The One Day At A Time Recovery Podcast

When Nothing Goes According to Plan — and That's the Point
Andrew Lassise didn't get sober because he wanted to. He got sober because a judge gave him a choice: jail or rehab. He chose rehab. And as he'll tell you, that was the best decision he never really made.
Andrew's story is the kind that makes you laugh out loud and then quietly reassess your own life. At 16, he was blacking out at parties. By college, it was a daily habit. By his mid-twenties, he had a 0.24 BAC DUI, three failed breathalyzer readings on his own car-mounted device, and a pocket breathalyzer he'd purchased on eBay to cheat the first one. "I could have just stopped drinking," he admits now. "But that wasn't an option until the judge made it one."
What happened in the years that followed is a masterclass in what recovery actually looks like when you apply it everywhere — not just to the bottle, but to business, failure, and the relentless uncertainty of building something from scratch.
Failure as Feedback
After rehab, Andrew moved to Florida, brought the wrong resume to a job interview, and accidentally landed his first tech job. He joined a small IT company, loved it — and then watched it go out of business. His response? Offer to keep running the tech department for free from his living room. That's the company he spent the next decade building. In 2023, he sold it for 70 times the number someone once told him he was "crazy" to want.
Along the way, there were credit card processors who held his money for years, campaigns that completely flopped, and moments where — as he says — "knowing what I know now, I would have quit." But he didn't. And the program was a big part of why.
"My sponsor would tell me: you can keep fighting reality, or you can accept it for what it is," Andrew says. "Change what you can change. Let go of what you can't."
The Community That Didn't Exist
After selling his company and spending exactly one year in corporate (he quit three hours after he was legally required to stay), Andrew did an ikigai exercise — mapping out the intersection of what he loves, what he's good at, and what the world needs. The answer was clear: a community for sober entrepreneurs. When he went looking for it, it didn't exist. So he built it.
Sober Founders is a nonprofit — Andrew makes $0 as president — built on 12-step principles and designed for entrepreneurs who want to bring their real business problems to a group that gets it. The results speak for themselves: connections made, deals done, and more than a few phone calls where people cry out of gratitude.
Action Items:
Visit soberfounders.org and attend a weekly meeting

Try the Arthur Brooks failure journal exercise: write down what happened, then revisit in 3 months

Ask yourself Andrew's question: When's the last time God let me down?

Do your own ikigai exercise to find the intersection of purpose and skill

My First Million — podcast Andrew mentioned listening to (about strikeouts before home runs)
Arthur Brooks' Failure Journal Exercise — write down what happened after a failure, revisit in 3 months, then again 3 months after that
The Ikigai Exercise — finding the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, and what the world needs (this is what led Andrew to start Sober Founders)
Sober Founders — soberfounders.org, free weekly Thursday mastermind meetings
Vistage / YPO / EO (Entrepreneur's Organization) — mentioned as peer groups with a similar model to Sober Founders
Soberlink — the in-car breathalyzer brand Andrew referenced from his DUI story



Guest Website: https://www.soberfounders.org
👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?
Here are 3 ways to get started:
🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist
Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com
☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick
https://www.makesobrietystick.com
Subscribe So You Don't Miss New Episodes!
 
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

 

 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

What if your energy was like a bag of Skittles?
That's the metaphor Anne uses in this conversation, and once you hear it, you can't unsee it.
Every day you wake up with a limited number of Skittles. Each one represents your energy — mentally, emotionally, and physically.
The problem?
Most of us are throwing our Skittles away without even realizing it.
We spend them worrying about things we can't control, replaying conversations in our heads, arguing on social media, or saying yes to things we don't actually want to do.
Before we know it, our energy is gone.
And we're left feeling exhausted, resentful, and disconnected from the life we actually want.
Anne knows this pattern well.
For years, she lived in survival mode. After experiencing childhood trauma and later losing her sister unexpectedly, alcohol became a way to numb the pain.
Eventually the chaos caught up with her.
At 39, she checked into rehab and began the process of unpacking the deeper reasons behind her drinking.
What she discovered changed everything.
Healing wasn't about simply removing alcohol. It was about confronting the invisible weight she had been carrying for decades.
Through therapy, journaling, somatic work, and eventually an ayahuasca experience, Anne began releasing the emotional burdens she had unknowingly held onto.
As those burdens lifted, something surprising happened.
Her energy came back.
Suddenly, she had clarity about what mattered and what didn't.
She stopped wasting Skittles.
Anne believes the key to peace and purpose is understanding one simple truth:
You are the architect of your life.
Not your past.
Not other people's expectations.
Not your circumstances.
You.
That means you also have the power to change how you spend your energy.
Here are a few simple ways to start:
1. Notice where your Skittles go.
Pay attention to what drains your energy during the day. Arguments? Worry? Overcommitment?
2. Stop saying yes when you mean no.
Every "yes" to someone else is a "no" to something else in your life.
3. Question old patterns.
Ask yourself: "Why do I keep doing this?" Awareness is the first step toward change.
4. Take your power back.
Blame gives away your power. Responsibility gives it back.
The truth is, most people think life is happening to them.
But Anne sees it differently.
Life is happening for you.
And once you stop wasting your Skittles on things that don't matter, you'll have the energy to build a life that actually does.

Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4sNdDDq
👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?
Here are 3 ways to get started:
🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist
Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com
☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick
https://www.makesobrietystick.com
Subscribe So You Don't Miss New Episodes!
 
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

 

 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

The Beliefs That Shape Our Behavior
One of the most frustrating experiences in life is knowing exactly what to do, but still not doing it.
If you've ever tried to quit drinking, build a new habit, improve your health, or pursue a goal and found yourself slipping back into old patterns, you're not alone.
In this episode, I talk with behavioral design expert and bestselling author Nir Eyal about why this happens.
The answer isn't a lack of knowledge.
It's BELIEF.
The Motivation Triangle
Nir explains that motivation isn't just about wanting something.
It's actually built on three elements:
Behavior



Benefit



Belief

If we don't believe the effort will work—or if we don't believe we're capable of change—our motivation collapses.
We might know exactly what to do, but something inside stops us from taking action.
This is why so many people struggle with the knowledge-action gap.
The Power of Beliefs
One of the most powerful ideas Nir shares is this:
Beliefs are tools, not truths.
Most of us assume our beliefs are facts.
But many beliefs are simply interpretations we've repeated so often they feel true.
And those beliefs shape everything:
What we notice



How we interpret events



What actions we take



This is why two people can experience the same situation and come away with completely different conclusions.
Pain vs. Suffering
Another important distinction we discuss is the difference between pain and suffering.
Pain is a signal.
Suffering is the interpretation of that signal.
When we believe discomfort is unbearable, we escape it—often through unhealthy behaviors.
But when we learn to reinterpret discomfort, we gain the ability to stay present instead of reacting impulsively.
Persistence Is the Real Secret
One fascinating study Nir shares involved rats swimming in water.
Normally they gave up after about 15 minutes.
But when the researchers briefly rescued them and then returned them to the water, the rats kept swimming for 60 hours.
The only thing that changed was their belief that rescue might be possible.
That belief unlocked persistence.
And persistence is what ultimately determines success.
Action Steps
If you want to apply these ideas in your life, start with these steps:
Identify a belief that might be limiting you.



Ask yourself if it's absolutely true.



Consider alternative explanations.



Notice how that belief affects your behavior.



Experiment with a more empowering belief.



When we change our beliefs, we often change our actions—and our lives.
Books Mentioned
Beyond Belief — Nir Eyal



Indistractable — Nir Eyal

 
Guest Website:
👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?
Here are 3 ways to get started:
🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist
Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com
☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick
https://www.makesobrietystick.com
Subscribe So You Don't Miss New Episodes!
 
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

 

 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

The Root Cause of Emotional Eating In Sobriety
There's something we don't talk about enough.
You quit drinking.
You do the work.
You go to meetings.
You build a life you're proud of.
And then…
You find yourself standing in the kitchen at 9pm.
Again.
Maybe it's sugar.
Maybe it's "just a little snack."
Maybe it's eating in secret.
Maybe it's feeling out of control around food in a way that feels eerily familiar.
A lot of people in recovery don't want to admit this part.
But it's common.
Very common.
In this week's conversation with Ali Shapiro, we unpacked something that changed the way I think about food struggles — especially for sober people.
She said something powerful:
"You don't love food so much. You're trying to feel safe."
Because if addiction is avoidance of pain… then food can absolutely become the next strategy.
Not because you're weak.
Not because you lack discipline.
Not because you're broken.
But because your nervous system still wants relief.
It's Not About Food. It's About Belonging.
Here's the framework that stopped me in my tracks.
Ali asks her clients two questions:
Think of a positive food memory.

Think of a painful food moment.

Then she looks for one thing.
Belonging.
When food memories feel warm and good, there's usually connection. Celebration. Safety.
When food feels chaotic or secretive, there's usually isolation. Shame. Disconnection.
It's not about calories.
It's about whether you feel like you matter.
That's a different conversation entirely.
 
 
Why We Switch Addictions
In recovery, we often say, "It's not the alcohol."
The alcohol was the symptom.
The deeper driver was emotional regulation, belonging, identity, safety.
So when alcohol leaves…
The system looks for another solution.
Food is legal.
Food is celebrated.
Food is socially rewarded.
And our culture makes overeating normal — especially during stress or the holidays.
So if you're sober and struggling with food?
You're not failing.
Your nervous system is trying to solve a problem.
 
 
The Question That Changes Everything
Ali offered one simple question that reframes the whole struggle:
"Why does this make sense?"
Instead of:
"What's wrong with me?"
Try:
Why does this make sense?
Why does it make sense that after a stressful day, I want sugar?
Why does it make sense that when I feel unseen, I want to eat?
Why does it make sense that when I feel alone, I crave something soothing?
That question moves you from shame to compassion.
And compassion is where change actually begins.
 
 
Practical Action Steps
Here are 5 ways to start applying this immediately:
1. Run the Food Memory Exercise
Journal two columns:
A positive food memory.

A difficult food moment.

Ask: Where was belonging present? Where was it missing?
2. Ask "Why Does This Make Sense?"
Every time you feel out of control around food this week, pause and ask that question.
No fixing. No rules. Just curiosity.
3. Delay the Behavior by 5 Minutes
Not to restrict — but to observe.
What am I feeling right now?
Lonely? Overstimulated? Unappreciated?
4. Expand Your Definition of Fun
If you've tied indulgence to being "the fun one," ask:
What else feels fun to me now?
Rest? Deep conversation? Leaving early? Going to bed proud?
5. Create One Small Belonging Ritual
Call someone.
Go to a meeting.
Text a friend.
Sit on the porch instead of isolating.
Food is often replacing connection.
Replace it back.
 
 
Resources
Ali Shapiro's assessment + programs:
👉 https://trucewithfood.com

Ali's Podcast (Insatiable → rebranding to Truce With Food)

Concept: Functional Medicine (root cause vs symptom treatment)

If you're sober and struggling privately, consider:

Talking to your sponsor

Sharing honestly at a meeting

Exploring nervous system work

Joining a recovery-focused coaching container




Guest Website:
👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?
Here are 3 ways to get started:
🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist
Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com
☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick
https://www.makesobrietystick.com
Subscribe So You Don't Miss New Episodes!
 
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

 

 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast

The Best Worst Thing That Ever Happened
A conversation on sobriety, entrepreneurship, and rebuilding a life that actually works
There's a certain kind of person who can build something from nothing.
They're driven. Intense. Creative. Restless.
They work hard. They push. They win.
And sometimes… they self-destruct.
In this conversation, Tim shares what it looked like to be both a high-achieving entrepreneur and a blackout drinker—and how recovery didn't just save his life, it reshaped his ambition, identity, and purpose.
This isn't a story about "before and after."
It's a story about learning how to live differently.
 
 
The drive started early
Tim began drinking in middle school after his parents divorced and he moved to a new town. Trying to fit in quickly became the gateway to alcohol and drugs.
At the same time, he was already wired for achievement.
In college, he launched a painting business, hired teams, ran sales and marketing, and made real money—while partying just as hard.
That "work hard, play hard" rhythm followed him into adulthood.
Success grew.
So did the consequences.
A devastating drunk-driving crash left him with a traumatic brain injury and months of recovery. Even then, he didn't stop drinking—he just learned how to drink harder and longer.
If anything, achievement became another way to avoid looking at what was really happening.
 
 
High performance can hide a lot
Tim went on to build businesses, lead teams, and outperform expectations.
But behind the scenes:
drugs escalated

relationships deteriorated

burnout intensified

drinking became non-negotiable

He describes always being "the most messed up person at every event," even while breaking performance records.
That's the part people don't talk about.
Addiction doesn't always look like collapse.
Sometimes it looks like productivity.
 
 
The moment everything broke
The turning point came after a blackout weekend that ended his marriage.
It wasn't just one mistake—it was the undeniable accumulation of years of denial.
Within days, he attended his first AA meeting.
He hadn't planned a recovery journey.
He just knew his life couldn't keep going like that.
He started going to meetings every day. Sometimes two a day. He got a sponsor, worked the steps, and immersed himself in service.
That structure became his lifeline.
 
 
Recovery didn't shrink his life—it expanded it
One of the biggest myths about sobriety is that it takes things away.
For Tim, it gave him:
community

purpose

emotional connection

clarity

direction

He learned to build intimacy with other people without substances.
He learned to cry, share honestly, and ask for help.
He learned that vulnerability wasn't weakness—it was relief.
And slowly, ambition changed shape.
Instead of chasing validation, he started building a life rooted in service and meaning.
Today, he works in recovery, supports others, and still channels his drive—but with balance and intention.
 
 
The routines that keep him grounded
Recovery isn't a single decision.
It's a daily structure.
Tim's core practices include:
morning prayer and meditation

gratitude lists

exercise and physical health

journaling and learning

service and community

time with people who support his growth

He describes gratitude as essential:
"If I'm grateful, then I'm not a victim." 
Exercise, too, became foundational—not just for fitness, but for mental and emotional stability.
He calls it part of his "solution," not just a habit.
 
 
The entrepreneurial paradox
There's a pattern many high performers recognize:
intense focus

extreme discipline

relentless drive

These traits build companies.
But without awareness, they also:
fuel burnout

mask emotional pain

replace one addiction with another

Recovery didn't remove Tim's intensity.
It taught him how to channel it without destroying himself.
Balance became the new metric—not output.
 
 
Action Steps: What you can take from this conversation
You don't need to be in addiction to benefit from recovery principles.
These are life principles.
1) Build a grounding morning routine
Start simple:
gratitude

stillness

reflection

Consistency matters more than complexity.
2) Replace extremes with consistency
You don't need heroic bursts of effort.
You need steady, repeatable actions.
3) Notice where achievement becomes avoidance
Ask yourself:
Am I building… or escaping?

Am I creating… or distracting?

4) Find your people
Recovery happens in connection.
Whether it's:
12-step meetings

coaching groups

fitness communities

spiritual spaces

Isolation keeps people stuck.
5) Anchor your life in service
Helping others stabilizes your own growth.
It creates meaning that performance alone never will.
 
 
Resources Mentioned
Books
The Four Agreements — Don Miguel Ruiz

Living Untethered — Michael Singer

Practices
AA / 12-step community

meditation + gratitude routines

exercise for mental regulation

yoga and breathwork

cold exposure / recovery practices

Recovery & Treatment Work
Camelback Recovery

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) as a non-invasive mental health support approach




Guest Contact Info: https://www.camelbackrecovery.com/
👊🏼Need help applying this information to your own life?
Here are 3 ways to get started:
🎁Free Guide: 30 Tips for Your First 30 Days - With a printable PDF checklist
Grab your copy here: https://www.soberlifeschool.com
☎️Private Coaching: Make Sobriety Stick
https://www.makesobrietystick.com
Subscribe So You Don't Miss New Episodes!
 
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music, or you can stream it from my website HERE. You can also watch the interview on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@theonedayatatimepodcast?sub_confirmation=1

 

 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast/id1212504521
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4I23r7DBTpT8XwUUwHRNpB
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a8eb438c-5af1-493b-99c1-f218e5553aff/the-one-day-at-a-time-recovery-podcast