Is That Your Opinion
Is That Your Opinion

The Agents of Recovery Podcast

Coaches Blu Robinson and Wendell Wood talk about the difference between facts and opinions in recovery, challenging labels, negative bias and all‑or‑nothing thinking. Their conversation highlights how questioning long-held beliefs can open space for growth, support and genuine self-respect.

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51:49•26 Oct 2026

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Fact or Opinion? Rethinking How You See Yourself in Recovery

Episode Overview

Question harsh self-statements by asking, “as evidenced by what?” to see whether they’re facts or just long-standing opinions.
Treat relapse or setbacks as feedback and learning, rather than proof that all previous progress has been lost.
Shift from “but” to “and” thinking so that one mistake doesn’t cancel out all the good you’ve done.
Let trusted people reflect your strengths back to you, and allow yourself to be celebrated rather than shrinking behind wounded pride.
Surround yourself with supportive people who can hold belief for you when your own belief feels too small.

“I think that when we can separate what we know from what we assume, that can change the understanding of ourselves and the progress that we're making.”

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between Coach Blu Robinson and Coach Wendell Wood shows how much of that strength comes down to one tricky question: are you dealing in facts, or just opinions dressed up as facts? The episode has a relaxed, matey feel – they even kick off by chatting about early-morning trail runs and ultras – but the core message cuts deep.

Blu and Wendell talk about the mental habit of turning harsh self-opinions into “truth”, especially around addiction and recovery. As Blu puts it, people often say things like, “I just don’t deserve to be loved,” and he pushes back with the question, “as evidenced by what?” You’ll hear them unpack labels like “addict”, referencing Gabor Maté’s view that we’re humans who’ve suffered and adapted, rather than being nothing more than an “addict” forever.

Wendell shares how he once believed medical opinions that he “couldn’t run” after knee surgeries – until community support helped him test that belief and end up running ultras. Those stories underline the difference between what can be verified and what’s simply a long‑held interpretation.

They also tackle negative bias: why one relapse or mistake seems to erase months or years of progress, and how switching from “but” to “and” thinking (“I did well, and I struggled this week”) can stop shame from taking over. Pride, “wounded pride”, and the temptation to hide behind “I’m the worst person ever” as a justification to use also get a frank airing.

Grounded in real-life examples, light humour and plenty of honesty, this episode is ideal for anyone in recovery who keeps replaying their “lowlight reel” instead of their genuine progress. Ready to question which of your beliefs about yourself are facts – and which are just old opinions you’ve outgrown?

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