TheWillpowerPodcast with Will Gordon

He hit rock bottom after a DUI. Now, Chaplain Sy Ali is 5 years sober, and helping others transform their lives. From elite protection agent to homeless veteran, this is the powerful true story of recovery, redemption, and rediscovering purpose through faith and service. In this episode of the Will Power Podcast, Sy shares how PTSD, loss, and addiction nearly destroyed him—and how reading the Bibl...

Can you really rebuild your entire life after 30 years lost to alcohol? In this raw and powerful episode of the Will Power Podcast, Ian Fee shares his unfiltered alcohol recovery journey — from being a high-functioning alcoholic who spent over $1 million on booze, to becoming a present father, dropping 80 pounds, and living 8 years fully sober. Ian opens up about: - The shocking truth behind his r...

In this episode of The WillPower Podcast, Chad Dunn shares how he went from chasing adrenaline as a BMX rider to six DUIs, crack addiction, and a 30-month sentence in federal prison. He opens up about the moment he knew he had to change, how meeting a sober bartender shifted his path, and why losing his freedom—not just his health—was the real rock bottom. Now sober, he trains pro athletes and liv...

What happens when the party ends—and the pain begins? Candice Combs' sobriety journey started in a chaotic childhood filled with addiction, trauma, and survival in the streets of New Orleans. After quitting drinking at 23 and finding success in tech, she built a thriving wellness business. But years later, alcohol addiction came roaring back—nearly destroying her life and relationship. Now, 10 yea...

In this deeply raw episode of The Willpower Podcast, host Will Gordon sits down with Jimmy Thistle — a recovery advocate, ex-alcoholic, and peer mentor — who shares the powerful journey from addiction to healing. Jimmy opens up about growing up in Scotland, early drinking culture, losing control, multiple rock bottoms, and finding true transformation in sobriety. If you or someone you know is stru...

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the Willpower Podcast. This one right here? It’s personal, it’s raw, and it might just change the way you think about alcohol. I sat down with Mel Burbank — she’s a 3.5-year sober badass, former fitness studio owner, CBT specialist, and the founder of Alcohol Free Females. And let me tell you, this convo went deep. We talked about: 👉 Growing up in New O...

In this episode of the Willpower Podcast, Kevin Decapitron shares his raw, unfiltered story of growing up around alcohol, working as a bartender in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and how drinking eventually led to liver cirrhosis by his late 20s. From hiding bottles to waking up jaundiced and facing terrifying medical diagnoses, Kevin opens up about the pain, shame, and eventual clarity that led him t...

Nisha Patel got sober at 24. Today, with 17 years of sobriety, she’s a therapist and sobriety coach helping others live alcohol-free lives filled with purpose. In this episode of the Willpower Podcast, Nisha shares: • Her journey from rebellion & addiction to long-term sobriety • Why the first 5 years are the foundation for recovery • How mindfulness & therapy (DBT) helped regulate emotion...

Joel’s story is one of the most powerful episodes yet on the Willpower Podcast. Diagnosed with cirrhosis at just 45 years old, Joel was forced to face the devastating truth about his drinking. The twist? He worked in a liquor store, surrounded by the very thing that nearly ended his life. In this episode, Joel shares: His journey from denial to cirrhosis diagnosis What it’s like living with liver...

Olympic bobsledding looks thrilling from the outside — 95 mph speeds, tight turns, and world-class competition. But behind the medals lies a hidden epidemic: CTE. In this episode of The Willpower Podcast, former Team USA bobsledder William Person opens up about his 9 years on the track, the repeated head trauma known as “sled head,” and the devastating toll it took on his brain and his life. From...

Jacob Schulze (@feel.sober.good) opens up about pandemic drinking, hiding alcohol, “show drinks,” liver cirrhosis symptoms, a MELD score near transplant range—and why he chose a different path. We talk boredom triggers, daily drinking creeping to dependence, jaundice and leg pain, faith, functional approaches, and what early labs (CMP/CBC) can reveal. If you’re struggling with alcohol, this conver...

From MVP seasons overseas to sleeping on his mom’s couch — former pro basketball player Travis Reed has lived the highs and the crushing lows of life after sports. In this powerful episode of The Willpower Podcast, Travis opens up about growing up in South Central LA, winning championships in Europe, and the depression and drinking that followed his forced retirement. He shares the night his mothe...

What happens when a pro boxer, chess player, and physicist walks away from alcohol for good? In this raw and powerful conversation, Ed Latimore (@EdLatimore) joins The Willpower Podcast to share how he went from growing up in the projects of Pittsburgh to building a life of discipline, purpose, and sobriety. Ed has been sober since 2013. He’s a former professional heavyweight boxer, a physics grad...

How do you rebuild your life after alcohol has taken everything? In this powerful episode of The Willpower Podcast, certified Jay Shetty life coach Luke Ryan (@dadonthemox) shares his raw, unfiltered journey from working in the liquor industry to becoming a sober father, coach, and advocate for recovery. Luke opens up about starting to drink at age 10, his battles with depression, relapse, and wha...

From postpartum depression to addiction and alcoholism, Danielle’s recovery journey proves that even the darkest paths can lead to purpose. Danielle’s story isn’t one of trauma in childhood—but of how addiction can quietly creep in through postpartum depression, emotional abuse, and untreated trauma. From pills to alcohol, psych wards to jail, and now on the path to becoming an addiction counselor...

Liver cirrhosis and stage 3 liver failure nearly took Aaron’s life. This powerful alcohol recovery story follows his liver transplant journey, revealing the toll of alcoholic liver disease—and the courage it takes to survive. ⚠️ What happens when addiction collides with trauma—and the damage can’t be reversed? 🎙️ In this emotional and raw episode of the Willpower Podcast, Aaron opens up about the...

From DUI and fake pee to a thriving sobriety coaching practice, Kate Vitela’s recovery story is as raw and real as it gets. In this emotional episode of the Willpower Podcast, Kate shares how she lost everything — her job, her license, her identity — and rebuilt her life through honesty, support, and the power of neuroplasticity. 🔥 Kate is a nurse, sobriety coach, and host of the podcast Rewired...

How do you build real confidence without alcohol? 💪 In this episode, sober coach Bo Green shares powerful routines, mindset shifts, and relapse recovery tools that helped him build unshakable sober confidence and quit drinking for good. 🎙️ This honest conversation dives deep into how to quit drinking, morning routines for mental health, and what it means to build your identity without needing alc...

Addiction took Samantha from meth to motherhood, DJ booths to jail cells—and back again. This is her raw, unfiltered story of redemption. 🎙 In this episode of The Willpower Podcast, Samantha Lander joins host Will Gordon to share her unbelievable journey from homelessness and a federal prison sentence to becoming a functional diagnostic nutritionist helping women heal. 💥 Samantha opens up about:...

Alcohol addiction nearly took everything from Mario—including his life. At 24, he hit rock bottom. This is how early sobriety saved him. 🍻 In this raw episode of The Willpower Podcast, Will Gordon sits down with Mario Bencivenga, a Long Island native who opens up about his path from blackout drinking and college binges to authentic sobriety and emotional healing. 🧠 Diagnosed with ADHD and battli...

Alcoholics Anonymous saved my life. I tried inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, and every drug imaginable—but the loop of addiction almost killed me. 🎢 From ecstasy and designer drugs in the 90s rave scene to the hopelessness of a father who wanted to die—this is a brutally honest addiction recovery story. 💡 If you've ever felt like you’re stuck on a merry-go-round of relapse, shame, and cravi...

Alcoholics Anonymous changed her life—but it wasn’t the only thing that saved her. From suicidal thoughts to ultra marathons, Megan’s addiction recovery story shows that sobriety is not just possible—it’s powerful. ⚡ "Alcohol does not discriminate." From high-performing nurse practitioner to nearly losing it all, Megan opens up about her raw and emotional journey through alcohol addiction and lon...

Can recovery happen after homelessness, addiction, and losing it all? In this powerful episode, Dr. Robb Kelly—known as the “Gordon Ramsay of addiction”—shares his jaw-dropping addiction recovery story and why thinking, not drinking, is the true battle. 👇 Drop a comment below if this story hit home for you. Recovery is possible—let’s walk it together. 📅 Book a 1:1 Sober Mentoring Session Today—L...

What’s good, everyone? It’s Will Gordon here, and I’m stoked to drop this live episode of TheWillpowerPodcast, recorded at The Greater Boston Addiction Center (GBAC) in Needham, MA. This one’s straight from the heart—I’m sitting down with Angela Kelly, GBAC’s Clinical Supervisor, and Blase from Society Wellness Group (First LGBTQ+ Recovery Center) to talk addiction recovery, identity, and the powe...

Join me on TheWillpowerPodcast as I sit down with Michael Conklin, a powerhouse in addiction recovery with an incredible 17-year sobriety journey. From a 25-year career in the food service industry to founding Better Beginning Now, Michael’s story is a testament to transformation. As a certified recovery coach and Jay Shetty-trained life coach, he offers a no-nonsense approach to help others find...