EP 10 – Unbreakable: Shane Ramer’s Path to Recovery and Resilience

Written by Gary Menkes in Podcasts

In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, we delve into the inspiring story of Shane Ramer, a man who rewrote the script of his life and triumphed over addiction. Join us as we uncover the raw and unfiltered journey of Shane, as he navigated the depths of his addiction and emerged stronger than ever.

Shane’s battle with addiction was no easy feat. It consumed his life, shattered relationships, and left him feeling broken and hopeless. But through sheer determination and an unwavering desire for change, Shane found the strength to rewrite his story.

In this episode, Shane opens up about the demons he faced, the rock bottom moments that pushed him to seek help, and the transformative journey of recovery. His vulnerability and honesty will leave you in awe as he shares the highs and lows of his path to redemption.

But this episode isn’t just about the darkness of addiction. It’s about resilience, hope, and the power of the human spirit. Shane’s story serves as a beacon of light for anyone who has ever felt trapped by their own demons. Through therapy, support groups, and a newfound sense of purpose, Shane was able to break the chains of addiction and rebuild his life from the ground up.

Join us as we listen to Shane’s incredible journey of overcoming addiction and find inspiration in his unwavering determination to rewrite his script. This episode is a testament to the fact that no matter how deep the darkness may seem, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting to be discovered. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and reminded of the unbreakable resilience of the human spirit.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the stand or beliefs of the host or the podcast. We aim to provide a diverse range of perspectives and ideas, fostering open and respectful discussions. We encourage critical thinking and forming your own conclusions. Enjoy the show!

About Our Guest (Shane Ramer)

Shane Ramer is a renowned speaker and coach who has dedicated his life to helping individuals overcome addiction and become the best versions of themselves. In 2014, he created the That Sober Guy Podcast, which has reached over 2.5 million listeners worldwide. Through his podcast, Shane brings awareness and support to those struggling with addiction, offering guidance on how to quit drinking and transform their lives. As a devoted father to two children and a loving husband of 20 years, Shane understands the importance of family and the power of personal growth. He is deeply passionate about following God, loving his family, and empowering others to become purposeful leaders in their businesses, homes, and communities. To learn more about Shane Ramer and his impactful work, visit www.ThatSoberGuy.com.

Show Notes

[02:29] Gary Menkes expresses his admiration for Shane and the work he is doing.

[02:51] Shane, a recovering addict from Northern California, shares his personal journey of addiction, recovery, and the impact of alcohol on people’s lives, expressing his frustration with the normalization and advertising of alcohol in society. 

[08:25] Both Gary and Shane discuss the importance of continuous learning and personal growth in recovery.

[10:52] Shane shares his experiences growing up with young and inexperienced parents, the impact of a victim mentality on his drinking career, and the trauma his parents faced, leading to financial struggles, domestic disputes, and the use of drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms.

[15:03] Shane discusses his love for music and baseball, but how his drinking and drug use escalated over time, leading to a downward spiral in his life.

[16:44] Gary discusses his love for baseball and how his childhood experiences with his dad’s cocaine addiction and his own struggles with anger and alcohol led him to seek recovery and take responsibility for his own actions.

[18:16] Shane discusses the importance of forgiveness and doing the work on oneself in order to heal from past trauma and negative experiences, specifically focusing on the relationship with one’s parents. 

[20:23] Shane reflects on a conversation with his sponsor, Buddy, who confronts him about his expectations and blame towards his father, leading Shane to realize the importance of forgiveness and taking responsibility for his own actions, even as a father himself.

[22:39] Shane discusses the importance of pausing and recognizing his emotions in order to prevent escalation and make better decisions, using the example of struggling with laces on a pair of Jordans.

[23:34] Gary discusses his struggle with patience and losing his temper, as well as the importance of letting go of resentments and making amends in his recovery journey.

[26:24] Shane discusses his struggles with quitting drinking and smoking, his experience working in construction and the music industry, and the impact these choices had on his life and family.

[29:17] Shane shares his struggle with alcoholism and how it affected his relationships and ability to feel emotions, ultimately leading to desperation and a daily cycle of drinking.

[31:38] Shane shares his experience of being trapped in a repetitive cycle of substance abuse, feeling guilt and shame, and his wife’s growing concern, despite being able to maintain a facade of normalcy, leading him to a point of desperation and exhaustion.

[35:06] Shane shares his struggle with alcohol addiction and how he finally reached a breaking point, leading him to seek help and change his life. 

[37:43] Shane opens up about the moment he realized he needed help, including a powerful encounter with a Bible in the middle of the road. 

[39:59] Shane shares his experience of finding a Bible on the street, which led to his spiritual awakening and decision to seek help for his addiction, ultimately leading to his recovery journey and rebuilding his relationship with his wife.

[46:41] Shane emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive friends who respect one’s choices. 

[49:44] Shane shares his journey of going to rehab, struggling with his job, commuting for hours, and finding inspiration from a podcast called The New Man with Tripp Lanier, which led him to start his own podcast about his sobriety journey and helping others in the process.

[52:31] Shane discusses his journey of starting a podcast about addiction recovery and bridging the gap between the rooms of recovery and the outside world, finding a sense of purpose and excitement in the process.

[55:19] Shane talks about his pitch to use podcasts for customer service and his plans to take his podcast to the public, all while dealing with setbacks like COVID-19.

[58:16] Shane discusses his main focus of creating impactful and helpful content for his corporate podcast and Sober Guy, and his intention to continue doing so until directed otherwise.

[59:06] Gary shares how hearing stories of celebrities and athletes who were sober helped him stay sober, and how he wanted to share these stories with more people, leading him to start his podcast. 

[01:00:18] Shane discusses his work with a sober men’s group on the locals platform, where he connects with and supports men in recovery from all over the world, including those in the entertainment industry who navigate party atmospheres and touring while staying sober.

[01:02:29] Shane discusses his website and podcast, That Sober Guy, which provides resources and support for those seeking to quit drinking, including the 30 day quit drinking challenge and the Sober Guy men’s group.

For more incredible and inspiring stories of those who have overcome alcoholism and addiction, tune in to the next episodes of The Begin Again Podcast through:

Gary Menkes

Gary Menkes was born and raised in Port Washington, NY and struggled with alcoholism since his early teens which took him to places he never wants to go again and which took a toll on his health, relationships and professional endeavors. However, Gary completely transformed his life when he was given the gift of sobriety on May 13, 2006. Determined to break free from the cycle of self-destruction, he embarked on a remarkable journey of recovery. Today, Gary is an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York, married to the love of his life and father of two amazing children of which he owes all to his sobriety. Gary is now launching his own podcast, The Begin Again Podcast.

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