The Recovery Guy Podcast

Throughout my life, I heard many things regarding my potential. The word BUT was used as part of my description when I was mentioned. People would often say how wonderful they thought I could be, BUT..... There was always an exclusion of my potential. There was always a conjunction between how I wanted to be seen and how I was seen. This lasted until I first came into recovery when I was 32. It was then that I learned to Drop the But. My journey has been to be as I hoped to be seen, without the word BUT playing a role in that description. I hope you enjoy today's podcast. Be blessed The post Episode #246 The Fix: Drop the But appeared first on Recovery Guy.

The difference between those who get sober and those who live a life of sobriety is Transformation. When we look at the emotional, mental, spiritual and the physical one is no more important than the other. Having said a well-rounded Transformation is REQUIRED for lifelong recovery. Today's conversation with Alex covers exactly that. The post Episode #245 The Fix; Transformation with Alex appeared first on Recovery Guy.

In the beginning, all most of us can do is hang onto our recovery chair. After we are sober for a while, we begin to see the areas of our life that went neglected. For most of us, the physical side of our health went ignored. A well-rounded sober journey requires to I become fit in all aspects of my life. This conversation with Leandro is what this podcast is about. The post Episode #244 The Fix; Leandro on Fitness appeared first on Recovery Guy.

As you have heard me say, there are four elements or dimensions to our personal recovery. Those four dimensions are, emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical. Today we are so fortunate to have my dear friend and fitness instructor in the studio, Vera. We will discuss the facets of fitness, what it is like for a person entering a fitness journey and why it is something to continue moving forward. We will also discuss the empowerment it brings on an emotional, spiritual, and mental level while satisfying physical fitness needs. I hope you enjoy this podcast. The post Episode #243 The Fix; Vera Talks Fitness appeared first on Recovery Guy.

One of the most important things any of us can ever understand about substance abuse addiction and behavioral destruction is the amount of selfishness and self-centeredness that is at the core of the addiction. One of the reasons so many people stay in addiction, is not because they enjoy the negativity. The post Episode #242 The Fix; A Different Way to Live appeared first on Recovery Guy.

In this podcast Bo and I discuss recovery at large and how we can have a positive effect on others. As we strive to have a positive impact in the lives of other people our personal recovered life is positively affected. The story of Recovery is one of amazing miracles that continue to occur daily. You can reach out to Beau and discover his work at www.BeauPayne.com The post Episode #241 The Fix; Conversation with Beau appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Life is meant to be lived according to a set of rules. I used to conduct my life as a very selfish and self-centered person. Within that self-centeredness, I decided that I would live however I would want to live, and life would have to accommodate me. That is not how it works at all. The post Episode #240 The Fix; Rules to Live By appeared first on Recovery Guy.

As a people of recovery, we have agreed to go on a journey that is filled with challenges and opportunities. There are times when these realities of life seem overwhelming and difficult to understand or accept. We have a human response to embrace what makes us feel good and reject that which feels terrible. Gandhi said “One cannot do right in one department of life while attempting to wrong in another department. Life is one indivisible whole.” The point is, there will be times when the journey is filled with goodness and at other times sadness will take hold. Either way, it is the same journey The post Episode #239 The Fix; The Journey to Acceptance appeared first on Recovery Guy.

People are often dismayed and even discouraged that not drinking or using is only the basic requirement for sobriety. Let me assure you. Sobriety ONLY comes over time and when a program of recovery is followed and practiced. It's not so much as to what plan of success you follow, as much as it is that you follow a plan that has worked for others. Be blessed. The post Episode #238 The Fix; Recovery is not an Event appeared first on Recovery Guy.

People are often dismayed and even discouraged that not drinking or using is only the basic requirement for sobriety. Let me assure you. Sobriety ONLY comes over time and when a program of recovery is followed and practiced. It's not so much as to what plan of success you follow, as much as it is that you follow a plan that has worked for others. Be blessed. The post Episode #238 The Fix; Recovery is not an Event appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Positive Affirmation is a topic inspired by my daughter Carol. Sometimes life is very encouraging and sometimes it's like being a rat on a wheel. Sometimes we feel stuck in the middle of being held captive and being set free. The best safeguard to being in between or feeling like we're on a roller coaster is positive affirmation The post Episode #237 The Fix; Positive Affirmation appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Being invited to speak in Boise was a wonderful opportunity. Part of my recovery is sharing my experience, strength, and hope. I am blessed to have been given this time. I hope you enjoy this talk. Please share it with someone you care for. The post Episode #236 Tuesday The Fix; Boise Speaker Meeting July 23, 2022 appeared first on Recovery Guy.

When it comes to characteristics of addiction there are many aspects and facets that we need to look at to come to terms with our personal condition and move forward in our recovery. Without characterizing our addiction, we will not have a sufficient jumping off place to diagnose or treat the addiction. The same could be said for getting in your car and not having a destination in mind. We could drive all we want, and we would never get anywhere. Enjoy this podcast and please reach out to Alcoholics Anonymous of Greater Detroit in Ferndale MI for more information regarding the information that we discussed today. Also please visit my personal and professional friend Burke brown by going to www.berkebrown.com The post Episode #235 Tuesday the Fix; Characteristics of Addiction appeared first on Recovery Guy.

In the beginning I did everything I could not to drink or use. I also found it necessary to not engage in other behaviors that would trigger my drinking, which would trigger my using of drugs. This seems to be the battle in early recovery. The post Episode #234 Tuesday the Fix; The Recovered Life appeared first on Recovery Guy.

One of the most challenging things we would ever do in recovery is learn how to control in a healthy manner. One of the things that it says in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous is “lack of control, that was our dilemma.” The post Episode #233 Tuesday the Fix; Control the Controllable appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Justin B of Reco12.com Speaker Meeting discuss the importance of recognizing various addictions and behavioral challenges, as we look to become as well as we possibly can become. So many of us have challenges beyond our core addiction. As we overcome that core addiction, we must address the other areas where Wellness is needed. If we do not do this, we will continue to be uncomfortable with who we are and that degree of being uncomfortable will lead to a relapse. We will only be uncomfortable for so long before we revert to the thing or behavior that medicates us against feeling badly. Check out today's podcast and don't forget to go check out Justin B at Reco12.com The post Episode #232 Tuesday the Fix; Justin B of Reco12 and Me appeared first on Recovery Guy.

When we first come into recovery we are infants who can barely roll over let alone crawl, stand, or walk. As we move forward in our recovery process and opportunity, we begin to grow a pair of wings which we will use as we learn how to fly. Some will grow a pair of wings and never use them. Others may limit themselves in their flight and or flying experience based on their fear or restrictions that others place on their flying. Learning to fly is about overcoming the perceived laws of aerodynamics and exploring new heights in our personal recovery. If you have not learned how to fly, I invite you to do so. Please let me know what I can do in this area. I wish you well and a happy soaring. The post Episode #231 Tuesday the Fix; Learning to Fly appeared first on Recovery Guy.

As a person who has recovered from the bondage of addiction, I now help others find their way to the same freedom. One of the ways I do that is to live aloud and express a sense of happiness, mixed with joy and a demonstration of freedom. As you will learn in today's podcast being happy, joyous, and free is foundational in the life of everyone who lives this life of recovery. I hope you feel the same way. If you do not, I hope by the end of this podcast you find yourself moving in that direction. Be blessed and have a wonderful day. The post Episode #230 Tuesday the Fix; Happy, Joyous, and Free appeared first on Recovery Guy.

As a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous and a recovery speaker, I have always appreciated the opportunity to share my experience, strength, and my hope. It is through this Ave that I seek to teach and learn at the same time. I learn because I am making sure that my own life is in order, as well as updating myself on recovery information, while teaching individuals things that I have learned along my 36-year journey. Join me in this podcast, as I share that experience, strength, and hope, with those seeking to incorporate the common solution into their lives. The post Episode #229 Tuesday the Fix; South Davis Recovery Club appeared first on Recovery Guy.

When I was in my addictive condition, I found it exceedingly difficult to celebrate. The more my condition deep and the less I celebrated and eventually I stop celebrating altogether. Coming into recovery I learned that just not drinking and using, while not engaging in the other negative behavior, was the beginning of a new approach to celebrating life. That celebration has continued for over 3 1/2 decades. I learned to celebrate each victory. I learned that celebration was an outward expression to an inward change. Let us look at this word celebration and speak of it in terms of our personal recovery. The post Episode #228 Tuesday the Fix; Reasons to Celebrate appeared first on Recovery Guy.

According to Wikipedia, The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one wants to be treated. It is a maxim that is found in most religions and cultures. It can be considered an ethic of reciprocity in some religions, although different religions treat it differently. As a result of this understanding, those of us in personal recovery, realize that to be served we must first serve. In other words, If I want to stay sober, I must be as concerned toward others as I want others to be concerned for me. The post Episode #227 Tuesday the Fix; Do Unto Others appeared first on Recovery Guy.

One of the things built into healthy relationships is making amends. This is universal and something that everyone should keep in mind as we explore a healthy balance in our relationships. If this is true for the average person, how much more is it true for the person who has struggled with addiction and or behavioral challenges. The post Episode #226 Tuesday the Fix; Amends Is More Than Sorry appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Living, interacting and being accountable to these 5 relationships everyday helps give me the direction I need and want. They also serve to give me the personal fulfillment of things I want done for me, but more importantly what I can do for others. The post Episode #225 Tuesday the Fix; Who’s In your 5 appeared first on Recovery Guy.

When it comes to recovery the only way to go up is to have first gone down. Addiction is one of the only diseases known to man that will tell you that you do not have it. We call that denial. While we are negotiating the truth from our position of denial, we hit what we call a bottom. Bottoms are two things. First, a bottom is necessary for every person of recovery. Secondly, bottoms are subjective. Have a blessed day and stay well. http://www.recoveryguy.org February 19 Salt Lake Alano Club March 4 www.reco12.com Podcast March 26 South Davis County Alano Club April 21 Other Side of Addiction Podcast April 24 Triangle Club Pomona CA The post Episode #224 Tuesday the Fix; Bottoms Up appeared first on Recovery Guy.

My restoration to sanity was my mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical transformation from that mindset. Today I know what to expect when I do certain things. I know what to expect if I behave negatively and I know what to expect when I behave positively. My silver bullet is the answer to all my concerns. The post Episode #223 Tuesday the Fix; The Silver Bullet appeared first on Recovery Guy.

The greatest gift that my recovery has given me is the Promises. I needed to know that the work I was expected to do for my recovery would revolutionize my life. These are the promises as listed in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The post Episode #222 Tuesday the Fix: Promises, Promises appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Whether you agree with the Big Book or not, I believe you will agree with the principles as they are laid out. The word recover, recovered, and recovery are used throughout the book. The post Episode #221 Tuesday the Fix: Recovery as a Lifestyle appeared first on Recovery Guy.

When it comes to the plan of recovery and most specifically the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, they are divided into three categories. The first category is me, the second being God and the third category being others. Once we solve and reconcile these three areas, we are on the road to recovery. Everything in our life, both important and non-important, will stem from me, God, and others. If I fail to address any of these with a sense of urgency and completeness. The post Episode #220 Tuesday the Fix: Solving for Me, God and Others appeared first on Recovery Guy.

There is a well-known phrase that reads “Absolute Power, Corrupts Absolutely.” This quote is attributed to Lord Acton. It is stated that John Edward Acton, the first baron, has expressed this opinion in his letter written to Bishop Mandell. The letter was written in 1887. The original statement reads; “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” However, it is stated that Lord Acton is not the primary originator of this quotation. English politician, William Pitt the Elder, Earl of Chatham and former Prime Minister of England from 1766-1778. He is stated to have said in the parliament that “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it”, which is where we get, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. As we dive into today's podcast let's look at what absolute means. The post Episode #219 Tuesday The Fix- Forever Home appeared first on Recovery Guy.

In this podcast, Robert lends a glimpse into his 35 plus years of personal recovery. Robert shares his journey from childhood to what it's like today. He all talks about his relapse and fortunate return to the rooms of AA. Please listen, subscribe, and share. The post Episode #218 Tuesday The Fix- Norco Speaker Meeting 12/29/2021 appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Being teachable is the prerequisite for learning anything. If I am not teachable in an overall perspective or in a specific area I wouldn't find it necessary to be taught anything. With that, being teachable is to learning what air is to breathe. The post Episode #217 Tuesday The Fix: Are You Teachable appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Have you ever heard of The Everlasting Gobstopper? Pulling information from Wikipedia, It is a candy from Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that is intended, according to Willy Wonka, its creator, "for children with very little pocket money". It not only changes colors and flavors when sucked on, but also never gets any smaller or disappears. It is like the gift that is recovery. Recovery is the Gift that keeps on Giving. The post Episode #216 Tuesday The Fix: The Gift That Keeps On Giving appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Suzy W and I discuss the importance of addiction as a family disease. The programs of Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous have so much in common. Beyond the addict-codependent connection, it has been our experience that each need to become well. Without each person working on their own recovery, balance will not be achieved. The post Episode #215 Tuesday the Fix: Addiction, a Family Disease; A conversation with Suzy W. of Al-Anon appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Experience, Strength and Hope In this podcast Robert P. shares his story of recovery and the path he has chosen along the way. For those who suffer from addiction, there is hope for life-long recovery One Day at a Time. The post Episode #214 Tuesday the Fix Special: Yana Club Talk w/Robert P. Dec. 5, 2021 appeared first on Recovery Guy.

If recovery were hard very few of us would achieve it. I am so grateful the plan of recovery is designed to be simple. I am not assaying it is easy, I am saying it is simple. The simplicity of recovery makes it accessible to and by everyone. I am not a good artist, but if you arrange the dots in the proper sequence I can draw a horse, a person or anything else you place the dots to portray. That is exactly what was done when the 12 Step Plan of Recovery was laid out. It is my experience that those who do not connect the dots and recovery are those who don't want to connect the dots. I hope the recovery is for you and you decide to connect the dots as they are laid out. The post Episode #213 Tuesday the Fix: Recovery is Dot to Dot appeared first on Recovery Guy.

One of the most challenging things for any person of recovery is holidays and the triggers that often accompany them. In the beginning, holidays can be the most challenging obstacle to our personal recovery. This is true whether you are the addict or the Co-dependent. Keep in mind that most addicts, are also adult children of Alcoholics, therefore co-dependent as well. Keeping this in mind, there are things that we can look out for that can help us stay insulated against relapse, while enjoying ourselves in this festive and holiday season. Here are a few of the things that we need to lookout for as we approach this time of year. The post Episode #212 Tuesday The Fix: Holiday Triggers appeared first on Recovery Guy.

One of the things that I have learned in my recovery journey is balancing expectations. I've come to learn that expectations can be positive and negative. Expectations can also be fair or unfair. Oftentimes, expectations will get in the way of our external relationships. Expectations that aren't met can be different to understand and often judged. Therefore, it is better off to balance the expectation with fairness toward others and the uncontrollable. Expectations are best served with understanding. The post Episode #211 Tuesday the Fix: Balancing Expectations appeared first on Recovery Guy.

In this episode, Robert shares his experience, strength, and hope in an AA Speaker Meeting. Robert talks about his 35 years of personal recovery and what he believes others need to follow to attain live long sobriety. The post Episode #210 Tuesday- The Fix: South Davis Recovery Club Nov 13, 2021 appeared first on Recovery Guy.

As I grew in my personal recovery so did my desire to become “normal.” When we consider the word normal and set it side by side with the word sober, they seem to go hand in hand. The post Episode #209 Sober is the New Normal appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Accountability simply means that I am subject to the obligation to report, explain or justify something. It means I am answerable. Once again for things that are outside of me that are part of what I do not who I am this is rather easy to do because it's not personal. So many of us are answerable or we have an obligation to fulfill a particular commitment or process regarding our work. The post Episode #208 Tuesday- The Fix: Accountability appeared first on Recovery Guy.

I was willing to do anything to have what they had and to become what I saw them becoming. Surrender to win was the path I decided. I hope you decide on this path as well. The post Episode #207- Tuesday The Fix- Surrender to Win appeared first on Recovery Guy.

We are NEVER alone anymore. This is what recovery offers us. So, when you choose what recovery path choose wisely. Choose a plan that gives you back to power to choose to wear your shell on your back. A path that has a provision to stay recovered for the rest of your life. A path that doesn't require me to look backward at my past (except when helping someone). When we do this, we can live the absolute that our recovery is a journey for our lifetime. Here are 3 things I must do to ensure this is true for me. Stay grounded in the truth that set me free Be open to adding new elements to my plan Pray for and assist others along the way Doing these things will add to the absolute position I decided to take. Thanks for listening and be blessed. The post Episode #206- Friday The Check Up- Forever Home appeared first on Recovery Guy.

When we first arrive in recovery we are questioning many things. We are questioning if we're making the right decision. We are questioning will this work for me. We are questioning if follow through with the path we decided to try. The post Episode #205 Tuesday The Fix: Being an Exceptional Being appeared first on Recovery Guy.

In order to give freely we must first take down the walls of personal secrecy and begin to share who we are and not judge what we learn about others. As a word of caution, let me say with some things we may need to be careful to whom and what we disclose, but for the most part we should feel free to “share our experience, strength and hope with each other”. The post Episode #204 Friday- The Checkup: Healthy Relating Leads to Healthy Relationships appeared first on Recovery Guy.

On today's show, I have Charlie from The Way Out Podcast. Charlie and I discuss our personal recovery. We dig deep into our common desire to assist others along the way. I hope you enjoy today's program. If you want to reach out to Charlie you can do so by emailing him. His email address is share@wayoutcast.com. You can also find his podcasts on major podcast channels as The Way Out Podcast. The post Episode #203- Tuesday The Fix: “On a Mission to Serve” Charlie from The Way Out Podcast appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Before we adopt or reject a term, let us find out what it means for us and whether it adds to our life. Others may reject it because of their own inadequacies, and they want us co-sign. Do not let others limit who we want to become. The post Episode #202 Friday The Check Up- Coming to Terms appeared first on Recovery Guy.

This podcast is centered around co-dependency and how addiction is a family disease. Regardless of whether or not the addict seeks help and finds recovery the SO and other family members must. Suzy shares her story of this battle to victory. The post Episode #201 -Tuesday The Fix – Helping Hands appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Today we are having a conversation with Corey W of 217 recovery. Corey is a great advocate of recovery and wellness and has dedicated his time in recovery to helping others recover as well. Corey has found by sharing his story of hope and wellness he has encouraged others to seek a better way of living. Corey serves his community in various area and is continuing to look for more opportunities You can reach Corey and his mission by going to www.217recovery.com. The post Episode #200 -Friday The Check Up- Reaching Out appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Early on in my sobriety, I had a friend who would not let go of a particular feeling of being wronged. She suffered daily, over the course of 2-3 weeks. Gradually she stopped going to meetings and stopped coming to the Alano Club. I remember learning one Friday night that she was out with some “old playmates”.  I tried to speak with my friend, but she did not want to hear all the reasons she had to be grateful. She seemed to prefer the needless suffering over something out of her control. I finally said to her, “maybe you should go get drunk.” Do you know what? That was the only advice she was willing to take. Fortunately, she came to her senses in a couple of days and was able to make it back to AA. To my knowledge, she is sober to this very day. She was one of the lucky of the lucky ones The post Episode #199- Tuesday The Fix: Letting Go of Needless Suffering appeared first on Recovery Guy.

I am Responsible Responsible is a word that only responsible people want to accept. I know that sounds simplistic in its presentation, and it is meant to be. Those who are irresponsible have made an active choice to not accept what their role is in the things that occur to them. More specifically, in addiction, the individual who is addicted is the person responsible for their addiction. Until I am willing to realize I am my own worst enemy I will not recover. If I do have a period of sobriety, more often than not, it will be shallow and short lived. That has been my experience. You can disagree if you like but that would likely mean you are not being responsible. The post Episode #198 -Friday The Checkup – I am Responsible appeared first on Recovery Guy.

Today I am in studio with Justin B of Reco12. we are discussing his personal recovery, exchanging recovery ideas, and sharing how individuals can get in touch with him at Reco12.com. Justin is always willing to share his personal story as well as inviting sober people on as guests. Please reach out to him as a listener or a guest applicant. Go to www.reco12.com where you can email Justin from the website. The post Episode #197 -Tuesday The Fix – Others are the Key to Sobriety appeared first on Recovery Guy.