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 battling anxiety, Mario used alcohol as a coping mechanism. The social pressure of drinking culture and a breakup spiraled into self-destruction—culminating in dangerous behavior, lost identity, and suicidal thoughts.

⚡ But everything changed when he said the words: “Just don’t drink today.”

Today, Mario is sober, self-aware, and using his story to inspire young adults in addiction recovery. He’s writing a book and pursuing a career in mental health counseling to help others rediscover joy and self-acceptance.

🌱 Early sobriety is hard. But life on the other side? Worth it.

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 craving... you're not alone.

🧠 Addiction isn't just about substances—it’s about escaping the present moment through any external fix. And for many, that spiral starts early and escalates fast.

👨‍👧‍👦 "I had 3 young kids. I wanted to die. Rehab wasn't a luxury—it was a lifeline."

🛏️ From the raw truth of inpatient rehab to the spiritual breakthrough on his knees in a hospital room, this story is a living testament that recovery is possible.

🔥 Your greatest chapter isn’t behind you—it’s waiting to be written.

📅 Book a 1:1 Sober Mentoring Session Today—LINK BELOW

https://calendly.com/thewillpowerpodc...

Love my content? It takes a ton of work. I would so appreciate any form of contribution if you feel inclined. Thank you for being here 🙏

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpower...

00:00 - The First Escape: When Alcohol Entered My Life

01:57 - The Rave Scene: Discovering Drugs in the 90s

04:05 - Numbing the Pain: The Addiction Cycle Begins

07:23 - Lost and Alone: Hitting Rock Bottom

10:20 - A Father’s Wake-Up Call: The Turning Point

13:15 - Surrender and Support: The Journey to Rehab

16:35 - Meeting God on the Floor: My Spiritual Awakening

19:15 - A New Perspective: Embracing Surrender Over Willpower

21:40 - This Is Not the End: Sharing Hope With Others

24:00 - The Power of Gratitude: Sobriety's Greatest Gift

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 long-term sobriety. Whether you’re looking for relapse prevention strategies, addiction recovery stories, or mental health and addiction recovery tips, this is one conversation you need to hear.

🏥 A medical professional who’s also in recovery

👩‍⚕️ Megan shares how her own experience helps her sit in the darkness with patients—and guide them into the light

🏃‍♀️ How ultra running mirrored her battle with alcohol use disorder

💥 What it’s like hitting rock bottom and finding a way out

💬 The role of shame, trauma, structure, and daily routines in long-term sobriety

🌱 Whether you’re in early recovery, struggling with relapse, or supporting someone on their journey, this is a story of hope, healing, and purpose.

👊 Your next chapter starts now. Let’s write it together.

📅 Book a 1:1 Sober Mentoring Session Today—LINK BELOW

https://calendly.com/thewillpowerpodcast/30min

Love my content? It takes a ton of work. I would so appreciate any form of contribution if you feel inclined. Thank you for being here 🙏 https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

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—LINK BELOW

https://calendly.com/thewillpowerpodcast/30min

Or DM me "SOBER" on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast) to start the conversation.

🎙️ From playing at Abbey Road Studios to earning a PhD from Oxford, Dr. Robb Kelly had it all—until addiction took everything. Homeless, hopeless, and nearly dead on the streets of Manchester, his turning point came not from rehab, but from a realization so deep it rewired his entire brain.

🔥 In this real, raw, and unfiltered conversation, we explore:

Why alcohol addiction recovery starts with rewiring your thinking

How even A-list celebrities struggle with mental health and addiction recovery

Why your relapse prevention strategies might not be enough

The science behind craving, trauma, and overcoming addiction challenges

What 14 months of homelessness taught Dr. Robb about healing

Why he believes alcoholics are born, not made

Why you can change—100%, for life.

💥 This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought:

“I’ve ruined everything, can I come back from this?”

“Why do I keep relapsing no matter how hard I try?”

“Is recovery really possible for someone like me?”

✨ Dr. Robb doesn’t hold back—because he believes your greatest chapter isn’t behind you… it’s waiting to be written.

🙏 If you believe in the mission of spreading hope and healing through real recovery stories, please consider donating to the podcast. Every dollar helps keep this content going and reaching the people who need it most.

💡 "It's not the alcohol. It's your thinking." This is the episode you’ll want to watch twice.

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 power of community. It’s raw, real, and loaded with insights from my own journey and theirs.

Here’s what we dive into:

- Rebuilding my identity after addiction—because it’s more than just staying sober

- How family therapy saved my relationships (and how it can save yours)

- Finding the sweet spot between structure and flexibility in treatment

- The recovery struggles hitting Boston hard

- A success story from aftercare that’ll give you chills

- Why AA isn’t the only way—exploring the full spectrum of options

- Cool new innovations shaking up addiction treatment

- How I’m learning to trust myself again in recovery

This episode’s got everything—hope, hard truths, and practical tips. Whether you’re in the thick of it or rooting for someone who is, you’ll walk away with something real.

**Timestamps:**

- 00:00 – Kicking off with a warm welcome

- 00:12 – Rebuilding identity beyond addiction

- 02:53 – Family therapy’s role in recovery

- 05:29 – Structure vs. flexibility in treatment

- 06:53 – Boston’s unique challenges

- 08:22 – An aftercare success story

- 09:49 – Recovery options beyond AA

- 11:20 – New vibes in addiction treatment

- 13:53 – Building trust in myself again

- 14:45 – Wrapping up with gratitude

Big thanks to GBAC for hosting this live podcast and doing the damn thing for recovery in our community. 🙌 We’re doing live episodes now, so if you want in—virtual or in-person—slide into my DMs on Instagram (@thewillpowerpodcast) or email me at thewillpowerpodcast@gmail.com.

**Why Watch?**

- Real talk on finding purpose post-addiction

- Family healing takes time but it’s worth it

- Treatment’s not one-size-fits-all

- Boston’s got its own recovery flavor

- Hope is alive and well

Drop a like if this hits you, subscribe to *TheWillpowerPodcast* for more, and let’s keep the convo going in the comments. 💪

**Connect With Me:**

- Instagram: @thewillpowerpodcast

- Email: thewillpowerpodcast@gmail.com

- YouTube: TheWillpowerPodcast

Connect with GBAC

https://www.instagram.com/gbac_/

https://greaterbostonaddictioncenters.com/

#AddictionRecovery #LivePodcast #Boston #CommunitySupport #MentalHealth #RecoveryJourney #Inspiration #Hope

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 purpose and abundance, donating 50% of proceeds to the recovery community.

In this raw and real conversation, we dive into:

📍 00:00 Intro – Meet Michael Conklin 🌟

📍 04:45 The Moment His Old Life Ended 💔

📍 14:42 How He Rebuilt with Connection 🤝

📍 26:48 Overcoming Relapse & Selfishness 🚀

📍 39:30 The Power of Vulnerability in Recovery 💡

📍 50:00 Life Lessons from COVID & Beyond 🌱

📍 01:02:00 Where to Find Michael & Join His Community 🌐

Michael shares how a marriage breakdown at 10 years sober forced him to reconnect, how COVID sparked a new path, and why “get connected, stay connected, help others” is his secret to success. His lived experience and practical wisdom challenge traditional recovery, offering hope to anyone struggling.

💙 Support The Show:

TheWillpowerPodcast is a solo gig—I handle it all from recording to editing. If you find value here, please support me:

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

Connect with Michael Conklin:

🌐 Instagram: @betterbeginningnow

📘 Facebook Group: Better Beginning Now (link in Instagram bio)

Follow The Willpower Podcast:

📱 Instagram: @thewillpowerpodcast

🎥 YouTube: @thewillpowerpodcast

🎙️ Spotify/Apple Podcasts: Search “TheWillpowerPodcast with Will Gordon”

#SobrietyTips #AddictionRecovery #HowToStaySober #RecoveryJourney #SoberCommunity #AddictionHelp #SobrietyStories #RecoveryPodcast #MichaelConklin #BetterBeginningNow

From performing at Abbey Road Studios to earning a PhD from Oxford to sleeping in Manchester's trash bins - Dr. Robb Kelly's journey is a masterclass in transformation. Known as the "Gordon Ramsay of Addiction" for his no-nonsense approach, Dr. Kelly revolutionized addiction treatment through neuroscience and raw honesty. Now based in Texas, Dr. Kelly combines neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and his own lived experience to offer a unique perspective on recovery. His methods challenge traditional addiction treatment, boasting significantly higher success rates than conventional approaches. His practice spans five locations worldwide, where he works with everyone from celebrities to CEOs to everyday people struggling with addiction. His work includes pioneering research on PTSD in addiction, innovative subliminal messaging techniques, and the development of the groundbreaking "9D" therapy approach.

Dr. Kelly's extraordinary leading voice in addiction recovery proves his core belief: that 100% recovery is possible for anyone, regardless of how far they've fallen. Today, he continues to push the boundaries of addiction treatment while maintaining that the key to recovery lies not in the substance, but in healing our thinking patterns and childhood trauma.

In this powerful conversation, we explore:

00:00 Introduction & Rock Bottom Story

08:42 The Moment Everything Changed

14:54 Why Addiction Treatment Is Failing

23:56 The Neuroscience Behind Recovery

32:35 From Homeless to Healing Thousands

40:18 Breaking the Family Cycle

48:37 The Truth About Sobriety

52:21 Three Steps to Change Your Life Tomorrow

Dr. Kelly shares the exact moment he realized "The problem isn't our drinking - it's our thinking," and why this insight has helped thousands recover. As someone who nearly died from addiction myself, this conversation gets to the heart of what real transformation requires.

💙 Support The Show:

TheWillpowerPodcast is a solo operation - I handle everything from research to editing to publishing. If you find value in these episodes, please consider supporting the show

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

Connect with Dr. Robb Kelly:

🌐 Website: robbkelly.com

📱 Instagram: @addiction_doctor

Follow The Willpower Podcast:

📱 Instagram: @thewillpowerpodcast

🎥 YouTube: @thewillpowerpodcast

Special Offer: First 5 viewers to message Dr. Kelly mentioning this episode will receive a signed copy of his book "Daddy, Daddy, Please Stop Drinking"

#AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #Recovery #WillpowerPodcast #Transformation #DrRobbKelly #AddictionTreatment #RecoveryPodcast

🎙️ TheWillpowerPodcast - Ep. #30 Watch how Steven Celi @BeTheEnergySteve combines high-energy coaching with hip-hop culture to help people break free from their fears! In this episode, we explore the journey from self-doubt to self-expression, why vulnerability is your superpower, and how to tap into your unique energy frequency. Steven shares his transformation from a shy kid trying to dunk to becoming a transformational coach helping others unleash their authentic selves.

💙 Support The Show:

TheWillpowerPodcast is a solo operation - I handle everything from research to editing to publishing. If you find value in these episodes, please consider supporting the show

https://buymeacoffee.com/thewillpowerpodcast

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction

03:42 From Short Kid to Motivational Speaker

06:24 The Energy Transformation Journey

09:22 Following Life's Excitement

12:00 Breaking Through Fear Barriers

14:54 Hip-Hop Meets Personal Development

17:46 Understanding Energy & Addiction

20:36 Daily Energy Practices Revealed

23:56 The "Energy First" Philosophy

26:39 Navigating Life's Challenging Times

29:49 The Power of Authentic Vulnerability

32:35 Finding Your Inspiration

36:50 Overcoming Fear Through Action

40:18 Connecting Passion with Purpose

🔑 KEY MOMENTS:

• Steven's journey from corporate life to energy coaching

• Why following excitement leads to transformation

• Breaking free from self-limiting beliefs

• The power of vulnerability in personal growth

• Using hip-hop as a tool for self-expression

• Daily practices for maintaining high energy

👋 CONNECT WITH US:

Will Gordon (Host):

• Instagram: @thewillpowerpodcast

• YouTube: @thewillpowerpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/thewillpowerpodcast/

Steven Celi (Guest):

• Instagram: @betheenergysteve

https://www.instagram.com/betheenergysteve/

• Website: stevenceli.com

@BeTheEnergySteve

💡 MENTIONED:

• Ross Edgeley's Documentary

• Joe Dispenza's "Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself"

• Ram Dass "Be Here Now" (A MUST HAVE BOOK IN MY OPINION!)

🎯 SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes on personal development, overcoming addiction, and living your best life!

#PersonalDevelopment #Motivation #SelfDiscovery #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #Coaching #Inspiration #Vulnerability #Energy #HipHop #WillpowerPodcast #PersonalTransformation #MotivationalSpeaking #SelfHelp #MindsetCoach #TonyRobbins #HipHopCulture #BreakingFree #EnergyCoaching #Mindfulness #MensWork #Transformation #SpeakYourTruth #AuthenticLiving #PersonalPower