The Rock Bottom Podcast

Patrick Sullivan Jr. & Ashley Leroux

Welcome to The Rock Bottom Podcast presented by Jigsaw Health—where we share health horror stories that inspire. Each episode, we explore raw, unfiltered journeys of survival—experiences that will inspire, educate, and remind you that no matter how low you feel, there’s always a way up

  1. 3d ago

    From Stroke Survivor to NBA Mindset Coach: Coach Dar | Ep25

    Coach Dar was just 25 years old when a chiropractic neck adjustment led to a stroke that changed the course of her life. One moment she was treating traumatic brain injury and stroke patients at a world-renowned hospital — the next, she became the patient herself. Doctors told her she could die at any moment if the blood clot in her brain dislodged. She was warned not to run, not to get pregnant, and to completely rethink the future she had planned for herself. What followed were decades of rebuilding through chronic health struggles, emotional isolation, multiple strokes, and an intense drive to prove herself through work. Along the way, she became a healthcare executive and eventually found herself coaching elite athletes and executives at the highest levels of performance, including players within the Phoenix Suns organization. In this episode of The Rock Bottom Podcast, Coach Dar shares the terrifying details of her first stroke, what it felt like to believe she was watching herself die during her third stroke, and how those experiences shaped her philosophy on resilience, adversity, leadership, and purpose. She also opens up about the emotional toll of being told she could never have children, the failures she witnessed inside the healthcare system, and why people must become advocates for their own health. Coach Dar Website: https://www.coachdar.com Linktree: linktr.ee/thecoachdar Coach Dar's Book: a.co/d/eeOhKTl Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. Chapters 00:00 Coming Up This Episode 00:22 Podcast Intro: Coach Dar’s Story 01:06 Interview Begins: Welcome Coach Dar 02:15 The Chiropractic Adjustment That Changed Everything 03:24 Misdiagnosed Stroke & Torn Artery 05:27 “You Could Die Any Day” 08:02 Becoming a Healthcare Executive at 28 10:33 How She Started Coaching Elite Athletes 11:02 “I’ve Had Three Strokes Now” 14:16 The Third Stroke & “Watching Myself Die” 16:56 “When You Ask for Easy, You’re Almost Flatlining” 19:44 Did Mindset Push Her Too Far? 23:05 Living With the Fear of Another Stroke 26:03 The Emotional Cost of Being Told She Couldn’t Have Kids 29:06 Why You Must Advocate for Yourself in Healthcare 31:58 Dr. Donese Worden at the Hospital 33:28 Rebuilding Her Brain After Stroke 35:13 Fighting Insurance & Hospital Billing 40:40 Her Daily Self-Care & Recovery Routine 43:39 “Have a Friend for Every Decade” 45:16 Rock Bottom Score: “I was at a one” 46:46 The Blackberry Message That Changed Her Life 48:22 Life Now: “I’m at an eight or nine” Presented by: @JigsawHealthTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    52 min

  2. Jun 3

    Life with Stage 4 Endometriosis: Ashley Banek | Ep24

    After stopping birth control in her early 30s, Ashley Banek expected life to feel more natural and connected to her body. Instead, she began experiencing debilitating cycles, severe pain, vomiting, exhaustion, and symptoms so extreme they left her curled up on the bathroom floor for days at a time. Despite repeated attempts to get help, she says many medical professionals minimized her pain, dismissed her concerns, and pushed solutions that didn’t address the root issue. What followed was years of confusion, misdiagnosis, emergency situations, and major decisions about her future fertility. Ashley eventually discovered she had severe endometriosis that had spread extensively throughout her body, leading to a nine-hour surgery, conversations about organ removal, and the realization that she would need to become her own advocate inside a fragmented healthcare system. In this episode of The Rock Bottom Podcast, Ashley shares the emotional and physical toll of living with chronic illness, the fear and uncertainty surrounding endometriosis, and the long process of finding doctors who truly listened. She also opens up about how her experience inspired her to found Samara Health, a company focused on helping women navigate complex medical challenges with advocacy, support, and personalized care. Featured Guest: Ashley Banek Founder of Samara Health Website: https://www.samarahealth.com Instagram: @ashleybanek Samara Health Instagram: @samarahealth Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. Chapters 00:00 Coming Up This Episode 00:23 Podcast Intro: Ashley Banek’s Story 01:16 Interview Begins: Welcome Ashley 02:00 Going Off Birth Control & Early Symptoms 06:44 Cycles Become Debilitating 12:14 “Pain Was 10 Out of 10” 18:43 Medical Dismissal & Fighting to Be Heard 27:08 Emergency Health Complications Begin 41:37 Searching for a Surgeon Who Would Preserve Her Organs 42:38 Endometriosis & The Hysterectomy Conversation 58:10 The Emotional Toll of Chronic Illness 01:10:42 Becoming Her Own Advocate 01:29:19 Founding Samara Health 01:38:27 Rock Bottom Score: “Negative Hundreds” 01:38:48 Life Now: “I’m a Nine or a Ten” 01:40:08 Final Thoughts & Encouragement Presented by: @JigsawHealthTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    1h 41m

  3. May 20

    From Rock Producer to Healing Music: Barry Goldstein | Ep23

    Barry Goldstein spent years chasing his dream career in music. He became a Grammy-winning producer, worked with legends like Les Paul, and built a successful career in the music industry. But behind the scenes, the pressure of deadlines, nonstop studio sessions, anxiety, and burnout slowly turned the thing he loved most into something painful. In this episode of The Rock Bottom Podcast, Barry shares the moment everything shifted. After reaching a breaking point in the late 90s, he began experimenting with music in a completely different way, slowing his heart rate to 60 beats per minute and creating long-form soundscapes designed to quiet the analytical mind. What started as a personal experiment eventually evolved into decades of work exploring music, meditation, coherence, and healing. Barry explains how those early experiments led to collaborations with Dr. Joe Dispenza, Neale Donald Walsch, and others, along with live meditation events attended by thousands of people around the world. He also dives into the science behind music and brainwaves, “heart coherence,” creativity, stress, sleep, emotional regulation, and why he believes music can become a powerful tool for healing. The conversation also explores AI in music, improvisation and intuition, how creativity gets “unlearned” as we age, and Barry’s newest project: creating music-based emotional regulation tools for children. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. Chapters 00:00 Coming Up This Episode 00:23 Podcast Intro: Barry Goldstein’s Story 01:23 Interview Begins: Welcome Barry 03:43 When Music Became “Painful” 06:08 Discovering 60 BPM & Heart Coherence 07:20 “What If I Just Let The Music Flow Through Me?” 09:01 Music, Anxiety & Sleep Healing 12:20 The Four Body System Explained 14:48 Heart Coherence & “The Zone” 16:38 “My Pleasure Had Become My Poison” 20:10 Composing Music From Intuition 23:05 The Science of Entrainment 28:11 Music As Medicine (“Acousticeuticals”) 31:27 Music, Grief & Emotional Healing 34:38 Barry’s Weight Loss & Health Journey 37:18 Bringing Healing Music Into Pop Culture 42:04 Touring With Dr. Joe Dispenza 46:26 Creating Coherence In Live Audiences 50:15 Improvisation, Pressure & Performance 52:01 The “Wizard of Oz Voice” Conversation 58:05 Scoring Meditation Like Film 01:01:16 Barry’s Kids Emotional-Regulation Project 01:05:27 AI & The Future of Music Presented by: @JigsawHealthTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    1h 11m

  4. May 6

    Patient Advocacy & Life-Saving Questions: Dr. Donese Worden | Ep22

    Dr. Denise Worden already understood the importance of patient advocacy, but one hospital experience made it impossible to ignore just how critical it is. While advocating for her 92-year-old father in the hospital, she caught seven critical mistakes that could have cost him his life. Medications that had been discontinued were about to be administered. Vital details were missing from his chart. And in just 30 minutes away from his bedside, something went wrong. In this episode of The Rock Bottom Podcast, Dr. Worden shares her journey from early-career betrayal and a lawsuit that shook her trust, to becoming a fierce advocate for patients navigating a complex and often overwhelmed healthcare system. She introduces her philosophy of “Dare to Doubt,” a call to trust your intuition, ask better questions, and take an active role in your care. From real hospital scenarios to practical ways you can protect yourself or a loved one, this conversation is a powerful reminder: sometimes the most important voice in the room is yours. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. Chapters 00:00 Coming Up This Episode 00:23 Podcast Intro: Dr. Denise Worden 01:07 Interview Begins 02:54 Perspective from Treating Serious Illness 04:05 “Dare to Doubt” and Her Mother’s Story 06:20 Advocating for Her 92-Year-Old Father 07:03 The 7 Mistakes That Could Have Been Fatal 07:43 How Medical Errors Actually Happen 09:23 How to Speak Up and Ask the Right Questions 11:30 Practical Patient Advocacy Tips 16:20 Learning to Trust Your Intuition 20:02 Applying This to Cancer and Treatment Decisions 30:48 What Actually Matters Most for Healing 48:05 Sponsor + Outro Presented by: @JigsawHealthTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    49 min

  5. Apr 22

    Life with Gitelman Syndrome: Suzanne Dunn | Ep21

    Suzanne Dunn was just 19 years old and pregnant when her body began shutting down. She couldn’t walk. She was crawling. Her potassium levels dropped to a life-threatening 1.3—and doctors scrambled to stabilize her without fully understanding what was happening. What followed was decades of extreme fatigue, full-body cramping, heart palpitations, and a rare diagnosis that few in the medical system recognized: Gitelman Syndrome. In this episode of The Rock Bottom Podcast, Suzanne shares her long and difficult journey through misdiagnosis, repeated ER visits, and years of treatments that never fully worked. At one point, she spent over 50 days hospitalized in a single year—stuck in a cycle of temporary relief, only to crash again days later. She describes what it feels like when your electrolytes drop so low that your body begins to fail—and how frustrating it is to know something is wrong, but not be fully understood by the people trying to help you. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. Chapters 00:00 Coming Up This Episode 00:22 Podcast Intro: Suzanne Dunn’s Story 01:06 Interview Begins: Welcome Suzanne 01:23 What Is Gitelman Syndrome? 02:12 Life-Threatening Pregnancy & First Diagnosis 06:39 “I was crawling…” — Severe Symptoms Begin 07:13 Heart Palpitations, Delirium, and Electrolyte Crash 11:17 Magnesium Infusions & ER Reality 13:00 50 Days Hospitalized & Medical Frustration 14:05 The Magnesium Oxide Mistake 20:20 Tracking Labs & Finding Patterns 23:35 “I’m going to figure this out myself” 30:01 What Rock Bottom Felt Like 34:11 Rock Bottom Score: “I was at a one” 41:43 Life Now: “I’m at an eight” Presented by: @JigsawHealthTV Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    53 min

  6. Apr 1

    Chronic Illness, Inflammation & Ayurveda | Dr. Shivani Gupta

    Dr. Shivani Gupta was known as “the sick kid,” constantly battling infections and relying on antibiotics. By college, her health had deteriorated to the point where daily life felt impossible. In this episode, she shares how a breaking point led her to Ayurveda, where she rebuilt her health and now teaches others that symptoms aren’t random — they’re signals pointing to the root cause. Dr. Shivani Gupta is an Ayurvedic practitioner and turmeric researcher who helps women reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and boost energy with Elemental Design™, Mental Inflammation™ tools, and gut-forward routines. Her new book, The Inflammation Code (Hay House, February 2026), offers a clear, non-diet plan for cooling chronic inflammation. She hosts the Fusionary Health Podcast and created the Emmy-nominated TV show Vibrant Health with Dr. Shivani Gupta. More at shivanigupta.com. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shivanigupta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@TheShivaniGupta YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.shivanigupta/videos Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theshivanigupta Website: www.shivanigupta.com The Inflammation Code book: www.theinflammationcode.com  Fusionary Formulas: www.fusionaryformulas.com 7-Day Inflammation Detox Challenge: https://www.7dayinflammationdetox.com/optin1641313075014 Anti-Inflammatory E-Cookbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ItNJ1DV3XsOn5MwBbSpeTFH8o3KFu2qk/view?usp=sharing The Inflammation Code Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inflammation-code/id1680587836 Rock Bottom Podcast is sponsored by: @JigsawHealthTV Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therockbottom.podcast Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockbottom.podcast ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to the Rock Bottom Podcast 01:58 – Growing Up “The Sick Kid” 03:56 – Rock Bottom: Severely Ill in India 04:10 – Saying No to Another Prescription 05:08 – Discovering Ayurveda 06:54 – A Complete Health Transformation 08:17 – Bridging Eastern & Western Medicine 12:52 – Inflammation: The Root of Modern Symptoms 23:08 – “Tea Time is Me Time” & Nervous System Health 27:11 – What Inflammation Actually Feels Like 34:25 – Turmeric, Gut Health & Healing 43:44 – Your Body Isn’t Broken 47:50 – Where to Start Your Healing Journey

    57 min

  7. Mar 18

    The Female Athlete Triad, Hashimoto’s & Healing | Dr. Maddie Wagner

    As a teenager and professional ballet dancer, Dr. Maddie Wagner struggled with the female athlete triad — an eating disorder, over-exercise, and losing her menstrual cycle for years. At just 17 years old, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and PCOS, beginning a long and confusing journey through medications, symptoms, and searching for answers. Her real rock bottom came later — after years of treatment that left her feeling worse, multiple injuries including ACL surgery, and the realization that the conventional approach wasn’t addressing the root cause. Through diet changes, addressing gut health, stress management, and a shift in mindset, Dr. Maddie slowly rebuilt her health and ultimately became a chiropractor focused on helping others do the same. In this episode, we discuss: • The female athlete triad and why it’s so common in young athletes • Hashimoto’s and PCOS diagnoses in teenagers • Why many treatments only address symptoms • The connection between gut health and autoimmune conditions • Stress, sleep, and environmental triggers like mold • Why Maddie believes “the body doesn’t make mistakes” Featured Guest: Dr. Maddie Wagner Chiropractor & Functional Health Practitioner Co-Owner, The Wellness Way – North Scottsdale Website: https://thewellnesswaynorthscottsdale.com Instagram: @thewellnessway.northscottsdale Chapters0:00 Intro 0:23 Maddie’s Health Story Begins 1:29 Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s & PCOS at 17 3:22 The Female Athlete Triad Explained 5:13 When Treatment Made Symptoms Worse 8:56 Questioning the Diagnosis 11:20 Getting Off Medication 13:06 Diet Changes & Thyroid Antibodies Disappear 16:14 Treating Symptoms vs Root Cause 18:12 Life as a Professional Ballet Dancer 19:31 ACL Injury Ends Her Dance Career 22:02 Symptoms Continue in Her 20s 24:07 Second Knee Surgery & Recovery 26:08 Anxiety, Faith & Mental Healing 29:14 What Rock Bottom Felt Like 31:03 How She Rebuilt Her Health 33:28 Root Causes of Thyroid Issues 36:03 Stress, Gut Health & Mold Exposure 37:01 Stress Management Habits 39:23 Healing Gut Issues 41:37 “The Body Doesn’t Make Mistakes” 44:27 Why Healing Stories Matter 46:00 Changing Habits & Lifestyle 47:44 Where to Find Dr. Maddie Wagner Presented by:  @JigsawHealthTV  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    50 min

  8. Mar 4

    Fit, Healthy… Still Empty? When Fitness Became an Idol: Alisa Keeton | Ep18

    Alisa Keeton is the founder of Revelation Wellness, a global nonprofit equipping thousands of health and fitness professionals to pursue wholeness in body, mind, and spirit. A longtime fitness leader, author, and speaker, Alisa built a thriving career helping others transform their bodies. From the outside, she looked like the picture of health — disciplined, successful, and in control. But beneath the surface, she was carrying the weight of a turbulent upbringing, a fractured sense of identity, and a marriage that nearly ended in its first year. Fitness had become both her refuge and her idol. Her rock bottom didn’t look like collapse — it looked like success. After confronting the internal emptiness that external control couldn’t fix, Alisa began exploring a deeper integration of biology and belief. In this conversation, she shares how chronic stress reshapes the brain, why “it’s never just about the food,” and how nervous system regulation, small daily habits, and silence may support lasting change. What emerged from that journey was Revelation Wellness — a movement now spanning more than 4,000 instructors worldwide, helping people shift from chasing weight loss to gaining true health. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your health routine. Featured Guest: Alisa Keeton Founder of Revelation Wellness Author & Fitness Professional Website: https://www.revelationwellness.org Instagram: @alisakeeton and @revelationwellness CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Without truth: obsession or neglect 00:23 – Episode introduction: Alisa Keeton’s story 00:45 – Medical disclaimer 01:02 – Growing up watching body shame at home 02:05 – Formula, processed food & the 60s health shift 02:48 – Yo-yo dieting and childhood resolve 03:33 – The 1985 aerobics moment at 14 06:58 – Exercise as nervous system regulation 09:15 – When fitness became identity 10:13 – Pride, comparison & diet culture in the 80s 11:16 – Early fitness career & weight loss “math” 12:04 – Why people can’t stick to diets 12:30 – Picture of health, marriage on the rocks 17:07 – Hitting relational rock bottom 18:38 – The woman at the well moment 23:04 – Building Revelation Wellness 33:36 – “It’s never about the food” 34:36 – What workout is best for longevity? 37:18 – Vanity vs ability 38:22 – Why no one teaches us to listen to ourselves 40:42 – Community vs isolation in healing 42:32 – Chronic stress reshapes the brain 44:34 – Orbitofrontal cortex & changing habits 45:58 – Why extreme diets fail 46:49 – Gaining health vs losing weight 47:20 – Tiny habits & sustainable change Presented by:  @JigsawHealthTV  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Zpj6O04BDznHju7zG8ErR?si=bc40afcbe5b145c1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rock-bottom-podcast/id1809787645 Do you have a health horror story that inspires? Apply to be a guest on the podcast: https://forms.gle/aqwJVZXAFFjnyTyS8

    59 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Rock Bottom Podcast presented by Jigsaw Health—where we share health horror stories that inspire. Each episode, we explore raw, unfiltered journeys of survival—experiences that will inspire, educate, and remind you that no matter how low you feel, there’s always a way up

Information

  • Creator
    Patrick Sullivan Jr. & Ashley Leroux
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patrick Sullivan Jr. & Ashley Leroux
  • Show Website
    The Rock Bottom Podcast

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