In this powerful episode , we sit down with Omar at the cottage to dive deep into his journey from marijuana dependency to sobriety. Originally from Toronto and now living in Denver, Omar shares how weed became a crutch during personal and professional traumas, the insidious nature of its cumulative effects, and the profound health benefits he gained from quitting. From body dysmorphia to the societal pressures fueling addiction, this candid conversation uncovers the hidden dangers of legalized marijuana and offers hope for those struggling. Learn about the neurological pathways of addiction, the impact of high-potency THC, and practical tools for recovery. If you or someone you know is battling addiction, this episode is a must-watch for inspiration and actionable insights. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support honest conversations about sobriety!

We discuss: weed addiction, marijuana dependency, sobriety journey, overcoming addiction, THC dangers, mental health, body dysmorphia, recovery tools, legalized marijuana, addiction recovery

• 00:00 - Introduction: Setting the Scene at the Cottage
• 00:27 - Meet Omar: From Toronto to Austin to Denver
• 01:19 - Omar’s Story: How Personal Traumas Led to Weed Dependency
• 02:27 - The Hidden Dangers of Legalized Marijuana
• 03:30 - Shocking Stats: Marijuana vs. Alcohol Daily Users
• 04:15 - Rising THC Potency and Its Addictive Impact
• 05:16 - Health Benefits of Sobriety: Weight Loss, Better Sleep, and More
• 07:38 - What Weed Addiction Looks Like: Omar’s Experience
• 08:23 - The Neurological Pathway of Addiction: The River Analogy
• 10:17 - Physical Toll: Hormonal Imbalance and Adrenal Fatigue
• 11:18 - How Addiction Steals Joy and Relationships
• 13:06 - Weed as a Tool vs. Abuse: The Hammer Metaphor
• 14:11 - Creativity and Weed: Myth or Reality?
• 16:11 - The Addiction Ladder: Stepping Down from Hard Drugs
• 19:13 - Withdrawal Challenges: Sleep Issues and GI Distress
• 22:08 - Addressing Underlying Trauma to Sustain Sobriety
• 24:28 - Body Dysmorphia: A Silent Struggle for Men
• 29:07 - Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): Benefits and Risks
• 34:19 - Rationalizing Addiction: Confirmation Bias and Mental Gymnastics
• 37:41 - Body Dysmorphia in Men: Societal Pressures and Social Media
• 43:12 - Consequences of Overtraining Due to Body Dysmorphia
• 46:30 - Cross-Addiction: Trading Weed for Workaholism
• 50:34 - Tools for Tough Days: Community, Exercise, and Love
• 56:54 - Final Message: Hope and a Brighter Future in Sobriety
• 58:17 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

On this episode of Recovering Out Loud, Anthony sits down with Joe, a passionate voice in recovery, to talk about the messy, beautiful journey of getting sober. Joe opens up about childhood trauma, battling addiction, and the pivotal role of spirituality in his recovery. Together, they dive deep into nervous system regulation, people-pleasing, the importance of authentic support systems, and why real change comes from within—not from others. Whether you’re new to recovery or have years of sobriety, Joe’s honest story will resonate and inspire.

Topics include:

• Growing up with trauma and rejection

• Early recovery struggles and breakthroughs

• Faith, spirituality vs. religion

• Family dynamics & support (or lack thereof)

• Daily routines for sobriety

• Why peace and self-love matter most

• Advice for those still struggling

Subscribe, share, and join us in honest recovery—out loud.

00:00:00 - Intro & Setting the Stage

00:01:01 - Why This Podcast Started: Sobriety First

00:02:05 - Chasing Followers vs. Chasing Recovery

00:03:04 - Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate: Stories from the Rooms

00:05:01 - Joe’s Childhood & Trauma

00:07:41 - The Roots of Rejection & People Pleasing

00:10:01 - Spirituality vs. Religion: Finding a Higher Power

00:13:11 - Faith in Recovery & The “Chosen Ones”

00:17:09 - Early Recovery: Breaking Old Patterns

00:20:20 - Hitting Bottom & Finding Real Change

00:24:21 - Why Spirituality is Key to Sobriety

00:30:33 - Daily Routines & Gratitude Practices

00:34:21 - Staying Honest, Staying Sober

00:36:26 - Family, Boundaries & Support Systems

00:42:46 - Carrying the Message & Living Authentically

00:46:38 - What Joe’s Most Proud Of in Sobriety

00:50:53 - The Marathon of Recovery: Staying Patient

00:53:28 - Why We Don’t Feel Better After Lashing Out

00:56:47 - Advice for Struggling Addicts & Alcoholics

00:57:21 - Outro & Final Thoughts

In this episode, Anthony sits down with Alanna Ostvik , founder of Pour Sport, a nonalcoholic wine import business in Toronto. They discuss the rise of quality nonalcoholic beverages, the importance of 0.0% alcohol content for people in recovery, and the growing wellness trend behind it all. Allana shares her personal journey from heavy drinking to sobriety, how staying sober helped her launch a business, and the social challenges and rewards of living alcohol-free. From dating sober to building confidence and maintaining relationships, this is an inspiring conversation about reclaiming life without alcohol — while still enjoying social moments with style and purpose.

Pour Sport was born from a personal journey. Alanna was caught in the cycle of social drinking, enjoying the buzz at celebrations, but feeling the aftereffects all too often. In 2022, she decided to take a break from alcohol, hoping to feel better in her body and mind. What started as a month-long experiment turned into a year of sobriety.

Yet, despite feeling amazing without alcohol, Alanna noticed something missing at social gatherings: the ritual of clinking glasses, toasting milestones, and feeling part of the celebration. That’s when she discovered non-alcoholic wine. Everything clicked. It wasn’t just about the drink. It was the feeling of continuing celebrations. She knew others were looking for the same thing: an alcohol-free wine that tasted just as good, if not better, than the real thing.

https://www.instagram.com/drinkpoursport/

https://www.drinkpoursport.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction & Nonalcoholic Wine Explanation

01:00 - Why 0.0% Alcohol Matters for Sobriety

02:20 - Who Buys Nonalcoholic Beverages?

03:00 - Nutritional Info & Product Varieties

04:00 - Elena’s Sobriety Journey & Why She Quit Drinking

08:00 - The Meaning Behind the Name "Pour Sport"

13:30 - Social Challenges of Sobriety

18:00 - The Rapid Growth of the Nonalcoholic Beverage Industry

21:00 - Price Challenges of Nonalcoholic Drinks

22:30 - Business Startup Struggles & Supply Chain Issues

26:00 - How Sobriety Fuels Entrepreneurship

29:30 - Sobriety & Dating Advice

32:00 - Explanation of the "Hierarchy" Fitness Trend

34:00 - Morning Routine & Staying Active

36:00 - Importance of Community & Avoiding Isolation

38:00 - Sobriety and Building Confidence

41:00 - Helping Others as a Confidence Booster

43:00 - Traveling Sober & Enjoying Life Fully

44:30 - Coping with Hard Times in Sobriety

47:00 - Final Thoughts & Encouragement

Follow Us:

🌐 Website: recoveringoutloud.ca

📱 Socials: @RecoveringOutLoudPod (Instagram, X, TikTok & more)

🔗 All Links: linktr.ee/Recoveringoutloudpod

💡 Helpful Resources for Addiction & Recovery

🇨🇦 National (Canada-Wide) Resources

Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)

Research, policy, and resources on substance use and addiction.

Health Canada – Substance Use and Addictions

Government info on prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.

Canada’s Drug and Alcohol Treatment Directory

Locate treatment centers across Canada.

National Overdose Response Service (NORS)

Peer-run hotline for safer drug use support.

📞 Call: 1-888-688-6677

🏠 Ontario-Specific Resources

ConnexOntario – Mental Health & Addiction Helpline

Free, confidential support for addiction and mental health.

📞 Call: 1-866-531-2600

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC)

Opioid addiction treatment (methadone, Suboxone).

Ontario Harm Reduction Network

Safer drug use, naloxone, and harm reduction programs.

CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

Leading hospital for addiction and mental health care.

📞 Call: 1-800-463-6273

Withdrawal Management (Detox) Services in Ontario

Find detox and treatment programs.

Ontario 211 – Addiction & Mental Health Services

Connect to local support services.

📞 Dial: 211

🚨 Crisis & Immediate Help

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