The Gift Of Presence (Archive - Episode 5)

The Gift Of Presence (Archive - Episode 5)

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation from Relational Recovery looks at a surprising place to start: simply being present in your own body. Host Wes Thompson and co-host Austin Hill talk honestly about how many people in addiction have learned to see their bodies as “bad” or shameful, and how reconnecting with physical sensations can be a first step toward healing.

They stress that wandering thoughts aren’t failure; instead, they describe gently returning attention to God: “Thank you for giving me another opportunity to focus on you, God.” The pair also talk about yoga in a very relaxed, non-mystical way: stretching, breathing, feeling limits like not being able to touch your toes, and seeing that as a reminder that “he made you specifically.” For those wary of yoga, there’s some light humour about “yoga’s for sissies” that quickly gets flipped on its head.

As one of them puts it, “One of the best ways to healing is to be able to connect ourselves and be just aware and be present with where our body is right now.” You’ll hear them chat through practical, down-to-earth tools for presence, starting with a “sensory walk” that focuses on what your feet feel, how the air hits your face, and what you can hear and smell.

Finally, they mention using digital tools such as meditation apps and ambient sound playlists to calm the body and support prayer, while keeping the focus on Christian spirituality and recovery. Throughout, the message stays clear: addiction isn’t something you can just think your way out of; it’s deeply physical, so healing needs to involve the body too.

If you’ve ever felt cut off from your own body or faith while struggling with unwanted behaviours, this gentle, practical chat may spark a new way to show up fully present in your recovery. What small step toward presence could you try today?