You know that expression, “The only way out is through?” It’s a truism that has never been truer than in the case of Ryan Mack, who fought his way back from serious addiction, mental anguish and a toxic lifestyle. How did he do it? It started by learning to take control of his mind. Today a successful coach (you can check him out @Instagram), Ryan is sharing his inspiring journey with Host John Sheldon on this episode of the Beyond Belief Sobriety podcast. The path wasn’t so much straight-ahead as a patchwork of lessons collected and behavioral choices made on the way to recovery. And when he’s talking about recovery, Ryan means not just a return from the hardcore cocktail of drugs he’d been using but also establishing a strong sense of self based on awareness and discipline. He outlines for us the variety of techniques and tools for self-discovery that ultimately brought him to a transformational tipping point.
You’ll learn about the importance of “doing the opposite” of what our reptilian minds most often want us to do: the easy thing. Exercising what Ryan calls “extreme discipline” is foundational to the lifestyle framework he provides his clients (online through a combination of his fitness app, one-to-one coaching and a range of trackable measures related to diet, fitness and mental hygiene). But, he says, meaningful change doesn’t start without making an informed decision – and sticking with it no matter what. “If you’re struggling, you just need to take control,” he says. “It’s up to you. It’s a choice. Don’t be weak. We get strong by doing what’s hard.” If you need help defining a personal roadmap to being your best self, Ryan’s coaching program might give you just the kind of insight and accountability you’ve been looking for!
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Key Takeaways

* Ryan shares his trajectory from managing depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, a dysfunctional long-term relationship and the grip of addiction to find his way to mental and physical wellness with a wonderful partner and successful online coaching business.
* Some of the more traditional routes (like psychotherapy, anti-depressants and rehab) were of only marginal help to Ryan.
* The heart of his awakening took root on two fronts:

* Mental: A wise mentor with a shamanic background taught Ryan about the power – and inner workings – of the mind.
* A “militant” physical trainer who understood the role of discipline in cultivating self-esteem taught Ryan how to commit and move forward, one choice at a time.
* By interweaving the physical, emotional and mental, Ryan has established a holistic sweet spot in which each of the building blocks reinforces the other.


* Ryan explains the spiritual hierarchy – atop which sits our souls, followed by mind and body.
* About the lower part of our brains, which is primal and reflexively seeks comfort – unless we use our higher awareness to redirect it through better decisions. Instead of reaching for that drink, we can interrupt that thought and practice something different.
* Meditation may be a helpful adjunct, but Ryan believes at the end of the day mental and physical wellness is built on action. It’s about choosing daily to do the hard things, even when we don’t feel like it.