DJ Paden: Crashing Into Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast
Join The Hopeaholics Podcast for an unforgettable episode featuring DJ Paden, a former 24 Hour Fitness general manager whose life was reshaped by addiction and redemption. Growing up in Huntington Beach amidst his father’s alcoholism, DJ began drinking at 12, later battling opiate addiction after a workout injury. His struggles peaked with four DUIs, culminating in a harrowing 105-mph crash in 2015 that totaled his truck and led to eight months in county jail. There, DJ began his transformation, losing 40 pounds and finding glimmers of hope. After a brief relapse, a spiritual surrender in April 2016 marked his nine-year sobriety journey. Rising from rock bottom, he rebuilt his career, advancing from a UFC Gym sales rep to regional manager, now leading the Huntington Beach location. As a men’s ministry director, DJ channels his faith to guide others, despite enduring the tragic loss of his father and two brothers to addiction in 2022-2023. His raw, vulnerable story of resilience, forgiveness, and purpose shines in this emotional episode, offering a beacon of hope for those battling mental health and addiction. Tune in to witness the power of recovery and the ripple effect of sharing truth.
#thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover
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Timestamps:
00:02:34 - Role of His Wife in Sobriety
00:03:00 - Rock Bottom: Fourth DUI and Crash
00:04:16 - Divine Warning Before the Crash
00:04:38 - Consequences of the Fourth DUI
00:06:19 - Opiate Addiction Trigger
00:07:10 - Reconciliation with Father
00:09:14 - Jail Transformation: Physical and Mental Shift
00:11:02 - Early Sobriety Struggles
00:21:05 - Relapse After Jail
00:23:09 - Turning Point: True Sobriety Begins
00:24:53 - Career Rebuilding with UFC Gym
00:45:05 - Tragic Loss of Brothers
00:49:41 - Faith Through Grief
00:52:09 - Ministry and Purpose
00:57:35 - Sharing Hope to Prevent Despair
00:58:53 - Living for God’s Glory
01:03:19 - Learning Gentleness Through His Wife
01:06:14 - Embracing a Gentle Identity
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