Strong And Sober Podcast

Cristina Salazar’s story is about far more than weight loss. After years of struggling with her health, weighing over 300 pounds, and feeling dismissed by doctors who blamed everything on her weight, Cristina found herself hospitalized and fighting for answers. What followed was a complete transformation through fitness, nutrition, and rebuilding her life from the inside out. In this episode of St...

This is not the end, it's a shift.

Last week we talked about mental health and how people can hide their pain in plain sight. This week… we realized we do the exact same thing with music. In this episode of Strong and Sober , we break down songs that sound upbeat, catchy, or even happy on the surface—but are actually about addiction, depression, and real-life struggles underneath. From blackout drinking and meth addiction to deeper...

There’s a voice in your head… and it’s not always on your side. In this episode of Strong and Sober , we break down the internal voice that tells you to skip the workout, have the drink, wait until tomorrow, or tear yourself down when things get hard. We talk about how that voice shows up in addiction, depression, discipline, and everyday life—and why most people mistake it for who they really are...

Strength isn’t pretending you’re okay. In this episode of Strong and Sober , we have an honest conversation about mental health, depression, and the reality that you never truly know what someone else is going through. Following the recent loss of Bo Lueders from the band Harm's Way and the podcast Hardlore, we reflect on how even people who seem strong, successful, or happy can be struggling...

If it feels good… why does it leave you feeling worse? In this episode of Strong and Sober , we break down what’s actually happening in your brain when you chase quick hits of pleasure — from food and alcohol to scrolling and dopamine spikes — and why those same things often lead to crashes, cravings, and burnout. We talk about the difference between instant gratification and lasting satisfaction,...

Ever wonder why every time you try to get in shape, get sober, or improve your life… it feels like something is pulling you backward? In this episode of Strong and Sober , we break down how your brain is wired to resist change. From cravings and laziness to boredom and relapse, we talk about why growth feels so uncomfortable and why most people quit too early. We dive into how this shows up in wei...

He built a million-dollar company. He controlled rooms. He bought the bar. And when that didn’t work, he’d intimidate it. In Episode 33 of Strong and Sober , we sit down with a former business owner who built one of the largest parking enforcement companies in Broward County, Florida — all while alcohol was fueling his ego, aggression, and chaos. He opens up about money, power, control, and the ve...

Homeless in downtown San Diego. Daily use of eight different drugs. Multiple arrests. A bank robbery. And now… recovery. In Episode 32 of Strong and Sober , we sit down with Matthew Handy for one of the most raw conversations we’ve had. He opens up about heroin addiction, living on the streets during COVID, surviving chaos, and the moment he says he “fell out of love” with heroin. We talk about mu...

Growth sounds exciting… until you realize it means outgrowing yourself. In this episode of Strong and Sober , we talk about the identity shift that happens in sobriety, fitness, and life. The uncomfortable middle phase where you’re not who you used to be, but you’re not fully who you’re becoming yet. We dive into what growth really costs, why we sometimes miss the old version of ourselves, and how...

What if you’re not addicted to alcohol, food, or scrolling… but to comfort? In this episode, we break down how chasing relief from stress, boredom, and discomfort fuels addiction, sabotages weight loss, and makes sobriety harder than it has to be. We talk about why early recovery feels overwhelming, why most people quit when things get hard, and how building discomfort tolerance might be the real...

In this episode, we sit down with bodybuilder Katie Laye for one of the most raw and honest conversations we’ve had on the show. Katie opens up about the chaos of active addiction, the obsessive behaviors that followed her early sobriety, and what it really means to rebuild your entire life, not just quit the drugs. We talk about identity after addiction, missing the chaos, dating in early recover...

Not every life lesson comes from a book, a coach, or a big turning point. Sometimes it comes from a random conversation, a strange moment, or a situation you never expected to learn anything from at all. In this episode of Strong and Sober , Matt and Luke talk about the unexpected teachers that shaped them. The people, moments, and experiences that left a mark without trying to. No research. No pr...

New Year’s resolutions sound great… until February. In this episode of Strong and Sober , Luke and Matt break down why people set resolutions, why most of them fail, and what actually works when it comes to building habits that last. We share our personal goals for the year, from nutrition and getting shredded to endurance challenges, weight loss, and skill-based fitness goals, and how we’re turni...

In this episode of Strong and Sober , we sit down with Troy from the Sober Riders Motorcycle Club for one of our most raw and vulnerable conversations to date. Troy opens up about his addiction to meth, the isolation and destruction it brought into his life, and the painful truths he had to face to begin healing. He speaks honestly about relapse, accountability, and the moments that finally pushed...

Isolation feeds addiction, anxiety, and shame. In this episode, we talk about why real healing doesn’t happen alone, and how community plays a critical role in sobriety, mental health, and personal growth. From shared struggles to being truly seen, this conversation breaks down why connection isn’t optional, it’s essential. Please subscribe and share the podcast. And while you're at it, if you...

Two weeks into sobriety, our guest Dana Sobota joins us for a raw, unfiltered conversation about addiction, rock bottom, and what early recovery really feels like. We talk about the hard truths, the identity shift, the isolation, and the hope. This one isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about finally asking the right questions. Please subscribe and share the podcast. And while you're at...

In this raw and revealing episode, Luke and Matt put each other on the spot with 10 personal, no-fluff questions about addiction, sobriety, fitness, mental health, shame, and growth. No scripts. No safety nets. Just truth, vulnerability, and the kind of conversation that reminds you you’re not alone. Please subscribe and share the podcast. And while you're at it, if you could rate us that woul...

Luis Romero is a bold voice in the battle against fentanyl and the founder of the Fuck Fentanyl movement and podcast. In this episode, Luis shares his journey from addiction to advocacy, what rock bottom looked like, what saved his life, and why he’s dedicating it now to saving others. From grief to grit to grassroots action, this is a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to fight back. Please su...

Therapist and substance abuse counselor Janie Nelson joins us to talk sobriety, self-awareness, and why healing doesn’t have to be so damn serious. We dive into her journey from drinking to deep work, exploring breath, sound, and the beauty of structured silliness. Please subscribe and share the podcast. And while you're at it, if you could rate us that would be a huge help. Follow us on Insta...

Powerlifting meets purpose in this episode with our guest Mitch: a hardcore straight edge athlete who’s built his life around discipline, strength, and clean living. We dive into what it means to reject the party culture, how lifting became his therapy, and why saying “no” can be one of the strongest decisions you ever make. Please subscribe and share the podcast. And while you're at it, if yo...

In this episode, we sit down with our longtime friend Mike Enumerable, an 11th and 12th grade teacher, vegan since 2014, and four years sober. Mike shares how structure, early mornings, journaling, and fitness transformed his life into something disciplined but deeply peaceful. We talk about his journey into sobriety, how plant-based nutrition impacts mental and physical performance, and what it t...

We all hit that moment—when you realize you’ve been the problem. But that awareness? It’s powerful. In this episode, we talk about recognizing your patterns, taking ownership, and building new systems to grow instead of staying stuck. Brief, real, and packed with tools to help you pivot with purpose. Please subscribe and share the podcast. And while you're at it, if you could rate us that woul...

Falling off track happens to everyone. What matters is how you respond. In this episode, we dig into the real reasons people lose momentum on their health, sobriety, and personal growth journeys—and what it actually takes to start again. We talk about the guilt, the perfectionism, the self-sabotage... and how to break free from the “all or nothing” trap. Inside this episode: The hidden psychology...

You don’t need to eat meat—or have it all figured out—to get strong. In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Dranes , a vegan bodybuilder, personal trainer, and all-around force of nature. From his early struggles to building a body that reflects discipline and purpose, Jordan shares what it really takes to get started, stay consistent, and thrive on a plant-based lifestyle. This isn’t about perf...