It's estimated that 30% of first responders (police, fire, EMS, etc) suffer from behavioral health injuries like PTSD and depression; significantly higher than the general population. Many first responders report struggling with substance use, often turning to alcohol or drugs to cope with the high-stress demands of their jobs. These alarming statistics reveal a deeper crisis within the first responder community, where the pressure to remain strong often prevents seeking help.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Marotta of Warriors Heart to discuss why mental health and substance use issues are so prevalent among first responders, the cultural barriers to getting support, and the critical need for change.

EPISODE RESOURCES

- Visit the Warriors Heart website here.

- Contact Warriors Heart 24/7 directly at (888) 598-4895

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

- Download the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Subscribe to our Sober Strength weekly⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Join our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Take our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Alcohol Reduction Blueprint course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CONNECT WITH US!

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TAKEAWAYS

- Warrior's Heart focuses on healing those in the warrior class; military, police, fire, EMS, and more

- First responders face unique challenges and vulnerabilities that place that at risk for mental health challenges

- Alcohol is the most common substance abused among first responders.

- Coping mechanisms often include unhealthy practices like drinking and pain pills

- Stigma around mental health prevents many from seeking help.

- Connection and vulnerability can foster healing.

- Hope exists for a future with better mental health treatment options and legislation around reimbursements

****

Sober Strength is about seeking balance in a world of unrelenting excess. Through powerful stories, expert insights, and ancient wisdom, you’ll learn how to conquer habits, resist excess, and build lasting strength—inside and out.

Hosted by USMC veteran, fitness expert, and mental health advocate Jesse Carrajat, we're redefining "sober" to mean moderation in ALL areas of life—not just alcohol.  Join us every Wednesday for full episodes and Fridays for bonus content, and discover YOUR Sober Strength. #LiveDeep

Thomas Aquinas taught about the three primary pleasures: food, drink, and sex. And while all of these are good gifts from God, Aquinas warns us that when we indulge in them without moderation or reason, they can harm us—physically, mentally, and spiritually. He taught that temperance is the key to enjoying these pleasures without letting them rule our lives.

Let’s use this weekend as an opportunity to practice temperance—not as a restriction, but as a way to reclaim our freedom.

****

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

- Download the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Join our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Take our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Alcohol Reduction Blueprint course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CONNECT WITH US!

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

****

Sober Strength is a show about seeking balance in a world of unrelenting excess. Through powerful stories, expert insights, and ancient wisdom, you’ll learn how to conquer habits, resist excess, and build lasting strength—inside and out.

Hosted by USMC veteran, fitness expert, and mental health advocate Jesse Carrajat, we're redefining "sober" to mean moderation in ALL areas of life—not just alcohol.  Join us every Wednesday for full episodes and Fridays for bonus content, and discover YOUR Sober Strength. #LiveDeep

The Non-Alcoholic (NA) Beverage industry has skyrocketed in the past 4 years, quickly emerging as one of the fastest growing retail segments in the country. Why? In our post-epidemic, health conscious, and uber-connected world, consumers now have access to influential health information and hundreds of new NA options to help them live healthier, sober/soberish lives.

To explore this new frontier, we welcomed Deb Podlogar, aka "The Mocktail Mom," on the show. Deb is a popular content creator and podcaster in the NA space. She shared her personal story of sobriety, as well as some fun tips and favorite NA recipes that anyone can enjoy. We hope you enjoy the show.

EPISODE RESOURCES

- Visit The Mocktail Mom website here: https://www.mocktailmom.com/

- Download Mocktail Mom's free mocktail guide here.

- Follow Mocktail Mom on IG here.

- Visit the ⁠Sunnyside website here. ⁠

- Follow Sunnyside on ⁠social media here.⁠

- Get started with medication to help you drink less | ⁠⁠visit Oar Health⁠

****

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

- Download the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Join our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Take our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Alcohol Reduction Blueprint course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CONNECT WITH US!

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Subscribe to our Sober Strength weekly⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TAKEAWAYS

- Deb's journey to sobriety was sparked by a period of significant challenges, including her daughter's serious illness.

- Alcohol became a coping mechanism during difficult times, numbing both pain and joy.

- Deb found solace in non-alcoholic drinks and started exploring mocktails.

- The mocktail industry has seen significant growth, offering many alternatives.

- Deb emphasizes that life can still be fun without alcohol;

- We unpack her favorite, go-to recipes for various occasions

****

Sober Strength is a show about seeking balance in a world of unrelenting excess. Through powerful stories, expert insights, and ancient wisdom, you’ll learn how to conquer habits, resist excess, and build lasting strength—inside and out.

Hosted by USMC veteran, fitness expert, and mental health advocate Jesse Carrajat, we're redefining "sober" to mean moderation in ALL areas of life—not just alcohol.  Join us every Wednesday for full episodes and Fridays for bonus content, and discover YOUR Sober Strength. #LiveDeep

In 2024, a survey revealed that 41% of American adults plan to drink less in the coming year—without giving up alcohol entirely. With traditional sobriety programs like AA focused on total abstinence, the question becomes: how will nearly half the country achieve moderation? Ian Andersen, co-founder of Sunnyside, believes he has the answer.

In this episode, I sit down with Ian to explore how Sunnyside is revolutionizing the way people approach alcohol through technology. Ian shares how the app empowers users to set personalized goals, track their drinking habits, and get real-time feedback—all while focusing on moderation, not sobriety. We dig into the science of mindful drinking, the importance of accountability, and how Sunnyside is providing a much-needed middle ground for those looking to drink less, without the pressure of quitting entirely.

EPISODE RESOURCES

- Visit the Sunnyside website here.

- Follow Sunnyside on social media here.

- Get started with medication to help you drink less | ⁠visit Oar Health

****

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

- Download the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Join our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Take our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Alcohol Reduction Blueprint course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CONNECT WITH US!

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Subscribe to our Sober Strength weekly⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

SUBSCRIBE/SAY THANKS

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TAKEAWAYS

- Ian's family history with alcohol shaped his perspective on drinking.

- Sunnyside was born from a desire to help others with moderation.

-Tracking alcohol intake can lead to healthier habits.

-Community support is crucial for those looking to change their drinking habits.

-Education about alcohol's effects is empowering for individuals.

-The app combines technology with human coaching for better outcomes.

-Mindfulness around drinking can lead to significant lifestyle changes.

-Sunnyside aims to destigmatize conversations about alcohol moderation.

-The goal is to help millions change their relationship with alcohol.

****

Sober Strength is a show about seeking moderation in a world of unrelenting excess. Through powerful stories, expert insights, and ancient wisdom, you’ll learn how to conquer habits, resist excess, and build lasting strength—inside and out.

Hosted by USMC veteran, fitness expert, and mental health advocate Jesse Carrajat, we're redefining "sober" to mean balance in ALL areas of life—not just alcohol.  Join us every Wednesday for full episodes and Fridays for bonus content, and discover YOUR Sober Strength. #LiveDeep

"You become their inner voice. Don't become their inner critic."

Powerful parenting advice spoken by former NFL star wide receiver Dez Bryant.

How healthy is YOUR inner voice, and how does it impact your relationships, decisions, and experience of the world around you? Are your words and actions passing down a "generational curse" to your children, loved ones, and friends?

Dive deep, discover, and do the work.

This is Friday Fortitude.

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

- Download the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Join our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Take our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Alcohol Reduction Blueprint course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CONNECT WITH US!

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Subscribe to our Sober Strength weekly⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

SUBSCRIBE/SAY THANKS

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sober Strength is a show about seeking moderation in a world of unrelenting excess. Through powerful stories, expert insights, and ancient wisdom, you’ll learn how to conquer habits, resist excess, and build lasting strength—inside and out.

Hosted by USMC veteran, fitness expert, and mental health advocate Jesse Carrajat, we're redefining "sober" to mean balance in ALL areas of life—not just alcohol.  Join us every Wednesday for full episodes and Fridays for bonus content, and discover YOUR Sober Strength. #LiveDeep

It's 2024, and over 30 million people are suffering from alcohol use disorder in the US alone. Can a simple, cost effective pill called Naltrexone instantly help millions of Americans cut back, or cut out, alcohol?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Yes, but there's a reason people don't know about it...

Jonathan Hunt-Glassman is the Founder & CEO of Oar Health, and he is determined to change that. Oar Health is the nation's leading provider of online subscription-based Naltrexone prescriptions. As of this recording, Oar Health's private, convenient service has helped over 35,000 people cut back or quit drinking alcohol, and counting.

EPISODE RESOURCES

- Get started with medication to help you drink less | visit Oar Health

- Take a quick AUD assessment here: https://auditscreen.org/check-your-drinking/

*****

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

- Download the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Join our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Altum Fitness Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

- Take our free⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Alcohol Reduction Blueprint course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

CONNECT WITH US!

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow Sober Strength on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Subscribe to our Sober Strength weekly⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

SUBSCRIBE/SAY THANKS

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

- Follow the show on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sober Strength is a show about seeking moderation in a world of unrelenting excess. Through powerful stories, expert insights, and ancient wisdom, you’ll learn how to conquer habits, resist excess, and build lasting strength—inside and out. We call that Sober Strength.  

Hosted by USMC veteran, fitness expert, and mental health advocate Jesse Carrajat, we're redefining "sober" to mean balance in ALL areas of life—not just alcohol.  Join us every Wednesday for full episodes and Fridays for bonus content, and discover YOUR Sober Strength. #LiveDeep

"It's not what you've accomplished, it's who you are becoming." - Bishop Barron

So: who are you becoming?

www.altumfitness.com

#LiveDeep

What does it truly mean to be "sober"? In today’s world, we mistakenly limit the definition to alcohol abstinence, but the word’s historical roots paint a broader and more powerful picture. In this episode of Sober Strength, we dive into the forgotten history of the word "sober" and reveal how it originally referred to clarity, moderation, and control—not just with alcohol, but in all areas of life, especially with indulgences.

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

CONNECT WITH US!

SUBSCRIBE/SAY THANKS

TAKEAWAYS

Don't lose sight of what's at stake.

Donate to support the Gaudreau family here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-madeline-and-baby-tripp-after-tragedy

#LiveDeep

With the rapid growth of our podcast, we wanted to reintroduce one of our most impactful and important episodes to our expanding audience.  In this episode, we were joined in-person by Kori Turner, LPC, LAC, ADS, a highly respected Licensed Addiction Counselor and therapist-trainer based in Colorado.

We sat down with Kori for a deep dive into alcohol use disorder, how to know if we "have it", can problem drinkers be "fixed," and much more. We also unpacked the history of alcohol treatment in America, examined treatment options available today and their effectiveness, and explored initial steps someone can take to kickstart the healing process. Consider this your personal Masterclass on all things Alcohol Use Disorder

EPISODE RESOURCES

- Education, guidelines for drinking, and support tools: ⁠⁠Rethinking Drinking.⁠⁠

- Directory of peer support groups for changing drug and alcohol use: ⁠⁠Faces and Voices of Recovery.⁠⁠

- Screening, Intervention and Referral: Substance Abuse, and Mental Health Services Administration - ⁠⁠SAMHSA.gov⁠⁠

- Get started with medication to help you drink less | visit Oar Health:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/OarStrength⁠⁠⁠

*****

WHEN YOU'RE READY/ALTUM RESOURCES

CONNECT WITH US!

SUBSCRIBE/SAY THANKS

TAKEAWAYS

- Addiction is a chronic brain disease that affects the reward pathway in the brain.

- Alcohol use disorder is a clinical diagnostic term for alcohol addiction.

- The brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that gives a sense of pleasure and motivates behavior.

- Addiction can lead to a chronic dopamine deficient state, affecting emotions, behaviors, and relationships.

- Alcohol use disorder is increasing, and there is a strong correlation between addiction and mental health issues.

- The medical disease model is used to understand addiction and inform treatment recommendations.

- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides social support for recovery, while clinical treatment focuses on the medical model.

- Labels like 'alcoholic' can be reductionistic and may not be embraced by everyone in recovery.

- Alcohol use disorder is a spectrum, and individuals do not have to identify as an alcoholic to seek help and make changes in their relationship with alcohol.

- Setting goals and working with a professional can help individuals develop a treatment plan that suits their needs and preferences.

- The future of alcohol use disorder treatment may involve psychedelic-assisted therapy and advancements in understanding the brain.

- Resources such as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and Screening and Brief Intervention (SBIRT) can provide valuable information and support.

******

Sober (pronounced /ˈsoʊbər/): Moderate in desires or actions, living with clear judgment and unyielding strength.

The true meaning of sober is not what you think—it’s deeper and wider. 

Sober Strength, hosted by USMC veteran and health coach Jesse Carrajat, redefines sobriety and challenges the conventional views on alcohol, addiction, and mental health. This is your guide to mastering your mind, conquering habits, and finding freedom through fitness and discipline. With expert insights and inspiring stories, Sober Strength will empower you to live fit, break free, and build strength for the road ahead - Sláinte mhath.