Jeff Heinkel: Becoming Who You Are through Sobriety, Self-Acceptance, and Starting Over

Some people live out loud. Jeff Heinkel lives with just enough humor and mischief to keep you on your toes.

In this week’s episode of Friends, Loves, & Life, Jeff shares the kind of life story that reminds you we’re all just figuring it out as we go. He came out in his 30s, got sober after a meth addiction nearly stole his eyesight, and walked away from a long career in television to become a personal trainer in Palm Springs. What he found here surprised even him.

We talk about all of it. The gym flirtations. The fear of rejection. The joy of finally living in a body he worked hard to feel good in. The regret of not giving his mother a chance to fully love him as he was. And the kind of friendships that form when you sit by someone’s side during chemo and stay long after.

There’s so much laughter in this conversation, but it’s the tenderness underneath that sticks with me. Jeff doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. What he does have is perspective, a lot of heart, and the willingness to keep showing up.

He says, “Sometimes it feels like my life is better because I was a drug addict.” Not because it was easy. But because it forced him to rebuild, to choose joy, to become someone he’s proud of.

This episode is for anyone who’s made a mess, survived it, and found something beautiful on the other side. It’s for anyone trying to become more of themselves.

I hope you enjoy this conversation with my friend Jeff.

And my notes from the show intro…

👉🏻 Link to Jeff’s Website for Personal Training: www.fitnesscoachps.com

This weekend, I sat in a dark theater with my husband, our son, and a few friends to watch the new Superman. It was good,more comic book than brooding epic, and while I’ll always have a soft spot for Henry Cavill walking out of the ocean shirtless (I mean, come on!), I found myself excited about what’s ahead, especially Supergirl with Milly Alcock. A new take. A new voice.

This last week I was also introduced to Andrea Gibson work. They were a poet, an artist, and a light. And even though Andrea passed away, their words are new to me — arriving in my life right on time. Sometimes art shows up exactly when you’re ready to receive it.

Until next time, be bold, be free, be you.

-David

#ComingOutLater, #QueerResilience, #GayAndSober, #LGBTQHealing, #QueerStrength, #GayFitnessJourney, #OpenRelationships, #SoberLife, #RecoveryJourney, #SoberAndProud, #StartingOver, #FromAddictionToRecovery, #HealingThroughMovement

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