Addict II Athlete Podcast

Today Coach Blu talks to Athlete Judy Berrocal as she brings her life experience of turning a mess into a powerful message. Her story is powerful and her ability to be accountable for herself to become a power hitter in the addiction recovery industry.

www.AddictToAthlete.org https://www.patreon.com/addicttoathlete

In this episode of the Addict to Athlete podcast, Coach Blu Robinson welcomes Rob Archuleta, a licensed addiction counselor and co-founder of Addict 2 Athlete. They discuss their shared journeys from addiction to recovery, the founding of their respective organizations, and the importance of exercise in the recovery process. Rob shares his personal story of overcoming addiction, the challenges he faced with traditional recovery models, and the transformative power of movement and community support. The conversation emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and adaptable approach to recovery, highlighting the significance of love, courage, and conviction in the healing process. In this conversation, Rob Archuleta and Blu Robinson explore the transformative power of running and endurance sports in the context of addiction recovery. They discuss the emotional breakthroughs experienced through physical activity, the stigma surrounding addiction, and the importance of connection and community in the recovery process. The conversation also touches on the holistic approach to recovery, emphasizing life skills and personal growth beyond addiction. Rob shares his journey of writing a book aimed at helping others navigate treatment and recovery, highlighting the significance of sharing stories and experiences.

takeaways

• Rob Archuleta has a PhD in advanced studies in human behavior.
• Addict to Athlete was founded in 2009 to support those in recovery through exercise.
• Rob struggled with traditional 12-step meetings and sought alternative methods for recovery.
• Exercise played a crucial role in Rob's recovery journey, helping him overcome anhedonia.
• The importance of community support in the recovery process is emphasized.
• Rob's grandmother's passing was a pivotal moment in his decision to pursue sobriety.
• The conversation challenges the notion of powerlessness in addiction recovery.
• Rob believes that the conviction gained in addiction can be redirected towards positive pursuits.
• The need for recovery models to evolve with societal changes is highlighted.
• Both hosts agree on the importance of self-love and acceptance in the recovery journey. Running can lead to profound emotional breakthroughs.

Chapters

Website- Addict to Athlete, Inc. – A Peer Driven Support Group Focusing on Active Recovery

Book- https://www.amazon.com/Suffer-Well-Inspiration-Determination-Perspiration/dp/B0DSV9XB3F?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Insta- @sufferwell2025

Please join Addict to Athlete’s Patreon support page and help us turn the mess of addiction into the message of sobriety!

https://www.patreon.com/addicttoathlete

Please visit our website for more information on Team Addict to Athlete and Addiction Recovery Podcasts.

https://www.AddictToAthlete.org

Join the Team! Circle, our new social support event, along with the team and athlete communication platform, is designed to help us break free from doom scrolling and shadow banning and foster stronger connections among us.

Follow the link, download the app, and start this new chapter of Team AIIA!

Join Circle

https://a2a.circle.so/join?invitation_token=16daaa0d9ecd7421d384dd05a461464ce149cc9e-63d4aa30-1a67-4120-ae12-124791dfb519

STAGES OF LOVE

1. Falling in love 2. Falling out of love and 3. Learning how to love and be loved

Building Blocks of a Great Relationship

1. Trust. Our first essential task, according to Erickson’s theory of the psychosocial stages of life, involves trust versus mistrust. It should be no surprise that our first goal in life is to master trust, since that is the basis for all of our relationships moving forward. For many of us, our earliest experiences have been positive enough to allow us to adopt a trusting attitude. Some, though, have great difficulty with this, perhaps as a result of instability, inconsistency, invasion of boundaries, or even actual threat of harm or alienation. Mistrust can manifest in isolation and avoidance of intimacy.

2. Commitment. Once trust is established, our focus shifts to a decision about whom we will invite to share ourselves and our lives with; those to whom we will commit our full attention, time, and energy. Commitment is reserved for only those people who have proven that they are capable of sticking around for the long haul and are ready, willing, and able to share themselves with us, and to have us do the same. Think loyalty.

3. Intimacy. This means that we care enough and are comfortable enough to share all aspects of ourselves. We feel the desire to open our soul to someone who cares enough about us to understand and support us fully in most everything we do. Intimacy implies vulnerability: We are willing to show parts of ourselves we are not so sure about—our weaknesses, our neuroses, and the things we like least about ourselves. We feel down deep that the ones we choose to have in our lives know us and accept us, warts and all.

4. Respect. The word literally means “regard,” or “to look back at.” Interesting, since most of us would probably say that respect has come to mean a kind of veneration—having a deep reverence for someone or something. And certainly, those with whom we are most intimate deserve this, as do we. But the origin of the word shows us something very different. When it comes to an intimate relationship, it’s about the mutual mirroring of emotions, feelings, and beliefs. Respect says, “What I see in you I hold as just as important as what I see in myself.”

5. Communication. This can mean any kind of transmission between people, including non-verbal. We are all too familiar with times when our communication seems to be at cross-purposes. People are talking, but not really listening; their own agenda is far too important to include someone else’s. Good communication is facilitated by trust, commitment, and respect. We communicate in a healthy relationship for a common purpose; which also, by the way, is what the word actually means. We are trying to express how we feel and what we believe in, and we need to do so in an environment that is safe, supportive, accepting, and loving; one that is totally free of judgment, criticism, alienation, and anguish.

6. Empathy. In essence, empathy means being able to feel and understand, as well as anyone can feel and understand anyone other than themselves. And it means being able to walk in someone else’s shoes. Once you intimately understand and experience another, the ability to feel what they feel (as close to the way they actually feel it), to know what they’re thinking (almost reading their mind), and to understand how they process what is happening to them becomes easier.

7. Forgiveness

Even when your partner does something that upsets you, you must be willing to forgive them. This doesn’t mean you have to forget it, but you must be able to discuss what happened and move on after an apology and some time has passed.

8. Autonomy

You may love your time with your spouse but wish to spend time with others. When you want to do your own thing sometimes, this is called autonomy and it is something that must be present in a relationship.

Keep in mind that while you get to do the things you want, your partner must also be able to. This keeps everything fair.

Today coach Blu interviews Utah State Legislator, Brad Daw, about public service, getting involved, making change, and advocating for the people. Listen as they discuss Utah's move to help those in recovery from Medicaid for the incarcerated to Medical Marijuana. This is an informative podcast on how to make change using the voice of the people.

Help us continue to create podcasts and YouTube videos by becoming a Patreon Supporter.

John Shea shares his story of addiction and now recovery. John had a chaotic childhood that was extremely unstable. This and other mental health challenges led to years of a substance use disorder. He is proud to be sober and found exercise and fitness helps his recovery. He found Addict II Athlete a few years ago and became a certified Recovery Coach and hopes to apply his training helping vets in New York where he resides. Living with addiction can be incredibly challenging, but it is possible to overcome addiction and build a fulfilling, meaningful life. Here are some tips for addressing addiction problems and learning to love life again:

1. Seek professional help: Addiction is a complex issue, and it often requires professional help to overcome. Whether you choose to work with a therapist, attend support groups, or seek medical treatment, getting help is an essential step in the recovery process.
2. Build a support network: Surrounding yourself with supportive people can make a big difference in overcoming addiction. Whether it's friends, family, or members of a support group, having people who understand what you are going through and can offer encouragement and support can be incredibly helpful.
3. Find healthy coping mechanisms: Many people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with stress or other challenges. Finding healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, meditation, or creative activities, can help you manage stress and build resilience without turning to substances.
4. Set goals and stay focused: Setting specific goals and working towards them can be a powerful motivator in overcoming addiction. It can help you stay focused on the positive changes that you are making and give you a sense of purpose and direction in life.
5. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential in overcoming addiction and building a fulfilling life. This can include eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Remember, overcoming addiction is a process that takes time and effort. But with the right mindset, support, and tools, it is possible to break free from addiction and live a life that you love.