Bending Over Backwards

A lot of people still think motivation is the answer, but the truth is discipline is what keeps things moving. Motivation feels good in the moment, but it disappears fast. Discipline is what actually helps you build habits, face challenges, and keep moving forward when life gets hard. In this episode of *Bending Over Backwards*, Dr. James Adkins is joined by Alina Sbitnev, Jimmy Walker, Mich Manar...

Many people carry trauma from childhood, abuse, betrayal, or feeling like they were never meant to exist. For some, it becomes a life sentence. For others, it sparks the fight to heal. In this episode, Dr. James Adkins sits down with Vita Galore to talk about her journey from darkness to light. From childhood abuse and family betrayal to decades of self-healing, Vita shares how she rebuilt her lif...

Most women are told the same story about weight loss: eat less, move more, and try harder. But for many, especially as hormones shift, that advice doesn’t work—and it leaves them frustrated, exhausted, and blaming themselves. In this episode, Dr. James Adkins sits down with Coach Patricia to uncover what’s really happening inside women’s bodies. From estrogen dominance and cycle training to the tr...

How do you turn a small Instagram page into a company with over a million followers? In this episode, Parker Smith shares how he started posting ski videos for fun and ended up co-founding Get Send , a media company working with some of the biggest names in action sports. We talk about his journey from college student to entrepreneur, the leap from a stable job to running a business, and what it’s...

Four stories. Four different kinds of pain. One truth: You can come back from anything, even if it feels like your life is falling apart. In this episode, Dr. James Adkins talks with four people who went through some of the hardest moments anyone can face. They were hurt, ignored, and nearly gave up. But each one found a way to stand back up. –> Carey Pena had a stroke, but doctors said it was...

Dr. John Mason has spent decades saving lives in the ER — until the job nearly broke him. In this unfiltered conversation, we talk about what it really costs to care for others when you never slow down long enough to care for yourself. From burnout and emotional trauma to dirt bike crashes in Africa and near-miss moments in Ukraine, this is what life looks like when your job becomes your identity....

What if your bad mood, brain fog, and back pain had less to do with mindset and more to do with what you did the night before? In this episode, Mich Manaras, founder of PEAR, shares how wearables and a simple Vibe Score are helping people track their habits, improve their health, and reconnect with the people they care about. We talk about: → How alcohol, late nights, and stress show up in your bo...

Jimmy Walker is 80 years old. He’s raised over $100 million for charity. Worked with Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson. And he’s still not done. In this episode, we talk about the real reason he never retired, the heartbreak that changed everything, and why giving back became his life’s mission. You’ll hear: → The wild story of how Celebrity Fight Night began → How asking a blind ope...

Dr. Tricia Pingle spent years helping people deal with stress and exhaustion. But during that time, she was struggling with it herself. In this episode, we talk about how stress can wear you down slowly, even when everything on the outside looks fine. Tricia shares what helped her feel better—from setting boundaries to finding something she genuinely enjoyed again. We cover: → Why doing too much f...

At 25, Darleen Santore had a stroke that changed everything. She was misdiagnosed, told she might die, and told she couldn’t have children. She didn’t quit. She shifted. Now known as Coach Dar, she works with top athletes and business leaders to build mental strength and bounce back when life hits hard. In this episode: → How she rebuilt her life after three strokes → The mindset tools she uses wi...

At just 10 years old,  Kelsey Zecchino had spinal fusion surgery. By 26, she was stuck in a wheelchair, on fentanyl, and nearly took her own life. Doctors told her the pain was “just in her head.” They gave her meds, then judged her for needing them. But one conversation changed everything. In this episode, Kelsey shares the raw truth about living with chronic pain, misdiagnosis, and being treated...

What happens when a spine expert becomes the patient? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Eric Neufang—a chiropractor who went from treating back pain to living through it . After a serious spine injury, two surgeries, and years of recovery, he came back stronger—and more empathetic than ever. Here’s what we talk about: → What actually helped vs. what failed (including injections, narcotics, and surg...

How do you start a new life with only $400? In this episode, James talks with Alina Sbitnev—a war refugee who escaped to the U.S. and started over from scratch. With just $400 in her pocket, she built a life, learned new skills, and turned struggle into strength. What you’ll hear: → The moment she realized she had to leave → What it felt like arriving with no money and no plan → How she found work...

How do you go from broke to selling Arizona’s most expensive homes? In this episode, Dr. James Adkins talks with Scott Grigg—one of Arizona’s top luxury realtors. Scott shares how one real estate deal changed everything, what it took to grow in a market with no social media, and how he built strong relationships with high-end clients. They talk about: Why Scott walked away from a “safe” job What r...

Carrie Pena went from being a news anchor to launching her own media company—and now she’s creating powerful documentaries inside prisons. In this episode, Dr. James Adkins talks with Carrie about how trauma shapes our lives, how women can step into leadership without losing themselves, and what it really takes to turn pain into purpose. We also dig into her new documentary, Blank Canvas, filmed i...

How do you go from working in a tiny 200 sq ft boutique… To building one of the most trusted clean skincare destinations in the Southwest? In this episode, Dr. James Adkins sits down withMelissa Langberg, founder of Citrine Natural Beauty Bar, to uncover the real story behind clean beauty, greenwashing in the industry, and what it really takes to grow a purpose-driven business—while raising a fami...

Dr. Paul Lynch couldn’t save his own brother from an overdose. So he built a clinic to save others. In this episode, we dive into Paul’s story—from growing one of Arizona’s biggest pain practices to launching a mission that could save 1 million lives. we talk about: → how he ranked #1 on google before his clinic even opened → why pain, addiction, and mental health are all connected → the real reas...

When Jason Lanham faced a near-death experience, it didn’t just challenge his body — it changed his soul, his business, and his purpose. In this episode, we unpack Jason’s incredible story: how ulcerative colitis nearly took his life, how it strengthened his faith, and how it shaped him into a stronger entrepreneur and servant of the Lord. Inside this conversation: Growing up different — and how e...

In this episode, James talks with chef and restaurant owner Mark Tarbell . They go deep into Mark’s life—from washing dishes as a teen to running one of Arizona’s best restaurants. You’ll hear stories about: → Cooking in Europe and working in famous kitchens → Living with back pain after a bad car accident → Why he cooks with real food and avoids seed oils → How he stays focused with ADHD → What i...

What does it really take to go from broke welder to global CEO? In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Hodson—business strategist, keynote speaker, and former $2B real estate broker—to unpack the raw truths behind building a life that works for you, not one that burns you out. We talk about: → Why most people fail even with great business ideas → How Aaron rebuilt his real estate empire after near...

Clayton Lindley made a name doing things most people wouldn’t even try. But behind the insane tricks and viral clips were broken bones, mental crashes, and a growing fear he didn’t talk about—until now. In this episode, we get into: → The hidden cost of chasing adrenaline for a living → How he knew his brain was no longer working the same → His go-to strategies for rebuilding focus and clarity → W...

One decision can change everything. For Laura Madden, it was walking into a frame shop with a painting she made just for herself. What happened next? It led to a whole new career. In this episode, Laura shares her journey from health coach to full-time artist—using forgotten materials to create bold, beautiful pieces. You’ll learn: — Why did she leave her “normal” job after 15 years — The creative...

What happens when the healthcare system stops working—for both the patient and the doctor? Dr. Ken Ota quit the insurance grind and now runs a small, personal practice. Dr. Azmi Nasser works in the traditional system but adds a private care touch when patients need more. In this episode, we talk about: 🔹 Why more people are paying out-of-pocket to skip the wait 🔹 How being a doctor has changed—a...

What happens when your entire identity is ripped away in an instant? Scotty Scheller was on the fast track to a pro hockey career—until a brutal injury shattered his future overnight. What followed was years of unexplained pain, misdiagnosis, and a battle with depression that nearly cost him everything. But Scottie didn’t just survive—he rebuilt his life from scratch. In this episode, we talk abou...

Most people dream of adventure. Anne Lorimer actually lives it. At 85, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. At 89, she did it again—with broken ribs. Anne isn’t a professional climber. She didn’t grow up wealthy or privileged. She’s faced poverty, homelessness, and obstacles most people wouldn’t recover from. But she never quit. In this episode, Anne shares: How she went from struggling to survive to se...