DJ Paden: Crashing Into Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast

DJ Paden: Crashing Into Sobriety | The Hopeaholics Podcast Join The Hopeaholics Podcast for an unforgettable episode featuring DJ Paden, a former 24 Hour Fitness general manager whose life was reshaped by addiction and redemption. Growing up in Huntington Beach amidst his father’s alcoholism, DJ began drinking at 12, later battling opiate addiction after a workout injury. His struggles peaked with four DUIs, culminating in a harrowing 105-mph crash in 2015 that totaled his truck and led to eight months in county jail. There, DJ began his transformation, losing 40 pounds and finding glimmers of hope. After a brief relapse, a spiritual surrender in April 2016 marked his nine-year sobriety journey. Rising from rock bottom, he rebuilt his career, advancing from a UFC Gym sales rep to regional manager, now leading the Huntington Beach location. As a men’s ministry director, DJ channels his faith to guide others, despite enduring the tragic loss of his father and two brothers to addiction in 2022-2023. His raw, vulnerable story of resilience, forgiveness, and purpose shines in this emotional episode, offering a beacon of hope for those battling mental health and addiction. Tune in to witness the power of recovery and the ripple effect of sharing truth. #thehopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #RecoveryIsPossible #Hope #wedorecover  Join our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics  Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials: https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics  https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholics Buy Merch:  https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.com Visit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.com If you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction.  Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC: https://www.infinitigroupllc.com  Timestamps: 00:02:34 - Role of His Wife in Sobriety 00:03:00 - Rock Bottom: Fourth DUI and Crash 00:04:16 - Divine Warning Before the Crash 00:04:38 - Consequences of the Fourth DUI 00:06:19 - Opiate Addiction Trigger 00:07:10 - Reconciliation with Father 00:09:14 - Jail Transformation: Physical and Mental Shift 00:11:02 - Early Sobriety Struggles 00:21:05 - Relapse After Jail 00:23:09 - Turning Point: True Sobriety Begins 00:24:53 - Career Rebuilding with UFC Gym 00:45:05 - Tragic Loss of Brothers 00:49:41 - Faith Through Grief 00:52:09 - Ministry and Purpose 00:57:35 - Sharing Hope to Prevent Despair 00:58:53 - Living for God’s Glory 01:03:19 - Learning Gentleness Through His Wife 01:06:14 - Embracing a Gentle Identity