This week on Sober Champs, Pete sits down with Ashley for a powerful and emotional conversation about her journey to sobriety. Born in Seattle during the crack cocaine epidemic of the late 1980s and sober since July 5, 2017, Ashley doesn't hold back as she shares her story of trauma, transformation, and ultimate redemption.

The episode takes us through Ashley's challenging childhood in Seattle, where she lost her father when she was just six months old—a casualty of the crack epidemic that devastated many families during that era. Raised primarily by her grandmother while her mother struggled with her own challenges, Ashley opens up about becoming a mother at 15, enduring cycles of toxic relationships, and the heart-wrenching experience of being separated from her children.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling is how Ashley reveals both the darkest moments of her journey and the unexpected miracles of recovery. From professional advocacy work to personal breakthroughs, her story illustrates how sobriety creates space for authentic joy and connection that once seemed impossible.

This episode isn't about perfection—it's about resilience, healing, and finding purpose through pain. Ashley leaves listeners with a powerful message about setting boundaries and reclaiming your life: "Set your intentions free. Liberate yourself. Break them chains off and go get your life."

Whether you're in recovery or just appreciate authentic human stories, this conversation between Pete and Ashley offers inspiration without sugar-coating the difficult realities of addiction and healing.

This week on Sober Champs, Pete sits down with Eli who's rocking 10 months clean. Born in Seattle to a Moroccan dad and American mom who met at a local bakery and had a one-night stand that led to his birth, Eli opens up about growing up in Woodstock, NY and how his life took some hard turns.

Eli doesn't hold back when talking about his teenage years and how substance use gradually took over. He takes us through his college days at Boston University where freedom, identity struggles, and a passion for hip-hop mixed with increasing substance use that eventually derailed his education.

The conversation gets real about the cycle of getting sober, thinking you've got it figured out, then sliding back into old habits – from weed to alcohol, Adderall, and eventually harder drugs. Eli shares the rock-bottom moment that came with his kratom addiction and how it finally clicked that no amount of success or good relationships could fix what was happening inside him.

There's something powerful about hearing two guys just talking honestly about the tough stuff – the missed opportunities, the family tension, and eventually the healing that comes with genuine recovery. Recorded at Color Studios in Pioneer Square, this episode isn't about perfection – it's about progress, honesty, and finding your way back home to yourself.

In this long-awaited return of Sober Champs, Pete welcomes back special guest - 19-year-old Aidan, who's pushing 1,000 days clean. After some technical difficulties (third time's a charm!), these two finally get to share the kind of raw, honest conversation that makes Sober Champs what it is.Aidan takes us back to his first high, and how things quickly spiraled into a full-blown fentanyl addiction by age 14. Through multiple overdoses and a family intervention that landed him at treatment in Montana, he shares how getting clean young opened up a life he never knew was possible.Aidan now spends his days crushing it in recovery - from snowboarding trips and NBA games to helping other young people find their way through Bridges and Family Centered Services. Between working multiple jobs and studying social work, he's proving that age is just a number when it comes to building an awesome life clean.This episode shows that sobriety isn't just about staying clean - it's about discovering a life beyond your wildest dreams.

🔔Overcome, recover, and triumph. Join our community of resilience and hope. Hit that subscribe button: / @soberchampspodcast✅ Stay Connected With Us.👉Instagram: / Soberchampspodcast👉Tiktok: / Soberchampspodcast

Pete Cadigan is joined by a very special guest—his father, Shakey. For the first time, Pete and Shakey sit down together to candidly discuss their personal journeys and the profound impact of addiction on their lives.

Shakey opens up about his relationship with alcohol as Pete reflects on how it shaped his own experiences growing up. The conversation takes a turn as Shakey shares a tragic event that claimed the life of one of his closest friends, forever changing his perspective and affecting many others around him.

In a powerful moment of vulnerability, Pete talks about an amends he's currently working on with his dad. Over the years, Pete stole over $100,000 from Shakey, a mistake he's now dedicated to rectifying. 

This episode serves as a moving reminder that our parents were individuals with their own struggles and lives before and after becoming our caregivers. It emphasizes the importance of grace, forgiveness, and taking every opportunity to right our wrongs to achieve stability and peace within ourselves. 

Join us for this emotional and inspiring conversation that highlights the power of understanding, healing, and family.

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Join us for an intense and candid journey as Carolyn shares her remarkable life story on this episode of our podcast. From her turbulent upbringing in Seattle's projects to navigating the highs and lows of addiction, Carolyn's resilience and raw honesty shine through. She takes us through pivotal moments, including her struggle with substance abuse and the unexpected turns that led her to surviving on her own from a young age.

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