After being sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, Johnny Bartolomeo spent nearly three decades inside — Navigating Violence, Addiction, Identity, Loss, and Survival. In this episode of Investing in Sobriety, Johnny speaks honestly about what life inside prison was really like, his time connected to the Hells Angels, and the hard truth about addiction: "THE DRUGS PROMISED EVERYTHING. IN THE END, THEY LIED". This isn’t a motivational redemption story. It’s a real conversation about Discipline, Routine, Consequences, and the slow internal processes required to change after long-term incarceration. Johnny shares: + What 27 years in prison actually does to a person + How addiction and violence become tools for control and survival + Why routine — not motivation — saved his life + The mental shift required to stay sober after prison + Losing his brother to addiction while incarcerated + Why recovery doesn’t start with hope, but with structure + Reentry, identity, and rebuilding life after decades inside This episode explores recovery after prison, sobriety, addiction, criminal justice, discipline, routine, and personal accountability — without glamorizing the past or softening the truth. If you’re interested in: + Life after Incarceration + Addiction Recovery + Sobriety and Discipline + Prison Psychology + Long-term prison sentences + Reentry after Prison + The reality behind outlaw culture + How people actually change + This conversation is for you. FULL EPISODE TIMELINE 0:00 Introduction 0:18 East Boston Roots, Identity & Community 5:30 Masculinity, Conflict & Early Worldview 12:00 Anchoring Moments, Confrontation & Consequences 14:40 First Exposure to Drugs & Early Acceptance 17:00 Addiction Awareness, Family Influence & Sobriety Mindset 19:00 Escalation Into Hard Drugs & Addiction Progression 21:30 School Trouble, Work Culture & Early Adulthood 23:00 Injury, Drug Dealing & Attempts at Getting Clean 27:00 Nightlife, Clubs & Environmental Influence 30:06 Hells Angels, Loyalty & Street Identity 37:28 Abstaining From Drugs, Violence & Self-Control 47:27 Steve Kessler, Prison Enemies & Friends 51:26 Loss of Brother Ronnie & Emotional Impact 1:02:17 Emotional Growth & Relationship With Self 1:08:00 Reentry After Prison & Community Support 1:09:40 Entering Addiction Recovery Work 1:11:30 Working With Justice-Involved Individuals 1:13:40 Staying Sober in the Real World 1:16:00 Discipline, Routine & Physical Health 1:17:50 Recovery Organizations & Giving Back 1:21:00 Humility, Perspective & Long-Term Recovery 1:22:20 Advice for Addiction, Prison & Recovery 1:25:00 Closing Reflections & Final Thoughts 🎙 Guest: Johnny Bartolomeo | https://www.instagram.com/official_johnny_bartolomeo/?hl=en 🎧 Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/investinginsobriety/ | Investing in Sobriety Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@UC1vSbtYGKTyIUZPNEWnUidg Website: https://www.investinginsobriety.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OxgJdxjyVrTZRNbssZtBk?si=f7e1c97e8022473d 📍 Filmed in Boston at https://www.instagram.com/santarpiospizza/ (Santarpio’s Pizza, East Boston) 👕 27STR8 Apparel | https://www.27str8apparel.com https://www.instagram.com/27_straight_apparel/ represents everything Johnny’s been through — 27 years inside, the discipline it took to survive, and the mindset required to rebuild life on the outside. + It’s not prison merch. IT’S ABOUT RESILIENCE, ROUTINE, AND DOING THE WORK, NO MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM OR WHAT YOU’VE FACED.

What happens when we stop numbing and start fully living? Investing in Yourself is a raw, revealing journey into personal transformation—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This trailer previews the turning point: when people stop running and begin rebuilding. Through honest interviews and powerful insights, we explore what it really means to show up for your life—fully present and intentional. This isn’t about giving something up. It’s about gaining clarity, health, connection, purpose, and freedom. 🎥 Watch full episodes on our YouTube channel or listen on Spotify. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investinginsobriety TikTok: @investinginsobriety 👉 Subscribe and join the conversation. #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #healingjourney #mindsetshift #transformyourlife #recovery #investinginsobriety #authenticliving #clarity #addictionrecovery #investinyourself #soberlife #addictionrecovery

I’m honored to introduce TJ Aitken. TJ didn’t slip into addiction — he ran straight toward the fire. By 18, he was already deep in the streets, moving product, bouncing in and out of rehabs, and losing people he loved. The chaos only escalated from there. A high-school relationship that spiraled into scandal, using hard substances, stolen guns, arrests, time inside, and nearly ten rehabs by the time he turned 22. Eventually, TJ did the hardest thing a person can do: he stopped running from himself. He committed to recovery — fully, honestly, relentlessly. Today, he’s a father, a husband, a certified recovery coach, the Young People & Family Services Manager at CCAR, and the host of the Recovery Matters podcast. TJ is living proof that even from the darkest corners, there’s always a way back to the light. Key Topics: Early Childhood, Identity & the Roots of Addiction Chaos, Loss & the Early Spiral Selling, Using & the Pull of Peer Influence First Treatment Attempts & the Circle of Influence Hard Substances, Needles & Full-Blown Addiction Prison, Consequences & the Cycle Repeating Spiritual Bankruptcy & the Turning Point Detox, Early Sobriety & Building New Friendships Becoming a Recovery Coach & Serving Others Letting Go of Victim Mentality & Stepping Into Leadership Understanding the Recovery System Fear, Fatherhood & Unconditional Love Spiritual Connection, Purpose & Living in the Present Healthy Habits, Fitness & Becoming a Better Man The Blueprint for Long-Term Sobriety Advice for Anyone Struggling: Don’t Quit Before the Miracle Full Episode Timeline: 0:18 – Introduction to TJ Setting the scene and honoring his journey into recovery. 1:33 – Where TJ Stands Today Personal life, professional growth, and his current recovery mindset. 4:10 – Recovery as a Way of Life Relationships, community, and what long-term recovery actually looks like. 5:19 – Childhood, Identity & the Early Spiral Origins, early chaos, grief, and the gradual slide into addiction. 9:17 – Actively Seeking Substances Nature vs. nurture, predisposition, early friendships, selling and using. 14:54 – The Circle of Influence & First Attempt at Treatment Learning (and ignoring) early lessons; first time in a program. 19:35 – Needles at 19 Crossing the line into full-blown addiction, prison, treatment cycles, routines, and process-driven living. 23:25 – Deep in Addiction Selling and using, losing jobs and relationships, declining physically, felonies, brief freedom, and repeating patterns. 29:15 – Spiritual Bankruptcy & Breaking Point Inability to cope without substances and the emotional collapse that followed. 31:08 – Detox & the Last Attempt One more detox, committing to recovery, finding sober friends, intention vs. action. 37:31 – Becoming a Recovery Coach Volunteering at CCAR, doing the next right thing, 12-step work, taking accountability, “fake it till you make it.” 42:44 – Letting Go of Self-Pity Dropping the victim mentality and stepping into leadership supporting younger people in recovery. 50:46 – Learning to Use the System “I did the same program nine times before it finally stuck.” 56:48 – Living in Fear & Becoming a Father Parenthood, unconditional love, and developing spiritual intuition through sobriety. 1:02:58 – Healing Spiritual Distortion How substances distort spirituality, finding real connection, living in the moment. 1:08:03 – What Recovery Looks Like Today Healthy habits, the gym, becoming a better man, doing things that feel good without substances. 1:11:23 – The Blueprint for Sobriety What keeps him grounded, consistent, and growing. 1:16:03 – Final Advice “Don’t quit until the miracle happens.” Compassion, understanding, and the importance of staying connected. This episode is about more than addiction — it’s about recovery, resilience, and refusing to stay who you used to be. TJ’s journey from destruction to becoming a coach, father, and leader shows that no matter how far you fall, there is always a road back. If you need/want help visit CCAR: https://ccar.us 👉 👉 Subscribe to our channel for more real recovery stories 👉 Share this episode with a friend, family member, or someone struggling with addiction or in recovery 👉 Follow us for more Instagram: / investinginsobriety -- https://www.instagram.com/investinginsobriety TikTok: @investinginsobriety - https://www.tiktok.com/@investinginsobriety Facebook @investinginsobriety - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575318042264 Visit our website & let's connect: https://www.investinginsobriety.com RECOVERY IS A PROCESS, NOT A DESTINATION #SoberStory #FromAddictionToRecovery #RecoveryCoach #PrisonToPurpose #RedemptionStory #Recovery #Sober #Sobriety #Rehab #AddictionRecovery #Soberlife #RecoveryisPossible #RecoveryJourney

Brian Dolan — Professional Counselor, Addiction Specialist, and a man in Long-term Recovery. For over 8 years, Brian’s been in the fight. Featured on ESPN and national outlets, he’s managed Sober Living Houses, launched Collegiate Recovery Programs, and earned advanced clinical degrees. But before all that? His life was chaos. A passion for sports spiraled into gambling and drugs — bookies hunting him down, double lives unraveling, bridges burning — until one final Hail Mary sent him to his last rehab. This is the story of bottoming out, clawing back, and turning pain into a blueprint for recovery. Today, Brian dedicates his life to helping others find freedom. Get ready — because Brian’s journey isn’t just about surviving addiction. It’s about redefining what recovery can look like. BRIAN'S WEBSITE | https://www.briandolancounseling.com 🌀 What We Cover in This Episode: We dive into the raw journey of addiction, gambling, and recovery—from childhood sports and victim mentality, to bookies chasing him down, purgatory-like relapses, and the breaking point of his last bet. We explore how recovery truly began: rehabs, sober living, managing recovery houses, and letting go of obession, image and ego. Finally, we unpack the gambling industry today, its dangers, and the blueprint for building a meaningful sober life. 🗂️ Key Topics: Childhood, Sports, and Victim Mentality Gambling, Substances, and Identity Struggles College, Rehab, and the First Attempts at Recovery Relapse, Dark Times, and the Last Bet Sobriety, Sober Houses, and Counseling Gambling Addiction vs. Gambling Abuse The Modern Sports Betting Industry Reflections, Therapy, and Life Today 🗂️ Full Episode Timeline 0:00 – 🎤 Introduction | Excitement to Share His Story Setting the stage and intention for the conversation. 3:27 – 👦 Childhood | Life Before Addiction Growing up, early warning signs Victim Mentality, Sports Obsession, and Identity Through Performance 5:42 – 🎭 Substances, Golf, Gambling & Image Becoming “The Party Guy” Tiger Woods, Hank Haney, and bookies chasing him Obsession with External validation vs. Internal conflict 10:57 – 🎓 College & The Reality Check “What are you going to do now?” Living for Today, Lying, and Manipulating 14:08 – 💊 Rehab, Gambling & Early Sobriety Attempts Mountside Rehab in Connecticut AA vs. GA meetings First 90 days in a Brooklyn sober house Relapse, Guilt, and Keeping Up Appearances 20:23 – ⚫ Dark Times | Relapse & Purgatory Relapsing on Substances and Gambling Feeling stuck in “Purgatory” Bookies, Relapses, and the Breaking Point: THE LAST BET! 28:16 – ✨ One More Shot | A Path to Recovery Higher Power—but still dictating terms Williamsville Wellness in Virginia Things start coming together, doing the right thing 32:21 – 🏠 Managing a Sober House in Florida Letting go of Ego and Impostor Syndrome Learning accountability, wisdom, and the value of structure Falling in love with the stories of recovery 36:50 – 💡 Doing the Right Thing When Nobody Is Looking Meetings, Reflection, and Difficult but necessary Decisions Letting go of old relationships, building new ones Becoming a counselor and working in collegiate recovery 45:10 – 🔄 Back to Connecticut | Commitment to Recovery Gratitude, Navigating Stigma, and Managing sober houses Witnessing recovery in others, balancing college, and building resilience 55:14 – 🎲 Focus on Gambling Cases 2018 Supreme Court ruling on sports betting legality Coaching athletes and young men on gambling struggles Leaving collegiate recovery and expanding into private work 58:38 – 🔍 Gambling: Abuse or Full Addiction? Evaluating cases clinically and professionally Family systems, Finances, and Deep Insecurity Misconceptions about gambling and the “Liar’s Mindset” 1:06:44 – 🏟️ Sports & The Betting Industry Today Sports Culture, Money Culture, and Betting Ads Athletes promoting gambling, worsening ignorance The dangerous marriage of sports and gambling 1:10:04 – 🌱 Final Reflections & Blueprint for Success Balancing Sports Passion with Gambling Addiction Recovery 12-Step world, Therapy, and Active Recovery Impostor Syndrome, Outside Help, and life Today This episode is about more than addiction — it’s about Recovery, Resilience, and Rewriting your story. Brian’s journey from chaos to counseling is proof that no matter how far you fall, Never count a person out — redemption is built in the dark. 👉 👉 Subscribe to our channel for more real recovery stories 👉 Share this episode with a friend, family member, or someone struggling with addiction or in recovery 👉 Follow us for more 🖤❤️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investinginsobriety TikTok: @investinginsobriety Facebook @investinginsobriety Recovery is possible. Neutral is forward. You’re not alone. #recovery #sober #sobriety #addiction #gamblingaddiction #addictionrecovery #soberlife #recoveryispossible #wedorecover #harmreduction #recoveryjourney

🎧 From NYU and The Drums to Ralphie May and rock bottom, Charles Narwold spiraled into Addiction, Kissed Death, and Clawed his way Back through Sobriety, Recovery, Entrepreneurship, & launching Motoriot. This is his Raw, Unfiltered, Badass Story. 👇 Full story, topics, and timeline below 👇 🔥 Episode Summary: Charles Narwold went from West Hartford, Connecticut to NYU and into the heart of the NYC indie rock scene—spiraling deeper into addiction along the way, through near-death experiences, and eventually into long-term sobriety. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Charles shares the full arc of his journey: from chasing chaos in Manhattan clubs and touring with The Drums, to tour managing for comedian Ralphie May, losing everything, and holding on for dear life. 🌀 What We Cover in This Episode: We break down the darkest points of Charles’ story—methadone clinics in South Central LA, hustling for every dollar, a kiss with death, and waking up in a hospital bed with reconstructive surgery and a feeding tube. We then discuss his process-driven claw back—through rehab, sober living, therapy, and structure—ultimately rebuilding a grounded, fulfilling life through business, real connections, and long-term recovery. 🗂️ Key Topics: + Growing up in West Hartford, Early Struggles, Identity + NYU, the NYC Music Scene, and Chasing Chaos + Heroin, Pills, and the Slow Unraveling + Methadone, hospitals, suicide, and rock bottom + Sober Living, Daily Structure, and Redefining Purpose + 7 years sober: Discipline, Entrepreneurship, and Launching Motoriot 🎧 Full Episode Timeline: 0:00 – 🎤 Introduction | Early Sobriety + Charles Narwold Intro + Life in Sobriety Today + Early mental chaos and delusions of control 5:58 – 👦 Childhood, Identity & High School Isolation + Growing up in West Hartford + ADHD, Masculinity, Falling Through the Cracks + Homogenized Culture and the early pull of substance use 12:48 – 🎸 NYU | Indie Rock Dream | Rise of Chaos + Moving to NYC and NYU + Finding identity in NYC’s mix of scenes and chaos + Indie rock, Performing, Partying, Oxy, and the early stages of addiction 25:08 – 💊 Addiction Deepens | Cracks Begin to Show + Heroin use and ritualized highs + Touring with The Drums and using on the road + Losing Identity, the Band, and Control + Attempts at Treatment, Denial, and Early Realizations 37:55 – 🧨 Rock Bottom | Ralphie May | Collapse + Identity crisis and return to Bushwick + Los Angeles, Managing for Ralphie May, Escalating Drug Use + Meth, Death, Food Stamps, Heroin & Hallucinations + Why showing up to 12 Step meetings was not enough + Hospitalization, Reconstructive Surgery, and a Kiss with Death 57:05 – 🛠️ Turning Point | The Climb Back + Winter in Bridgeport, CT | Sober Date + Rehab, Silver Hill, and NYC sober living + First Year of Sobriety: Therapy, Fear, Structure + Ego, Self-exploration, Learning to be Alone + Discovering purpose through Real Estate, Routine, and Mindset Shifts 1:11:10 – ⚖️ Spinning Plates | Sustaining Sobriety & Redefining Success + Living sober day to day | Playing My Hand + Structure, Entrepreneurship, and Motoriot + Emotional Balance, Radical Accountability, and Long-term Change 1:19:30 – 🌱 Final Reflections | Evolving Identity + Building a life beyond sobriety + Who Charles is Today #Sobriety #Recovery #Addiction #MentalHealth #IndieRock #NYC #Podcast #SpiritualGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Investinginsobriety

🎧 The Double Life of Derek Benson | From Purdue Football to Hofstra, NYU Real Estate to Wall Street—with a Relentless Craving for OxyContin and Appetite for Alcohol & Substances He Could Hustle, Party With, or Get His Hands On—Derek’s Double Life Spiraled into Addiction, Legal Chaos, and Nearly Cost Him His Life. He lives it. Owns it. Stands on it. 10 years sober. This is his, unfiltered story. 👇 Full story and episode timeline below 👇 Derek Benson went from a top recruit to Purdue Football’s black sheep as partying and addiction took hold. Somewhere between full-ride scholarships, a transfer to Hofstra, Finance and Wall Street ambitions, a double life emerged—the polished gentleman on paper masking the chaos of a hustler and addict in real time. It was a volatile mix of D1 football, Pills, Arrests, and Fast-Talking Finance. It was always Another high. Another fall. But after hitting rock bottom, Derek didn’t stay there. Now, 10 years into recovery, he shares what it took to rebuild from the inside out—how Structure, Service, Discipline, and Identity gave him something the drugs never could: a Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Purpose. 🌀 What We Cover in This Episode: + The rise: D1 Football, Military School, & Elite Private Programs + First exposures: Painkillers, Parties, and Early Warning Signs + Life at Purdue: Addiction behind the scenes of College Athletics + Arrests, Bar Fights, and a transfer to Hofstra + $50K+ in pills, and a crash landing on Wall Street + Identity crisis, Shame, and a Long-overdue Surrender + Rebuilding through Service, Real Work, and Community + Why life got harder sober—but also more meaningful + Mind, Body, Spirit integration—and what 10 years sober actually looks like