The Level Up Life: Muscle and Mindset Mastery

In Season 4, Episode 1 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Aaron and Austin Banks of Twin Terror for a raw and honest conversation about addiction, recovery, and the influences that shape our lives.

We discuss the destruction that comes with active addiction and how the consequences often extend far beyond the person struggling.

Families. Relationships. Trust. Opportunities. All things that can be damaged or lost along the way.

We also talk about a reality of recovery that doesn't always get enough attention.

Getting clean isn't always a straight line.

Sometimes people genuinely want to change but continue struggling with the same patterns, behaviors, and environments that contributed to their addiction.

And recognizing the need for change is often much easier than actually making it happen.

We also dive into the influence our environment has on our beliefs, behaviors, and decisions, particularly at a young age.

From the people we surround ourselves with to the music we listen to, the things we're repeatedly exposed to can begin shaping what we consider normal.

But just because something has become normal doesn't mean it's healthy.

And just because our environment helped shape who we became doesn't mean it has to determine who we remain.

Recovery is about more than putting down a substance.

It's about changing behaviors, challenging beliefs, rebuilding relationships, and creating a life worth protecting.

As we kick off Season 4, this conversation is another reminder that the road to recovery isn't always easy, and it certainly isn't always perfect.

But no matter how destructive the past has been, change is still possible.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real transformation.

WE DO RECOVER.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #Season4 #TwinTerror #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #Recovery #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #SecondChances

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In the Season 3 Finale, Episode 26 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Tara LaFramboise from Anomalous Expeditions for a powerful conversation about addiction, recovery, personal transformation, and the experiences that shape who we become.

Tara shares her journey from struggling with addiction at a young age to eventually finding recovery and becoming a counselor, using her experiences to help others navigate their own challenges.

We talk about how the trajectory of our lives isn't always changed by one major decision.

Sometimes it's a series of small compromises.

A boundary we allow ourselves to cross. A behavior we justify. A decision that seems insignificant in the moment.

And before we realize it, those small compromises can lead us down a path we never imagined ourselves traveling.

We also dive into the powerful influence our environment has on our lives.

The people we surround ourselves with, the experiences we're exposed to, and the circumstances we grow up in can all shape our beliefs, behaviors, and decision-making.

Sometimes we don't even recognize how much our environment has influenced us until we begin to question the things we've always believed.

But just because our environment helped shape who we became doesn't mean it has to determine who we remain.

We discuss the importance of self-awareness, establishing healthy boundaries, challenging limiting beliefs, and recognizing that we have the ability to change the direction of our lives.

Because recovery is about so much more than walking away from addiction.

It's about understanding ourselves, recognizing the patterns that have held us back, and making intentional decisions about the people we want to become.

Tara's story is another powerful reminder that our darkest chapters don't have to be the end of our story.

The very experiences that once brought us pain can eventually become the experiences that allow us to help someone else find hope.

As we close out Season 3, this conversation represents so much of what Level Up Life is about.

Growth. Accountability. Resilience. Purpose. And the belief that no matter where we've been or what we've experienced, change is possible.

Our past may help explain who we are, but it doesn't have to define who we become.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real transformation.

WE DO RECOVER.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #Season3Finale #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #Recovery #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #HealthyBoundaries #SecondChances #AnomalousExpeditions

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In Season 3, Episode 25 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Derrick Sturgeon for a raw and honest conversation about addiction, recovery, transformation, and rising from the ashes of a life that once seemed hopeless.

Derrick shares his journey through addiction, the challenges he faced, and what it took to begin building a different life.

We talk about turning points and how they don't always look the way we expect them to.

Sometimes it's a defining moment. Other times, it's the realization that we can no longer continue living the way we have been. But recognizing the need for change and actually doing something about it are two very different things.

We also dive into the powerful role fitness can play in recovery.

Fitness is about so much more than building muscle or improving physical health. It teaches discipline, consistency, accountability, patience, and the importance of showing up even when we don't feel like it.

The same principles that help us grow stronger in the gym can help us build a stronger foundation in life.

We discuss how the lessons learned through fitness translate into recovery, relationships, personal growth, and overcoming adversity.

Because rebuilding your life isn't about becoming someone who never struggles.

It's about becoming someone who refuses to give up when things get difficult.

This conversation is about second chances, finding strength through adversity, and understanding that no matter how far we've fallen, our past doesn't have to determine our future.

Sometimes the greatest transformations come from the darkest places.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real transformation.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #FitnessAndRecovery #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #SecondChances

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In this episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Donny Warner for a raw and unfiltered conversation about addiction, recovery, humility, and what it really takes to change your life.

Donny opens up about his past, the darkness that comes with addiction, and the changes he had to make to build a different life.

We talk about why real change often starts with humility. At some point, we have to be willing to admit that what we’re doing isn’t working. We have to stop thinking we have all the answers, become willing to accept help, and take an honest look at ourselves.

We also talk about the people who feel like they’re too far gone.

When you’re in the depths of addiction, it can be hard to imagine life ever looking different. But there are countless people who have been in those same dark places and found their way out.

Donny is one of them.

This conversation is about owning your past without allowing it to define your future. It’s about being humble enough to change, willing enough to do the work, and understanding that recovery doesn’t make us better than anyone still struggling.

It simply shows what’s possible.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real change.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #ChangeStartsWithHumility #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #Humility #Change #Growth #Mindset #RecoveryIsPossible #Purpose #Podcast

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In this episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Zack Peterson for an honest conversation about fatherhood, loss, mental health, connection, and finding hope during some of life’s darkest moments.

Zack shares what led him to start the Midland Dad Club and why he felt there was a need to create a place for dads to connect, build relationships, and support one another.

But the conversation goes much deeper.

We talk about losing loved ones, especially at a young age, and how those experiences can stay with us and shape who we become. We also dive into the darkness people can find themselves in when life becomes overwhelming—the places where it can feel like there’s no hope and no way forward.

Through it all, we come back to the importance of connection. Having people around us. Being willing to talk about what we’re going through. And recognizing that even when someone looks okay on the outside, we may have no idea what they’re carrying.

Zack’s story is another reminder of why these conversations matter. Sometimes knowing we aren’t alone can be the thing that helps us keep moving forward.

Real conversations. Real struggles. Real connection.

If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #MidlandDadClub #MentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #Fatherhood #Grief #Loss #Hope #Connection #Purpose #Podcast

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

Support the show

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In this episode of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Ryan Griffus for a powerful conversation about childhood trauma, homelessness, mental health, masculinity, resilience, and the impact of finally feeling seen.

From the outside, Ryan appeared to have everything together. He was a talented athlete who helped his high-school football team win a state championship at the Pontiac Silverdome. Behind that image, however, was a young man struggling with neglect, homelessness, depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts.

Ryan opens up about suffering in silence, the professor who finally made him feel seen, and how that moment helped change the direction of his life.

Today, Ryan has transformed his pain into purpose as a counselor, helping vulnerable young people navigate trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, and difficult life circumstances. He is also taking his message into a new arena by launching his own podcast and creating a platform for honest conversations that need to be heard.

Ryan’s story reminds us to look beyond someone’s behavior and ask, “What happened to you?” instead of, “What’s wrong with you?” It also reminds us that noticing someone, asking a sincere question, and creating a safe space can change the direction of a life.

Real conversations. Real struggles. Real resilience.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #MentalHealth #ChildhoodTrauma #MensMentalHealth #Resilience #Purpose #Counseling #Podcast #YouMatter

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In Episode 21 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Andrew Ortiz for a powerful conversation about addiction, recovery, faith, family, and rebuilding a life with purpose.

Addiction can take someone further down than they ever imagined. It can damage relationships, separate families, destroy trust, and make it difficult to believe there is still a way forward. Throughout the episode, Andrew opens up about the fall that came with addiction - and the rise that became possible through recovery.

This conversation isn't only about what addiction took from him. It's about what he has worked to rebuild.

Andrew shares the importance of family throughout his journey and how recovery has allowed him to become more present for the people who matter most. Rebuilding relationships doesn't happen overnight. It takes accountability, consistency, forgiveness, and a willingness to keep showing through actions that change is real.

Faith is another central part of Andrew's story. We discuss his relationship with God, the role faith has played in his recovery, and how believing in something greater can provide strength, direction, and hope during the moments when the path forward feels uncertain.

The conversation also explores the importance of discovering passion and purpose after addiction. For Andrew, that passion includes taking people's ideas and visions and turning them into stickers. What may sound like a small creative business represents something much bigger: the opportunity to build, create, serve others, and bring someone else's vision to life.

Recovery isn't simply about leaving substances behind. It's about discovering who you are without them, rebuilding what was damaged, and creating a life you no longer feel the need to escape from.

Andrew's story is proof that the fall does not have to be the end of the story. With faith, family, accountability, and purpose, it is possible to rise again.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real people rebuilding their lives.

This episode is a reminder that no matter how far someone has fallen, their story is not finished. Recovery can create the opportunity to rise, rebuild, and turn a painful past into a purposeful future.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #AddictionRecovery #Recovery #FaithInRecovery #Family #God #Purpose #Redemption #Entrepreneurship #CreativeBusiness #EndTheStigma #WeDoRecover #RecoveryIsPossible #LevelUpLife

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In Episode 20 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave “Waz” Wazny sit down with Carole Evans for a powerful conversation about addiction, recovery, fitness, mindset, and finding purpose after some of the darkest years of life.

Recovery is about more than simply stopping the substance. Throughout the episode, Carole shares her journey through active addiction, the darkness that came with it, and what it took to begin rebuilding a life on the other side.

We talk openly about the dark years—the decisions, consequences, pain, and loss that can come with addiction. But this conversation isn't about staying stuck in the past. It's about what happens when someone decides their past doesn't have to determine where their story ends.

The conversation also dives into the role fitness can play in recovery and mindset. Training isn't just about changing how you look. It can create structure, build discipline, provide an outlet for stress, and show you that you're capable of doing difficult things. The lessons learned through fitness often extend far beyond the gym.

We discuss how physical strength and mental strength can begin to build together. Showing up when you don't feel like it. Becoming comfortable with discomfort. Setting goals. Keeping promises to yourself. Learning that progress happens through consistency rather than perfection. These principles can become powerful tools when rebuilding a life in recovery.

But eventually, recovery has to become about more than simply surviving.

One of the biggest themes of this episode is purpose.

What happens after the chaos stops? Who are you when addiction is no longer controlling your life? What do you do with the experiences you've lived through? And how can some of the darkest chapters of your story eventually become part of something meaningful?

Finding purpose doesn't erase the past. It gives you a reason to keep building the future.

Carole's story is another reminder that where someone has been doesn't have to determine where they're going. Addiction may be part of someone's story, but it doesn't have to be the final chapter.

Real conversations. Real struggles. Real recovery.

And a reminder that making it through the darkness isn't the end of the story. Sometimes it's where the most meaningful part begins.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Fitness #Mindset #Purpose #FindingPurpose #MentalHealth #Transformation #EndTheStigma #WeDoRecover

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training

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In Episode 19 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt sits down with Ashley Endline, Beth Ureche, and Sam Price from 1016 Recovery Network for a powerful conversation about recovery, community, stigma, and one of the most debated questions surrounding addiction: Is addiction a disease or a choice?

Recovery doesn't happen in isolation. Throughout the episode, we explore why having a support system is important—but why true recovery-friendly communities require something much bigger. It's not only about having a recovery group, treatment program, or handful of people in your corner. It's about creating towns and communities that embrace people in recovery and give them opportunities to reconnect, rebuild, and belong.

The conversation dives into the importance of safe spaces, recovery events, meaningful relationships, and environments where people can have fun and build connections without substances. When a community openly supports recovery, it helps replace isolation with connection and stigma with understanding. Recovery becomes something people don't have to hide—it becomes something a community can celebrate.

We also tackle one of the most controversial conversations surrounding addiction: Is addiction a disease or a choice? We discuss personal responsibility, the choices that can lead someone toward substance use, and the biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors that contribute to the development of substance use disorder. Understanding addiction as a disease doesn't mean removing accountability—and recognizing the role of personal choices doesn't mean ignoring the science.

The discussion challenges the idea that these perspectives have to be mutually exclusive. Recovery itself requires choices: asking for help, accepting accountability, changing behaviors, building healthier relationships, and continuing to show up. But understanding why addiction develops—and why some people are more vulnerable than others—is essential if we want to reduce stigma and help more people find their way into recovery.

A recurring theme throughout the episode is simple: people recover better when communities give them somewhere to belong. Treatment can help someone begin rebuilding their life, but long-term recovery is strengthened when people have relationships, purpose, opportunities, and a community willing to welcome them back.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real people working together to build stronger communities.

This episode is a reminder that recovery isn't just the responsibility of the person trying to change their life. We all have a role in creating communities where recovery is supported, understood, and celebrated.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Community #RecoveryCommunity #SubstanceUseDisorder #Addiction #MentalHealth #EndTheStigma #WeDoRecover #1016RecoveryNetwork #LevelUpLife

Sponsored by Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan and Level Up Fitness and Training.

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In Episode 18 of Season 3 of Level Up Life: Muscle & Mindset Mastery, Adam Wittbrodt and Dave "Waz" Wazny sit down for a powerful conversation about identity, self-talk, perseverance, and the stories we tell ourselves that ultimately shape the direction of our lives.

Throughout the episode, we explore how the labels we accept - whether it's "addict," "failure," "fat," "broken," or "not good enough" - can quietly influence our decisions long after our circumstances have changed. We discuss the difference between your past and your identity, why so many people struggle to move forward even after making positive changes, and whether true transformation is possible if you still see yourself as the person you used to be.

The conversation also dives into the power of mindset. Why can two people experience the exact same setback yet respond in completely different ways? How much of success begins with changing your beliefs before your circumstances ever change? Adam and Waz share personal experiences from recovery, fitness, and life that illustrate how changing the way you think can change the direction you take.

Another major focus of the episode is perseverance. We discuss why so many people quit just before progress becomes visible, how to recognize the difference between burnout and simply facing resistance, and what keeps someone moving forward when the effort doesn't seem to match the results. Growth rarely happens in comfort, and meaningful change often requires trusting the process before you see the payoff.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion is that our greatest obstacles are often the ones we create ourselves. The stories we repeat become the lens through which we see the world, influencing our confidence, our actions, and ultimately our outcomes. Changing your life often begins by changing the story you tell yourself.

Real conversations. Real recovery. Real people striving to become better than they were yesterday.

This episode is a reminder that your past may explain where you've been, but it never has to define where you're going. The life you build tomorrow starts with the beliefs you choose to hold today.

#LevelUpLifePodcast #Mindset #SelfTalk #PersonalGrowth #Recovery #MentalHealth #Resilience #Consistency #Perseverance #Identity #Success #LevelUpLife

Sponsored by ⁠Pine Haven Senior Assisted Living in Hemlock, Michigan⁠ and ⁠Level Up Fitness and Training⁠.

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