{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"409 From Elite Athlete to Inmate: The Wake-Up Call That Changed His Life","description":"Choosing Yourself Isn\u2019t Selfish \u2014 It\u2019s Necessary In this episode of The One Day at a Time Recovery Podcast, I sit down with Hakeem to talk about what happens when performance, substances, and distractions can no longer protect us from unresolved pain. Hakeem shares how the death of his younger brother, years of buried grief, elite athletics, addiction, and eventually incarceration led him to a moment of total reckoning. Sitting alone in a jail cell \u2014 without substances, screens, or distractions \u2014 he was finally forced to face himself. What stood out to me most is Hakeem\u2019s belief that recovery isn\u2019t just about abstinence. It\u2019s about returning to our natural state \u2014 mentally, emotionally, and physically. Key Takeaways From Our Conversation 1. Addiction Is About Toxic Consumption Many people quit drinking but replace it with sugar, gambling, porn, caffeine, or overworking. The substance changes, but the avoidance doesn\u2019t. 2. The Work Has to Happen Before the Trigger If the inner work isn\u2019t done first, triggers become breaking points. When the work is done, triggers become opportunities for growth. 3. The TEFIC Framework Triggers \u2013 noticing what activates you Environment \u2013 what and who surrounds you Foundation \u2013 sleep, routines, structure Invest \u2013 time, energy, and money into growth Contribution \u2013 giving from overflow, not depletion 4. Community Is Where Healing Accelerates There\u2019s something powerful about being seen and understood by people who have lived it \u2014 not just professionals talking at you, but peers walking alongside you. Action Steps I Encourage You to Try Identify one \u201cacceptable addiction\u201d you might be using to avoid discomfort Build a minimum daily foundation you can keep even on hard days Journal on this question: What keeps showing up as a trigger in my life \u2014 and what might it be pointing to? Seek connection, not just more information     \ud83d\udcda Books & Resources Mentioned Choose Yourself to Be Chosen \u2014 Hakeem Bourn McFarlane The Untethered Soul \u2014 Michael A. Singer The Way of the Superior Man \u2014 David Deida Outwitting the Devil \u2014 Napoleon Hill Can\u2019t Hurt Me \u2014 David Goggins Atomic Habits \u2014 James Clear (referenced) So without further delay, please enjoy this episode, and let me know what you think!   Guest Contact Info:  Instagram: @bigdreamhakeem   \ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffcNeed help applying this information to your own life? Here are 3 ways to get started: \ud83c\udf81Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist Grab your copy here: https:\/\/www.soberlifeschool.com \u260e\ufe0fPrivate Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick https:\/\/www.makesobrietystick.com Subscribe So You Don\u2019t Miss New Episodes!   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1     Apple: https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast\/id1212504521 Spotify: https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB Amazon Music: https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff\/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast   ","author_name":"Sobriety: The One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/odaatchat.com","html":"