As someone who received a second chance through a liver and kidney transplant, I love sharing stories that show recovery is possible. Today, I sit down with Megan Popp, a family nurse practitioner and ultra runner who brings a unique perspective to the recovery conversation - she's both a healthcare provider AND someone in recovery. 🙏

💙 Support The Show:

TheWillpowerPodcast is a solo operation - I handle everything from research to editing to publishing. If you find value in these episodes, please consider supporting the show

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

⏱️ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

0:00 Welcome & Introduction

3:20 Megan's Journey to Recovery 🌱

5:48 Empathy in Healthcare: A Provider's View 🏥

8:40 Breaking the Stigma of Alcoholism 💫

11:01 Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder

13:44 Impact of COVID on Recovery 🌍

16:38 Ultra Running & Recovery: Finding Strength 🏃‍♀️

19:34 The Last Drink: A Life-Changing Moment ✨

22:19 Spiritual Awakening & Healing 🙏

25:45 Balancing Life in Sobriety

27:32 Power of Structure & Routine 📝

29:20 Mindfulness & Meditation Practices 🧘‍♀️

33:21 Navigating Relationships in Recovery ❤️

35:03 Emotional Growth & Coping Strategies

37:46 Future Goals & Service to Others 🌟

39:28 Reflecting on Past Struggles

46:28 Changing Addiction Treatment Narrative 💡

As always, I'm sharing these conversations to show that transformation is possible. Whether you're struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope and practical insights from both sides of the healthcare system. 🤝

Follow Megan: @meganileen3

https://www.instagram.com/meganeileen3/?hl=en

Follow The Willpower Podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

Join our growing community! Like, subscribe, and share your story below. 🙌

#RecoveryPodcast #SoberLife #TransplantSurvivor #MentalHealth #AddictionRecover

In this exciting episode of TheWillpowerPodcast, former MLB pitcher Brandon Puffer shares his incredible journey from the heights of Major League Baseball to the depths of addiction and imprisonment, and ultimately to redemption.

Brandon opens up about:

- His MLB career including time with the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox

- The power of second chances and redemption

- Building GPS Legends Baseball from the ground up

- Mentoring the next generation of players

- Maintaining 17 years of sobriety

- Writing his inspirational book "From the Bullpen to the State Pen"

- Finding purpose in helping others

- The importance of faith in recovery

💙 Support The Show:

TheWillpowerPodcast is a solo operation - I handle everything from research to editing to publishing. If you find value in these episodes, please consider supporting the show

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

This episode demonstrates that no matter how far we fall, recovery and redemption are possible.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro: The Mental Game of MLB Relief Pitching

2:21 - Brandon's Early Life & Baseball Dreams

3:50 - First Signs of Addiction

9:00 - The Red Sox World Series Ring Story

15:29 - The Night Everything Changed

19:16 - Prison Sentence & Self-Reflection

26:34 - Starting Over as a Maintenance Man

33:53 - Public Speaking & Sharing His Story

34:32 - Maintaining 17 Years of Sobriety

40:27 - GPS Legends & Giving Back to Baseball

Connect with Brandon:

https://www.instagram.com/coachpuffpositive/

Website: https://coachpuffpositive.com/

Book: From the Bullpen to the State Pen (Available on Amazon)

Follow The Willpower Podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

#RecoveryIsPossible #BaseballMentorship #SobrietyJourney #YouthSports #FaithAndRecovery

Feeling the Dry January pressure? You're not alone. In this timely episode, award-winning addiction expert Faust Ruggiero shares 40 years of treatment wisdom on how to make sobriety stick - whether you're 15 days into Dry January or just starting your journey. His practical, experience-based approach cuts through the noise to give you real tools for success. As president of the Community Psychological Center and author of the Fix Yourself series, Faust brings decades of insights from counseling thousands of clients through their recovery journeys.

💙 Support The Show:

TheWillpowerPodcast is a solo operation - I handle everything from research to editing to publishing. If you find value in these episodes, consider supporting the show on Buy Me a Coffee

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

Your support helps keep this resource available for others on their recovery journey. Thank you! 🙏

⏱️ Episode Guide:

0:00 - Essential advice for anyone starting their sobriety journey

4:18 - Understanding physical addiction (and why willpower isn't enough)

7:00 - How addiction changes your personality

11:25 - The Process Way of Life Model explained

15:22 - Breaking down addiction myths

17:58 - Why our culture is obsessed with alcohol

22:01 - Managing anxiety without substances 🧠

26:54 - The real impact of alcohol on your health

31:44 - Current trends: Alcohol vs. Marijuana

37:19 - Practical advice for maintaining sobriety

🔑 Key Insights:

Why understanding the physical aspects of addiction changes everything

How to manage anxiety without substances

The truth about cultural attitudes toward alcohol

Science-based approaches to lasting change

Building effective support systems

💡 Powerful Quote: "Don't keep it a secret. Don't think you can do it on your own. Build a network."

🌟 Need Support?

Whether you're 15 days into Dry January or just starting your journey, you're not alone. Build your support network:

Connect with healthcare providers

Find local support groups

Consider professional counseling

📚 Connect with Faust:

https://www.faustruggiero.com/

🎯 Follow The Willpower Podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

#DryJanuary #Recovery #Addiction #Sobriety #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #TheWillpowerPodcast #SobrietyHelp #RecoveryJourney #AnxietySupport