, they’ve perfected that idea of we're going to keep you in this chair because we know we can play around physiologically and psychologically with you. And when that dopamine rush comes, the last thing you're going to want to do is get up and leave.” -Erik 

“With people that have mental health issues or mental injuries, they have to know that there's a way through it.” -Marc 

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Have you ever struggled with not feeling like you are enough? 

As we grow up, many of us are told to stop being so loud or to behave, and it can slowly chip away at what makes us unique. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Rachel Druckenmiller to discuss how she struggled to find her own voice growing up and how events surrounding the pandemic helped her get past the fear of failure and share her voice with the world through her speaking engagements and music. 

She now works to help other people understand that no matter what you do or what you’ve accomplished, you are somebody and you are enough. 

Rachel Druckenmiller is a TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, and catalyst who unleashes what’s possible in people and organizations. She’s served clients like Sherwin-Williams, Citizens Bank, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the American Heart Association. 

Rachel is the Founder of UNMUTED, a speaking and training company whose mission is to activate the power of curiosity to ignite personal and professional clarity, so people move forward with greater confidence and courage. 

She's married to her college sweetheart, Bill. She sang with the band at her best friend's wedding and loves a good dance party or karaoke night. She is also a course instructor for Simon Sinek’s virtual classroom and a singer-songwriter whose first single “Somebody” dropped only seven months ago.

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• How the pandemic inspired Rachel to finally share her voice with the world
• What happens when we are told at a young age that we need to quiet down
• Why we need to take charge of our own learning 
• How to turn our failures into growth
• The accident that blindsided Rachel and changed her life
• The power of sharing our stories with others
• The message  behind Rachel’s first song
• The creativity that can come from our darkest moments

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Rachel! If you want to learn more about her, make sure to visit her website, find her on Instagram, and find her on LinkedIn. You can also tune into her music on Spotify or YouTube! 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Rachel’s website

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Check out Rachel’s music

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“I want the song to be an anthem to remind people that you are somebody. You matter and you are enough, regardless of what you achieve or accomplish or whether or not you've proven yourself.” -Rachel 

“We all have the capacity for resilience.” -Marc 

“I am somebody. It doesn’t matter if I accomplish 10 things over the next 24 hours or not. I woke up, I had my coffee, and I am somebody. And that’s so powerful.” -E

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Have you tried meditation? 

There are studies that show many benefits of meditation including lowering your blood pressure, improving your quality of life, and allowing you to become more present. 

For people suffering with anxiety or other mental health issues, meditation could be key to unlocking your unconscious mind, understanding yourself better, and healing. 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Sara Webb who has experienced her own healing journey through meditation and now works with others to help them find their inner power.

Sara Webb is an author, speaker, and meditation coach. She collaborates with successful leaders with closet anxiety to take back control of their lives by teaching them to relax, so they can have more energy, and focus on what’s important. 

Sara empowers clients with high-functioning anxiety to find their own inner resources, their power within. She teaches pocket-sized techniques to process stress, improve daily happiness, and bring the best versions of themselves to their own lives. 

Her book “LOOK LUSH” is a collection of poetry outlining her rise from the ashes after a multi-man rape, coming out of the closet, and getting sober / healing addiction through the power within us in conjunction with nature. 

Sara has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Purdue, bachelor’s degrees from LSU, and has been an entrepreneur since 2015. She lives in sunny Florida, traveling internationally for workshops and speaking engagements.   

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• How Sara started exploring the healing power of meditation
• How to practice your inward spiral and become more present 
• The positive impact meditation can have on your life
• How your brain reacts to trauma and how meditation helps
• The empowerment we feel from solving our own problems
• Why we shouldn’t take things personally 
• How our perception impacts what happens in our lives
• The way that Sara helps transform the lives of her clients 
• The different types of meditation and how to find the right one for you

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Sara! If you want to learn more about meditation or working with her, make sure to visit her website, find her on Instagram, and find her on LinkedIn. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit her website

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Connect with her on LinkedIn

Visit our website

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“We are the only ones who can bring ourselves from darkness into light” -Sara 

“​​It was meditation and sitting with myself with my eyes closed that allowed me to start to see myself from the inside.” -Sara 

“Many of us suffer alone needlessly.” -Erik 

“We all feel a little afloat and things don't seem to make sense, but maybe it's giving us permission to make sense of it ourselves.” -Marc 

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Do you or anyone you know struggle with porn addiction? 

This can be an incredibly challenging position to be in and it’s often surrounded by shame and guilt, but recovery is possible. In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with J.K. Emezi to talk about his journey with an intense addiction for years before recovering and making it his life’s work to help others make it to the other side of addiction. 

J.K. Emezi is a Porn Addiction Recovery coach and Founder of the #1 Porn Addiction Recovery Program- The Porn Reboot System. He struggled with an out-of-control behavior with pornography for over 11 years. 

Consumed by the addiction, he was unable to date, stay focused on academics, hold a job, or manage his emotions. His entire life was based on how to obtain sexual pleasure. 

Unable to quit using therapy, 12 Steps, and other methodologies, he created a unique system that allowed him to control his sexual behavior within a few short weeks. 

Porn Reboot is a system of pornography addiction treatment that helps high-performing business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are dealing with porn addiction problems. 

His method of treating pornography addiction has been tested for over a decade and doesn’t require willpower, religion, or therapy! 

Today he helps men identify signs of porn addiction, overcome the shame of struggling and develop coping strategies to help them end their behavior permanently.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• How to determine if you have an addiction to pornography 
• Moving past the barrier of shame around porn 
• How J.K. realized that he needed to start taking better care of himself and overcome his addiction
• The impact pornography can have on your brain 
• Signs that someone might be struggling with porn addiction
• The difference between happiness and joy 
• The impact of technology on presence 
• How J.K. came up with his porn addiction reboot program
• Why you have to learn how to love yourself

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Adam! If you want to learn more from him, make sure to visit his website, find him on LinkedIn, and follow him on YouTube. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit the Elevated Recovery website

Connect with J.K. on LinkedIn

Visit his YouTube channel

Visit our website

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“What worked for me with my porn addiction was accepting the fact that I was not powerless. I had the resources within me to control my behavior.” -J.K. 

“All too often, when you hear about porn addiction, it is not as an adjunct to a sex life. It has taken over and has replaced a sex life.” -Marc 

“With pornography, you have happiness that then is followed by guilt and shame and all of these other things. It doesn't result in true joy. It's not the same

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Do you struggle to live in the present moment?

When you suffer with things like anxiety, depression, or even ADHD, it can be hard to regulate your nervous system and just live in the present moment. But presence is where true growth and fulfillment happens. So how do you do it? 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Adam Hart who overcame his own ADHD symptoms by learning to regulate his nervous system and become more present by rock climbing. Adam knows how challenging it can be and he is here to help us understand how we can begin to push past the discomfort and find our own path to presence. 

Adam Hart is both a leading expert in nervous system regulation and how to get unstuck as well as a best-selling author whose mission is to help busy parents transform the symptoms of the daily grind into more loving relationships and daily fulfillment. 

Diagnosed as having ADHD in his teens, Adam suffered with low self-esteem and feelings of guilt and shame as he navigated the complex world of entering adulthood. In his early 20’s, the responsibilities and stress from striving to meet societal expectations, led Adam to living with daily anxiety. 

His racing mind, stuck in fight or flight thoughts, had him living with coping habits focused on escaping life and detaching from connecting to emotions. 
 
All this changed when Adam discovered Rock Climbing in his late 20's. Rock climbing allowed Adam to discover the true power of his nervous system regulation and how to utilize “The Moments of Life” to alter how his brain functioned and how his body performed.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The impact ADHD can have on your self-esteem 
• The science behind your own ability to reset your brain
• When Adam reached rock bottom and how he climbed out and learned to embrace the present moment
• The power of getting in nature and how it brings you back into the present 
• Why you have to work on the relationship between your brain, nervous system, and heart daily
• Tools to move your brain out of fight or flight mode 
• How healing your nervous system can lead to deeper connection with others

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Adam! If you want to learn more from him, make sure to visit his website, find him on LinkedIn, and follow him on Instagram. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Adam’s website

Follow Adam on LinkedIn

Follow Adam on Instagram

Visit our website

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“​​Presence is a real place. I had never been told that this is a place I could live until climbing showed me that this was an option for me.” -Adam 

“I backed myself into learning how to meditate and how to manage my brain better through skiing.  That was my gateway activity to a healthier brain.” -Marc 

“Recognizing all of those small goals and successes along the way is where the true joy lies.” -Erik 

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Have you experienced childhood trauma?

The events in your life as a child impact you long after your childhood ends. For many, it can cause trauma leading to depression, anxiety, addiction, and many other mental health disorders. 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Susan Gold who went through it all. She has been on a continuous healing journey that has brought her to her passion of helping others overcome their own childhood traumas and begin to heal their inner child and find happiness in adulthood.

Navigating a ferociously challenging upbringing, while bravely moving forward as an adult to face ingrained, outdated, and patriarchal programming head-on, Susan Gold now shares a unique perspective in viewing life challenges as occasions for transformation. 
 
Through her book, Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom, Susan turns the standard paradigm on its head courageously leading others through her own journey of abuse, addiction, and surviving narcissism all while creating a distinctly empowering personal and professional life. Keen on leaving a legacy to help others heal from challenges she’s successfully met, Toxic Family is part of that quest. 

With the same magic Susan created in her entertainment career, she is now leading retreats, webinars, workshops and private sessions to help others drop outdated storylines and programming in exchange for living from the heart in authentic freedom as adults.  

Supporting homeless animals, especially dogs, and cats, and helping others up the ladder are her joys.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The first steps to healing from childhood trauma
• The defining moments of Susan’s childhood that led to trauma, depression, and addiction
• The continuous journey of healing 
• How therapy and support groups changed Susan’s life
• The power of following your intuition
• The impact of growing up with a narcissist and what it means to be an empath
• The transformational power of healing your inner child
• How your environment can impact your inner peace
• What happens when you heal your inner child

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Susan! If you want to learn more about her work or check out her book, make sure to visit her website. You can also follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Susan’s website

Follow Susan on Instagram

Follow Susan on LinkedIn

Visit our website

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“It does take a lot of bravery to break out of the construct and step out of the old faulty matrix that's broken and try things differently than your family did.” -Susan

“Healing is a continuum. When it starts, it just continues. It morphs. It changes. It’s a journey we will be on until we are no longer on this planet.” -Erik 

“Maybe our next front

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What does bravery mean to you? 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Janey Brown to talk about her journey through trauma and how she used music as medicine to the “madness” of her mental health journey. 

Music led her down a path that taught her bravery, courage, and what it means to be fearless. She now uses her experiences and knowledge to help others who are struggling like she did. 

Janey Brown is a trauma-informed coach, professional singer, and keynote speaker who helps people build resilience to fear, and manage mental health, so they can radiate confidence in front of any audience. 

She’s currently studying psychology at Queen's University and will be publishing her first book in 2023. Her latest single “Thank You for Loving Me” is, in her words, for anyone who wrestles with their dark side on the daily and is meant to inspire a sense of connection and belonging between you and your loved ones, and, most importantly, between you and you. 

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The way Janey uses music as her medicine to heal from trauma
• Sublimation as a trauma response 
• What happens when the things you love are made transactional
• The artistic liberation of making music purely for yourself
• The power of practicing beingness
• Why we love art that amplifies life
• The difference between bravery and courage
• The way that Fearce Academy was created and who it’s for
• How Janey became fearless as a performer
• The bravery in taking a break
• The fear of rejection that causes social anxiety
• What your shadow self really is and why it’s not as scary as you think

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Janey! If you want to learn more about her work or Fearce Academy, you can check out her website, or follow her on Instagram. Make sure to listen to her music on Spotify!

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Janey’s website

Follow Janey on Instagram

Check out her music on Spotify

 Follow Janey on LinkedIn

Visit our website: https://fromsurvivortothriver.com/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers

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Get in touch: [email protected]

“A lot of people battle with self-worth and self-esteem issues. And I really think understanding that you still deserve love is a ritual rather than an epiphany.” -Janey 

“Sometimes the bravest or more courageous thing you can do is take a step back and rest.” -Janey 

“You cannot be brave unless you have courage.” -Marc

“The better you become at embracing your fears, over time, the easier they are to overcome.” -Erik

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There are so many stigmas surrounding mental health, therapy, and therapists, and in this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we are diving into those stigmas and the profound impact they can have with our special guest, Becca Ferguson. 

Becca has been through her fair share of religious trauma and mental health issues. Her life experiences, infectious attitude, and personal mission to prevent others from suffering as she did bring a unique perspective to our discussion about how she became such a raw and real therapist.

Becca Ferguson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Northwest Arkansas whose life experience makes her a "real life human" with an attitude and mission to help people not experience the abuse and mistreatment that she did. 

Her passion for teaching and infectious attitude keeps her clients motivated on their mental health journeys. 

Today, as a therapist, it has been her goal to incorporate her personal experience into her curriculum. Life can be tough and frustrating and sometimes you just don't know where to turn. With Becca you are understood and cared for.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The truth about inclusive language and being a person 
• The pressure of social media 
• What we need to understand about the word “victim” 
• The abuse and religious trauma that led to depression for Becca 
• The stigmas about therapy 
• The mental health of therapists
• How Becca approaches having real and raw conversations with her clients
• The stigma between religion and mental health and the role of autonomy in it all
• How Becca provides a structured listening environment in her therapy sessions
• The difference between OCD and OCPD

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Becca! If you want to support her and check out her mini-courses, you can learn more about them at her website. Make sure to use the coupon code SURVIVOR to get 10% off your order! 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Becca’s website: https://www.beccafergusonlpc.com 

Follow Becca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beccafergusonlpc/ 

Follow Becca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beccafergusonlpc/ 

Visit our website

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Quotes: 

“I love being able to answer these questions for people and destigmatize the conversations and work through the stuff they’re going through.” -Becca 

“Be who you want to be. And when people are being who they want to be, let them be who they want to be.” -Becca 

“For those of us who struggle with mental health issues, what we are looking for at the end of the day are tools to be able to allow us to stand on our own two feet and to be independent.” -Erik 

“If you don't pay attention to that trauma and understand it and find a way to overcome it, it doesn't go away. You can't just put it in a box and bury it. You just can't.” -Marc 

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Do you struggle with loneliness? 

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we sat down with Troy Farkas to talk about his experience with loneliness and the human need for connectedness. 

Join us as we discuss the nuanced difference between loneliness and simply being alone, as well as the power of embracing solitude and the transformative experiences it can offer. 

Troy also shares how podcasting became his lifeline, offering a sense of connection and belonging during his loneliest moments in his career.

Troy Farkas is currently a producer for the Spotify exclusive weekly podcast The Ringer. He built his own six-figure freelance podcast business in six months and was formerly a podcast and radio producer at ESPN. 

Troy is also a self-improvement writer on Substack and the host of "The Found Generation," a video podcast where he and his guests address the things young people care about, namely career mobility, physical and mental health, social media, traveling, and more!  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• The internal dilemma when your life doesn’t go the way you thought it would
• How loneliness impacts your mental health
• How podcasting helped Troy overcome the loneliness and isolation of his career
• The power of experiencing things alone
• The difference between loneliness and simply being alone
• The ways that we search for connection in our lives
• What to do if someone in your life is feeling lonely
• The importance of presence and truly listening

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Troy! If you want to learn more about him, make sure to check out his substack and connect with him on Instagram.

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Check out Troy’s Substack: https://troyfarkas.substack.com

Follow Troy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-farkas-220255204/ 

Follow Troy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troy_farkas/?hl=en 

Check out Troy’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TroyFarkas 

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushcreekthrivers

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushcreekthrivers/

Get in touch: [email protected]

“Being lonely sucks, but being alone intentionally is very good for you. And I think people need to do that more.” -Troy 

“People are finding connection in ways that work for them.” -Erik 

“Presence will fight off loneliness.” -Marc 

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Have you ever wondered why some people find AI terrifying while others see it as a force for good?

In this episode of From Survivor to Thriver, we had the great pleasure of sitting down with Manuj Aggarwal. Join us as we explore why AI isn't as scary as some people think it is and how it can actually be a powerful tool for positive change. 

We'll also delve into the concept of self-awareness and meditation and its life-changing impact, as well as the importance of managing our relationship with technology in a healthy way. 

We also discuss the potential of AI in mental healthcare and the delicate balance between technology and humanity.

Manuj Aggarwal grew up in a small town as friendly child, however, his home was troubled. He withdrew into his shell, becoming aloof and angry. At age 15, he started working in a factory where he worked 12 hours/day with only $2 as a daily salary. 

In 1995, a new computer institute (Aptech) threw its doors open in Manuj’s town. Tuition was greater than a year’s salary, but he scraped together funds for the first class where he found his passion: Computers and Programming. While there, he met his wife and the two fell madly in love. 

Their marriage being disapproved of by his family, Manuj ultimately, ran away from home with only a suitcase full of clothes. After his marriage, they traveled to Canada and started a new life all while overcoming enormous challenges.  

Today, as a global thought leader in Startups and AI, an elite technology consultant and a business mentor, he is excelling and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. Going from $2/day to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies reinforced his belief that anything is possible.  

In today’s episode, we cover: 

• Why there’s more good than bad in the world
• How we as humans determine what is important to us
• How self-awareness can change your life
• The moment Manuj realized his mental health was impacting his life
• How meditation can impact your mental and physical well-being
• How AI could aid in mental healthcare 
• The importance of managing our relationship with tech in a healthy way
• The balance of technology and humanity 
• What it really takes to create real change in the world 

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Manuj!! If you want to learn more about him, make sure to check out his website and connect with him on LinkedIn. 

Thanks again for tuning in. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. Please remember to leave a rating and review of our show. It helps us grow and reach those who need it. Also, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! 

Links: 

Visit Manuj’s website

Find Manuj on LinkedIn

Visit our website

Follow us on Facebook

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Get in touch: [email protected] 

“Life is always meant to teach you lessons and it's up to you to listen and take those lessons and convert them into something bigger than you.” -Manuj

“If you've got enough food, you have clean water, and you have a community, you'll be way happier than someone living in a giant house making tons of money who doesn't feel connected to any other humans.” -Marc

“AI could help fast track the whole discussion and the destigmatization of the mental health space in gen