Thirteen years ago, I woke up at rock bottom. I thought sobriety meant losing my fun, my freedom, my edge—but what it really gave me was everything I’d been craving: authenticity, alignment, and freedom. In this episode, I share the story of that turning point, the lessons sobriety has taught me, and how they apply to every single one of us—whether your vice is alcohol, people-pleasing, work, or relationships. These 13 truths will sharpen your edge and give you the clarity, courage, and integrity to live fully alive.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The real story of my sober date and why it wasn’t my first attempt.
- How codependency is the sneakiest, most polished addiction of all.
- 13 powerful lessons sobriety has taught me about leadership, love, and life.
- Why freedom—not control—is the sharpest edge you’ll ever carry.
- How these truths apply far beyond sobriety to anything that’s keeping you stuck.
Key Takeaways (13 Lessons):
- Radical, compassionate honesty heals faster than any numbing ever will.
- Discomfort is a compass, not a curse. Growth happens in resistance.
- You don’t need numbing when you’re living in alignment.
- Discipline creates freedom, not restriction.
- Shame dies when it’s dragged into the light. Secrets keep you sick.
- Your edge comes from your scars, not your image.
- Self-leadership is the highest form of leadership.
- Numbing never fixes the pattern—it only swaps it out.
- Real connection requires real presence.
- Boundaries build bridges, not walls.
- The body keeps the score and the wisdom—learn to listen.
- Legacy isn’t what you build, it’s who you become.
- Freedom is the sharpest edge you’ll ever carry.
Quotes That Landed in My Bones:
- “The thing I was most afraid to lose turned out to be the thing I gained the most: freedom.”
- “Shame dies the second it’s spoken into the light.”
- “Self-leadership is the highest form of leadership—if you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead anyone else.”
Try This This Week (Your EDGE Move):
Take one place in your life where you’re hiding, numbing, or half-living—and drag it into the light. Get radically honest with yourself about what it’s costing you. Then choose one small, disciplined action today that builds your freedom muscle.
