I Loved My Kids More Than I Hated Myself | James YountI Loved My Kids More Than I Hated Myself | James Yount
Chase The Vase
James Yount talks about moving from meth addiction, deep self-hatred and obesity to nearly six years of sobriety, major weight loss and renewed faith. His story focuses on loving his children, embracing discipline, and facing emotional "goliaths" with courage rather than escape.
58:07•14 Sept 2026
From Meth and 338 Pounds to a Father Worth Coming Home To | James Yount
Episode Overview
- Loving his children more than he hated himself became James’ core reason to pursue sobriety and change.
- James quit meth and began major weight loss at the same time, proving to himself that big change is possible at any age.
- Daily discipline—walking miles, writing out anxiety, and sticking to routine—helped him manage cravings and fear without relapsing.
- Faith in Christ and involvement in celebrate recovery gave James a new identity beyond "addict" and "failure."
- Taking ownership of past harm and making amends is presented as essential for genuine healing and better relationships.
“I started loving my children more than I hated myself.”
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol and drugs when everything feels broken? This episode of *Chase The Vase* features guest James Yount sharing how hitting 40, weighing over 330 pounds, and losing his marriage and home life forced him to face some harsh truths about addiction, self-hatred, and fatherhood. You’ll hear James talk honestly about meth addiction, depression, and the brutal loneliness of couch-surfing at 40 with a dog in a backpack and no real plan.
Hosts Cowbell Rob and Brock Bevel draw out both the hard and funny sides of James’ story: from "doing meth things" like tearing apart computers and motors, to nearly 340 pounds and needing “an oxygen mask or a defib just to put my socks on.” James explains how he took on two giants at once—quitting meth and losing over 100 pounds—using simple but relentless discipline: walking miles every day, writing out his anxiety in a notebook, and refusing to go back to old habits.
The turning point comes when he admits, "I started loving my children more than I hated myself," a line that sums up his decision to fight for sobriety and to rebuild his life for his son and daughter. Faith plays a big role too. James talks about praying to a God he thought probably hated him, finding Christ, and learning to swap bottles and needles for prayer, therapy, and community.
He now helps run a faith-based recovery group, works in fitness, and supports others who feel "too far gone" to change. This episode suits anyone dealing with addiction, food, weight, shame, or messy family dynamics, especially parents who worry about the impact of their behaviour on their kids.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in the "suffocation of misery," James’ story might be the nudge to ask: what would it look like to love your future more than you hate your past?
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