John O’Leary welcomes addiction and mental health advocate Jason Wahler on the Live Inspired Podcast how share his mission to educate, inspire and support others in recovery.
Jason Wahler is an addiction and mental health advocate whose personal battle with addiction has shaped his mission to educate, inspire, and support others in recovery. Once living a life of reality TV fame and endless opportunities, he was also struggling with substance abuse, on the brink of losing it all.
After years of public struggle, Jason turned his life around and is now committed to helping others break free from addiction and achieve lasting recovery.
Today, Jason opens up about his early struggles with OCD, the pressures of reality TV, and the turning point that led to his lasting transformation. He also shares the power of making amends, the role of faith in his life, and his dedication to helping others rewrite their own stories.
My friends, this conversation serves as a powerful reminder that no matter the challenges, redemption is possible and the best is yet to come.
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SHOW NOTES:
- Growing up as the youngest of four in Laguna Beach, California, Jason was raised by parents (now married 52 years!) who instilled strong morals and values.
- In his early teens, he developed OCD and relied on medication to manage symptoms without addressing the root cause. By 17, he entered his first treatment program, Walkabout, a wilderness therapy program.
- Overinflated ego with an underestimated sense of self worth: As MTV’s Laguna Beach became a pop culture phenomenon, Jason traveled to 30 states in six months, getting paid to party—fueling his addiction.
- “Drinking and using at first was fun. It became a lifestyle and before you know it, it became a way of survival.”
- Between ages 18-23, he cycled through over a dozen treatment centers, multiple arrests, and fractured relationships. A breakthrough moment in therapy with his parents motivated him to get sober. On July 23, 2010, he committed to recovery.
- ”Consistency and structure create safety.”
- Jason prioritizes structure and consistency, including a nightly reflection ritual with his daughter, asking:
- What was good today?
- What could I improve upon?
- What am I grateful for?
- What’s my goal?
- “Making amends is cleaning your side of the street and keeping your side of the street in order.”
- “What is predictable is preventable.” Because relapse is part of Jason’s story, he has a framed picture of a mugshot next to his toothbrush as a reminder of one of his lowest moments and to not return to it.
- Dry Drunk: There is a difference between being abstinence of drugs and alcohol and somebody who’s living their life in recovery.
- Today, Jason is the Director of Dr. Daniel Amen’s Change Your Brain Foundation where the mission is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. Learn more here. Additionally, Jason speaks across the country, works with Alyst Health, an accredited at-home treatment provider, and SobrSafe, the first ever transdermal alcohol monitoring detection system.
- “ Do something nice for somebody and don’t get caught.”
- Awareness, Acceptance and Action: If you’re not aware of what’s going on, you can’t accept it. If you can’t accept it, you can’t take action.
- Learn more about Jason’s work here.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll love my conversation with Katie Collier. Katie Collier is a renowned chef, entrepreneur and true visionary behind the award-winning Italian concept restaurant known as Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria. Join us as Katie shares her incredible journey to recovery, the pivotal role her family has played in her success and her unwavering commitment to creating moments of joy and connection through her culinary creations and warm hospitality. Listen to Katie Collier on ep. 586.
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JASON WAHLER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. Atomic Habits by James Clear. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. Kind and giving. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. Box of important memories of our family. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. Jesus. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. I would have told myself to be completely open, honest and transparent around what I was going through. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. He was a loving, caring, kind father who was always there and put others before him.
