When Life Throws You a Curveball with Michael Bugary

In this episode, Coach Blu Robinson interviews Michael Bugary, with a bright future in professional baseball, his life took a dramatic turn due to addiction and a cancer diagnosis. Michael shares his journey from being a promising baseball player to facing the harsh realities of addiction and illness. He discusses the importance of identity, the struggles of coping with loss, and the role of family in his recovery. Michael emphasizes the healing power of therapy dogs and the significance of authenticity in his new role as a motivational speaker and advocate for others facing similar challenges. He reflects on his future aspirations and the purpose he has found in helping others. Takeaways Michael's identity was deeply tied to his baseball career. Addiction often stems from a need for validation and coping mechanisms. The loss of sports can lead to a profound identity crisis. Michael's cancer diagnosis forced him to confront his choices. Family plays a crucial role in the recovery journey. Therapy dogs can provide significant emotional support. Authenticity is key in connecting with others in recovery. Michael aims to help children with cancer through his experiences. Finding purpose in helping others can be a powerful motivator. Recovery is a personal journey that requires honesty and self-reflection. For More Info: https://www.michaelbugary.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey 02:46 The Identity Crisis of an Athlete 05:56 The Struggles of Addiction 08:45 Facing Life's Curveballs: The Cancer Diagnosis 11:47 The Impact of Family and Relationships 14:43 Finding Purpose Beyond Baseball 17:40 The Role of Spirituality in Recovery 20:42 Helping Others: The New Mission 25:31 The Healing Power of Therapy Dogs 29:50 Transformative Public Speaking Experiences 37:58 Navigating Treatment and Recovery 43:38 Finding Purpose in Helping Others   Please join Addict to Athlete’s Patreon support page and help us turn the mess of addiction into the message of sobriety! https://www.patreon.com/addicttoathlete   Please visit our website for more information on Team Addict to Athlete and Addiction Recovery Podcasts. https://www.AddictToAthlete.org   Join the Team! Circle, our new social support event, along with the team and athlete communication platform, is designed to help us break free from doom scrolling and shadow banning and foster stronger connections among us. Follow the link, download the app, and start this new chapter of Team AIIA! Join Circle https://a2a.circle.so/join?invitation_token=16daaa0d9ecd7421d384dd05a461464ce149cc9e-63d4aa30-1a67-4120-ae12-124791dfb519