Welcome to this deeply emotional episode of ThoughtVolution. Today, we want to share the inspiring story of a man who faced his demons and came out victorious. Meet Dallas, a 46-year-old recovery coach who was born in West Virginia and now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dallas has two children: Liliana and Jonah, who were his biggest source of inspiration to finally turn his life around after he truly hit rock bottom. For most of his life, Dallas struggled with self-acceptance and self-worth because of his sexuality and a general lack of belonging. The feeling of not being wanted and accepted led him down a dark path, and at the age of 39 and at the peak of his carreer, he became addicted to crystal meth.

To support his addiction, Dallas stole and even became a prostitute. His addiction led him to lose everything he held dear - his home, his job, and most importantly, his children. He found himself in jail several times for various drug-related offenses. Attempts to recover from his addiction were followed by brutal relapses.

But Dallas didn't give up. He knew that he needed to turn his life around to be there for his children and to finally allow himself to be there for HIMSELF. He found the strength within to get clean and put his life back together. It wasn't easy, but with the love and support of his children, he persevered.

Today, Dallas is a recovery coach, helping others who are struggling with addiction. The story of Dallas' own resurrection is a true inspiration to all of us. It shows us that no matter how far down we've fallen, we can always get back up and start anew.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about drug addiction, drug use, mental illness, prostitution, sucidal ideation, depression, HIV/aids, as well as self doubt, and homophobia. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

To learn more about Dallas and his advocacy work, please check out:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=674711947

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Suzanne experienced the unspeakable: Her son, Ben, died by suicide at the age of 22. How does a parent handle the loss of their child? How do we all deal with grief and the unbearable burden it tends to show up as?

Whether we admit it or not, we will all be touched by grief and loss at some point in our lives. What is it like to continue to live when a part of you is irrevocably taken from you?

Suzanne has not only learned to live with the loss of her son, she has also managed to utilize this awful experience to now help and give comfort to others. In her work as a grief educator, Suzanne has made it her mission to normalize grief so those facing loss no longer feel completely isolated and alone.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about suicide, depression, mental health, grief, loss, and death. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

To learn more about Suzanne and her work as a grief educator, please check out:

www.alivedexperience.com

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Olga was born in the Soviet Union. She later decided leave Russia and move to the United States in hopes of a better, safer life for herself and her son. Not only did she find freedom in the "new world", she even ended up joining the US navy to give back to the country and the people who allowed her to provide her family with a secure and prosperous future. In this episode, we will hear a story about an American dream come true and why chasing dreams and thinking outside the box is always worth the struggles and challenges that go hand in hand with facing the great but scary opportunities in life. Join us as Olga takes us on an inspiring journey that takes place in the Soviet Union, Russia, and the United States. This episode is about finding home in unlikely places, searching for yourself outside of your comfort zone, and discovering true freedom.

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

When Eric's sister Jess died from a drug overdose, it was as much of a heartbreaking farewell for him as it was a doorway to finding his most authentic self. Departing from self induced suffering, Eric now finds joy and comfort in the music he makes and the deep self discovery process his sister's passing initiated for him.

Listen to this powerful story about letting go to find the way back to yourself.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about drug addiction, drug overdose, and death. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

To learn more about Eric, his music, and everything he has going on, please check out the following links:

https://linktr.ee/ezenflow

Eric's band is called Rrhea and their music can be found on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon.

The song featured in this episode is called "She is Home" by Rrhea.

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Erin is a wonderful person and somebody who has learned to appreciate the preciousness of life despite chronic illness. After what was most likely a COVID infection during the very first wave when testing was still largely unavailable, Erin developed long COVID symptoms that affect her to this day. The COVID virus appears to have caused a rare lung disease called Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (aPAP). While this health crisis with its' debilitating and life-threatening consequences has taken a huge toll on Erin's life, it has also helped her understand how much a gift it is to just take another breath and live another day. Her story is one of gratitude and appreciation for healthcare workers, lifesaving medications, and life itself.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about disease, chronic illness, COVID-19, long COVID, and associated trauma. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

To learn more about Erin, her upcoming book, and her own podcast "MetaMentoring", please check out the following links:

www.metamentoring.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/metamentoring

Instagram: www.instagram.com/metamentoring

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@metamentoring

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@metamentoring

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Haylei's journey toward healing and self love has only just begun. Childhood trauma and her husband's affair managed to break a great deal of her self esteem. Haylei calls herself a recovering people pleaser and she will share her powerful story about finding the glue in life that allows you to put yourself back together - one broken bit at at time.

To find out more about Haylei or get in touch with her for lifecoaching, please see below:

https://www.instagram.com/an_old_feathery_hat/

Podcast: https://featheroftruth.podbean.com

E-Mail: [email protected]

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about HIV/AIDS, death, trauma, depression, suicide, body image issues, eating disorders, and mental illness. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

When Deb's son Sean came out to her in 2008 as trans, she did not need to decide to continue to love him. She just did. This was long before being transgender was discussed in the media or even in public. Since then, Deb has become an advocate for many people in the LGBTQ community. She sees herself as an ally to those often cast aside by our society and she will tell us about her family's very personal journey. This is a story about love, acceptance, and family.

Check out the website of Deb's LGBTQ advocacy organization UPLIFT OUTREACH CENTER

www.upliftoutreachcenter.org

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about trauma, depression, suicide, and mental illness. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Donnie could be seen as the epitome of success. He owns several successful businesses and appears to have his life together. As an entrepreneur and leader, he is seen as a role model by many of his peers. However, if you had the chance to rewind his life, it would probably make your head spin. Donnie used to be a drug dealer and he actually ended up serving 6 years and 2 months for a crime he did not actually commit. Can you imagine what it is like to pay the price for somebody else's mistakes every single day for 6 long years and 2 long months? Listen to the story of this incredible man about his rise like a phoenix from the ashes refusing to become yet another statistic.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about drugs and addiction, murder, violence, confinement and incarceration. If any of these subjects are a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

Visit our website:

http://www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Don gets to travel the world. As a flight attendant, he visits places others only dream of. However, there were times when his world was a lot smaller and when getting away seemed like the only possible way out - out of a loveless marriage, out of debt, out of despair.

Listen to Don talk about what life was like when times were really dark and gloomy and what it is like now that he gets to embark on some of life's most amazing journeys. Find out how he came out as gay and what he would do if you could turn back time.

How did Don grow his wings and learn to fly? What made him find true self love and how did he heal from what he was forced to live through?

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about abuse. If this subject is a trigger to you, please prioritize your mental health and skip this episode.

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com

Narriman is quite the world traveler. Although born in Cape Town, South Africa, she decided that the world really was her oyster as she first moved to Singapore and later to Germany. She greatly credits the German healthcare system for her survival. She suffered from hereditary polycystic kidney disease and desperately needed a new kidney. After all, she had already lost 3 of her brothers to this debilitating disease. Years of waiting while being on dialysis finally paid off and she received a kidney from a German woman. The name Narriman means "vivacious" in the Persian language, a word that beautifully encapsulates this woman's journey and fight for survival.

Listen to this remarkable story about second chances and the preciousness of life.

Visit our website:

www.thoughtvolutionpodcast.com