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Get a Grip Podcast

Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes
Get a Grip Podcast
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  • I Lost an Arm and Became a Heroin Addict | Ep 82
    Join hosts Aaron and Louis for a gripping, no-holds-barred conversation with Travis Hall, a man whose life has been a rollercoaster of pain, survival, and hard-won redemption. Travis grew up in a tough environment where trouble seemed to lurk around every corner. From the very first time he smoked weed, he says he felt like a “junkie,” instantly hooked on chasing the next high and the escape it offered. What began as a teenage experiment quickly became an all-consuming way of life.Then came the accident that would change everything. A devastating ATV crash left Travis fighting for his life and ultimately cost him his right arm, forcing him to face the world in a way few of us can imagine. Yet instead of slowing down, addiction tightened its grip. He soon found himself homeless, sleeping wherever he could and hustling to survive—even with one arm and nowhere to call home. His days blurred into nights of desperation, and the dream of a normal life seemed impossibly out of reach.But this story is far more than tragedy. It’s about resilience, courage, and the stubborn strength of the human spirit. Today, Travis is clean, sober, and determined to build a life he once thought was gone forever. He’s living proof that no matter how brutal the past or how many times you fall, it’s never too late to rewrite your future and inspire others along the way.Aaron and Louis dive deep into every chapter of Travis’s journey: the rough childhood that shaped him, the near-death accident that should have stopped him, the desperate years of addiction and street life, and the powerful choices that finally led him to freedom and hope.If you’ve ever wondered whether true transformation is possible—if you’ve questioned whether someone can claw their way back from the lowest of lows—this is the story you need to hear. Travis’s unflinching honesty will leave you moved, motivated, and reminded that redemption is always within reach.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • I Graduated from Ohio's #1 Party School with a Degree… and a Drug & Alcohol Problem | Ep 81
    In this inspiring solo episode, host Louis sits down with Chrissie Mackie, whose life took a dramatic turn from small-town band nerd to full-blown battle with the bottle.Chrissie grew up in a loving, ordinary household and spent her school years immersed in music, proudly embracing her “band nerd” identity. But when she left for college, everything shifted. What began as casual drinking to fit in soon became an all-out war with alcohol—nights blurred by blackouts, bar fights, and a relentless spiral she couldn’t escape.The heartbreak deepened when Chrissie’s mother passed away from cancer without warning. The sudden loss sent her reeling. Grief and destructive habits consumed her, and she feared she’d never break free of the same demons that had already stolen so much. Friends and family worried, but nothing seemed to reach her.Then, in a dimly lit bar on an ordinary night, something extraordinary happened: a line from Good Will Hunting cut through the noise and hit her like lightning. That single movie quote became the spark that saved her life. Chrissie walked out of the bar and never looked back, determined to build something better.Today, Chrissie is not only sober—she holds a master’s degree and dedicates her career to helping others fight the same battles she once faced. Her journey is a testament to resilience, the power of unexpected inspiration, and the truth that change is always possible.This conversation is raw, honest, and unforgettable. Chrissie’s story proves that even in the darkest moments, hope can arrive in the most surprising ways and lead to a future brighter than you ever imagined.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • She Was Smoking Cr4ck & F3tty While Working as a Drug Counselor At A Recovery Center | Ep 80
    In this moving episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Ashley Arick, whose story shows both the devastating grip of addiction and the incredible power of redemption.Ashley grew up with a decent upbringing, surrounded by the kind of support and stability many would think could keep her safe. But even with that foundation, her life took a sharp turn into chaos. What should have been a normal path forward instead became a nightmare as drugs and alcohol consumed her world.After years of battling addiction, Ashley fought her way into sobriety. She not only got clean but also began working at a recovery center, helping others find the same freedom she had discovered. On the outside, her life looked like a picture of success and redemption.But then, one day, Ashley relapsed. Instead of reaching out, she felt forced to hide it from the world, carrying the secret while continuing to live a double life. That weight nearly broke her, but it also became a turning point.Today, Ashley is sober again—and stronger than ever. She has dedicated her life to helping other addicts and alcoholics, using her story to prove that recovery isn’t about perfection, but about honesty, persistence, and never giving up.This interview is raw, unfiltered, and deeply inspiring. Ashley opens up about her decent upbringing, her spiral into addiction, her relapse in secrecy, and her powerful comeback. Her story is proof that no matter how many times you stumble, you can always stand back up and find a new purpose.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • How the Chains of Xanax Addiction Changed My Life Forever | Ep 80
    In this gripping episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Lindsay Wren, whose life reads like the script of a crime thriller—but every word of it is real.Lindsay’s journey into addiction began with methadone, but things quickly escalated. After overdosing, she found herself pulled deeper into chaos, turning to crack cocaine. That choice eventually put her in the middle of a major drug bust, and her life spun further out of control. When she discovered dilaudid, she made the switch to shooting it—pushing her further into a lifestyle of risk and desperation.At one point, Lindsay was literally running from her reality—spending eight months on the run, caught in a cycle of fear and survival. The chaos reached new levels when she and her husband began using up to 180 Xanax bars a day. What started as a way to cope turned into a living nightmare, leaving them dependent on the drug just to keep from seizing. Xanax wasn’t just another chapter in her addiction—it became the drug that changed her life forever.And yet, through it all, Lindsay is still here. Against the odds, she found the strength to step away from the darkness, to fight for her life, and to begin building a future free from the chaos of her past. This episode is raw, shocking, and one of the most intense interviews we’ve done to date. Lindsay’s willingness to open up about the darkest parts of her addiction—her overdose, her time on the run, the drug bust, and the unimaginable grip of Xanax—makes her story unforgettable.Lindsay’s journey is proof that even in the middle of total destruction, there is still a way forward, and there is still hope.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • Surviving Addiction, Prison & Poverty in Zanesville, Ohio | Ep 79
    In this raw and gripping episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Brandon Somers, a man whose life has been defined by chaos, crime, and destruction—until recently. Born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio, Brandon never knew a life without crime. From an early age, the streets shaped him, and breaking the law became second nature.What started as trouble in his youth turned into a full-blown cycle of crime and addiction. Brandon’s rap sheet is long—so many different crimes that he lost count along the way. By the time most people were building their futures, Brandon was serving time in juvenile prison—not once, but twice. That pattern carried over into adulthood, leading him to prison a total of nine times. Each stint behind bars was another reminder of how deep he was trapped, but nothing seemed to break the cycle.Until one day, Brandon hit the point of exhaustion. He was too tired to keep living the same destructive life, too tired to keep hurting himself and everyone around him. That weariness became his turning point. Instead of giving up, Brandon made the choice to change—and for the first time in his life, he’s sober, rebuilding, and stepping into the man he was meant to be.This interview is one of the most powerful yet. Brandon opens up with unflinching honesty about his years of crime, addiction, and prison sentences, while also sharing how he finally found the strength to escape the cycle. His journey is chaotic, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring—a movie-like spiral with an ending filled with hope.Brandon’s story proves that no matter how many times you fall, no matter how lost you seem, redemption is possible.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast⁠👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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About Get a Grip Podcast

Get a Grip Podcast is hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, both in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In each episode, they share their unfiltered stories of overcoming addiction, time in prison, and struggles with mental health—mixing raw honesty with humor. The podcast gives a voice to the underdog, breaking down the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. Through candid conversations and real-life experiences, Louis and Aaron inspire others on their journey, showing that while recovery is challenging, it’s possible. Tune in for laughter, hope, and stories of transformation.
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