Recoverycast: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Stories

What do you do when the very thing you have feared since you were three years old actually happens—and you have to face it while five years sober? In this episode of RecoveryCast, Brittany Barnard talks with recovery advocate and media personality Patrick Custer about his intense journey through alcohol addiction and a life-altering medical crisis. Patrick opens up about a childhood shaped by hypervigilance and a "fear of God" that led to chronic anxiety. He describes how his first drink didn't feel like euphoria, but like finally reaching a "baseline" of peace.

The conversation dives deep into the physical toll of alcoholism, including the terrifying experience of Delirium Tremens (DTs), which Patrick describes as "electrocution of the brain." From being dropped from a prestigious nursing program to a high-stakes family intervention involving a warrant for his arrest, Patrick shares the moments that led to his radical acceptance. Most importantly, he explains how he navigated a brain tumor diagnosis in sobriety by "leaning in" to connection rather than isolating. 

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

If Patrick’s story of resilience and finding joy beyond "not being sad" inspired you, please subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that hope is always available. 

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 – Intro: Becoming a Conduit for Hope 
• 02:31 – The First Drink: Reaching "Baseline" 
• 06:45 – Religious Trauma & Chronic Hypervigilance 
• 11:38 – The Horror of DTs & Brain Electrocution 
• 14:33 – "It Isolates Me From Me": Losing Identity 
• 16:28 – The Unraveling: Dropped from Nursing School 
• 19:04 – The Wrong Way: A Family Intervention 
• 22:30 – Arrest Warrants & Radical Acceptance 
• 27:12 – Facing the Nightmare: A Brain Tumor in Sobriety 
• 38:15 – Why Leaning In Is Always Better 

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. How does alcohol act as a "baseline" for chronic anxiety? 
2. What does "electrocution of the brain" feel like during alcohol withdrawal? 
3. How can a hypervigilant childhood lead to later substance abuse? 
4. What are the consequences of being a "functional" alcoholic in nursing school? 
5. How do you handle a family intervention when you are in denial? 
6. What is the "forever concept" and why is it overwhelming? 
7. How does addiction cause you to "stop developing identity"? 
8. What is the impact of "fear of God" versus a spiritual life of your own? 
9. How can you stay sober while taking narcotics for a medical emergency? 
10. Why do people with addiction often feel "behind" in life? 
11. What does it mean to be a "bad apple" in a treatment program? 
12. How does a brain tumor affect motor function and speech? 
13. Is isolation always the "lesser result" in recovery? 
14. How can curiosity replace the shame of not knowing the answers? 
15. Why is "not being sad" different from having true joy? 

#AddictionRecovery #BrainTumorSurvivor #AnxietyAwareness

Tiffany Jenkins, the New York Times bestselling author and voice behind "Juggling the Jenkins," joins Recoverycast to share her raw journey from facing 20 felony charges to 13 years of sobriety. Tiffany opens up about her childhood struggles with undiagnosed OCD and how a single sip of alcohol in high school led to a decade-long spiral into alcohol, weed, and eventually a devastating opiate addiction. She reveals the harrowing details of staging a burglary in her own home to fund her habit and the rock-bottom suicide attempt in a jail cell that eventually led to her transformation.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

This episode explores the complex intersection of mental health and addiction, covering Tiffany's experience with postpartum depression, agoraphobia, and her recent return to intensive outpatient therapy to maintain her healing. Tiffany discusses the "invisible" life of a high-functioning addict—including dating a police officer while hiding her drug use—and the life-saving connection she found through her father’s own sobriety. Her story is a powerful testament to radical honesty, the 12-step program, and the belief that the opposite of addiction is connection.

Subscribe for more stories of hope and healing, and leave a comment sharing your own recovery journey.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Staging a Burglary: The Desperation of Addiction

00:33 – From Bestselling Author to 20 Felony Charges

01:45 – The "Good Kid" and Undiagnosed OCD

04:03 – The First Sip: When Everything Changed

11:11 – Grief, Rock Bottom, and the First Rehab Attempt

13:38 – Dating a Cop While Hiding an Opiate Addiction

23:17 – The Interrogation Room and Suicide Attempt

32:25 – A Christmas Miracle: Recovery as a Family

37:00 – OCD, Postpartum Depression, and Agoraphobia

44:45 – 13 Years Sober: Why Connection is the Cure

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. How does undiagnosed OCD contribute to childhood anxiety? 
2. What are the signs of high-functioning opiate addiction? 
3. How can someone hide drug addiction from a police officer? 
4. What does it feel like to detox in a jail cell? 
5. Can humor be used as a primary tool for recovery? 
6. What is "radical honesty" in the context of sobriety? 
7. How does a parent’s sobriety impact a child’s recovery? 
8. Is it possible to recover after facing 20 felony charges? 
9. What is the difference between "wanting" rehab and "doing" it for others? 
10. How do 12-step meetings help with long-term sobriety? 
11. What is the link between postpartum depression and addiction relapse? 
12. How do you handle agoraphobia in recovery? 
13. Why is connection considered the opposite of addiction? 
14. What are the benefits of intensive outpatient therapy (IOP)? 
15. How do you maintain gratitude after 13 years of sobriety? 

#TiffanyJenkins #SobrietyStories #AddictionRecovery

From Marvel’s Lady Sif to a hospital bed fighting for her life, actress Jaimie Alexander shares the raw truth about her battle with bourbon and burnout. Jaimie, the celebrated lead of Blindspot, opens up about the "lone wolf" mentality that nearly cost her everything. Despite a thriving career, she used alcohol to medicate social anxiety and the extreme physical toll of performing her own high-octane stunts.

She recounts the terrifying moment her appendix ruptured, leading to sepsis and a profound spiritual encounter that finally broke the "death grip" of addiction. Jaimie details her "white light" experience in a Manhattan ER and the voice that gave her a choice: stay and never drink again, or go.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/
Now over seven years sober, Jaimie discusses overcoming childhood trauma and abuse, the importance of community over isolation, and how she maintains her mental health today through Stoicism and gratitude. Her story is a powerful reminder that hitting rock bottom can be the foundation for an authentic, joyful life.

Subscribe for more stories of hope and healing. Share this with someone who needs to hear that they are enough.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Texas Roots & Accidental Acting Career

06:14 – Landing Thor & Humbling Career Lessons

11:36 – Bourbon as "Medication" for Anxiety

15:47 – The Physical Toll of Blindspot & Stunts

18:28 – Rules of Addiction & The "B" Bourbons

20:20 – Childhood Trauma & The "Tough Girl" Shield

29:01 – The Near-Death Sepsis Crisis

34:54 – A Spiritual Encounter: "Never Drink Again"

41:18 – Finding Community Over Isolation

57:30 – Daily Stoicism & The Power of Gratitude

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. How did Jaimie Alexander transition from high school wrestling to Marvel stardom?

2. Why do high-functioning actors use alcohol to manage social anxiety?

3. What were the specific "rules" Jaimie used to hide her bourbon use?

4. How does childhood trauma impact adult addiction and "toughness"?

5. What is the actual physical cost of performing stunts on a TV series?

6. What does a "white light" spiritual awakening feel like in a medical crisis?

7. How did a ruptured appendix lead to Jaimie's sobriety?

8. What is the "We Are Enough" mental health campaign?

9. How can Stoicism and daily gratitude lists aid in addiction recovery?

10. Why is asking for help a gift to the person you are asking?

#JaimieAlexander #SobrietyStories #AddictionRecovery

"It was not about getting high, it was about not being sober." In this raw and deeply moving episode of Recoverycast, nationally touring comedian and recovery advocate Sam Miller joins Brittany Bernard to share his incredible journey from the streets of Olympia to the comedy stage. Sam opens up about the intersection of ADHD and addiction, the profound impact of childhood trauma, and the cycle of methamphetamine, alcohol, and benzodiazepine use that led to years of homelessness and incarceration.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Sam describes the "mental load" of growing up with a father who was both violent and loving, and how the loss of his parent at age 12 shifted his fear from one man to the entire world. From huffing gas as a child to sleeping in barns and jail cells, Sam provides a window into the reality of meth recovery and the "survival mode" of unhoused life. He discusses the pivotal moment under a tarp when he finally chose help over death, leading to over 15 years of 12-step recovery, therapy for PTSD, and a successful career in stand-up comedy. This is a story of breaking cycles, finding "52% happiness," and the power of being "okay with being okay."

If you or someone you love is struggling, Sam’s story proves that no matter how far you’ve gone, there is a path back.

Subscribe to Recoverycast for more authentic stories of healing, and share this episode to help someone feel seen today.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Sam Miller: Comedian & Advocate

01:41 – Childhood Trauma and a Father’s Legacy

04:09 – Navigating ADHD and the School System

07:23 – Grief, Guilt, and Losing a Parent at 12

13:37 – The Spiral: Early Use and Huffing Gas

18:31 – "I Was Running Away From Sobriety"

22:35 – Homelessness and Survival in Olympia

31:17 – The Tarp: The Day Everything Changed

33:36 – Stabilization, 12-Step, and Therapy

51:01 – How Comedy Entered the Recovery Story

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

1. How does childhood trauma contribute to substance abuse?
2. What is the link between ADHD and impulsive addiction?
3. How can someone recover from long-term methamphetamine use?
4. What does "running away from sobriety" mean in addiction?
5. How do 12-step groups help with long-term stabilization?
6. Can therapy help process PTSD from an abusive upbringing?
7. What is the reality of living unhoused while struggling with addiction?
8. How does a parent's addiction affect a child's mental health?
9. What are the dangers of huffing gas and dust-off?
10. How can comedy be used as a therapeutic tool in recovery?
11. How do you break a generational cycle of abuse?
12. What are the first steps to take when deciding to get sober?

#MethRecovery #ADHDandAddiction #SobrietyStories

How does a celebrity chef dominate the culinary world while hiding a life-threatening cocaine and alcohol addiction? In this episode of Recoverycast, we are joined by Devan Rajkumar, popularly known as Chef Dev, who reveals the "unimaginable" double life he led for years. From national TV appearances and Times Square billboards to late-night after-parties and debilitating chest pains, Devan’s journey is a raw look at the high cost of high-functioning addiction. 

Devan discusses how early habits formed at age 13 evolved into a progressive disease fueled by the "work hard, play hard" culture of the service industry. He shares the deep-seated roots of his struggle, including generational trauma and the tragic loss of his brother to suicide, which sent him spiraling deeper into substances to numb the grief. 

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about Chef Dev: https://www.chefdev.ca/

The turning point came when the "lie routine" finally collapsed after a terrifying overdose scare following a trip to Turks and Caicos. Now over four years sober, Devan explains how ego deflation and the 12-step program allowed him to trade his masks for authenticity. He also opens up about the immense challenge of quitting a 28-year nicotine addiction and why he now lives a purpose-driven life fueled by "Mad Love." 

Subscribe to hear more stories of hope and recovery, and join us as we explore the path from addiction to advocacy.

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 01:20 – Culinary Roots & Guyanese Heritage 
• 04:33 – The "Lie Routine" & Early Substance Use 
• 07:29 – High-Pressure Kitchens & After-Party Culture 
• 15:49 – Processing Grief: Losing a Brother to Suicide 
• 18:40 – Hiding Addiction Behind Celebrity Fame 
• 30:48 – The Overdose Scare in Turks and Caicos 
• 40:55 – Ego Deflation & Finding Humility in 12-Steps 
• 52:53 – Physical Fitness & Auditing Your Inner Circle 
• 58:18 – Living with Mad Love & Mental Health Advocacy 

❓ Questions the Podcast Answers:

1. How can someone hide a serious cocaine addiction while being a public figure? 
2. What are the signs of high-functioning addiction in the culinary industry? 
3. How do childhood trauma and lack of parental validation contribute to substance abuse? 
4. What is the "lie routine" used by those struggling with addiction? 
5. How can you navigate grief after losing a sibling to suicide without numbing the pain? 
6. What is "ego deflation" in the context of 12-step recovery? 
7. Why is the service industry particularly dangerous for people prone to addiction? 
8. How do you quit smoking after 28 years while already in recovery for other substances? 
9. What does it mean to "love people from a distance" during sobriety? 
10. How can physical fitness like squash or gym routines help maintain sobriety? 
11. What is the significance of the 12-step program for long-term recovery? 
12. How can practicing empathy toward parents help resolve childhood resentments? 
13. What is the "Mad Love" philosophy in Chef Dev’s recovery? 
14. How does a recovery sponsor provide a "coach for life"? 
15. What are effective ways to handle holiday triggers and the availability of alcohol?

#SobrietyStories #AddictionRecovery #ChefDev

Grace Adams seemed to have it all: a prestigious advertising job, a New York City apartment, and a background as a classical ballet dancer. But behind the "perfect" Type-A exterior, Grace was trapped in a cycle of secret binge drinking and 48-hour blackouts. In this vulnerable episode of Recoverycast, Grace opens up about the "emotional bottom" that brought her to her knees on her apartment floor and the courageous phone call to her mother that changed everything.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

We dive deep into the unique pressures of the performing arts world, the "show pony" mentality that fueled her perfectionism, and how alcohol became a way to quiet her intense anxiety. Grace shares her journey through Ashley Addiction Treatment and the instrumental role that Release Recovery’s sober living played in teaching her how to actually live a vibrant, sober life. Now a recovery advocate, Grace discusses how she uses social media to provide the representation she never saw—showing young women that sobriety isn't just about stopping a substance; it's about starting "Life Part Two."

If you are a high-functioning individual struggling with isolation or feel like a "fraud" in your own life, this story is a powerful reminder that there is another way to live.

Subscribe to Recoverycast for more stories of hope and transformation. Comment below to share your own journey or ask Grace a question!

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – The "Aha Moment" with Peach Schnapps 
01:18 – Childhood Pressure & The First Panic Attack 
05:35 – The Competitive World of Classical Ballet 
06:35 – High School: "Crazy Grace" & Secret Drinking 
10:18 – College Binge Drinking & Sorority Culture 
13:30 – Spilling Wine & Family Interventions 
17:00 – NYC: 48-Hour Blackouts & The Emotional Bottom 
25:23 – Entering Treatment & Facing the "Fraud" Narrative 
34:00 – The Power of Sober Living & Community 
44:06 – Advocacy: Helping Young Women Find Hope

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

What does high-functioning alcoholism look like in young women?

How does competitive ballet impact mental health and addiction?

What is an "emotional bottom" in recovery?

How do I tell my parents I can’t stop drinking?

What is the difference between detox and learning to live sober?

Can you be a "perfectionist" and an alcoholic?

How does sober living help with long-term recovery?

How do I maintain friendships with "normal" drinkers after rehab?

What are the signs of a 12-step program working?

How can social media advocacy help in the healing process?

What is the "fraud syndrome" in early sobriety?

How do I handle holiday triggers in early recovery?

Is it possible to have fun in New York City while sober?

How do I know if my drinking is "bad enough" for treatment?

What are the benefits of a young adult-specific recovery program?

#SoberStories #AlcoholRecovery #MentalHealth

Carl Radke from Bravo’s Summer House shares his raw journey through high-functioning cocaine and alcohol addiction. In this vulnerable episode, Carl opens up about growing up in Pittsburgh where alcohol was the family fabric and how his brother’s struggle with heroin addiction created a life of fear. He details the $2,000-a-weekend cocaine habit he hid behind his reality TV persona and the rock-bottom moment in January 2021 that finally forced him to choose life.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

Carl dives deep into the non-linear road of recovery, from the intense pressure of filming while grieving his brother’s overdose to the "hard love" of a New York City AA sponsor. He discusses his memoir, Cake Eater, and his mission to provide alcohol-free spaces through Soft Bar and Cafe. This conversation is a masterclass in turning public shame into private healing and collective inspiration. Whether you are navigating loss or seeking a more intentional way to live, Carl’s story offers a roadmap for redemption and daily discipline.

Subscribe to Recoverycast for more stories of hope and healing.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – The True Cost of a $2,000 Weekend 

02:29 – Pittsburgh Roots: Alcohol as the Family Fabric 

11:12 – Mental Health: Patterns of Depression and Anxiety 

13:37 – The Shadow of Sibling Heroin Addiction 

18:54 – The High-Functioning Trap: Cocaine vs. Heroin 

26:16 – The Call: Losing a Brother to Overdose 

31:11 – Filming Through Grief: Real Life on Camera 

35:20 – Rock Bottom: The Breaking Point in January 2021 

38:52 – Hard Love: AA and the 12-Step Solution 

49:50 – Daily Discipline: Making the Bed and 5 Years Sober 

❓ Questions the Video Answers

1. How did Carl Radke’s childhood normalize alcohol use? 
2. What are the signs of high-functioning cocaine addiction? 
3. How do you process grief when a sibling dies from an overdose? 
4. What was the financial impact of Carl's substance abuse? 
5. How does reality TV fame complicate the recovery process? 
6. Why did Carl Radke join AA and what was his sponsor like? 
7. What is the mission of Soft Bar and Cafe in Brooklyn? 
8. How can simple routines like making your bed support sobriety? 
9. What is Carl's perspective on the disease of addiction now? 
10. How did Carl Radke handle public shame regarding his brother? 
11. What are the best daily practices for maintaining sobriety? 
12. How does Carl Radke define "raw dogging" a marathon? 

#CarlRadke #SummerHouse #AddictionRecovery

Shannon Hughes and her daughter, Mistena Renteria-Elliott, share a raw and harrowing journey through the depths of methamphetamine addiction, domestic abuse, and the long road to generational healing. Shannon opens up about using substances to cope with severe anxiety while trapped in a manipulative and abusive relationship with a stepfather who controlled every aspect of their lives. Mistena reflects on a childhood defined by survival mode, moving constantly, and the trauma of watching her mother disappear into addiction and homelessness.

The turning point came during a high-stakes crisis involving a psych ward hold and a last-chance family trip to the Florida coast. They discuss the complexities of meth recovery, the reality of childhood trauma, and how medication like Zoloft and supportive school counselors eventually saved Mistena's life. Now over a year sober, Shannon and Mistena are navigating the messy, beautiful process of getting to know each other again as mother and daughter.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

This episode is a testament to the fact that you can heal, no matter how broken the relationship seems. Whether you are struggling with substance use disorders or are a loved one setting boundaries, this conversation offers a roadmap from defeat to hope.

Subscribe to Recoverycast for more authentic stories of sobriety and mental health transformation.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Identifying the Struggle: Methamphetamine and Family Impact

03:31 – The Intersection of Anxiety, Abuse, and Early Addiction

06:05 – Domestic Violence and the Cycle of Manipulation

11:01 – CPS Failures and Navigating Childhood Trauma

14:48 – Coping Mechanisms: Music and School as a Safe Haven

20:13 – Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health Medication and Support

26:27 – Rock Bottom: Homelessness and the Arkansas Psych Ward

30:28 – The Last Chance: A Life-Saving Trip to the Ocean

38:47 – What We Get Wrong About Loving an Addict

45:18 – Rebuilding the Mother-Daughter Bond in Recovery

50:12 – Advice for Families Losing Hope

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

How does methamphetamine addiction affect the mother-daughter bond?

What are the signs of emotional and domestic abuse in an addicted household?

How can children cope with the trauma of a parent's addiction?

What happens during a mandatory 72-hour psych ward hold for addiction?

Can the ocean or nature assist in the early stages of detox and healing?

How do you set boundaries with a parent struggling with homelessness?

Is Zoloft effective for treating trauma-related anxiety in teenagers?

Why do people stay in abusive relationships while struggling with substances?

How can school counselors help students living in high-risk environments?

What are the chances of long-term recovery after meth addiction?

How do you rebuild trust after ten years of toxic communication?

Why is "survival mode" a common experience for families in addiction?

#MethRecovery #GenerationalHealing #SobrietyStories

Critical care nurse practitioner Brandi Mac shares the harrowing journey of her daughter’s IV Fentanyl addiction and the moment Brandi shaved her head to release years of trauma.

In this vulnerable episode of Recoverycast, Brandi Mac discusses the reality of navigating nine treatment centers in four years and the "rehab industry" failures that left her family feeling hopeless. As a medical professional, Brandi reflects on her own stigmatized views of addiction prior to it hitting her home, and how she eventually found peace by abandoning "tough love" to lead with empathy. We dive deep into the science and success of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), specifically the life-changing impact of the Sublocade injection, and how Brandi’s daughter found long-term recovery after the family shifted their focus from the addiction back to the person.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

This conversation serves as a guide for families struggling with substance use, offering trauma-informed insights on reentry plans, setting boundaries that you can live with, and the importance of ethical oversight in treatment facilities. Brandi's story is a powerful reminder that as long as there is breath, there is hope.

Subscribe for more authentic stories of healing, and share this episode with anyone who needs to hear that recovery is possible.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction & The Breaking Point
01:12 – A Medical Professional’s Stigma
03:57 – The First Signs of Addiction
05:00 – IV Fentanyl & The Treatment Cycle
07:30 – Early Exposure: From Percocet to Meth
11:15 – The Failure of the Rehab Industry
13:55 – Why Reentry Plans Matter Most
16:00 – The Trap of "Tough Love"
20:48 – Shaving Her Head: Releasing the Trauma
24:54 – Choosing "What You Can Live With"
28:34 – Small Talk & Reconnecting in Active Use
33:44 – Setting Healthy Boundaries Without Cruelty
35:33 – The Truth About MAT & Sublocade
40:46 – Writing the Book on Chaos & Healing
45:09 – Red Flags in Treatment Centers

❓ Questions the Video Answers:
1. How can parents support a child struggling with Fentanyl addiction?
2. What are the signs of burnout in medical professionals treating substance use?
3. Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) just trading one drug for another?
4. What is "ambiguous grief" in the context of family addiction?
5. Why do traditional 30-day treatment programs often fail for opioids?
6. How do I set boundaries without using "tough love" tactics?
7. What is the Sublocade injection, and how does it help with recovery?
8. How can I reconnect and have "small talk" with a loved one in active use?
9. What are the major red flags to look for when choosing a rehab facility?
10. How does the concept of "doing what you can live with" help family healing?
11. Can a family find peace while their loved one is still using?
12. What is the role of compassion and empathy in clinical nursing care?
13. Why is discharge planning and reentry support crucial for sobriety?
14. What are the ethical issues surrounding free flights to treatment centers?
15. How does hair hold trauma during a breaking point?

#FentanylRecovery #MAT #AddictionSupport

At six years old, Bobby Kazz was already asking his mom how to lose weight; by college he was trapped in a cycle of starvation, binge eating and guilt. This episode of Recoverycast shines a light on male eating disorders—a story we rarely hear. Bobby Kazz explains how teasing at his sixth‑birthday pool party and growing up in a thin family planted seeds of insecurity. In high school he decided to “just run and see what happens” and began skipping meals, lying to his parents about eating, and running miles every day until his body felt worse and worse. Compliments about his weight loss fed the disorder and he kept pushing himself even when it hurt.

College marked a turn: after getting an Apple Watch he started walking 30–40,000 steps a day and spending all his free time in the gym to “earn” food. This over‑exercise soon led to binge eating, fueled by loneliness and boredom, and he hit rock bottom in spring 2022. Despite sharing his struggles on TikTok, Bobby Kazz never sought formal treatment; instead, he relied on family support and developed his own tools, like breathwork, eating slowly and reminding himself that relapses are part of recovery. A pivotal moment came when a CrossFit coach told him to eat after a workout—he realized food wasn’t the enemy. Now he trains for marathons, eats to fuel his body and uses his platform to destigmatize male body image issues.

Whether you struggle with binge eating disorder recovery, male body image insecurities, social media and male body image, or you’re looking for eating disorder recovery motivation, Bobby Kazz’s story shows that healing is possible. Tune in to learn how he broke the restrict‑binge cycle, managed triggers and built a healthy relationship with food and movement. Subscribe, drop a comment about your own journey and share this episode—there’s strength in knowing you’re not alone.

Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Men’s Eating Disorder Stigma
02:00 – Childhood Weight & Early Body Dysmorphia
05:50 – High‑School Restriction & Compliments
10:28 – College: Over‑Exercising & Binge Eating
16:30 – Sharing His Story & Social Media Pressure
20:34 – Rock Bottom: Triggers & Relapses
29:00 – Marathon Training & Redefining Health
35:00 – Coping Strategies & Advice for Recovery
43:00 – Final Thoughts, Hope & Call to Action

❓ Questions the Video Answers:

How can a man recognize the signs of an eating disorder?

What makes male eating disorders so stigmatized?

How did childhood teasing and family dynamics affect Bobby Kazz’s body image?

Why did restrictive dieting and over‑exercising feel “normal” to him?

How did compliments about weight loss reinforce unhealthy behaviors?

In what ways did social media and an Apple Watch fuel his binge eating disorder?

What triggers contributed to his worst binge episodes?

How did breathwork, eating slowly and “the blink method” help Bobby Kazz cope with cravings?

Why didn’t he seek formal treatment, and how did he create his own recovery toolkit?

What role did a CrossFit coach’s advice to “eat a lot” play in changing his mindset?

How did training for a marathon teach him to fuel his body properly?

What does he tell his younger self about body image and self‑worth?

How can friends and family support someone recovering from binge eating disorder?

Why are relapses part of the recovery process, and how should you respond?

How can people overcome shame and seek help for eating disorders?

#eatingdisorderrecovery #mensmentalhealth #bodydysmorphia