In this deeply personal episode of the Street Leadership Podcast, host Ryan Goldman shares his compelling journey of struggle and triumph over addiction. Growing up in a family plagued by substance abuse, Ryan's normalization of this environment led him down a path of addiction, starting with experimenting with alcohol and marijuana at a young age. His endeavors escalated from using to selling drugs, which, despite initial financial success, eventually led to legal troubles, a tumultuous personal life, and nearly losing custody of his children. Ryan's turning point came after a series of wake-up calls, culminating in a life-threatening incident that prompted him to seek sobriety. He outlines his challenging road to recovery, emphasizing the importance of resources like Alcoholics Anonymous, the support of the sober community, and a newfound relationship with spirituality. Ryan's story is a testament to the power of resilience, the possibility of redemption, and the transformative impact of getting better on all aspects of one's life. He encourages others struggling with addiction to seek help, highlighting the irreplaceable reward of sobriety and the profound positive changes it brings.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Street Leadership Podcast
• 00:22 Ryan's Personal Journey: Overcoming Addiction
• 02:00 The Early Years: Growing Up in a Family of Addiction
• 04:15 The Descent: From Experimentation to Distribution
• 06:25 College Years and Escalating Drug Use
• 08:47 Legal Troubles and the Wake-Up Call
• 10:38 Transitioning to a New Career and Lifestyle
• 11:10 The Downward Spiral: Success, Substance Abuse, and Family Crisis
• 20:10 Hitting Rock Bottom: Hospitalization and a Moment of Clarity
• 22:02 The Road to Recovery: Embracing Sobriety and AA
• 26:03 Rebuilding Life: Custody Battle and Personal Growth
• 31:40 Reflections and Encouragement for Others

If what you heard resonated with you, you can find Ryan on Instagram, Facebook.

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