Strong And Sober Podcast

People see the number on the scale—but they don’t see the shame, the fear, or the everyday battles that come with carrying extra weight. In this deeply honest episode, we open up about the hidden side of being overweight: the social anxiety, the embarrassment in dressing rooms, the fear of being seen, and the emotional weight that often hurts more than the physical. This isn’t about diets or quick...

There’s what you read about sobriety—and then there’s what you learn from actually living it. In this episode, we get honest about the deep, unexpected, and sometimes uncomfortable lessons that only come with real-life recovery. We’re not talking about program slogans or Instagram quotes—we’re talking about the raw, hard-earned truths that show up in relationships, routines, late nights, early mor...

What stops most people from stepping into a gym isn't fear, it's a lack of knowledge. In this powerful episode, personal trainer and nutritionist Michael Toler shares his journey from self-doubt to strength, how vegetarianism reshaped his approach to health, and the simple truths that every beginner needs to hear. Whether you’re plant-based, meat-loving, or just tired of starting over, thi...

Jessica Lara is a multi-time black belt and kenpo instructor—but the toughest fight she ever faced wasn’t in a dojo. In this episode, Jessica shares her deeply personal story of battling alcoholism, a struggle that nearly cost her everything: her career, her family, and herself. Through raw honesty and quiet strength, she opens up about the darkness she lived through, the wake-up call that sparked...

Ultra runner David Millar shares his raw journey from addiction to endurance. From chaos and recovery to clarity and ultra marathons—this is what it means to fight for your life and find purpose on the other side. Please follow us on Instagram @StrongAndSoberPodcast Send us your questions, comments, success stories or anything else to StrongandSoberPodcast@gmail.com

Addiction doesn’t just take your health—it steals your confidence, your identity, and your belief in yourself. In this episode, we talk about the slow, powerful process of rebuilding self-worth after addiction. We share the small wins that meant everything, the internal battles no one sees, and the moments we started to feel like us again. This isn’t about fake it till you make it—it’s about doing...

Sobriety isn’t just about quitting—it’s about arriving . In this episode, we talk about what it feels like to finally be present in your own life. The hard conversations. The real connections. The little moments you used to miss. We dive into how showing up—mentally, emotionally, physically—has changed everything from relationships to routines. And we get honest about the growing pains that come w...

Let’s be real—most diets are built to break you. In this episode, we get honest about the toxic cycle of fad diets, quick fixes, and all-or-nothing thinking. With over 300 pounds lost between us, we share what finally worked, what absolutely didn’t, and how to build a healthier relationship with food, fitness, and yourself. Whether you're starting from scratch or stuck in the yo-yo cycle, this...

The comeback continues. In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Luke, Matt and his brother Durt pick up where they left off—this time diving into the recovery side of the story. What does it actually take to rebuild your life after addiction? What happens after the chaos ends—but the real work begins? This is where the story shifts from surviving to growing . In this episode: 🔧 How Durt built a...

This is our most personal episode yet. In Part 1 of this powerful two-part series, we sit down with Matt's brother, Durt , for a raw and unfiltered conversation about addiction, destruction, and the fight to get clean. From battling meth and alcohol to losing everything including the will to survive, Durt opens up about the chaos of addiction, the moment that changed everything, and the early...

For many of us, the gym became a sanctuary in early sobriety—a place to rebuild routine, channel energy, and reclaim our health. But what happens when fitness turns into another obsession? When chasing the perfect body masks the healing we still need to do? In this episode, we open up about how fitness helped anchor our recovery—but also where it fell short. This one’s for anyone who found salvati...

You don’t need to lose it all to start rebuilding. In this episode, we unpack the powerful misconception that transformation only comes from hitting “rock bottom.” Instead, we explore the idea of a wake‑up call —that moment of clarity that can spark change before life unravels. If you’ve ever wondered, Do I really have to hit rock bottom to change? , this episode is for you. We discuss how clarity...

This isn’t just a weight loss story—it’s a story about reclaiming our lives. In this episode, we open up about our combined 300-pound transformation and the real work that went far beyond the gym. From growing up as overweight kids to trying every diet in the book, we share the setbacks, the shame, and the small wins that built momentum. But most importantly, we talk about the mindset shift that m...

Everyone has a moment—the breaking point, the wake-up call, the quiet realization that something has to change. In this episode, we open up about ours . We share the raw truth behind our sobriety journeys: the highs, the lows, the painful lessons, and the powerful wins. From the darkest moments to the first brave steps toward a better life, we talk about what it really takes to get sober—and what...

Welcome to the very first episode of Strong and Sober — a weekly podcast where we get real about sobriety, strength, and starting over. In this intro episode, we’re pulling back the curtain to share who we are, why we started this show, and what makes us qualified to have these conversations. You’ll hear personal stories of hitting reset, finding strength in unlikely places, and learning that true...