Ashley Loeb Blassingame
ckimmich@lionrockrecovery.com (Archie Messersmith-Bunting, Ashley Loeb Blassingame)
Archie Messersmith-Bunting: The Southern Baptist Who Could Not Drink, Drug, or Pray the Gay & Mental Illness Away
Archie Messersmith-Bunting: The Southern Baptist Who Could Not Drink, Drug, or Pray the Gay & Mental Illness Away
Archie Messersmith-Bunting: The Southern Baptist Who Could Not Drink, Drug, or Pray the Gay & Mental Illness Away
Tuesday 17th August 2021
Hear Archie Messersmith-Bunting's journey from addiction and depression to embracing his true self on The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast.
Explicit
72 minutes
Inspiring
Empowering
Informative
Hopeful
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Ashley Loeb Blassingame
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Archie Messersmith-Bunting: Finding Strength in Vulnerability
But until that point, what people just don't understand is that the addiction is so much stronger than you, and also depending on your drug of choice.
Imagine growing up in a world where you feel like you don't belong, where every day is a battle to fit into a mold that was never meant for you. This is the reality Archie Messersmith-Bunting faced as he navigated life in a strict Southern Baptist community.
Known today as 'The Feelings Guy', Archie shares his incredible journey of battling addiction, depression, and the struggles of coming out as gay in a religious environment in this episode of 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast'. Archie’s story is one of grit and resilience. Adopted at a young age, he was raised in a culture that preached 'pray the gay away', leading him to spend his high school and college years trying to suppress his true identity.
This internal conflict pushed him towards addiction and deep clinical depression, eventually making him believe that suicide was his only escape. But Archie’s story doesn’t end there. With immense courage, he clawed his way back from the brink, embracing his identity and finding strength in his vulnerability. Now, as a mental wellness professional speaker, Archie uses his experiences to help others understand that they are more than the sum of their past mistakes.
He teaches that while our past moments don’t define us, they can shape us into stronger individuals. Throughout this episode, Archie candidly discusses the profound impact addiction and substance abuse had on his mental health. He talks about the importance of seeking professional help and the transformative power it holds.
Listeners will also hear about the coping mechanisms and self-care practices that played a crucial role in his recovery journey, from simple daily routines like making his bed to more profound practices of self-acceptance. Archie’s journey also highlights the struggles of dealing with religious trauma and the need for creating safe spaces for people of all backgrounds. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding, compassion, and support in overcoming mental health challenges.
Tune in to this episode for an inspiring tale of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of recovery.