The Harder to Breathe Podcast3 Dec 2024

Thriving in Marriage, Parenthood, & Recovery feat. Jessica & Aaron Winder | #26

For today's episode of "Harder to Breathe'', host and founding drummer of "Maroon 5" Ryan Dusick is joined by co-host and actor Brian "Duck" Maillard for a conversation with a powerhouse couple in recovery, Jessica and Aaron Winder. Jessica is an author and in-demand career coach, and Aaron is a Personal Injury Attorney based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In one of the most heart warming and affirming episodes in the series yet, Jessica and Aaron share their own personal stories of recovery from addiction. Jessica dealt with many years of alcoholism– an addiction which led her to the point of regularly vomiting blood– while simultaneously studying and keeping up high-functioning appearances. Aaron's struggles were more centered on an addiction to Marijuana, but they eventually led him to getting hooked on harder drugs. That's when he decided that he needed to make a change.

Early in Jessica's Recovery, and several years into Aarons, the two met online and their fairy tale romance began, one in which both partners have given so much to each other throughout their years together. Jessica has already had twin girls, and is now pregnant again with another set of twins. The two are clearly very much in love, and it's a testament that no matter how "far gone" you might feel, there is always hope and a light on the other side of recovery. It's perhaps the most encouraging episode of "Harder to Breathe" to date, and an absolutely can't miss listen.

0:00:00 Introduction & Slowing Down

0:04:25 Organic Discovery

0:06:10 Benefits of Journaling

0:12:37 Poetry as Therapy

0:16:05 Today's Guests: Jessica & Aaron Winder

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0:20:35 The Winders Join the Podcast & Jessica Shares Her Recovery Story

0:24:20 Aaron Shares His Recovery Story

0:26:36 What Led to Substance Abuse as Successful People?

0:32:38 The Start of the Winders' Relationship

0:35:54 Doing it for You vs. Doing it for Someone Else

0:40:14 Quickly Moving From Engagement to Marriage

0:46:13 Current Twins… and Upcoming Twins

0:48:28 Navigating Professional Life vs. Parenting and Romance

0:52:06 Acknowledging the Struggle

0:56:52 Leaning Into Values, Purpose, and Meaning

1:01:12 Personal Life Coming into Coaching

1:04:17 What Would You Say to Your Younger Self?

1:09:32 Betraying Your Established Identity

1:17:33 What is it About Jessica That Made Her The One?

1:22:22 What is it About Aaron That Made Him The One?

1:23:50 Wrap Up & Conclusion

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