TheWillpowerPodcast

Lost & Found: From Teen Drinking to 24 Years Clean | My Conversation with Jess Lopez

Hey everyone, Will here. Today's episode is terrific. I sat down with Jess Lopez, who's got 24 years sober and now helps others find their way to recovery. Her story starts like many of ours - first drink as a young teenager, living a double life in high school, and trying to keep it all together until it fell apart. Luckily, she was smart enough to catch it early! Unlike many of us.What made this conversation powerful was how Jess opened up about stuff we all struggle with:- That moment when withdrawal symptoms make you realize "this is real"- Having to "cocoon" herself from the world to get sober- Losing family to alcoholism and deciding to break that cycle- Learning how to actually live life without the bottleWe get deep into:- Why it's so hard to be vulnerable without alcohol- The real challenges of early sobriety- Finding joy after putting down the drink- Why cookie-cutter recovery programs don't work for everyoneChapters00:00 Introduction to Jess Lopez02:46 Early Experiences with Alcohol06:30 High School and the Escalation of Drinking09:37 Recognizing the Problem14:34 The Turning Point19:04 Cocooning and Self-Discovery24:21 Supportive Relationships and New Beginnings30:19 The Ongoing Journey of Sobriety33:35 Navigating Vulnerability and Alcohol's Role35:54 The Journey to Recovery Coaching39:44 Building a Supportive Recovery Environment43:36 Understanding Emotions in Sobriety48:38 Finding Joy and Self-Compassion52:18 The Shift Towards Openness in Recovery56:39 Integrating Healing and Self-Discovery01:01:39 The Importance of Individualized Approaches01:11:34 Connecting with Jess Lopez and ResourcesFor those of you wondering if you can live a full life without alcohol, or if you're early in recovery and feeling lost - this episode is for you. Jess brings both personal experience and professional insight as a recovery coach.Trust me, if you're anywhere on the recovery journey - whether just thinking about it or years in - you'll want to hear what Jess has to say about finding your way to a life beyond alcohol.New episodes drop weekly. Hit subscribe so you don't miss the conversation that might just change your life.Come Follow Jess!https://www.instagram.com/mysobersunrise/https://mysobersunrise.com/And if you haven't yet, come follow along with me on Instagram where I post daily. https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

”More Expression, Less Suppression” : The ’Candid Life Coach’ Tells All

🎙️In today's unconventional episode, I sit down with Haley, a brutally honest life coach who transformed her sex addiction into a mission of helping others heal. If you're struggling with addiction, self-worth, or just feeling lost - this conversation might just be the one that puts it all together for you.⚠️ Editing disclaimer: My cuts are about as smooth as my first attempt at sobriety 😅 But hey, we're all about progress over perfection here! 🔗 Follow Haley @thecandidlifecoachhttps://www.instagram.com/thecandidlifecoach/🎧 Follow TheWillpowerPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/#addiction #recovery #healing #sobriety #mentalhealthawareness #coaching #podcast #sober #transformation 🙏

High Functioning Until I Wasn’t: A Young Professional’s Wake-Up Call

To the woman who has it all together at work but falls apart with that first drink - this episode is your permission slip to imagine a different way. Sydney's story shows us how to build success that doesn't require a drink to celebrate it.Sydney had the career. The success. The perfect-on-paper life.But in private? She was losing herself glass by glass, reflection by reflection,until the woman in the mirror became a stranger.In this bravely relatable conversation, Sydney shares:• The moment she realized being a "master manipulator" was destroying her from the inside• What happens when your "functional" drinking stops being functional• How she transformed her relationship with herself for the betterBut the real power of Sydney's story? It's not about what she lost.It's about what she found:Clarity. Self-love. Real connection.And a life that doesn't need a drink to be lived fully.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to Sydney's Journey07:19 The Escalation of Alcoholism14:01 The Illusion of Control19:55 Rock Bottom and the Turning Point25:09 Embracing Sobriety and Community29:56 Transformative Changes Post-Sobriety35:02 Finding a Higher Power38:52 Embracing Vulnerability and Community47:36 Looking Ahead: Future AspirationsFollow Sydney for more inspirationhttps://www.instagram.com/dry.spirits/Remember: You don't have to hit rock bottom to start climbing.Your story isn't over. It's just getting to the good part. #SoberLife #RecoveryPodcast #AddictionRecovery #SoberCurious #SoberNYC #TheWillpowerPodcast #MentalHealth #WomenInRecovery #SoberMovement #recoveryispossible Come follow me on Instagram where I post a lot of extra stuff!https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

🎙️ Breaking Generational Trauma: Healing, Recovery, and Creating a New Legacy with Mano O'Kane

Join us for a profound conversation with Romano "Mano" O'Kane as he shares his journey of breaking free from the cycle of generational trauma and addiction.
From growing up in an environment shaped by trauma, addiction, and suicide; to becoming an advocate for healing and recovery, Mano's story shows how one person's courage to change can impact generations to come.
🔍 In This Episode: Understanding generational trauma Breaking the cycle of family addiction
                                 Finding healing through community Building a new legacy
                                 The power of vulnerability and change
Key Moments
00:00 - Introduction to Mano's Story
02:33 - Childhood and Family Struggles
05:45 - The Impact of Addiction on Youth
08:31 - Generational Trauma and Cultural Context
11:01 - The Descent into Substance Abuse
13:54 - Criminal Activities and Seeking Validation
16:29 - Turning Point: Violence and Realizations
19:33 - Meeting the Partner: A New Hope
22:15 - Struggles with Addiction and Isolation
25:00 - The Path to Recovery and Self-Discovery
26:07 - Struggles with Addiction and the Turning Point
30:47 - The Journey to Recovery and Community Support
33:00 - Transformation and New Perspectives
35:09 - Advocacy and Raising Awareness
35:23 - Inspiration and Moving Forward
Connect with Mano!
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/manookane/
https://www.instagram.com/lockstockand2jokingaddicts/
Podcast: Lock Stock & 2 Joking Addicts Website:
https://lockstockand2jokingaddicts.com/
#GenerationalHealing #Recovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #Addiction #PersonalGrowth #IrishPodcast #RecoveryPodcast #SobrietyJourney #mentalhealthawareness https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

Two Regular Guys Expose the Alcohol Lie | Honest Truth About Getting Sober

Welcome to TheWillpowerPodcast, and today I'm sitting down with my new friend John (@jbuckofficial) for the kind of raw conversation I wish I'd heard back when I was still telling myself I was "fine." Here's the truth: Two years ago, I was literally weeks away from death. My drinking had destroyed my liver so badly that doctors gave me two weeks to live without an emergency transplant. And I STILL didn't think I had a "real" problem. Yeah – let that sink in. It took a liver transplant followed by a kidney transplant to wake me up. That's what alcohol is capable of.. My buddy John's story hits different but just as hard. On paper, he had it all – beautiful family, great life – but alcohol almost took every bit of it away. Today, we get real about what it's like to be that guy who looks like he's holding it all together while everything's actually falling apart. Look, we're not here to preach. We're just two regular guys who pushed it way too far before admitting something had to change. In this episode, we talk about: - How we convinced ourselves we were "functional" (spoiler: we weren't) - The lies we told ourselves (and our loved ones) - What it took to finally face reality (in my case, almost dying) - How John saved his family by choosing sobriety - The unexpected awesome stuff that came after quitting If you're that person who's starting to wonder if maybe, just maybe, drinking isn't working for you anymore – whether you're having three beers a night or hiding bottles – this one's for you. You don't have to wait until you're where I was, or until you're about to lose everything like John almost did. Follow John's journey on Instagram @jbuckofficial You can also follow me there too @TheWillpowerPodcast Drop a comment or hit subscribe if any of this hits home. Trust me, there's a way better life waiting on the other side of "just one more." https://www.instagram.com/jbuckofficial/ #SoberCurious #QuitDrinking #SoberLife #RecoveryStory #TheWillpowerPodcast #soberjourney https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

Having Faith in your Recovery: Motherhood, Sobriety, and Finding Purpose

🎙️ Welcome to The Willpower Podcast, where we dive deep into real stories of transformation and hope.In this powerful episode, I sit down with the inspiring Stephanie Ziebell (@radiantinbattle) for an honest conversation about the intersections of parenthood, addiction, and the journey to authenticity. From the depths of alcohol dependency to the heights of creative awakening, Stephanie's story reminds us that our darkest moments can lead to our greatest purpose.🔍 What you'll discover:How sobriety unleashes creativity and builds genuine communityThe raw truth about parenting through recoveryWhy Gen Z's relationship with alcohol gives us hopeFinding your tribe in recovery (including Celebrate Recovery insights)Transforming social media from a trigger to a tool for healing⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Meeting Stephanie: A Story of Transformation03:05 Sobriety's Creative Awakening05:49 The Reality of Alcohol Dependency09:09 The Decision That Changed Everything11:54 Motherhood Through Sober Eyes14:51 Gen Z's Alcohol Revolution17:56 Building Community Through Social Media23:15 Celebrate Recovery's Impact25:51 Finding Your Recovery Family29:52 Faith, Community & Growth34:37 Relationships in Recovery39:00 Looking Forward with Hope🎯 Whether you're sober curious, in recovery, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers genuine insights and hope for the journey ahead.👉 Follow Stephanie: @radiantinbattlehttps://www.instagram.com/radiantinbattle/🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes dropping weekly!https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/#TheWillpowerPodcast #SoberLife #RecoveryPodcast #SoberParenting #MentalHealth #Recovery #SoberCommunity #PersonalDevelopment #Transformation #hope Remember to like, subscribe, and share if this resonates with you. Your story matters. 🙏

A Quick Health Update & Thank You - The Reality of Recovery

Hey everyone, In this brief episode, I'm sharing an honest update about my recent Emergency Room stay, what led to it, and expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible medical team who cared for me. Thankfully, I'm now recovering at home and wanted to connect with our community to share this part of my journey.This podcast has always been about real conversations around sobriety, and today's no different - just adding hospitals gowns to the mix. If you're new here, welcome. We're building a community where authentic discussions about recovery and personal growth happen every week. Consider subscribing to join our growing family of truth-seekers and change-makers.Stay strong, stay real.-Will#SoberLife #Recovery #PersonalGrowth #WillpowerPodcast

Why Sobriety Fails: A Psychologist’s Guide to Breaking the Cycle | Dr. Brian Licuanan

I'm incredibly excited to bring you this powerful conversation with Dr. Brian Licuanan, a leading expert in addiction and recovery.🎬 EPISODE BREAKDOWN:00:00 Rock Bottom to Breakthrough: Where It All Begins02:55 Beyond Just Quitting: The Truth About Real Sobriety05:58 Your Recovery Squad: Why You Can't Do This Alone09:01 Family Intervention: The Talk Nobody Wants (But Everyone Needs)12:08 Crystal Clear: Breaking Down Meth Addiction14:59 Trauma, DNA & Addiction: The Science Behind Your Struggles24:32 Finding Yourself: The Ultimate Recovery Journey26:30 Mental Health & Substance Use: The Hidden Connection30:20 Love, Life & Recovery: How Relationships Change Everything32:35 Why Recovery Changes Your Entire Game38:34 Real Talk: The Hard Parts Nobody Mentions43:20 From Talk to Action: Making Change Stick47:06 Next Level You: Building Your Future in Recovery50:20 The Light at the End: Your Path to Freedomhttps://www.instagram.com/drlicuanan/In this raw and honest discussion, we dive deep into:• Why just "staying dry" isn't enough for true recovery• The hidden role trauma plays in addiction (that nobody talks about)• What family members get wrong when trying to help• How genetics and mental health affect your recovery journey• The truth about support systems (and why some fail)https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/🎯 Dr. Licuanan drops some serious wisdom bombs like:"Sobriety is not only am I not engaging in the behavior...""You have to work it up, you have to go through the steps."Whether you're:• Just starting to question your relationship with substances• Struggling to stay sober• Supporting someone in recovery• Already on your journey but feeling stuck...this episode has real, actionable insights you can use today.Don't miss the segment on family dynamics at 09:01 - it might completely change how you view your recovery journey.⬇️ Drop a "💡" in the comments when you hear something that hits home.#AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #MentalHealth #TheWillpowerPodcast #RecoveryJourney #SoberCuriousFollow Dr. Brian https://drbrianlicuanan.com/https://www.instagram.com/drlicuanan/https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

Two Regular Guys Expose The Alcohol Lie

Welcome to TheWillpowerPodcast, and today I'm sitting down with my new friend John (@jbuckofficial) for the kind of raw conversation I wish I'd heard back when I was still telling myself I was "fine."Here's the truth: Two years ago, I was literally weeks away from death. My drinking had destroyed my liver so badly that doctors gave me two weeks to live without an emergency transplant. And I STILL didn't think I had a "real" problem. Yeah – let that sink in. It took a liver transplant followed by a kidney transplant to wake me up. That's what alcohol is capable of..My buddy John's story hits different but just as hard. On paper, he had it all – beautiful family, great life – but alcohol almost took every bit of it away. Today, we get real about what it's like to be that guy who looks like he's holding it all together while everything's actually falling apart.Look, we're not here to preach. We're just two regular guys who pushed it way too far before admitting something had to change. In this episode, we talk about:- How we convinced ourselves we were "functional" (spoiler: we weren't)- The lies we told ourselves (and our loved ones)- What it took to finally face reality (in my case, almost dying)- How John saved his family by choosing sobriety- The unexpected awesome stuff that came after quittingIf you're that person who's starting to wonder if maybe, just maybe, drinking isn't working for you anymore – whether you're having three beers a night or hiding bottles – this one's for you. You don't have to wait until you're where I was, or until you're about to lose everything like John almost did.Follow John's journey on Instagram @jbuckofficialYou can also follow me there too @TheWillpowerPodcast Drop a comment or hit subscribe if any of this hits home. Trust me, there's a way better life waiting on the other side of "just one more."https://www.instagram.com/jbuckofficial/#SoberCurious #QuitDrinking #SoberLife #RecoveryStory #TheWillpowerPodcast #soberjourney https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

TheWillpowerPodcast: Surviving a Wedding Sober

In this episode, I share my recent experience attending a wedding completely sober. From the moment I arrived to the last dance, I'll take you through the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected joys of celebrating without alcohol.Whether you're sober curious or years into your journey, this episode will inspire you to embrace life's big moments - alcohol-free.#soberlife