068: Overcoming Substance Abuse, Depression, and Diabetes with Adam Sud (Nutritional and Behavioral Health Expert)

The Better Man Podcast

In 2012, Adam Sud lived a completely different life than he does today:

He weighed 350 lbs, had diabetes, and was at risk for heart disease. He suffered from substance abuse disorder, depression, and anxiety. And on August 21, 2012, he attempted to end his life…

Well, his failed suicide attempt made him realize something:

Despite the emotional and spiritual pain that coursed through him, he discovered that his life was worth living. Plus, he realized that nothing was wrong with him… and that his substance abuse was exactly what his biology wanted him to do.

This realization led Adam to trying a series of 30-day experiments on himself to intentionally reorganize his life. And to prove to himself that he was worthy of feeling fully alive.

The result?

Adam kicked his substance abuse to the curb. In 5 months, he reversed his diabetes, heart disease, E.D., and mental health struggles. And he eventually became a nutritional and behavioral health expert.

In today’s show, Adam shares his inspirational story, goes into nitty-gritty detail on how he changed the course of his life, and gives practical advice on what to do when you see someone struggling through life like he was.

This has been one of my favorite interviews in the history of the Better Man Podcast. And I can’t wait for you to hear Adam’s empowering story.

In this episode, Adam and I discuss…

• Why substance abuse feels like a form of self-care for those suffering from it
• How to actually help someone struggling with substance abuse (and why our first instinct to help backfires)
• Why your environment, not your willpower or discipline, is the most effective way to elicit positive change in your life

And more!

Aren’t feeling fully alive or have deep-rooted traumas stifling your happiness today?

Listen now.

Show highlights include:

• 3 things Adam focused on in 2012 to reverse the course of his life—at the time, he weighed 350 lbs, struggled with substance abuse, and battled mental health problems (3:05)
• How reverse engineering feeling fully alive saved Adam from substance abuse (and how this also reversed his diabetes, heart disease, and E.D. in 5 months) (5:02)
• Why thinking of overeating as full-blown substance abuse can actually change your habit before it kills you (8:09)
• The “Replacement” strategy that helped Adam overcome his addictions (and how to use this to build better habits) (10:54)
• Why is it so hard to be happy and healthy if you already know what to do? Here’s an answer from an evolutionary psychologist… (15:20)
• The “One More Day” secret for helping yourself (or a loved one) overcome substance abuse disorder and mental health problems (30:26)
• The powerful “caretaker to your body” mindset shift that effortlessly drives you to make healthier choices (33:26)
• Don’t like the direction your life’s heading in? Here’s how 30-day experiments can give you a completely new life in mere months (36:45)
• The deceptive “Pleasure Trap” that tricks you into making self-destructive decisions that derail your health and happiness (40:12)
• The weird “Blue Zone” areas around the world filled with people over 100 years old that can reverse disease, shed fat, and lift your mood (49:43)
• Why you don’t need discipline to make healthier decisions (and why your environment needs discipline instead) (52:33)
• Know someone struggling with substance abuse? Asking this question will actually help them (55:46)
• Why asking for help as a man takes more strength than trying to figure it out yourself (1:18:13)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Adam’s Website: Want to check out more of Adam’s interviews or read his research study, Investigating the Effects of Nutrition on Addiction Recovery Outcomes? Visit his website here: https://AdamSud.com

2. Follow Adam on Instagram: If you want to keep up with what Adam’s up to, follow him on Instagram @plantbasedaddict.

Related Episodes:

The Biggest Problem Facing Men Today: Their Mental Health | Chase Chewning | Better Man Podcast Ep. 066

Overcoming Overwhelm: Strategies for a Better Headspace | Dean Pohlman | Better Man Podcast Ep. 065

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