The Truth About Addiction Samantha

Welcome back to The Truth About Addiction! Today's episode features a special and recurring guest named Dr. David Wiss. He is a sober friend with a brilliant mind and is changing the conversation around nutrition and mental health. He also shares his unique approach to nutrition counseling, which takes the model of food first, body second and turns it on its head. Imagine a world where we learned to listen to and trust our bodies and let our relationship with food follow? This perspective shift is monumental---stay tuned. 
More About David:
Dr. David Wiss became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in 2013 and founded Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice of RDNs specializing in treating eating and substance use disorders. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Health with a minor in Health Psychology from UCLA. Dr. Wiss is a scientific author with over 20 peer-reviewed publications, a nutrition and health consultant, functional medicine practitioner, recovery coach, and passionate educator. Learn more about the intersection of nutrition and mental health at Wise Mind Nutrition, where you can learn about his revolutionary mobile app, available for download today.



David Wiss, Ph.D., MS, RDN
https://linktr.ee/drdavidwiss
2001 S. Barrington Ave #101
Los Angeles, CA 90025
cell: (310) 403-1874
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Today's episode touches on some highly sensitive but really important topics--domestic abuse, relapse, and death to name a few. It is a story that must be told so the shame and stigma of violence and addiction loses its power over us individually and as a collective. Part one of Amy's story describes how it all began---the addiction, the rock bottom, and the journey into early sobriety. Stay tuned for Part two, where we discover what was behind the curtain of her tumultuous marriage and how she has survived abuse, loss and single parenting. 

More About my:

Amy Davis is a sober single mother and interior designer. After spending her twenties and early thirties partying, she realized she would never live up to her full potential nor have her “happily ever after” if she kept on the same path.  And on the outside it looked like she found it.  But behind closed doors it quickly became a marriage fueled by domestic violence, drug and alcohol addition, financial secrecy, pathological behavior, and extreme familial enablement.  After fleeing her marriage with their three year old daughter during covid, she navigated the often unfair and very expensive world of family law using every dollar she had with the support of her family and friends to secure full custody, never giving up hope he would find sobriety and peace.  But one month after her divorce was finalized, her ex-husband died from a drug overdose exposing widespread financial deception and enablement, leaving her and her daughter drowning in devastating grief, loss, and confusion.  Catapulted back into the legal worlds of family law and estate and probate law, the past 15 months have been very dark, but time and healing, have allowed light to pierce that darkness giving way to moments of joy and excitement for the unknown inspite of difficulties. She is learning that speaking up about her experience is taking away her story’s power over her while also helping others.  Amy is passionate about de-stigmatizing the taboo topic of domestic violence which often victim-blames and bringing awareness to how dangerous, and sometimes deadly, enablement is when it comes to both domestic and substance abuse.  She is also learning that “Happily Ever After” has nothing to do with what is on the outside, but everything to do with one’s own character, honor, morality, ethics, self-love, self-respect, and self-forgiveness. 
Support the show#thetruthaboutaddiction
#sobriety
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Welcome back to The Truth About Addiction!

Today I interview RJ Elizarraz, a man who seemingly lost everything more than once only to build back a life beyond his wildest dreams. It is a remarkable story, and a testament to how our message can truly become our message. 

RJ grew up in the Conejo valley region of southern California just north of Los Angeles. He was raised in a healthy environment by loving and successful parents. By the time he was 17, he had been expelled from several high schools. 2 years later, he was a full time drug addict. Over the next decade, a long slow drug induced decline finally ended in homelessness. When he finally hit bottom, his friends had given up on him and his family was exhausted. He turned his life around by doing everything his mind to told him to resist. He opened himself up to a new way of living. He sought out others who had gotten clean & sober and followed their advice. He joined a 12 step program and made it his number one priority. In the process, a miracle occurred in his life. His old sense of self obsession gave way to a new purpose of helping others. He became completely committed to seeing others recover the way he did. His first venture was a high structure men’s sober living. The success of that home lead to a women’s sober living. And then a third sober living which consists of 3 houses on one property - all gender specific. He now oversees the operation of 5 sober living homes in the Agoura/Westlake/Thousand Oaks area. To give even more help to people who are struggling with mental health and addiction issues, he opened a PHP/IOP treatment center in Agoura/Westlake. RJ’s continuing mission is to provide more and better support to people struggling with addiction and mental health problems.

Stick around for an incredible conversation!
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Welcome back to The Truth About Addiction! Today's episode is a rich conversation with a sober friend and colleague in the wellness space, Gwen Dittmar. We dive into the nuances of every day living, including co-parenting post-divorce, living with inflammation in the body, and protecting the sacred nature of our energy field. No wellness path is off limits---therapy, 12 step programs, breath work, energy healing---when it comes to our sanity and serenity. 

More about Gwen:

Integrating an 18-year career in pharmaceutical and biotech research and consulting, with a lifetime of soul seeking and training after a near death experience at age 14, Gwen’s clients learn to use all of the human revolution for soul evolution.

Gwen integrates a Masters in Spiritual Psychology and certifications in Professional Coaching, Quantum Human Design, Usui Reiki Mastery, Breathwork, and Shamanic Energy Medicine in her work with high-achieving professionals seeking their next level. 

Through private and group coaching, breathwork training, Gwen supports founders, executives, and teams at Whole 30, Viacom, CBS, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Under Armor, Tone It Up, mindbodygreen and more. 
If you would like to experience Gwen’s work, sign up for her newsletter and join her virtual community to tap into the medicine that is most aligned for you. You can also follow along on Gwen’s podcast, the Beautiful Grit, Instagram @gwendittmar, and her website gwendittmar.com to join deeper group and private containers for the healing, connection, levity, and inspiration you deeply desire.

https://gwen-dittmar-consulting-inc.mn.co/share/r5mW8f2fbqb5whdZ 

https://gwen-dittmar-consulting-inc.mn.co/share/r5mW8f2fbqb5whdZ
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Welcome back to The Truth About Addiction. Today I get brutally honest about the recent "co-dependency bottom" I hit and what it is forcing me to look at. My dear friend and recovery buddy, Lauren Clayton, take a deep dive into nervous system regulation, inner child work, and ACA-yet another 12 step program that tackles childhood trauma with a beautiful and imperative mix of science, psychotherapy and soulfulness.

The discussion diverges from my normal format-rather than interview someone on a specific topic they are reckoning with in recovery, Lauren and I have a back and forth discussion about the teachings and learnings we have gone through (and are currently going through) to get honest about what hurts, where it comes from, and what we can do about it. 

This talk is not just for the addict-it's for anyone who grew up in or is currently surrounded by dysfunction. It is hopeful and heartfelt. Enjoy!
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     Today's conversation is with one of my husband's dear friends and business partners Larry Miceli. Larry, owner of LM Auto Wholesale, has more than 91/2 year sober from drugs and alcohol. He has also spent the last 30 years in automotive wholesale.
     Larry has not only built a beautiful life in recovery but also built a $30 million business from a $2000 bankroll--more on that in today's episode.  From addiction to recovery and betrayal to forgiveness, Larry has built a life beyond his wildest dreams. With hard work and a great client base, Larry has fostered and retained meaningful long term relationships in both his personal and professional life. Despite some setbacks, he knows he is blessed beyond measure and dare he say it, pretty darn good at what he does.



Support the show#thetruthaboutaddiction
#sobriety
#the12steps
#recovery
#therapy
#mentalhealth
#podcasts
#emotionalsobriety
#soberliving
#sobermindset
#spirituality
#spiritualgrowth
#aa
#soberlife
#mindfulness
#wellness
#wellnessjourney