From Addiction to Achievement
A comeback story
👋Hello, my friend! I’ve got three things to share with you today:
The latest episode of the Intentional Wisdom podcast
Some thoughts on addiction
A few pieces of content that have really impacted me recently
Let’s do it!
Ep.16 - Louie Ruvolo - The Long Road to Sobriety
I came across Louie Ruvolo a few months back on Twitter. I was struck by his positivity and the amazing athletic feats he was achieving at 58 years-old—including becoming a first-time Ironman triathlete and running a 100-mile Ultra marathon.
Then I learned that Louie’s story was even more interesting. It turns out that he had battled alcoholism from his teens to his mid-30’s. His addiction was so severe that it cost him his marriage, countless relationships, and almost, his life. Fortunately, with the help of friends and AA, Louie won his battle with alcoholism. He’s not only been sober for 20 years, but he’s now setting new personal records athletically on a regular basis—in his late-50’s! Louie and I discussed all of this and more in this conversation. If you know anyone who is struggling with addiction, I’d be grateful if you would consider sharing this with them. I have a simple goal: To help just one person. I think Louie’s story has the power to show someone who is struggling that change is possible. I hope they get to hear it.
Thoughts on addiction
I’ve considered writing about addiction in the past but I’ve shied away from it because of worries about coming off as disingenuous. I’m lucky in that I’ve not personally struggled with addiction in the areas we commonly associate with the word—namely, drugs and alcohol.
But I don’t need to look far to find it. I’ll bet you are the same. Chances are, if you have not personally struggled with addiction, then someone close to you has. A family member. A friend. A colleague. And you’ve seen the destruction it can cause to those suffering and those around them. Lives destroyed. Families torn apart. It’s so damn sad.
I wish had answers. I don’t. The best I know how to do is to shine a light on the stories of others who have found their way through somehow. People like Louie. People like Rich Roll (see content section below). I like to believe there is something really helpful and maybe even inspiring in seeing examples of people who have hit rock bottom and subsequently risen to incredible levels of success in different realms.
It seems like one common factor among those who ultimately recover is that they are able to see that they are heading down a path that will likely end very badly. And there is something inside of them—a flame—no matter how faint, that still burns, and still longs to be healthy.
Another common factor seems to be that it is very difficult to conquer addiction alone. At some point, addicts need to surrender. Many of them are smart—maybe even too smart for their own good. They can hide their addictions for years or even decades. But it seems that lasting recovery cannot truly begin until they stop resisting. Until they surrender. And they put their lives in the hands of someone else—or something greater. Maybe that’s God. Maybe that’s a supportive group of friends or family. But they need to give up the struggle. They need to come clean. And say “I can’t do this anymore. I need help.”
That was the case for Louie. What feels like completely giving up and even failing, can ironically be the first step toward recovery. In other words, as counterintuitive as it sounds, there is great power in surrendering.
One of the best conversations I’ve ever heard on addiction (between Tim Ferriss and Rich Roll) is below. Even if addiction is not something you or those close to you struggle with, I think you’ll get something out of listening to it.
Content Diet
Tim Ferriss & Rich Roll - Reinventing Your Life at 30, 40, 50 and beyond…
If there could be such a thing as a beautiful conversation about addiction, I think this is it. I’ve long been a fan of Rich Roll whose book Finding Ultra I still describe as the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. In this conversation, Tim and Rich get incredibly honest and detailed in their analysis of addiction, the power of AA, why we are all addicts in some ways, and so much more. Can’t recommend this one more highly.
Rich Roll and Alexis Pappas - Alexis Pappas is Bravey
I came across the clip below on Twitter recently and it resonated with me. So I had to go deeper. Maybe I’m just on a Rich Roll kick or a running kick (Alexis Pappas is an Olympic runner/author/film-maker) but I really enjoyed this full conversation. A ton of lessons on dealing with pain, loss, and depression, and yet somehow figuring out how to thrive through it all.
Finally, if you’re interested in checking out the full video version of my conversation with Louie Ruvolo, you can find it here:
Thanks as always for reading.
See you in two weeks!
— Greg
I have a dependence, not addiction, but what's difference although I think there is, with sedatives and sleeping pills and anti depressants. It's been my sanctuary after 30+ years dealing with anxiety, depression, insomnia, loneliness, being outcast. And I do not want to give up on them, yet. They bring me peace and normality. I can act normal. I can sleep. I can be a nice(r) person. I can have motivation. I don't really care if people like me. I care that I like me. What do you have to say about that. Now that I'm approaching 50, jobless for the past seven years, almost no penny to my bank account, single, living back with my aging and toxic parent. Everyday I feel like ending it all, if not because of those meds. I see a psychiatrist every 5 months because that's how many times in a year I can afford him and he gave me those prescriptions. I still have my passion, I want to become a CFA charterholder still. This may sound adolescent but The Big Short really inspires me. Call it quick win, but it's not. It requires patience, observation, and due diligence. So that's my story. I hope I can still achieve my dream, and moving to New York, before my time us up, with or without my meds.