Episode #22: From Meth to the Book of Mormon
Charlie is a recovering meth addict. For over 15 years, his life was ruled by meth—no sleep, nonstop work, chaos, fear, and misery. God wasn’t part of the picture yet, and the idea of living sober or running on faith instead of chemicals felt impossible. Then Charlie walked into SOAR. Today, he’s over 150 days sober, and his life looks completely different. In this episode, we talk about his transformation—how he found God, how he came to know Jesus Christ, and how discovering The Book of Mormon changed his life. We share our testimonies and talk openly about why we both love the Book of Mormon and how it played a huge role in our own sobriety journeys. We dive into the repentance process, the 12 Steps, relationships, and what it really means to replace drugs with God—to stop running on fear and start running on faith. Charlie shares what life is like on the other side of addiction, and why he would never go back. This is an honest, raw, and hope-filled conversation about redemption, recovery, and the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to completely transform a life.
Episode #20: Relapse, Redemption, and the Grand Canyon: Mike’s Recovery Journey
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Mike — a recovering alcoholic, SOAR graduate, and one of the most genuine men I know. Mike first came to SOAR in 2019, broken and at rock bottom. He was 250 pounds, unhealthy, suicidal, and watching his marriage slip away. His drinking had taken everything from him. After hitting that wall, Mike checked into inpatient rehab for 30 days, came back to SOAR, and never looked back. Over the years he’s built a life of service, faith, and purpose — helping others get sober as a recovery coach and alumni leader. We talk about relapse, redemption, and the deep work of recovery — from the sweat lodge experiences he helped bring into SOAR, to the yearly Grand Canyon trips he inspired. Mike opens up about God, failure, healing, and what keeps him grounded today. This one’s real, raw, and powerful.
Episode 19: From Powerless to Purpose — Kyle’s Story
In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Kyle, whose story is nothing short of incredible. Kyle was part of the WAR program way back in 2012–2013. For the better part of 20 years, he’s battled addiction — heroin, crack, alcohol — you name it. He’s been in and out of treatment centers, jail, and the chaos that comes with substance abuse. But today, Kyle has over two years of sobriety and is living proof of what happens when you surrender and let God take the lead. He shares about his last run, the moment he finally saw his powerlessness, and how that realization — his Step One — changed everything. With a little daughter depending on him, he decided it was time to stop running. Kyle spent 90 days at Valley Camp, then came into the SOAR program, where he began serving and helping others. We talk about his journey through legal troubles, how he faced them with faith, and how everything started to work out once he raised the white flag and turned his life over to God. Today, Kyle sits on the SOAR Board of Directors and the Valley Camp Board of Directors, staying active in the recovery community as a sponsor and leader. During one of my own relapses, Kyle was the one who stepped in and kept SOAR running — he’s even the one who drove me to inpatient rehab. Funny how God works: I helped him years ago, and then he helped me when I needed it most. This 90-minute conversation is raw, honest, and full of hope. It’s about life, recovery, surrender, and the power of God to restore what addiction tried to destroy. I’m deeply grateful for Kyle — his story, his friendship, and his continued service in God’s rehab.
Episode 18: From Dealer to Disciple — Noah’s Journey from Ketamine to God
In this episode, I sit down with Noah, a graduate of the SOAR 90-day recovery program and a powerful voice in our community. Originally from Oregon, Noah was a ketamine and cocaine addict and a full-blown drug dealer before he hit rock bottom. His journey began at just 11 years old with OxyContin, eventually spiraling into a world of psychedelics, acid, and chaos. But everything changed when Noah became suicidal and made a desperate leap of faith—flying from Oregon to Utah and ending up in a cabin in the woods at Valley Camp. There, he encountered the Big Book, found God, and began the process of transformation. This conversation dives deep into his past life as a dealer, his spiritual awakening, and the clarity he now brings to the SOAR groups through his experience, strength, and hope. It’s raw, real, and incredibly inspiring. Don't miss this one.
Episode 17: From the Streets to Sobriety: Lewis’ Journey
What an incredible conversation with my new friend Lewis. He actually grew up on the same street as SOAR and is now doing his internship with us, working toward his LCSW to become a licensed clinical social worker. Lewis works at Brighton Recovery and has an unbelievable story. He was first introduced to PCP at just 10 years old, then drawn into gang life, running the streets of Ogden, and spending time incarcerated. His path eventually led to heroin, crack, and the chaos of full-blown addiction. But that’s not where the story ends. Today, Lewis has over 12 years of sobriety. He’s a man in long-term recovery who now uses his experience in the “school of addiction” to help others find freedom. He stays rooted in the AA Big Book and walks others through the steps, leading people toward real change. This was an inspiring and raw conversation that I can’t wait for you all to hear.
Episode 16: Life, Baseball, and Mental Toughness with Evan Parker
This episode is with Evan Parker, the manager of the Ogden Raptors, and it’s an incredible conversation I’m excited for all of you to hear. I’ve known Evan since he was a kid. I started training him when he was younger, and he eventually got involved with the WAR Gym, working hard there while attending Western Nevada and later Utah Tech. He was drafted and went on to play in the Brewers organization, where he faced battles with Tommy John surgery. In this episode, we talk about life, mental health, mental toughness, and anxiety. Evan shares about his work with 25-year-old players in the Brewers organization, the role he’s playing in shaping men, and how he’s helping these young athletes grow on and off the field. We also dive into his journey of starting a family, and along the way, we swap stories—some of mine that he was able to pull out of me during our two-hour conversation. It’s a deep, authentic discussion about the ups and downs of life, the lessons we’ve learned, and the insight Evan brings from both the baseball world and personal experience. I think you’ll enjoy every minute of it.
Episode 15: Roll the Deis
In this 90-minute conversation, I sit down with Mark Deis—our nurse practitioner and medical director at SOAR—for one of the most eye-opening discussions we've had on the podcast so far. We dive deep into: SSRIs and depression medication How addiction rewires the brain Why people get stuck in the “head prison” and how to escape it" The role barbell training plays in improving mood, anxiety, and long-term mental health What’s really going on with Ozempic and its impact on both physical and mental health Why some people stay sad—and why others seem to find joy more easily Mark brings a grounded, clinical perspective mixed with a deep heart for recovery. Whether you’re on your own healing journey or just love real conversations about health, addiction, and the mind-body connection—this one’s for you.
Episode 14: Riachle’s WAR
Tour Life, Addiction, and Awakening Me and my boy Riachle, the producer of the podcast, sat down and went deep for two straight hours. We talked about his story, music, addiction, mental health, and what it means to fight every day to stay the man in the back—to be the observer of our thoughts instead of getting dragged around by them. He shares some wild stuff—like being a musician on tour in Vegas, so strung out on drugs it nearly broke him. But that suffering planted the seed in his mind that maybe, just maybe, it was time to try getting sober. This one’s honest, heavy, and probably one of my favorite conversations yet. I’m thankful for Riachle and the journey we’re on together—through this podcast, the content we’re building, and everything else we’re doing to help people find a new way to live. Give it a listen.
Episode 13: Joel’s Weakness is His Strength
This conversation was with my good buddy Joel. Joel’s a lobbyist—you’ll hear more about what that means in the episode. I met him about six years ago in the addiction world, and since then, he’s been one of the guys who’s really helped us at SOAR. He’s lobbied for funding, helped us land grants, and opened doors so we can keep helping people and offer scholarships to those who need it. Joel is also a recovering addict. His story is powerful—and surprisingly close to mine. I didn’t realize until today just how much we’ve both been through. He’s had relapses, battled mental health, and tried to stay afloat in a high-pressure job while still showing up for people in recovery. But God is clearly using him. Because his greatest weakness—the disease of addiction—has become his greatest strength. It’s what gives him the power to serve, to connect, and to keep fighting for others. This conversation was raw, honest, and beautiful. I think you’ll feel this one.
Episode 12: Charlie’s WAR
This episode is with Charlie—my therapist from Action Recovery. He’s the clinical director there now, and before that, he was the clinical director at Brighton. Charlie’s a recovering heroin addict—really, an everything addict—and he’s one of the most incredible people I’ve met on this recovery path. He’s taught me so much about cravings, mindset, the 12 steps—just how to stay present and work on my character defects. He’s played a big role in my recovery, and in Riachle’s too—Charlie’s actually his therapist as well. This one basically turns into a therapy session. We pick Charlie’s brain and go deep into the mental side of addiction—the cravings, the internal battles, and all the character stuff that comes alive after you get sober. That’s when the real war begins. It’s a powerful conversation. Let me know what hits home for you.
Episode 11: Running Reckless
This episode is with Rick. Rick’s been in and out of prison over the years. He first started with me in WAR back in 2015 when he was just a young kid. We used to train together—he was actually my training partner back then. Rick has struggled hard with alcoholism. After those early days, he fell back into his disease pretty heavy. In this conversation, I pull his story out of him—including his time running from the law, traveling into Mexico, getting deported back to the U.S., and spending years in and out of prison. The good news is, Rick’s doing well now. He’s turning his life around, and I think you’ll really connect with his story. Let me know what you think after you listen.
Episode 10: Whitney’s Action
Our guest today is Whitney, the director of Action Recovery—an amazing rehab center that offers day treatment and intensive outpatient care. This is the place I went to when I was getting off kratom, and I can honestly say it changed my life. Whitney’s not just the one in charge—she’s someone with an incredible story of her own. I was deeply impressed by her and the way she leads Action Recovery. The therapists there, the structure of the program, the way they teach—it all made a huge impact on me. This is a short and sweet conversation, but it’s packed with wisdom and heart. I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Episode 9: The Don
This was a powerful conversation with my good buddy Don Coleman. He’s been there for me through thick and thin—especially during this last go-around when I was trying to get sober. Don’s a sober companion, working one-on-one with people struggling with addiction, helping them find a path to real recovery. We dive into everything—kratom, fentanyl, homelessness, the cartels, recovery paths, ibogaine, psychedelics—you name it. Over two hours of deep, raw, and insightful conversation. Don was instrumental in helping me make the transition from WAR to SOAR, and he’s been a solid friend through it all. He was also one of the co-hosts on our old podcast, WAR. Grateful for this dude, and I think you’re all gonna really enjoy this episode. Let me know what you think.
Episode 8: The Wisdom of Big T
This one means a lot to me. Big T isn’t just my sponsor—he’s one of my best friends. He’s helped me stay sober for years, and when I relapsed, he was there to help me get back on track. Some of the greatest counsel I’ve ever received has come from this man. Big T is deeply respected in the recovery community because of how he lives—honest, dedicated to his program, fully connected to his higher power, and always in service to others. It’s a beautiful thing to witness, and I’m beyond grateful for him. This conversation was special. We went deep, and he shared some serious wisdom. For me, just sitting down for a couple of hours and talking with my boy Big T was an incredible experience. Love you, bro. Hope you all enjoy the listen.
Episode 7: God Behind Bars
Unbelievable conversation with this dude. Nick has been through a lot, and his story is powerful. I don’t want to give too much away, but we cover everything—prison, addiction, his childhood, gangs, getting out, and his journey into SOAR. Right now, he’s in the fight of his life, working his way out of the correctional system, fully committing to God, and dedicating himself to healing. He’s focused on gaining the competency to not just rebuild his own life, but to help others do the same. This one hit deep. Thankful for what he taught me during this conversation, and I think you’ll get a lot out of it too. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Episode 6: Landon’s Deep Dive
Had an interesting talk with Landon—one of those deep-dive conversations where we just go off on life, discovery, substance abuse, and what it takes to overcome it. We break down the mindset of The Man in the Back—the one who observes his thoughts instead of being controlled by them. We converse about the things that actually matter in life, like friendship and love, things that are scarce amongst the narratives that are being pushed on us by social media and the entertainment industry. Landon’s been with SOAR for almost a year and is coming up on a year sober. He’s spent a long time in recovery, stacking years of sobriety before going back out, and now he’s all in on figuring out how to be happy. He works hard to be the watcher—to separate from the thoughts that bring suffering—and he has a unique outlook on life that I really appreciate. I wanted to sit down with him because his perspective is worth hearing. I think you’ll get a lot out of it. Let me know what you think!
Episode 5: CHILL OUT!
This episode’s guest is Chris Hill, a longtime SOAR alum and one of our recovery coaches. He came into SOAR five years ago after getting out of treatment for meth. He’d just come off a year-long bender, but before that, he had over ten years clean. Now, he’s got five solid years of sobriety and has been giving back ever since, donating his time to help the new guys find their footing in recovery. This conversation was something else. Even after years of friendship, Chris shared parts of his story I’d never heard before. The way we pulled stories out of each other just by asking the right questions made for an incredible conversation. We go for about an hour and a half—it was a powerful experience. I’m beyond grateful for Chris—not just for this episode, but for being there during my last relapse. He kept in contact, gave me solid advice, and was just a good friend. We talk about that, too. Love you, bro. Thanks for everything and for being part of this podcast. Hope you all enjoy it—drop a comment and let me know what you think!
Episode 4: Turbo Speaks
This episode is with Turbo, and man, this one was powerful. He's been in the SOAR program for just over 90 days, and his story is incredible. We go deep into his childhood, his experience in and out of foster care, and what that was like for him. He opens up about his addiction to alcohol and cocaine, the struggles that came with it, and what it means for him to finally be sober. But beyond that, we talk about the connections we gain in sobriety-the real, valuable friendships that come from living a different way of life. One of the moments that shaped him happened when he was just a kid-his mom left him at a gas station, and the fear that took over his life from that moment forward was overwhelming. That fear manifested in a stutter, something he's carried ever since. but pay attention, because there's a lot to learn from him. His words carry weight. His story is deep. Turbo is one of the most spiritually grounded guys I've ever met. His knowledge of the Big Book and the Bible is next level. But more that that, his relationship with Christ is everything to him. His life literally depends on it. And seeing that kind of faith firsthand-it's inspiring. It makes me want to be better. In this episode we dive into faith, recovery, trauma, and transformation-how his relationship with Christ has shaped him into the man he is today. Im super proud of this dude and grateful I got to sit down and talk with him for over and hour. Hope you guys enjoy this one. Let me know what you think,
Episode 3: Frozen Darkness
This episode is with Cherie, and it was an incredible conversation. She’s currently in the SOAR program, originally from Alaska, and a recovering meth addict. She’s also an absolute beast in the gym. Cherie moved out to Utah with her boyfriend to do SOAR, and the insight she brings to this episode is unreal. Her story is intense—from living in a van during an Alaskan winter to bouncing between houses, trying to get sober, and even helping others along the way. I learned so much from her in this conversation, and I think you will too. This is a powerful story of resilience, addiction, and recovery. Hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
Episode 2: Rick Finds God
This episode is with my guy Rick. I met Rick three years ago when he came to SOAR, trying to get off meth. He was struggling—bad. Relapsing, in and out of homelessness, just barely hanging on. In all my years working with people in recovery, I’ve never seen a transformation like his. Just recently, he hit one year clean, and it’s been incredible to witness. Rick is a searcher. He searches for truth, for spirituality, for God. His story is raw—at one point, he wanted to strangle God after losing his wife. That loss sent him deep into addiction, but now, after years of struggle, he’s been on a journey away from meth and into something greater. We talk about that journey, what it took for him to get here, and how he’s learning to become “the man in the back”—fully present, fully alive. Rick has also been there for me. When I was struggling to get sober, he was always checking in, calling me, coaching me in ways he probably doesn’t even realize. Some of the things he told me in my hardest moments, I’ll never forget. This episode is emotional, powerful, and real. I hope you listen, and I hope you take something from our conversation. Thanks for being here. Let me know what you think.
Episode 1: The Birth
Alright, here we go—first episode of The Man in the Back Podcast. Thought it’d be cool to kick things off with a conversation between me and my guy, Riechlee. If you don’t know him, he came into SOAR as a recovering opiate addict. Had a massive snowboarding injury—broke his leg in half, shattered it into pieces. Because of that, getting into exercise was a huge challenge for him. But over time, we became friends, started talking about this podcast, and now he’s the guy behind the computer, producing the whole thing. A big reason he understands all the tech and production side of this is because he’s been in a band for years. He’s a talented musician, especially on the drums, and he’s spent a lot of his life diving deep into the world of psychedelics and their connection to creativity and music. He’s got some interesting perspectives on that, which we touch on in this episode. We also talk a lot about kratom, addiction, SOAR, and share pieces of both our stories. It’s a solid way to introduce the two guys behind this thing. Riechlee will always be producing, helping with guests, and jumping in on conversations. Him and I are pumped to start this journey, and we’re excited to see where it goes. Hope you enjoy it. Let’s get into it.