RAW Recovery Podcast

A little update on Trudging Together

In AA we hear it all the time — “the Steps are suggested.” But suggested like a friendly menu option… or suggested like gravity? The truth is, the Steps are “suggested” the same way opening a parachute when you jump out of a plane is “suggested.” Nobody is forcing you — but the results speak for themselves. Today we're talking about what “suggested” really means, why the Steps aren't optional if you want long-term freedom, and how picking and choosing only the comfortable parts keeps us spiritually sick.

Quitting drinking is only the beginning. What we choose not to do after we put the bottle down is just as important as what we choose to do. In this Daily Trudge, we're covering the most common traps that take recovering alcoholics off the beam — resentment, isolation, self-pity, drifting from the basics, and thinking we're “good now.” Staying sober means avoiding the behaviors that pull us back into fear, ego, and self-destruction. Today we talk about the things we don't do if we want long-term sobriety: • Don't isolate • Don't stop doing the simple things • Don't rely on self-will • Don't run from feelings • Don't forget quitting drinking is only Step One Recovery thrives when we avoid the pitfalls that once destroyed us.

“Let Go and Let God” gets misunderstood all the time. Some people think it means giving up, backing out, shutting down, or sitting on their hands waiting for a miracle. But that's not recovery — and that's not God. Letting go is not defeat. Letting go is not apathy. Letting go is release — release of the illusion that we control everything. Today we're talking about the REAL meaning of “Let Go and Let God”: Surrendering control, not responsibility • Taking action while releasing the outcome • Trusting God's direction instead of forcing our own • Why apathy is self-will in disguise • How letting go increases peace, not passivity Letting go is an act of courage. Letting God is an act of faith. When we combine both, we stop fighting life and start living it.

Codependency is when our emotional well-being depends on someone else's behavior, reactions, approval, or chaos. It's the habit of trying to fix, manage, or control other people while ignoring our own needs. In recovery, codependency is just as destructive as the addiction itself — because it keeps us living through others instead of living our own lives. Today we're talking about how codependency forms, how it affects relationships, and how we break free by setting boundaries, building self-worth, and letting people carry their own weight.

Serving our brother means showing up for others the way someone once showed up for us. In recovery, service isn't charity — it's survival. When we focus on helping another alcoholic, our ego quiets down, our purpose becomes clear, and God works through us in ways we could never manage on our own. Today we talk about what real service looks like, why it's not always convenient or comfortable, and why helping our brother is one of the most powerful spiritual actions we can take.

One of the most misunderstood principles in recovery is “Attraction, not promotion.” It's not about selling recovery. It's not about convincing anyone. And it's definitely not about flashy promises or ego-driven outreach. Attraction is about how we live, not what we say. It's the calm in our voice, the consistency in our actions, the peace in our spirit, and the authenticity in our walk that makes others lean in and ask, “What changed?” Today we're breaking down what attraction really means, why promotion fails us, and how living the program becomes the loudest message we could ever carry.

Gratitude isn't just saying “thank you.” In recovery, gratitude is a spiritual position — a way of seeing the world that keeps us sober, sane, and connected to God. It shifts our focus from what's missing to what's been given… from what we've lost to what we've gained… from self-pity to purpose. When we practice gratitude, our minds calm down, our hearts open up, and our perspective changes. It is one of the fastest ways to get out of self and reconnect with the truth: We are living a life we once prayed for. Today we're talking about what gratitude really is, why it's essential to spiritual growth, and how it keeps us grounded in recovery — even when life isn't going the way we want it to.

Recovery introduces us to a new reality — one we never expected, rarely feel ready for, and often resist at first. The old way of living was chaotic but familiar. The new way? Honest, spiritual, connected, and grounded. This shift isn't about pretending everything is great; it's about seeing life through new eyes. Pain hits different. Joy hits different. Responsibility hits different. And with that comes a new freedom, one built on truth instead of denial. Today we talk about stepping into that new reality — the one God, recovery, and the Steps keep pointing us toward — and what it means to leave the old one behind for good.

“Do I really have to forgive?” Most of us ask this at some point — usually when someone has hurt us so deeply that forgiveness feels impossible, unfair, or like we're letting them off the hook. But in recovery, forgiveness isn't about excusing the harm. It's about freeing ourselves from the poison we've been carrying. Resentment chains us to the past. Trauma keeps us frozen. Anger wears us out. Forgiveness is how we break free — not how they get away with anything. Today we explore: • Why forgiveness is a tool for us, not them • The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation • Why spiritual progress demands we let go • How resentment destroys peace • What God can do with wounds we cannot heal alone Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting or trusting again. It means refusing to live in the shadow of someone else's harm.

In recovery, we don't heal alone — we heal together. Finding your tribe means finding the people who walk beside you, challenge you, call you on your BS, celebrate your wins, and remind you who you truly are. Your tribe isn't always your family. It's not always your old friends. It's the people who share your experience, speak your language, and help you grow — spiritually, emotionally, and honestly. Today we talk about how to recognize the people who belong on your journey… and how to gently release the ones who don't. No one trudges alone.

In recovery, not every emotional reaction is a resentment — and not every painful memory is “just trauma.” But we mix the two up all the time. A resentment is usually about anger, ego, expectations, and old wounds we keep feeding. Trauma is about deep emotional injury that shaped our nervous system, beliefs, and reactions. One needs inventory. The other needs healing. Today we talk about how to tell the difference, how each one affects our recovery, and why mislabeling trauma as a resentment can actually do more harm than good. We'll dig into: • What resentment really is in AA terms • What trauma looks like in the body and mind • When inventory helps — and when it doesn't • How trauma-informed recovery keeps us safe • Why both require honesty, humility, and God Not everything that hurts is a resentment. Not everything that angers us is trauma. This is about clarity — and freedom.

Live and Let Live” sounds simple, but for alcoholics it's one of the hardest spiritual principles to practice. We want to control everything — outcomes, people, opinions, emotions… all of it. But recovery teaches us that peace comes when we stop running other people's lives and start focusing on our own. Today we're talking about what “Live and Let Live” actually means in daily recovery: • Letting people be who they are • Dropping the need to fix or manage others • Staying in our lane emotionally and spiritually • Giving grace without losing boundaries When we stop trying to control the world, we finally get to live in it.

There comes a point in recovery where we stop living in a world of spiritual make-believe and start living in spiritual reality. The Big Book tells us that the childish dream world we once clung to is replaced by a deep sense of purpose and a growing awareness of God working in our lives. But that awareness isn't meant to lift us out of the world — it's meant to prepare us for service in it. “Keep your head in the clouds with Him, but your feet firmly planted on earth.” That's where our fellow travelers are. That's where the work is. And that's where usefulness and spiritual sanity meet. Today we talk about the balance between spiritual experience and real-life responsibility — and how grounding our recovery in purpose keeps us sane, useful, and connected.

In recovery, we love to complicate things. We overthink, overwork, overreact, and try to control everything. But the solution has always been the same: Keep it simple. When we strip away the drama, fear, and ego, the basics still work — meetings, honesty, service, prayer, and staying connected. The moment we drift into chaos, it's usually because we stopped doing the simple things that keep us grounded. Today we talk about getting back to basics, slowing down, and remembering that recovery isn't complicated… we are.

In the Big Book, we're told flat-out: “Selfishness—self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.” Most of us didn't get sober because we were living selfless lives. We got sober because our self-will ran straight into a brick wall — and took everyone around us with it. Today we dig into the truth that no alcoholic likes to face: We cause most of our own pain. Self-will. Fear. Control. Expectations. When we're in self, everything hurts. When we're in God, everything changes. In this episode we explore: • How self-centered fear drives our worst decisions • Why selfishness blocks spiritual growth • The freedom that comes from service and humility • Why “getting out of self” is the fastest path to serenity When we stop making everything about us, life gets a whole lot cleaner.

Principle Nine — Justice — isn't about punishment, score-keeping, or trying to make life “fair.” In recovery, justice is about living honestly, taking responsibility, and treating people with the same dignity we expect in return. Justice in the spiritual sense means: • We tell the truth even when it's uncomfortable • We stop blaming others for our pain • We clean up our side of the street • We repair harm where we can, and stop creating new harm When alcohol ruled our lives, fairness went out the window. We hurt people, we lied, we hid, we manipulated, and we told ourselves we were the victims. Principle Nine calls us to grow up spiritually — to show up in the world in a way that reflects integrity, humility, and accountability. Today we're talking about how justice shows up in our recovery: • Owning our wrongs without beating ourselves up • Making amends through consistent changed behavior • Seeing others as equals, not obstacles • Leaving old selfish patterns behind Justice isn't about perfection — it's about becoming someone trustworthy again, one day at a time. Keep trudging.

In today's episode, Dion sits down with Stacy, founder of Sands of Hope Recovery, for one of the most honest and heartfelt conversations we've had on this show. Stacy shares the story behind her recovery business—named in honor of her mother—and opens up about how prevention, lived experience, and compassion shape the way she supports people in recovery. We dive deep into: Why recovery coaching matters more than ever The reality of growing up around alcoholism and dysfunction Why prevention for youth is critical—and where education takes over What a recovery coach is and is not The importance of meeting people where they're at Why connection—not control—is the opposite of addiction How to spot red flags and avoid the wrong “recovery community” Tough love vs. real love Why lived experience often outruns formal training How Stacy keeps her services affordable ($25–$55) with a free consult If you're looking for real talk—not sugarcoated, not clinical, but truth from people who have lived it—this conversation is for you.

We all walk into recovery carrying wounds — some we caused, some caused by others, and some we've kept alive far longer than necessary. The real spiritual work begins when we stop spreading the hurt and start becoming instruments of healing. Inspired by the spirit of the St. Francis prayer (without the religious packaging), today we talk about what it really means to bring peace where there is conflict, forgiveness where there is resentment, and love where there is fear. This isn't about being perfect — it's about being willing. Willing to pause. Willing to be teachable. Willing to bring a different energy into the room than the one we walked in with. Join me as we dig into: How our presence impacts the people around us Why emotional sobriety is an act of service Turning reactions into responses Becoming a channel of peace in chaotic moments Why healing others starts with healing ourselves If you've been hurting, or hurting others without meaning to, this one's for you.

Why is it that we can give patience, kindness, and understanding to people we barely know — but the second we walk into our own home, our fuse gets shorter, our tone gets sharper, and our grace runs out? In recovery, we learn that the real test of spiritual growth isn't how we act at a meeting… it's how we treat the people we live with, love, and sometimes take for granted. Today we dig into: • Why it's easier to be patient with strangers • Why our loved ones trigger old behaviors • How emotional sobriety changes our reactions • Why grace begins at home — even when it's hard • The spiritual tools that help us show up better If you've ever wondered why your kindness is so easy “out there” and so hard “in here,” this episode is for you.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about a hard truth: Alcoholism doesn't just destroy the drinker — it reshapes the entire family system. Families living with alcoholism often become defined by: • chaos, • secrecy, • denial, • emotional volatility, • and roles that no one ever asked for. The alcoholic isn't the only one who gets sick — everyone under that roof learns to survive in a dysfunctional environment. The Big Book tells us that the alcoholic is “like a tornado roaring through the lives of others.” But what it doesn't fully explore is the aftermath: the children who become caretakers, the spouses who walk on eggshells, and the family members who lose themselves trying to keep the peace. Today we'll unpack the patterns, the pain, and — most importantly — the path toward healing for everyone involved.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about something the recovery world doesn't always want to admit — people judge what they don't understand. Ever been told you're “too much,” “too emotional,” “too intense,” or that you should just “get over it”? That usually comes from people who've never stood on the front lines with us. The front lines of addiction. The front lines of trauma. The front lines of rebuilding your life from ashes. Before anyone critiques your journey, your emotions, or your struggles, they should try walking a single day in the shoes of someone recovering from the destruction of this disease. Today we talk about: • why outsiders misunderstand recovery, • why your experience is valid even when others don't “get it,” • and why you don't owe explanations for the pain you survived. If they want to understand you — let them stand on the lines with you for a while.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about expectations and the little things — two areas that can either build our serenity or completely destroy it. Expectations are resentments waiting to happen. They tell us how life should go, how people should act, and how recovery should feel. But peace doesn't live in should. It lives in what is. When we slow down and start noticing the small stuff — a quiet morning, a friend's text, the fact that we woke up sober — that's where gratitude grows, and expectations lose their grip. Big faith is built on little things.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're shining a light on one of the sneakiest threats to long-term sobriety: Big Shotism — the idea that I've got this now, I'm different, or the rules don't apply to me anymore. The Big Book warns us that when ego takes over, sanity slips out the back door. Big Shotism isn't loud — it's subtle. It shows up as: • Thinking you're “too good” for the basics • Giving advice instead of taking direction • Forgetting where you came from • Confusing spiritual progress with spiritual superiority The antidote? Humility. Service. God-dependence. When we stay right-sized, teachable, and grounded, we stay safe. When we drift into Big Shot territory, we drift away from the very things that keep us sober. Today, we break down what Big Shotism looks like, how quickly it can creep in, and how to stay connected to the principles that actually work.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about one of the most common — but least admitted — challenges in recovery: loneliness. Loneliness isn't just being alone. It's the feeling of being disconnected, unseen, or spiritually empty. And for many of us, loneliness was the engine that drove our drinking. The Big Book tells us we were people who “didn't belong,” who lived in separation, fear, and self-pity. When we put the bottle down, those feelings don't magically disappear. But the beautiful part? Recovery gives us tools, community, and a Higher Power big enough to fill the emptiness we used to drink at. Today, we'll dig into: • Why loneliness hits so hard in early sobriety • The difference between being alone and feeling alone • How connection heals what isolation destroys • Why God, service, and fellowship are antidotes to loneliness You don't have to trudge alone — ever.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're diving into a skill that most alcoholics struggle with — the art of delayed gratification. Our disease taught us to chase the quick fix: the drink, the escape, the comfort, the emotional hit. But recovery teaches us something far more powerful: Not everything good happens instantly — and not everything instant is good. Delayed gratification is where emotional sobriety really begins. It's choosing long-term peace over short-term relief. It's sitting with discomfort instead of escaping it. It's trusting that what God has ahead is better than what your ego wants right now. When we learn to pause, breathe, pray, and wait — we grow. And when we grow, our lives expand in ways we never imagined.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're taking it back to where recovery truly begins: The admission of personal powerlessness. Before the healing, before the Steps, before the promises — there's a moment where we finally admit the truth: I can't do this on my own. This isn't weakness. This is awakening. The Big Book tells us that alcohol is “cunning, baffling, powerful,” and that without help, it will beat us every time. But the second we admit defeat — the second we surrender — the whole program opens up. Powerlessness isn't about giving up; it's about giving over. It's the doorway to freedom, honesty, humility, and a new life that's built on spiritual power instead of willpower.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're hitting one of the most reliable truths in recovery: When in doubt… get out of self. Most of our problems don't come from the world — they come from the way we react to it. When I'm stuck in fear, anger, resentment, or self-pity, 99% of the time the solution is spiritual, simple, and humbling: Get out of self and into service, honesty, gratitude, or God's will. The Big Book reminds us that selfishness and self-centeredness are the root of our troubles — and that freedom comes the moment we shift the focus outward. Today we're talking about how to recognize when you're stuck in self, how to get out quickly, and what happens when we let our Higher Power run the show instead of our ego.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're asking one of the hardest questions in recovery: Am I living the AA program — or just visiting it? Anybody can go to meetings. Anybody can say the slogans. But living the program means we've taken the Steps off the wall and put them into our daily life. It's easy to get comfortable — to coast, to socialize, to make recovery look good on the outside while we're still running the show on the inside. But the program doesn't work in theory. It works in practice. The difference between visiting AA and living AA? A visitor wants relief. A liver wants change.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about two spiritual principles that walk hand in hand — Humility and Responsibility. Humility reminds us we're not running the show. Responsibility reminds us that we still have a part to play. In recovery, humility without responsibility turns into passivity — and responsibility without humility turns into ego. The goal isn't perfection. It's balance. God does the heavy lifting, but He expects us to pick up the tools.

In today's Recovery Watchdog, we're talking about something real — the two types of people that work in the recovery field. You've got the ones who do it because they care — because they've lived it, survived it, and want to give back. And then you've got the ones who do it for the career — the paycheck, the power, the prestige. The first type shows up early, stays late, and keeps showing up even when nobody's watching. The second type shows up for the photo op. The recovery field needs servants, not saviors. If we forget that this is about people and not profit, we lose the heart of what recovery really means. Let's talk about what integrity looks like in this field — and what it doesn't.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're going back to the roots — The Four Absolutes: Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love. Long before the Twelve Steps were written, these were the spiritual yardsticks used by the Oxford Group — and they still measure how well we're living our recovery today. These aren't rules — they're reminders. Am I being honest, or just careful with the truth? Am I choosing purity, or bending my values to fit comfort? Am I thinking of others, or myself? Am I acting in love, or in fear? We'll never live the Absolutes perfectly — but every day we can move closer.

Every day in recovery starts the same way: with a chance to choose our mindset. Before the phone, before the coffee, before the world starts spinning, we stop and think of the day ahead. It's not about predicting what's coming — it's about preparing our spirit for it. When I ask God to direct my thinking, I'm really saying, “Keep me out of my own way today.” The Big Book reminds us that we don't surrender our brains; we just stop using them as weapons. When my motives line up with God's will — to help, to serve, to stay honest — my day runs smoother, even if the world around me doesn't. Peace doesn't come from control. It comes from alignment. So before you step out the door today, take thirty seconds. Think of the day ahead, ask for direction, and then… keep trudging.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about one of the hardest truths in recovery: apologies don't mean a thing without action. Step 9 teaches us to make direct amends, but real amends aren't just words — they're consistent change. We don't fix the past by rewriting it; we heal it by living differently today. Saying “sorry” may open the door, but changed behavior keeps it open. This is where recovery gets real — when the people we hurt stop needing to believe our promises because they can see our progress.

For Full Video Go Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N28-2c-tDoA In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about the cost of freedom. Everyone wants freedom — from addiction, from fear, from the past. But freedom isn't something we get; it's something we earn by showing up, doing the work, and staying honest even when it hurts. The price? Ego. Comfort. Excuses. The payoff? Peace. Purpose. Serenity. Sobriety doesn't come cheap — it costs everything that was keeping us sick. But the freedom we find on the other side? Worth every ounce of pain it took to get there.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about the cost of freedom. Everyone wants freedom — from addiction, from fear, from the past. But freedom isn't something we get; it's something we earn by showing up, doing the work, and staying honest even when it hurts. The price? Ego. Comfort. Excuses. The payoff? Peace. Purpose. Serenity. Sobriety doesn't come cheap — it costs everything that was keeping us sick. But the freedom we find on the other side? Worth every ounce of pain it took to get there.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're diving into a tough but important question: Is it a resentment… or is it trauma? In recovery, we're taught to let go of resentments — to forgive, move on, and clean our side of the street. But what happens when that “resentment” is really unhealed trauma? You can't spiritually bypass pain that's rooted in deep wounds. Some things don't need to be “let go of” — they need to be understood, felt, and healed. There's a big difference between holding onto anger and protecting your heart. Let's talk about what's yours to release… and what's yours to recover from.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about when character building becomes a priority. In the beginning, it's all about survival — staying sober one day at a time, just trying to get through the storm. But as time goes on, recovery calls us to something deeper. Sobriety isn't the finish line — it's the foundation. Real freedom comes when we start working on who we are — honesty, humility, patience, forgiveness, courage, faith. That's the character-building part. The Big Book says we're building a “new life based on honesty, tolerance, and true love.” When character becomes the goal, the promises stop being words on a page — they become your life.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about expectations and the little things — two areas that can either build our serenity or completely destroy it. Expectations are resentments waiting to happen. They tell us how life should go, how people should act, and how recovery should feel. But peace doesn't live in should. It lives in what is. When we slow down and start noticing the small stuff — a quiet morning, a friend's text, the fact that we woke up sober — that's where gratitude grows, and expectations lose their grip. Big faith is built on little things.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about the effect we can have on others — often without even knowing it. In recovery, our greatest impact usually comes from how we live, not what we say. A newcomer might see your calm in chaos and think, “Maybe I can do this.” Someone struggling might hear your laughter and remember that joy exists. And sometimes, the person most affected by your honesty… is you. We don't control outcomes — but we do control presence. Show up. Be real. Let your recovery speak louder than your advice. That's how we change lives — one interaction, one day, one trudge at a time.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about the quality of faith — not how much of it you have, but how real it is. Faith isn't a feeling. It's not a theory. It's a daily decision to trust something greater — especially when nothing makes sense. The Big Book tells us, “To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self-sacrifice and unselfish, constructive action.” In other words: faith that just sits still isn't faith — it's wishful thinking. Real faith walks. It works. It moves mountains one day at a time.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about self-worth — something most of us lost long before we ever took our first drink. Addiction tore down our confidence, our dignity, and our sense of purpose. But the truth is, our worth never left — it just got buried under the wreckage. Recovery isn't about becoming someone new; it's about remembering who you were before the world told you otherwise. You are worthy of healing. You are worthy of love. You are worthy of a life that doesn't hurt.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're talking about what happens when you move from just not drinking to truly living in the Spirit. The Big Book says, “We have entered the world of the Spirit.” That's not some far-off mystical idea — it's what happens when we surrender fully, start practicing the Steps, and stop trying to run the show. When we enter that new dimension, everything shifts. The fear that used to run our lives loses power. The obsession to control fades. And we begin to live on faith, not feelings. This isn't about perfection — it's about perspective. Welcome to the world of the Spirit — where recovery turns into freedom.

In today's Daily Trudge, we're diving deep into Radical Acceptance — the practice of saying, “This is what it is… and I can live with it.” Acceptance doesn't mean approval. It means freedom. It's when we stop arguing with reality and start healing from it. In recovery, we learn that fighting what's already happened only keeps us stuck. Radical acceptance is how we stop bleeding from the same wound — it's where peace begins, even when life doesn't feel fair. You can't change what you won't face. But you can face it — and still find peace in the process.

Welcome to Mystacopolis – The Recovery Watchdog, a movement built to protect the integrity of recovery. This group exists to shine a light on unethical practices, exploitation, and abuse within the recovery and mental health industries — and to celebrate the people and programs doing it right. We are not here to gossip or tear others down. We are here to educate, investigate, and advocate for transparency, safety, and compassion in every corner of recovery.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about how to keep optimism afloat through prayer and meditation. Life can hit hard. Our minds get noisy, the world gets heavy, and optimism starts sinking fast. That's when prayer and meditation become more than spiritual practices — they're lifelines. Prayer connects us to power. Meditation keeps us calm enough to hear it. Together, they help us rise above fear, frustration, and self-pity — reminding us that no storm lasts forever, and no wave is stronger than grace. Recovery isn't about calm seas; it's about learning how to float — even when you're tired.

For Full Video Go Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I47KCkxrEcY In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about what real spiritual growth looks like — not the floaty, incense-burning kind, but the everyday kind that shows up in how we live, love, and handle hard days. Spiritual consciousness isn't about halos or enlightenment — it's about awareness. It's when our reactions start to change, when peace lasts longer than panic, when we forgive faster, and when ego doesn't win as often. I'll walk through eight signs that you're waking up spiritually — even if life still feels messy. Because awakening doesn't mean you've arrived. It just means you've stopped running.

In today's Daily Trudge, I'm talking about what keeps this whole thing alive — our one primary purpose. It's easy to forget why we do what we do. We start chasing likes, followers, and validation — but that's not the purpose. The purpose is people. My job — your job — is simple: carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. That's it. Not fix them, not save them, not play God — just carry the message. When we remember that purpose, the noise quiets down. The ego steps aside. And the miracle of recovery gets to keep happening, one honest conversation at a time. So today, before you speak, post, or act — ask yourself: Is this helping someone still sick and suffering? Because that's our one job… and what a sacred job it is.

In today's special Halloween edition of The Daily Trudge, we're taking a hard look at the masks we wear — and the monsters that live underneath. For years, I hid behind masks: the funny guy, the victim, the know-it-all, the survivor. Each one kept people from seeing who I really was — and kept me from seeing myself. When I finally took off the mask, I found something terrifying… me. The parts I didn't want to admit — the anger, shame, fear, and pride. But here's the truth: those “monsters” lose their power the moment we face them in the light of recovery. This isn't about pretending we're perfect. It's about being brave enough to look in the mirror and say, “Yeah, that's me — and I'm working on it.”