Bridging GapsBridging Gaps
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Coach Blu Robinson talks with Brad Waldron about his journey from serious health issues and addiction to stable recovery grounded in 12-step work, service, and his role as a chef in treatment. Their conversation focuses on bridging traditional recovery approaches with the Addict II Athlete model and finding purpose through helping others.
59:18•24 Jan 2019
Bridging Gaps: From Kidneys and Chaos to Service and Sobriety
Episode Overview
- Recovery can grow from many starting points, including chronic illness and feelings of being different, not just family dysfunction.
- There is no single path to sobriety; 12-step work and programmes like Addict II Athlete can complement each other.
- Service to others, even when inconvenient, can anchor long-term recovery and provide daily purpose.
- Thoughts about using or self-doubt do not define success; what matters is whether those thoughts are acted on.
- Staying teachable, honest, and willing to try new approaches helps sustain growth years into recovery.
“Be willing to be open to anything, really. Don’t listen to your thoughts; maybe your thoughts could be your worst enemy.”
How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? This conversation between Coach Blu Robinson and Brad Waldron shines a light on exactly that, with a mix of raw honesty, humour, and some very real talk about kidneys, cooking, and the 12 steps. Brad shares his story of growing up in a large LDS family, living with a rare kidney disease, and missing out on a “normal” teenage life due to dialysis, surgery and health scares.
He explains how feelings of being different and left out pushed him towards substances, saying that once he started using, “all my health… didn’t matter anymore.” The episode is aimed at people in recovery, their families, and anyone who’s ever thought, “Maybe I’m too far gone.” You’ll hear how Brad moved from suicidal thoughts and failed attempts at intensive outpatient to finally committing to treatment, embracing 12-step work, and building a solid relationship with his sponsor.
He talks about the moment a fellow patient simply asked, “Why are you here?” and how that quiet challenge helped flip a switch in his mindset. Brad and Coach Blu also chat about bridging traditional 12-step programmes with the Addict II Athlete approach, highlighting that “there’s not one avenue to find recovery.” Brad explains how service became his anchor: taking meetings into jail, supporting clients, and literally feeding people through his work as a chef.
As he puts it, service is “a selfish but also selfless act” because both sides gain something. If you’re curious about combining physical activity, community, and 12-step principles, or you’re just looking for proof that purpose can grow out of pain, this story offers plenty to reflect on. It might even get you asking yourself: what purpose could be waiting underneath your own mess?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.