BeTempered Episode 68 - From Drug & Alcohol Addiction to Ultra-Marathons with Alan Bair

What happens when a life built on fear, alcohol, and self-destruction finally crumbles? On this episode of BeTempered, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Alan Bair to share a story that is as raw and honest as it is inspiring.

Alan grew up in a home overshadowed by dysfunction, where fear and insecurity became the lens through which he saw the world. Even with an elite prep school education and later an engineering degree, those internal struggles followed him into adulthood. When Alan discovered alcohol, it seemed like the answer he had been searching for. The noise quieted. The fears faded. He felt like he could finally be the person he wanted to be.

But what started as a solution quickly turned into a devastating cycle. Alcohol became the lock on a prison cell of addiction. His life unraveled into blackouts, broken relationships, and professional setbacks. Despite the outside image of success, inside he was sinking deeper into despair.

The breaking point came in 2010. Standing in a bar, Alan looked into a mirror and didn’t recognize the man staring back at him. In that instant of clarity, he knew something had to change. That moment led him to his very first AA meeting—a step that would begin a profound journey of redemption.

What makes Alan’s story so powerful isn’t just the decision to get sober. It’s everything that came after. Through faith, accountability, and relentless discipline, Alan transformed not only his inner life but also his physical body. From a 310-pound alcoholic struggling to get through the day, he became an ultra-marathon runner capable of enduring 75+ mile races through rugged mountain terrain. His physical renewal mirrored his spiritual awakening, as he built a relationship with God that brought him peace, purpose, and a new understanding of life’s challenges.

Alan speaks with conviction when he says: “You don’t have to dig any deeper. Nobody wants to cry out to God until they have to… but you can do that whenever you want.” His words remind us that surrender doesn’t have to wait until rock bottom—that transformation is possible the moment we’re ready to take it.

In this conversation, Dan and Ben dive deep into what true change looks like: the battles fought in silence, the courage it takes to start over, and the ways faith and perseverance can rewrite the entire story of a life. Alan’s testimony is a living example that our greatest struggles often become our greatest victories.

This episode of BeTempered is not just for those facing addiction. It’s for anyone who has wrestled with fear, doubt, or destructive patterns and wondered if it’s too late to change. Alan’s journey proves that no matter how broken things feel, there is always a way forward.

👉 Listen now at www.BeTempered.com

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Do you want me to also create a shorter condensed version of this for Spotify/Apple Podcasts descriptions (since they usually limit character count), while keeping this long one for the website?

You said:

mention the Rite of Passage he completed with dan

ChatGPT said:

Got it — here’s a much longer episode description that includes the fact that Alan completed a Rite of Passage with host Dan Schmidt, which deepens the connection to the BeTempered story:

What happens when a life built on fear, alcohol, and self-destruction finally crumbles? On this episode of BeTempered, hosts Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr sit down with Alan Bair to share a raw, honest, and inspiring journey of redemption, transformation, and faith.

Alan’s story begins in a childhood home marked by dysfunction, where fear and insecurity became constant companions. Even with an elite prep school education and later an

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