Prison, Pain and Purpose - Sam's Path to Recovery

My guest this week is Sam Lander who hit rock bottom when she was sent to prison.

In this episode:-

• Sam's first drink was in 7th grade and her first drug use (weed) in 8th grade.
• From there she progressed to heavy substance use, including GHB, cocaine, and meth.
• She was blackout drinking and using drugs to alter her state of mind.
• Despite her addiction, she was high functioning – she was a varsity athlete, spinning instructor, and held down various jobs.
• Her turning point was certainly a dramatic one – a SWAT Raid of her home which led to a 27 month prison sentence
• Even in prison she didn’t get clean
• Eventually Sam accepted that her life was unmanageable and went to rehab
• She describes her rehab experience as liberating - experiencing joy and laughter again!.
• She was sober for 13 years but then had a relapse due to struggles with motherhood, marriage and isolation
• Sam was drinking a bottle of gin a day throughout Covid
• As her addiction got worse she lost some people close to her and she finally realised what was blocking her recovery
• She wasn’t doing the work and realised that she was lacking the humility she needed
• Sams relapse after 13 years is such a warning sign to those of us that have clocked up years of sobriety – if we still see alcohol as a way to relieve our struggles then we are at risk
• The key is to develop alternative coping mechanism so that we don’t go to our default and seek a way to numb out from our problems
• These days Sam has clocked up more than a year of sobriety, focusing on daily gratitude and service work
• She is now a Health Coach and helps women to address their health:- 
  • Gut health
  • Hormone imbalances and
  • Stress management
• She combines nutrition, functional lab testing, and personalized programs.
• She also encourages clean eating, proper supplementation, and weightlifting for sustainable health.
• She had some advice:-
  For those struggling: Be vulnerable and admit you need help – there is no shame in seeking support.
• First-year sobriety struggles: Address gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and underlying issues.
• For those having sugar cravings: Use natural alternatives like honey, maple syrup, and balanced meals.
• Her take on exercise is that its key: Start slow, prioritize weightlifting, and integrate daily movement like walking.
• Sam Offers free health clarity calls to assess needs and recommend lab tests.
• Contact her via Instagram  @seefitliving
  
  
• • More Info
    
    

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