tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45323305211913820542024-03-13T08:54:04.705-07:00Pedersen Recovery Inc.Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-79532174164627678572024-03-11T04:28:00.000-07:002024-03-11T07:48:19.369-07:00ABOUT ME! Pedersen Media/Pedersen Recovery Inc.<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 24pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9I3BctJ77xKcFhLobmVh98nrLlaqb4flaQfOdtScMDf7HdU6SomCkqy3VMzmaoyTSTKYtXir2LzPpOu5HIJGW_nMfmAJ_g5jVmnVbCVR6Oubs9Ni38TKIxw22fUMeV-n6f0F9Y_0iWV2gB8cU7XcQzU4lthqNv_SzFaD-pnWBQPM1T4CrmGxrgDRpryX/s1024/IffXT1710155536_547043.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9I3BctJ77xKcFhLobmVh98nrLlaqb4flaQfOdtScMDf7HdU6SomCkqy3VMzmaoyTSTKYtXir2LzPpOu5HIJGW_nMfmAJ_g5jVmnVbCVR6Oubs9Ni38TKIxw22fUMeV-n6f0F9Y_0iWV2gB8cU7XcQzU4lthqNv_SzFaD-pnWBQPM1T4CrmGxrgDRpryX/s320/IffXT1710155536_547043.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We often come across individuals who excel in multiple fields, and Rod Pedersen is undoubtedly one of them. With a diverse skill set that encompasses broadcasting, writing, and serving as a sober coach for athletes, entertainers and military, Pedersen has made a significant impact in each of these domains. Let's delve into his journey!</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rod Pedersen first gained recognition as a prominent Canadian sports broadcaster. With a career spanning over three decades, he has covered various sporting events including Super Bowl, Grey Cups, Stanley Cup Finals & All Star Games, the Memorial Cup, Brier and more. Pedersen's passion for sports shines through his engaging commentary and in-depth analysis. Whether it's play-by-play coverage or insightful pre- and post-game discussions, he has an innate ability to captivate audiences and bring sports to life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Pedersen's talents extend beyond the broadcast booth. As a writer, he has penned several best-selling books and award-winning blogs, showcasing his ability to delve into different subjects, keeping readers engaged and entertained.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">However, it is Pedersen's work as a sober coach that truly sets him apart. Having battled addiction himself, he understands the struggles individuals face in their journey towards sobriety. With his experience and empathy, Pedersen has become a beacon of hope for those seeking a way out of their addiction. As a sober coach, he offers support, guidance, and motivation to individuals aiming to achieve and maintain a sober lifestyle. His dedication to helping others turn their lives around is both inspiring and commendable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen's multifaceted career is a testament to his versatility and determination. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he is also known for his warm and friendly personality. His genuine interactions with people have resonated with audiences, fostering a strong sense of connection and community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to his career achievements, Pedersen's openness about his personal struggles has made him a relatable figure to many. By sharing his own journey towards sobriety, he has inspired countless individuals to confront their own demons and seek the help they need. Rod likes to remind people that we are all human, united by our shared experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a broadcaster, writer, and sober coach, Pedersen serves as an inspiration to those looking to pursue their passions and overcome adversity. His dedication to excellence, coupled with his compassionate approach, is a true embodiment of the power of perseverance.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">To contact Rod, please email pedersenrecovery@aol.com.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>(Narrator.com)</i></span></p>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-25162912591914046182023-08-26T01:00:00.001-07:002023-08-27T15:13:03.574-07:00TOP 10 BEST THINGS OF A SOBER LIFE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nine times out of 10 when someone I meet learns that I no longer drink (3,124 days as of this writing), they say, "Boy it must be great not having to deal with hangovers!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course it is, but in truth that's about the 10th best thing I've discovered from leading a sober life. So for this week's blog post, here are my Top 10 Best Things of My Sober Life after hitting rock bottom on January 26, 2015:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 - NO FEAR</b>: The rest of these points really are in no particular order but this is my clearcut #1. Why? Because imagine being paralyzed by fear so much that you're afraid to look at your phone, you shudder in a cold sweat each and every time a text or call comes in because you assume you're in trouble for something you did or said while drinking (and most times you don't even remember doing it). Imagine having to tiptoe around your boss's office to avoid his angry glare for your drunken antics, or constantly worry about "who's talking to who" about the drama you created about yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, all of that is gone and that's the biggest relief in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 - EXPERIENCING LIFE</b>: A week long trip to Mexico seems like two weeks, or a 2-day road trip seems like a 4-day adventure because you're not drunk half the time and hungover in bed for the other half. Somebody just asked me this week how I handle so much life on the road without drinking and he said "What's life like?" Well, it was exhilarating to be sitting in a Starbucks in downtown Toronto at 7:00 am last Saturday when Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter walked in. The old me would've still been in bed sleeping it off. On this morning, Carter and I chatted, took a photo, and I soon learned he's in long-term Recovery too. That's one of hundreds of examples of how nice it is to be "with it", and finally enjoying the <i>real</i> side of life rather than getting loaded in a dingy bar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3 - FREEDOM</b>: It's a real thing. Not having to take the long way around a checkstop never gets old, and it's empowering to drive by a cop and look him in the eye. This may seem elementary to you if you're not an alcoholic, but hardcore drinkers will nod their heads like a bobblehead when they read this. Above all else, it's nice to be able to rent a car on so many of our trips and know Blood Alcohol Level won't be a problem. Travelling across borders is effortless and free. Sober living is win, win, win.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4 - TRUST</b>: This has to rank up near the top, and it's wide-ranging. But the big one is the security that my wife and family feels about me now when I'm off on my own. There are no worries that I'll get into trouble or injure myself. A scrape on my shin or hands is easily explained - and believed - rather than the elaborate lies I had to cook up in my old life. <i><b>That</b></i> was exhausting. Now it's all gone. My family knows I'll be doing the right thing, all the time, when I'm gone or when they're gone.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Photo by Larry Mueller</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>5 - FINANCES</b>: This shouldn't be surprising, but it's bigger than you think. It's one thing to ring up high bar tabs for yourself and buy the whole tavern drinks just so you have somebody to drink with (pathetic I know, but it was a regular occurrence). But what about this: lost sunglasses, cell phones, VEHICLES, and every other material possession you could think of. It didn't take very long into Recovery for me to see my bank account go up, up, and up. In fact, I bought a Jeep with money I've saved in sobriety and it's a reward I enjoy every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6 - RESPECT AND SELF-RESPECT</b>: Did you know the most important things on this earth, you can't buy? (Love, respect, trust, dignity, health). I'm literally years into Recovery and still digging myself out of the 25-year hole I created while wallowing in the disease of Alcoholism. It's a day-by-day effort to restore respect and dignity and it only comes by proving yourself every 24 hours (hence our favourite saying, One Day At A Time). However the days stack up into weeks, months and years and I've met a lot of new people who have no idea about my past. They say I'm a nice, respectable, admirable person and some even call me Mr. Pedersen. I never thought getting to this point would ever be possible. Again, what a reward for sobriety.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the flipside, as an addict you allow people to treat you like garbage because you think<i> <b>you are</b></i> garbage. Because of your dirty little secret, you don't think you can have nice things. However once that secret is out in the open and dealt with, life becomes a whole new world. Put it this way: if you mistreat me now, you'd better be prepared for a fight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>7 - CLEAR MIND</b>: They call it the "Alcoholic Fog" and it too is a thing. Booze really takes over your brain and clouds all of your thinking. That, I feel, is why 90 days in Recovery is a real milestone because by that point, you should be coming out of the fog, detangling your mind, feeling 100% better physically, and realizing a sober life is the ONLY option for an alcoholic. There were times on my radio show where my mind would just "freeze" because of my drinking and I literally could not think. That is not optimum on live radio. <i>It was absolutely horrible.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One day last year I was sitting on the patio of a coffee house in Phoenix and looked up at the blue, cloudless sky. I thought to myself, "My mind is as clear as that Arizona sky." What a feeling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8 - MY HEALTH</b>: You would think this would be higher on the list, and perhaps it should be. When I got into Recovery everyone kept saying, "You're sick!" and "You're not well!" What on earth were they talking about? I was in the gym at least an hour everyday. But it was the shock of my life when my doctor said I'd be dead in a year the way I was going if I didn't change my life, pronto. Someone told me last week that I look 10 years younger. My skin is fresh and that's likely because I sleep like a baby. ("A clean conscience is the softest pillow" - John Wooden). I am preparing for a long and happy life rather than wishing I was dead, which I did just a few years ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>9 - NOT FEELING LOST</b>: This kind of spills into my Anxiety Disorder but it's another real thing. As an alcoholic you feel like you're on an island - except for your drinking buddies - but when you get into Recovery you meet dozens, maybe even hundreds, of people who are just like you. That's a nice feeling. And by keeping a daily journal you plant your feet on the ground rather than waving around in the wind like a balloon. I got started in this by my accountant who wanted me to track my mileage on a daily basis. Soon I was writing down who I talk with daily, where I went for lunch, family events, etc. Basically, it feels like you have your shit together for the first time in your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10 - NO HANGOVERS</b>: So, yes, not having hangovers is a pretty wonderful way to go through life but it doesn't really compare to the nine other points above. Plus, when you drink as much as an alcoholic does, hangovers aren't really that bad. I see people who go on benders once or twice every year and sometimes wonder, "Why can't I do that?" However I quickly realize that I was doing it every weekend or sometimes multiple times per week. It was completely ruining my life and I'm grateful every minute of every day that I found the road out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">* If you have a serious problem with alcohol (if it's causing problems in your life), then it's imperative that you seek help. If it's deemed that you suffer from Alcoholism, then drinking can no longer be part of your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully this week's blog shows you what the upside of that is. It's ALL positive.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">RP</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter: @pedersenrecover<br />IG: @pedersenrecovery<br />FB: Pedersen Recovery & Coaching Inc.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">SC: Pedersenmedia</span></b>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-2592553457201569932023-04-18T07:01:00.005-07:002023-04-18T07:02:21.344-07:00BRUINS' MONTGOMERY PROVING RECOVERY WORKS<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><b></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDEvD28Fnw56ovl_iWSuyR-IwpAecEC0snPMU4fKwDk1baRUfCPUQdqAa06i_vRcANxKYJ4h_9CSm6bxIIszlFccRC02C0x2yUcO3wuq3UonKTzZXh2TUVotGR3D6-xYHo0X_rVcIRQ8G_KZHPD_EXGA2VpaH8oB4D2xlDHLFHgbf9qpsz7t_wbNqqw/s1280/IMG_1787-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1280" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDEvD28Fnw56ovl_iWSuyR-IwpAecEC0snPMU4fKwDk1baRUfCPUQdqAa06i_vRcANxKYJ4h_9CSm6bxIIszlFccRC02C0x2yUcO3wuq3UonKTzZXh2TUVotGR3D6-xYHo0X_rVcIRQ8G_KZHPD_EXGA2VpaH8oB4D2xlDHLFHgbf9qpsz7t_wbNqqw/w640-h446/IMG_1787-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />BOSTON </b>— Jim Montgomery was at his lowest point after he was fired by the Dallas Stars for what he has since admitted was a drinking problem.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three years later, he is at the top of the NHL, coaching the Boston Bruins to the best record in NHL history. It wouldn’t have been possible if not for the lessons learned during his exile, his rehab and his climb back through the coaching ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’re filled with guilt and shame. You’re not even thinking about when’s your next job,” Montgomery said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I was at the nadir of my life. Then you start building yourself back up and you start to get your life in order first and work on yourself. And then you start getting back. And you become better at everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">A native of Canada who led Maine to the 1993 NCAA title — scoring a third-period hat trick in the final — Montgomery played in 122 NHL games over six years before he turned to coaching. He won two U.S. junior titles and led Denver to an NCAA championship before he was hired by Dallas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">In his first season, the Stars made the playoffs for the first time in three years. In his second, he had a team that reached the Stanley Cup Final.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But he wouldn’t get there with them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery was fired 32 games into the year for what the team called unprofessional conduct. He has since admitted to binge drinking to the point of blackouts, and conceded that he deserved to be fired. After going through rehab, he began working his way back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery spent two seasons as an assistant in St. Louis, the team that signed him as a player out of college. He made himself a better coach, he said, absorbing what he could from every system he worked in along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the Bruins gave him his second chance as a head coach, he brought those lessons with him, creating his own “system” from the bits and pieces he picked up.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">He also came out of it stronger as a leader, and more empathic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You become a lot more aware and mindful of how other people are doing,” Montgomery said. “I’m talking about someone, maybe they’re off, and they’re off because, well, maybe their dog passed away, their grandmother’s ill. And that’s where I think I’m a much more aware and much more in touch with how other people are doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery’s predecessor, Bruce Cassidy, led the Bruins to the seventh game of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final and at least 100 points in each of his full, non-pandemic seasons in Boston. But some players bristled at his coaching style, and the front office concluded that younger players couldn’t develop under Cassidy’s harsh glare.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery – so far, at least – has fronted a softer image.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I definitely see a guy who has worked really hard on making the right approach to being the best coach that he can be, and person off the ice,” defenseman Brandon Carlo said. “The jokes that he makes, the things that he does are pretty funny. And it’s allowed us to connect with him on a different level, just on a personal level as well.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carlo declined to provide any examples of Montgomery’s humor, but categorized the 53-year-old coach’s sense of humor as “definitely dad jokes.” Told of this, Montgomery laughed and confessed to telling jokes that might tend toward the corny and dated: “I do a lot of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">So instead of chewing out defenseman Connor Clifton for taking too many chances on the ice, Montgomery good-heartedly calls him Kenny Rogers, after the 1978 song, “The Gambler.” He drops in references to Mike Bossy, the Hall of Famer who led the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup championships in the 1980s, or Canadiens icon Guy Lafleur.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Some of these guys don’t know who Mike Bossy is or was, or Guy Lafleur,” Montgomery said with a chuckle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“He’s done a very good job of that, making it light in here and making it fun,” Carlo said. “Especially in the moments where we are having success.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Five months after taking over in Boston, Montgomery’s office at the team’s practice facility is still largely unadorned, with a picture of his children the only personal touch among hockey charts and diagrams. He said he would eventually like to add some memorabilia that recognizes the Original Six franchise’s long tradition of success, which includes six Cup championships but none since 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, he is trying to create more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery’s smooth transition has helped the Bruins weather what was supposed to be a rough fall, with top forward Brad Marchand and top defenseman Charlie McAvoy missing the start of the season due to injuries. The expectation was that if the Bruins could remain competitive early, they could pick up ground once reinforcements arrived.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“This is a real easy group,” he said. “Everybody cares about everybody. And I’m not talking teammates with teammates only. That happens. But it’s also how they treat equipment managers, everybody who’s involved. There’s a lot of communication up and down the ladder.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“And then,” he added, “you’ve got the talent on the ice.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Montgomery said no one expected these kind of results so early.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“But we try and stay in the present,” he said. “Because if you’re worried about the future — when are these three guys going to get healthy? — well, then you’re not thinking about how you’re going to get better that day.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><i>(Associated Press/Photo: Boston Bruins)</i></span></p>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-74099078788137145872021-05-27T09:34:00.000-07:002021-05-29T07:07:19.721-07:00MONTREAL GAZETTE: RIDERS' PEDERSEN GETS LIFE, CAREER BACK ON TRACK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXq7mw2vZhlBdMxKR_9mWfYa0J8Oz64kjsyZ6rD2UWTOaD0_SgPq7KRm_UpVsIdDXZLNgnn0oMH8cIVrXR4mM4KuGMcGvvQq1cMXVbOoiRb0Inq0ZLvyfWteFdNHwK0ze2MJiouC7DP2u/s1600/LA-BIG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="454" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXq7mw2vZhlBdMxKR_9mWfYa0J8Oz64kjsyZ6rD2UWTOaD0_SgPq7KRm_UpVsIdDXZLNgnn0oMH8cIVrXR4mM4KuGMcGvvQq1cMXVbOoiRb0Inq0ZLvyfWteFdNHwK0ze2MJiouC7DP2u/s320/LA-BIG.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">The following story originally appeared in the Montreal Gazette's June 29/2018 edition, in the Inside The CFL feature, written by Hall of Fame writer Herb Zurkowsky:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>REGINA</b> — More than three years later, Rod Pedersen still tells the story when asked, almost as though it has become cathartic to relive his battle with alcoholism and the subsequent fight to become sober.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And each time the narrative becomes easier, each graphic detail of a life that was spiralling into self-destruction flowing more readily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“They say when you can tell your story without crying, you’ve healed,” Pedersen said. “Most times, I can tell it without crying.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen, 45, a big fish in a small pond, has been the radio voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 20 seasons, a broadcaster at Regina radio station CKRM since 1995. And he easily could have lost it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The native of Milestone, Sask., a farming community (pop. 640) 50 kilometres south of Regina, began drinking at age 16.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps Pedersen was bored living in such a small town. Or perhaps it was the peer pressure. Or perhaps he succumbed to a genetic predisposition. His father, Jim, also a recovering alcoholic, drank for 43 years until 1974, and warned his son the condition might be passed down.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“I knew it was a potential problem. It was causing problems in my life early on. I just wasn’t willing to look at them,” Pedersen said. “I was drinking until I blacked out, and that didn’t deter me. I could not quit. The idea of reaching out and asking for help never donned on me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“I thank God I never tried drugs. I wouldn’t be sitting here, talking to you today. I’d be dead.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen, once the voice of the junior hockey Prince Albert Raiders at age 20, never drank before or during a Riders broadcast — the sanctity of that job in Saskatchewan simply too important. But he also hosts a daily sports talk show that, at one point, was simultaneously sponsored by three breweries, all of which readily made their products available at the station. And it wasn’t uncommon for Pedersen to broadcast the show from banquets or sports bars.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“It (beer) was like a magic tonic to me. I literally couldn’t get enough of it,” he said. “I wanted to drink to the point where I couldn’t move. I had it stashed all over the station. If I didn’t black out, I didn’t think I was drunk. The floor of my car vehicle was littered with beer cans. Shockingly, I didn’t think that was a problem.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In summer 2014, Pedersen successfully auditioned for his dream job and was hired to become the radio voice of the Calgary Flames. And, when his drinking problem was discovered, quickly, he was removed from the position. That sent him into a deep depression — later diagnosed as anxiety disorder — and accelerated his drinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“If you thought I drank too much, just watch me. Now I’m going to drink more,” he remembered vowing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The more he drank, the louder and more obnoxious he became. Once the life of the party, the funny guy with the one-liners, Pedersen quickly discovered none of his friends wanted to associate with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“That becomes the loneliest place in the world and, frankly, quite embarrassing,” he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen mixed anti-depressants with alcohol while on the job. He was frequently sent home from work and was forced by his employer to sign documents stating, were he drunk in public or at work, he would be terminated. Finally, in January 2015, drugs in his system and so drunk he was incoherent, Pedersen was suspended, told to enter a recovery program or he’d be fired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“I gave them more than enough reasons to terminate me,” he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first year of his recovery battle was the most difficult, Pedersen said, avoiding the temptation of reaching for a drink; the constant battle raging in his head between the good and bad voices, along with the craving for alcohol.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen will never say for certain the habit has been kicked. He wants to say it’s behind him, and believes that to be true. He proudly proclaims he vacationed at an all-inclusive Mexican resort last winter, not one drop of alcohol touching his palate despite the voice in his head arguing nobody would know if he had just one drink. What would it matter?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen continues to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings once a week. He attended classes in the U.S., received a diploma as an addiction-treatment specialist and coaches recovering alcoholics three or four times each week. He also works in conjunction with the Betty Ford Center.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most importantly, on Saturday night, after the Riders-Alouettes broadcast concludes, Pedersen will go straight home where his wife since 2012, Cindy, will await.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“A lot of people didn’t think I could overcome this and win the battle,” Pedersen said proudly. “That was the fuel, to prove them wrong. It’s a happy story, and the world doesn’t have a lot of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t give up on yourself, because I did. Anybody can be saved.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">hzurkowsky@postmedia.com</span><br />
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<a href="http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/inside-the-cfl-riders-radio-host-gets-his-life-career-back-on-track">http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/inside-the-cfl-riders-radio-host-gets-his-life-career-back-on-track</a><br />
<br />Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-86655025398820008302020-06-27T08:49:00.000-07:002020-06-27T11:41:24.335-07:00BOOK REVIEW: MENtal HEALTH BY ALLAN KEHLER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXORCnlXDOI-F7VrE1XBMjshePLjina_1wOnQzKwQb23qooMoKnhBPwB2G3Hw9Dgdaiji8lu6kSkhj9KGjlK748L5IPWJ6Xq87N8kB_lWMM4cb-bftUiER7pOe6Cbr84VN_vuB77aHGh97/s1600/IMG_7322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXORCnlXDOI-F7VrE1XBMjshePLjina_1wOnQzKwQb23qooMoKnhBPwB2G3Hw9Dgdaiji8lu6kSkhj9KGjlK748L5IPWJ6Xq87N8kB_lWMM4cb-bftUiER7pOe6Cbr84VN_vuB77aHGh97/s400/IMG_7322.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">2020 hasn't been ALL bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For the past few months I kept hearing the name Allan Kehler, <i>Allan Kehler</i>, <b>ALLAN KEHLER</b>. The name had been coming up in my conversations with friends like Clint Malarchuk, Health industry personnel and media folk. Allan's mug even popped up in my Facebook feed under "People You May Know". But I didn't know him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It seemed Allan Kehler's name is a trusted one, and my friends told me he's a Mental Health advocate, motivational speaker and best-selling author out of Saskatoon. "You've gotta meet him," they kept saying. "You two'd hit it off!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And then this week, out of the blue, I got a note from Allan saying he was going to be in my city and he asked for a meeting. As I've learned in Recovery when someone opens a door for you, you walk through it. So we set up a time to meet on Friday at the studios of my daily sports talkshow.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That in itself was a gong show and Allan would have his first "Welcome To Rod's Life" moment as he had to adjust his schedule for my antique Jeep breaking down, which threw a kink into our plans. Then he had to wade through a staff barbecue in our studio parking lot being thrown by retired NFL'er-turned-TV analyst Tori Gurley. (Allan graciously accepted a hotdog).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once inside the IKS Media building, we closed the glass door to a nice air conditioned conference room and got down to business. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You see when two people in Recovery and in the "helping people" business connect, you get to the heart of the matter real fast and the conversation can last for hours. The rest of the world doesn't *get us*, so we cherish the few who do. ("Why would you help somebody else with no expectation of a return?" is the popular refrain from the earthlings). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway after briefly sharing our stories and scheming how best to team up our services, Allan handed me four copies of his latest book <i>MENtal Health - It's Time To Talk</i>, with the foreword by famed broadcaster and Mental Health speaker Michael Landsberg.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I promised Allan I would read it over the weekend but in truth, I crushed it by noon on Saturday. That's a testament in two ways: 1) I couldn't put it down, and 2) The book is framed in small, bite-sized chapters which makes it easily digestible. If you have a passion for this stuff, you'll blaze through it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And what's different about Kehler's fourth book is that it's tailored specifically to men. It examines the stats on men's Mental Health issues versus women's, how they affect each gender differently (inward versus outward reactions), and much, much more.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10RyFczsCVohpyUzy4Lg3LFHGfTHvj_FeoXri0DCavq3Jda9ol6kOWZ-6Gt4-Ah_GxbrYd5bd7zXAMXq_XQvOhLUPcF7kYz9_GyBlvKl5LYN_srW7D3uTJDnXDAVnmm3CMOhIMRojJv3a/s1600/IMG_7323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="960" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10RyFczsCVohpyUzy4Lg3LFHGfTHvj_FeoXri0DCavq3Jda9ol6kOWZ-6Gt4-Ah_GxbrYd5bd7zXAMXq_XQvOhLUPcF7kYz9_GyBlvKl5LYN_srW7D3uTJDnXDAVnmm3CMOhIMRojJv3a/s400/IMG_7323.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Allan Kehler (left) at IKS Media</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are a host of short stories from men from all walks of life sharing their struggles. You want to hear from the guy running through downtown barefoot in a hospital gown and wonder why he did it? That guy tells you in this book. You want to know why farmers are among the most stressed and anxious blue-collar workers and how they deal with it (or DON'T deal with it?). You'll hear from one young farmer - who's also a junior hockey coach - on how we've been looking at it all wrong our whole lives. You'll also hear from the First Responder whose PTSD led him down the wrong path before he turned his life around with the proper help.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And that right there is the biggest key. I'll admit there's a tornado of stories encapsulated in the 181 pages which can be a lot to absorb in one sitting. But one key message kept coming through over and over:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You need to reach out for assistance if you're struggling. Nobody can do it for you and once you're tired enough of living in the storm, it's up to you to take the first step. And if a door or two gets slammed in your face, don't be discouraged. Try another door. Keep trying doors until the right one opens because you'll find it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The publication is also rife with little nuggets that'll stay with you forever, like: "You are the author of your life. But the universe is the editor". That one came from the guy who was running barefoot downtown in a hospital gown. Maybe he's not so crazy after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>MENtal Health</i> is a collection of stories from the winners who kept fighting and came out on the other side. They didn't give up no matter how much adversity was shoved in their face.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Who doesn't love a good comeback story?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And one other thing about 2020 not being so bad. There are have been countless horrible things go on this calendar year which are largely out of our control. However we are also in the midst of the digital age and no matter where you live in the world - no matter how remote or even how congested it is - you can find all the resources and the "right door" online.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shame, embarrassment and stigma are no longer viable excuses for not getting help.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Allan Kehler's book gives you the keys to get your life back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Bravo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Order yours direct-to-home from Allan's website: </span><a href="https://www.outfromtheshadows.ca/shop/mental-health-its-time-to-talk/">https://www.outfromtheshadows.ca/shop/mental-health-its-time-to-talk/</a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or at your local Indigo/Chapters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Rod Pedersen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen Recovery Inc./The Recovery Hour</span><br />
<br />Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-1503788397368220302020-06-05T05:27:00.000-07:002020-06-06T07:55:29.930-07:00RECOVERY ADVOCATE PEDERSEN SPEAKS AT PEACOCK<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWSYOiQTt_v_GYXwqkfC0Wr71m8aONPrmEm-mFuc1kvfYyPjKR3Itno4PdHajTYvq03DrrNi7GQ0YqY7NeEQd6dKnQ33hB0RgQVC4NoNdvVLl8oU2_S8-_heftNUvHrxneJbV7sYKR4On/s1600/Rod_Pederson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWSYOiQTt_v_GYXwqkfC0Wr71m8aONPrmEm-mFuc1kvfYyPjKR3Itno4PdHajTYvq03DrrNi7GQ0YqY7NeEQd6dKnQ33hB0RgQVC4NoNdvVLl8oU2_S8-_heftNUvHrxneJbV7sYKR4On/s640/Rod_Pederson.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Zach Drake, DiscoverMooseJaw.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(72, 72, 72); color: #484848; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">By: Zach Drake, DiscoverMooseJaw.com</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(72, 72, 72); color: #484848; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Alcohol and drugs have never been more easily accessible to youth, and that's the reason many feel it's so important to educate them on the dangers of substance abuse early.</span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(72, 72, 72); color: #484848; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Former voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Rod Pedersen now works as a Sober Coach with Pedersen Recovery INC. for athletes, entertainers, the military and more who are battling addictions and mental illness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen spends a lot of time working as a recovery advocate and serving as a keynote speaker.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday afternoon, Pedersen spoke to a group of students at Peacock Collegiate. He described what his main message was in the presentation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Well, the number one weapon against addiction is prevention. So if we can stop kids before they've started drugs and alcohol abuse it's a win right there. If it's an older group I talk to, I say '<i>it's never too late to turn your life around</i>' but with kids like this at Peacock I say '<i>it's never too early</i>'. If you're starting to experience issues with mental health or addictions/substance abuse, look into it. Don't let it take your life down the drain like it did with mine."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen also explained why it's important to educate youth, even as young as 10 years old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I've become big on numbers. Suicide rates have tripled for kids 10-14, and there's a variety of reasons why that is ... a lot of excuses why that is. It's an important age; it's when people start to make life-altering decisions. Again it's about prevention, the number one weapon against addiction is prevention. We're trying to get to them as early as we can, because it's easier to build boys and girls than it is to repair men and women."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen added that it only takes one person in your corner to turn your life around and that it could be as simple as a single sentence that saves your life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://discovermoosejaw.com/local/recovery-advocate-rod-pedersen-speaks-at-peacock">https://discovermoosejaw.com/local/recovery-advocate-rod-pedersen-speaks-at-peacock</a></div>
Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-59098720059910732302019-10-10T16:47:00.002-07:002019-10-10T21:01:43.310-07:00RECOVERY PODCAST: DYSLEXIA SUFFERER, ADDICTION SURVIVOR BRENT SOPEL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"I was a bully and I caused a lot of pain. Now, helping others is greater than any day on the ice."</i> - Brent Sopel</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stanley Cup champion and NHL star Brent Sopel is the latest guest on the Pedersen Recovery Podcast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 42-year old Calgary product has recently gone public with his story of a lifelong battle with Dyslexia, which led to a substance abuse battle, and successful stint in a treatment center.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sopel played in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos, but admits to graduating high school at only a Grade 8 reading level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brent went on to a very successful NHL career with stops in Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Montreal, winning a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. All tolled, he played 659 NHL games.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However all-the-while, he was carrying scars of being mocked in elementary school, and the frustration of not knowing what was wrong with him well into his adulthood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story of how he got the Dyslexia diagnosis is a cliffhanger. However even after that, it took many more years before he'd reach successful, long-term sobriety.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nowadays, Brent Sopel is an advocate for those suffering from Dyslexia and heads up the Brent Sopel Foundation for charitable causes. He is a proud Recovery Warrior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please enjoy this month's Recovery podcast interview with NHL star and survivor Brent Sopel:</span><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/693998542&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-3908345894656812722019-09-23T20:22:00.001-07:002019-09-23T20:22:22.510-07:00RECOVERY PODCAST: CODY FAJARDO TELLS HIS FAITH STORY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo is a rising star in the football world, but also within the Faith community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 27-year old pivot from Brea, CA has risen to prominence in the Canadian Football League in his first year as a starter, but his fifth in the CFL. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He also spent time with the NFL's Oakland Raiders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fajardo drew headlines this season with his colourful "Sprinkle of Jesus" quote, when he led the Riders on a game-winning touchdown drive in a 24-19 victory over Hamilton on August 1 at Mosaic Stadium. After the game, Cody gave credit for his heroics to his Lord and Saviour. The comment took off within the Rider Nation, and within the religious community</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this month's Pedersen Recovery Podcast, Cody Fajardo tells his personal Faith story, how he dealt with his parents' divorce as a teen, and how he deals with critics since he wears his heart on his sleeve as a Believer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please enjoy this uplifting interview with Cody Fajardo:</span></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/685896178&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-72304745917880506902019-08-15T05:58:00.002-07:002019-08-15T12:43:53.173-07:00RECOVERY PODCAST: RAPTORS ANNOUNCER HERBIE KUHN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like millions of Canadians, it's very likely you were wrapped up in the thrilling Toronto Raptors run to the 2019 NBA championship this past spring!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, if you were tuned into the broadcasts on TSN and Sportsnet, you'll recall a deep, baritone voice introducing "<i>Yourrrrrrrrrrr Toronnnnnto Rrrrrraptor</i>s!" to the hardwood at Scotiabank Arena before thousands of fans, and millions more on TV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That voice belongs to my friend Herbie Kuhn who, in addition to his role as Public Address Announcer for Canada's NBA Team, serves as the club's official co-Chaplin. He is also the Team Chaplin for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, and that's how he and I crossed paths.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was at the 2016 Grey Cup in Toronto, where Herbie was serving as the MC for the annual Athletes In Action Breakfast at the Sheraton in Downtown Toronto. I'll detail a little more of the story in the podcast, but suffice it to say that Herbie and I met, exchanged numbers, and became fast friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to today, and Herbie can now say he's a champion of both the CFL <i>and the NBA</i>! But he took a long, tough road to get there due to a battle with substance abuse and mental health issues before turning his life around. Now, he's helping others get out of similar funks and clearly he's doing great things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please enjoy our visit with Raptors announcer Herbie Kuhn on this month's Pedersen Recovery Podcast:</span><br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/666129968&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-49980294136420260722019-07-04T05:57:00.000-07:002019-08-14T05:59:12.118-07:00LIONS' MIKE REILLY OPENS UP ON MENTAL HEALTH BATTLE<div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>SURREY, B.C.</b> - One of the CFL's toughest players says he's no longer afraid to face his mental health.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More than a year and a half after experiencing a terrifying bout of panic attacks and anxiety, B.C. Lions quarterback Mike Reilly shared his experience in a stark piece for CFL.ca on Wednesday, saying he hopes it helps others dealing with similar issues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I just hope that (my story) empowers people to know that it's not taboo and it's not something people should frown upon,'' the 34 year old told reporters at the Lions' suburban training facility on Wednesday, just hours after the piece went live online.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"People should celebrate that you're strong enough to be able to get help instead of worrying about how tough you are or how big your ego is or how scared you are.''</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reilly experienced his first panic attack at his off-season home in Seattle in January 2018. He was coming off another season as the league's top passer, having thrown for 5,830 yards and 30 touchdowns for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He and his wife Emily had one infant daughter and another on the way when, one night, the football star lay down in bed only to find himself unable to breathe, his heart racing, gripped by the fear that he was about to die.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The scariest part was that it was something new for me and something I hadn't dealt with before,'' Reilly said. "I was scared that I was going to feel that way every day for the rest of my life. That's a pretty rough place to be in.''</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the next month, the 2015 Grey Cup MVP struggled with reconciling his recurring panic attacks and persistent anxiety with his image of being one of the CFL's toughest athletes. He didn't want to tell anyone - including his wife or his brother, a psychologist - what he was really going through. He worried with how he'd be viewed and that any issue would automatically be linked to a head injury.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I thought of myself as a super tough guy. But there's a difference between being tough and being dumb,'' Reilly explained. "Being tough is one thing when you're fighting through something on your own. But that was not a scenario where I was going to be able to just fight through and pretend it wasn't happening. Once I finally realized that and got the help that I needed, it was life changing.''</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually he reached out, received support and learned various treatment tools, including journaling. The dark feelings and panic attacks quickly dissipated and he continued working to keep them at bay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reilly, who signed with the Lions as a free agent in February, said he hasn't experienced any symptoms in more than a year and a half, but he still uses some of the tools and techniques he learned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today he has confidence that if anxiety ever encroaches again, he'll be prepared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I don't worry about it now during the day because I know that if I start to feel a little bit off, I can go and talk to people and it's not going to be something where I'm going to be judged or I'm going to lose my career for it or things like that,'' he said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The experience has flipped how Reilly views mental health, from something that can be fought through by those who are tough enough to a medical condition that needs outside help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It's something that didn't square in my mind in the beginning and now when I look back on it, I can't believe how wrong I was,'' he said. "It was a life lesson for me, for sure, and one that I'm fortunate to have had the pieces and people in place to get me the help that I needed.''</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now Reilly is joining a handful of other male professional athletes speaking about their personal journey in a bid to break down the stigma that still surrounds mental health.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NBA players DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Love have shared their own battles, while NHL goalie Robin Lehner recently spoke out about struggling with addiction, suicidal thoughts and bipolar disorder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reilly is also helping others by working with the B.C. arm of the Canadian Mental Health Association, and putting the $25,000 donation he earned from being last year's top player of the week toward Foundry B.C., a group that helps youth access various mental health care and various other supports.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking publicly has brought up some nerves for the quarterback, who prefers to keep his personal life personal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It's kind of uncharted territory for me,'' Reilly said. "Any time I've been hurt, physically, I don't talk about it. I've played through a lot of different injuries and I generally don't like to talk about them. It's generally something I deal with on my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"But this is not a physical injury. This is something that can and will affect a lot of people. Mental health touches so many different people and you don't even know about it.''</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Canadian Press/Gemma Martens-Smith)</span></i></div>
Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-77979669281359744182019-06-19T07:09:00.000-07:002019-07-03T05:46:32.789-07:00KORY SHEETS: RECOVERY IN LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9xY7v2Hzx6vAiXpQ2o_ggFSGM0fFY6L029xjNSZPHe1ZtWSxpKI3oNQ9CtTEbD8OEMtAXMY87YbxnBL5zY0-3xhjeoQRTw4pDM1lpiqa4nmUo_JI4QtZ3vn4tjhszdEVbh_uhC4_8cvs/s1600/sawatzky8-1024x759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1024" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9xY7v2Hzx6vAiXpQ2o_ggFSGM0fFY6L029xjNSZPHe1ZtWSxpKI3oNQ9CtTEbD8OEMtAXMY87YbxnBL5zY0-3xhjeoQRTw4pDM1lpiqa4nmUo_JI4QtZ3vn4tjhszdEVbh_uhC4_8cvs/s640/sawatzky8-1024x759.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Jeff Sawatzky</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pro football fans' last memory of Kory Sheets is very likely the famed Saskatchewan Roughriders running back ripping off a record 197 yards rushing in the 2013 Grey Cup, and being named the MVP of a 45-23 Saskatchewan victory over Hamilton at Taylor Field.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The highest of highs, you'd think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a few months later Sheets - a free agent - spurned a lucrative offer from the Roughriders to sign with the NFL's Oakland Raiders for a few thousand dollars more. The following August, on national television at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Sheets popped his achilles tendon in a preseason game against the Packers and his career was over. In the blink of an eye.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's when the regrets, the demons, and the downward spiral began.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgbIBCphnZ4UBqNktwHy1vBshX02uqvsj7gbpKUxEXNXbhGBGqVZK5ssceV3dRmqVMqOvaT3A9Nf6SgLqarSs376UNO2VvCEe-dFOxwvPMPk2X-IwQ6nz73M7IIVnCfg29cmb5M3HYsET/s1600/IMG_6865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgbIBCphnZ4UBqNktwHy1vBshX02uqvsj7gbpKUxEXNXbhGBGqVZK5ssceV3dRmqVMqOvaT3A9Nf6SgLqarSs376UNO2VvCEe-dFOxwvPMPk2X-IwQ6nz73M7IIVnCfg29cmb5M3HYsET/s400/IMG_6865.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With Sheets in Regina in June/2019 <i>Photo: Jeff Armstead</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In an interview with <i>The Rod Pedersen Show</i>, Sheets bared all about what Life After Football can be like, and how his life turned south with one fateful decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I wanted to either stay in Saskatchewan or go pursue my dream," the former Dolphin, 49er, Raider and Rider said. "Honestly, I left over $20,000 and now I'm sitting here saying 'man, that's stupid!' Everyday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I see a therapist now because I deal with mental health issues and she asked me what my biggest regret in life is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I was like, 'Honestly, arguing over $20,000'. I literally left Canada, where I likely should've stayed, because they wouldn't give me an extra $20,000. I could've made that up off the field (in endorsements)! Hindsight's 20/20, you live and you learn, don't sweat the little stuff."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So just a scant six months later, Sheets' career was pinched off when it was potentially at the apex. He knew the second he heard a 'pop' near his ankle that he'd suffered a second severe achilles tendon injury. The Tampa Bay product waved off the trainer's cart and walked off on his own strength, admitting to himself that his days under the lights were over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"That's another regret," Sheets winced. "I let go of the ball. So my last carry in the NFL was a damn fumble. When it popped, I thought 'Oh no, not this again'. And it was over."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You've likely heard the stories or seen the stats about how 75% of retired NFL'ers are broke, many have taken their own lives or attempted it, and their lives have completely fallen apart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kory Sheets is one of them, and he bravely bared his soul on the matter in an attempt to help others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"For me after football I went through a big stage of depression where it was bad," the 34-year old detailed. "I got committed, and stayed in a facility for five days. That whole domestic violence thing I went through, I like to talk to people about that because there's a misconception about how that went.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I was in pain through my career, and I took it out on the person that I loved, which was all bad. I think people do that a lot and don't understand where it's coming from. The partner thinks you're mad at them but really they're just a punching bag (metaphorically speaking). They could have nothing to do with what's going on in their partner's life but it's taken out on them. That's what was going on with me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So how did that situation get resolved?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"She left me!" Sheets blurted. "That wasn't so much of a wakeup call but it forced me to face my biggest fears. It was my girl leaving me, my career was over, having another surgery, I had to move back into my parents' house, everything I didn't want to do in life. I thought, 'Alright, something's gotta give. Clearly, what I'm doing's not helping'. And I reached out and got help. I think more people should do that."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Recovery world, we often refer to the term "rock bottom". Anyone who's repaired their life has one. Where was Kory Sheets' rock bottom in this story?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It was an attempted suicide," Sheets admitted. "I saw the pain in my parents, my sisters and my best friend and all I was doing was making them cry. I was tired of seeing me hurt the people I love. I needed to go get help, and that's what I did."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Forget about facing 300-lb frothing-at-the-mouth defensive linemen or blocking blitzing linebackers. <i>This moment t</i>ook the most courage Kory had ever mustered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"It was a long drive to the hospital. I drove myself there and they asked, 'What's going on?' and I said 'I need help'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The euphoria that comes on the other side of life begins when you tackle your demons head-on. No more running away. And life becomes a whole lot easier after that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's where Kory Sheets finds himself today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Yeah I've moved on but it's moreso like, have you ever faced your biggest fear in life?" Sheets asked, to which I nodded yes. "It's like, what the hell you got any fear for now? The worst thing I could've ever imagined, I done went through it already! And I'm still here. Nothing can really faze me now."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as happy for Kory Sheets is his family, who knew they couldn't do anything till Kory decided to help himself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"They were just happy seeing me try to get better because they were watching me beat myself down and tear myself apart," Sheets surmised. "But they couldn't help me. They didn't know how, they didn't know why or what was going on with me because I didn't talk to people. Most men don't talk to people about their feelings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"And I think that needs to change."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sheets has a message for anyone who finds themself in a similar situation, and is wondering if there's a way out. It's not hopeless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"You're not alone," Sheets concluded. "We're all struggling out here. Life is hard whether you're rich, poor or in the middle. Just talk to somebody and don't be afraid to reach out and get help. I promise you it's there and your loved ones will want to help you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For more information on Kory Sheets or to book him for your event, visit his website at <a href="https://www.sheets24k.com./">https://www.sheets24k.com.</a></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">(Rod Pedersen is a Recovery Coach in Sports, Entertainment & Military. He spent 20 seasons in the CFL as a Hall of Fame broadcaster.)</span></i>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-17849657530634370312019-05-09T06:06:00.002-07:002019-07-03T05:48:00.534-07:00ONE DAY AT A TIME<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3_B0LtIIJm8r-x_vLC3VA88iJvL2gw_d4poJKuPnLJSkuVRql0FrKi98rG0c7SI_qHH7dhI-MLDzMKRWy-dblCittzOlZ5upB47ttMvjSkZZSYjwWBcjxmD1qHaH6czyagBmDCzrTmgX/s1600/RUSH-ROD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="992" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3_B0LtIIJm8r-x_vLC3VA88iJvL2gw_d4poJKuPnLJSkuVRql0FrKi98rG0c7SI_qHH7dhI-MLDzMKRWy-dblCittzOlZ5upB47ttMvjSkZZSYjwWBcjxmD1qHaH6czyagBmDCzrTmgX/s320/RUSH-ROD.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO: Sask Rush</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">By: Rod Pedersen</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">For The Edge - A Leader's Magazine</span></b><br />
<a href="https://theedgeleaders.com/one-day-at-a-time/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://theedgeleaders.com/one-day-at-a-time/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When The Edge: A Leader’s Magazine first asked me to write a column on goal-setting and the importance of having a positive attitude in life, I’ll admit to being somewhat stumped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought to myself, “I know how these concepts have impacted my own life, but how would I relate it to a wide cross-section of industries?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then it dawned on me. That’s exactly why they afforded me this opportunity. The fact of the matter is, I’ve got an arsenal of experience with all kinds of goals. Long-term goals, short-term goals, misguided goals, blown goals, experienced goals, adjusted goals, financial goals, you name it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Famed leadership expert John C. Maxwell has written that life can be related to a Par 5 golf hole. You need to know where the pin is so you have something to work towards. How you get there is up to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so begins the tale of my wild ride through life, which has gotten me to where I am today: putting out on the green of that first Par 5, and moving to the next exciting tee box.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of these experiences unfolded somewhat unexpectedly, both tragically and triumphantly, and there’s something to be learned in that alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the time I was six years old, all I wanted to be in life was an NHL radio announcer. Each morning when my feet hit the floor, beginning in Grade 1, I worked towards this goal thinking, “What can I do today to help achieve that ultimate target?”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My family was all-in with this idea. My mom enrolled me in French classes from Grades 7-12 so that I’d be bilingual by graduation. At 16, I begged for a new set of goaltender equipment for Christmas but when I unwrapped that large, heavy box, it was a new typewriter! As it turned out, my parents knew my destiny before I even did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In broadcasting college, I laid out goals for the next 10 years: to be a play-by-play man in the Western Hockey League by age 20, to be in Regina by 22, and to be in the National Hockey League by age 25. I hit a bullseye on the first two, and although I didn’t get to the NHL by 25, I was hired by the Canadian Football League at 26 (the youngest in the history of the league). Things were coming along swimmingly!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, at this point I took my eye off the ball. A serious alcohol addiction was rapidly taking over my life and by the time the NHL came calling in the summer of 2014, I was primed for a trainwreck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It’s true, I agreed to terms with an NHL team to be their “voice,” but the euphoria only lasted a week. Once the team learned of my off-air issues, the offer was pulled. It took me a few years to accept the fact that this blown opportunity was entirely my own fault, and not anyone else’s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But that’s where the rebirth happened. After facing an intervention and getting into recovery in January of 2015, a magnificent new world unfolded.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recovery concepts are a topic for another column, but my life changed when my own sober coach mentioned these words which changed my life forever: “Stop chasing the puck and let the puck come to you. You’ve been chasing that NHL dream for 35 years, but the door isn’t opening. Stop chasing and start listening to the opportunities which are being presented to you.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was an epiphany! And the mantra of recovery, “One day at a time,” meant so much to me in recovery that I had a bracelet made as a daily reminder. I offer these bracelets to each person I sober-coach to this day, and they wear them as a badge of honour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I envy the people who’ve managed to live life one day at a time since childhood, because I didn’t get into the game until later in life. But the bright side, from the perspective of my own journey, is that a lot of people never do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That’s where the idea of positive thinking comes in. “One day at a time” isn’t limited to sobriety. Winning each day with a series of small goals – being a good person, helping others, learning something new, moving past resentments, being grateful for your gifts rather than obsessing over what you don’t have – adds up to greater rewards than you ever could have imagined. I’ve reached goals and achievements in the past four years of which I never could have dreamt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One last thing: be sure to pause every once in a while to enjoy the view of this beautiful Par 5 we call life.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">(Rod Pedersen is the President & CEO of Pedersen Recovery Inc. working as a Sober Coach, Interventionist & Mental Health Advocate in Sports & Entertainment. His clients come from the NFL, MLB, NHL, CFL, CHL and CJHL. He is a contributing writer for The Edge Magazine)</span></i>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-91240971443293469982019-04-26T18:20:00.001-07:002020-05-02T08:02:55.723-07:00ADDICTION RECOVERY PODCAST: CHRIS "KNUCKLES" NILAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWKRw7Ok-YpoMY3mVRZ39vfYTDIyNDlIHdxDzYyI-U6qzE6ZEXUGCUtE0zc_t_Vt7sOPywTJk-cNilZ_MYABRCzy5luG6NMMVYxTgANXbBpqHm05lAN5RHWVyfd72U71OvFMV8MISd84j/s1600/nilan-rod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWKRw7Ok-YpoMY3mVRZ39vfYTDIyNDlIHdxDzYyI-U6qzE6ZEXUGCUtE0zc_t_Vt7sOPywTJk-cNilZ_MYABRCzy5luG6NMMVYxTgANXbBpqHm05lAN5RHWVyfd72U71OvFMV8MISd84j/s400/nilan-rod.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In our latest Pedersen Recovery Podcast series, we sit down with famed NHL enforcer Chris "Knuckles" Nilan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hockey fans will remember Nilan as a bruising, fan-favourite with the Montreal Canadiens where he spent the majority of his 16 NHL seasons, winning a Stanley Cup in 1986.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Boston, MA product now hosts a radio show on TSN 690 Montreal and also works in the Recovery field as a trained interventionist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But what most people don't know - and I certainly didn't - is that Nilan is 8-years sober from intravenous heroin addiction, along with alcohol and other drugs. His rock bottom came in a Boston hotel bathroom where he overdosed. When he awoke, he made the decision which would ultimately save his life and that was to reach out for help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this podcast interview Nilan details his Recovery story, what life was like before and what it's like now, and delivers a message to the still-suffering alcoholic/addict.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Pedersen Recovery Podcast features names from the sports and entertainment fields detailing their Recovery stories from addiction and mental illness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click below to hear Knuckles' Nilan's Recovery story:</span><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/612030141&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-3984264673554692692019-04-21T14:32:00.000-07:002019-04-22T06:26:24.936-07:00AN INSPIRATIONAL VOICE OF REASON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">By: Darcie Khounnoraj</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Kipling Citizen</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The conflict is that so many people will show up and listen to you speak about the Roughriders, they all yell and scream and go crazy and that's good, but the recovery/mental health aspect isn't as sexy or glamorous so it's a quieter group, yet you're having a bigger impact," Rod Pedersen, known as the Voice of the Riders, shared in Kipling, SK this month how he uses his voice to help those with addictions and mental illness versus the play-by-play commentary. "The only problem that I have is that I wish more people would speak up because addictions and mental health affect everybody in some way but nobody wants to talk about it."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rod Pedersen kept the target audience up to date across Saskatchewan for 30 years with the play-by-play commentary for sports fans. Visiting the Kipling community, Pedersen presented his story to more than 120 people at the Kipling Community Centre on Sunday, March 31 sponsored by Kipling Ministerial and Gee Bee Construction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday, April 1, the Kipling School students (grades 7-12) listened attentively to Pedersen as he spoke of his struggles with alcoholism and the detrimental state of his well-being and the divide in his family while he lived with his addiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I couldn't wait to get to Kipling because this is what my passion is now. I still do the sports banquets because they help raise money in communities, but I'd rather do this!" Pedersen smiled. "If somebody asks me to speak on Recovery, I will show up and speak. Because I'm so new at it, we'll find out in the years ahead what the impact is because I don't know what impact it is having (right now).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The reason why I'm getting so many opportunities to speak is because it's very rare for somebody to stand in front of a room and say what all their deficiencies have been as a human being -<i> it's so rare </i>- but I don't mind because the worst is over for me as far as I'm concerned!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen stated, "I used to have to drink six beer in a half an hour before I went on stage but about 5-6 months into recovery - with alcohol no longer an option - I found a new way to deal with the stress of public speaking. I didn't have that anxiety anymore 'cause I found the tools in recovery to do it. So that was a big change in me. The fact is there really isn't any stress at all. I created it in my head."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen has spoken to the public for more than three decades but it hasn't always been easy. As a child, Pedersen heard stories from his father who quit drinking 'cold turkey' when Rod was 2 years old. Pedersen spoke of how his father warned him of the dangers of drinking and smoking, noting that he avoided smoking because he disliked his father's bad habit - but drinking was another story.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen shared his own battles with anxiety, sleepwalking and moods that destroyed relationships and friendships - the early signs of addiction and mental illness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As a young hockey player, Pedersen described himself as a person with big dreams in the sports industry, knowing early on that he wanted to be a voice heard on the radio. While attending college, his road to addiction began at parties equipped with a variety of drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and the idea of a carefree lifestyle. Although he stayed clear of the drug scene, Pedersen found himself in countless scenarios of blackouts and drunken state into his adult years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Into his 30s, Pedersen admitted having a negative attitude about his life and the people he shared it with. He recalled a time when he was offered free bar tabs at party scenes just because of who he was.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The opportunity was there and no one ever stopped me. One day I finally said 'now is the time - I'm going to be like Dad and stop (drinking). But I couldn't," Pedersen described. "It had me in its grasp. I felt trapped in alcoholism and it wasn't nice."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen admitted that there was a time in his life that he lost the will to live, stating 'I really didn't want to live but I really didn't want to die either.' He lost his ability to motivate himself in his career and personal life, his relationships with family depleted and his life was spiralling out of control.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I got a prescription for anti-depressants but was never told to stop drinking. I found out that not a pill in the world would change my addiction or the mess I'd made of my life," Pedersen shared. "I had two options when I faced an intervention: Door A - accept the help, go into recovery and save my life or Door B - keep going the way I was going, but be terminated from my job and lose my family. I chose Door A."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While in recovery, Pedersen learned that he not only had an addiction, a disease, but that he also lived with a variety of mental illnesses. An assessment revealed depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, and addiction. "It was a snapshot of my whole life," he said. "I wasn't angry when I found that out at all. It totally described my whole life to that point."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now as a trained Interventionist, and through recovery, Pedersen has seen the worst of the worst. He advised that addictions come in all forms including alcohol, drugs, food, sex, video games and more. People become trapped in addictions due to boredom, stress, money issues, limited self-control and to escape their lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"People can see that you are struggling but until you decide that you don't want to live that way anymore, they can't really help you. You really have to want to turn your life around - the resources are there," Pedersen assured, adding that the support system also has to stay focused on recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"When the family says enough is enough, they need to be a united front. If there is one weak link in the chain, everything goes down."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As a Drug & Alcohol Treatment Specialist, Interventionist, Mental Health Advocate and Sober Coach, Rod Pedersen's voice will still be heard across the province, only now he speaks up for those with addictions and mental illness.</span><br />
<br />Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-67860644450041603292019-04-14T21:26:00.002-07:002019-04-22T06:26:43.270-07:00TELLING MY STORY IN SWIFT CURRENT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">By: Mathew Liebenberg</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Swift Current Prairie Post </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sober Coach and Mental Health advocate Rod Pedersen hopes his personal journey of battling with alcoholism can make a difference to help others to find a way to recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Drug Strategy Action Committee in Swift Current hosted two events where the former voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders shared his story.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A community presentation took place during an evening event at Walker Place on April 7 and he spoke to Grade 9-12 students at Swift Current Comprehensive High School the following morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“I don’t find it difficult at all,” he said after his first presentation. “From the moment I gave my first speech about getting sober. You heard it, I lived 25 years in shame and guilt and I’m not going to live the next 25 that way. So if it helps somebody along the way I’m going to do it.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He struggled with anxiety since a young age, but he only realized he was suffering from mental illness after he began his recovery. He discovered alcohol at the age of 16 and it became a magic tonic that made it easier to talk to people and also took away his anxious feelings and fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His drinking habits became worse over the years until his life was completely taken over by alcohol. An opportunity in 2014 to become the voice of the Calgary Flames never materialized because someone warned the team that he was an alcoholic. After that disappointment he drank even more and he received a warning at work, but it made no difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He had no more joy in life and went to see a doctor, who prescribed anti-depressants without addressing Pedersen’s excessive drinking. He started to use more pills than the prescribed dose, because he thought it will help him to feel better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The use of anti-depressants and heavy drinking caused his rock bottom on Jan. 26, 2015 at the radio station, when he went on air in an intoxicated state. He was suspended and his first day of sobriety started the following day, when he was told to either get into recovery or lose his job.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He spoke for the first time in public about his alcohol addiction at a recovery day event in Regina in September 2016. He was surprised by the positive response and he was contacted by people from across Canada who told him how his story helped them not to drink.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since then Pedersen has realized he can make a difference by sharing his story, and that there is no shame in doing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“The whole province knew I was a drunk,” he said. “So who cares if the whole province knows I got sober, and when you talk about the stories of losing my NHL dream because of alcohol, I look back and say it’s the best thing that ever happened to me years later, because it caused my rock bottom and got me into recovery. I am one of those guys that says everything happens for a reason and the past is the past. My regrets are behind me, and life’s great now and I would tell anybody just thinking about making a change like this, to do it, because I don’t regret stopping drinking, that’s for sure.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He believes it is important to speak to young people about mental health issues and alcoholism, because he knows what that experience was like when he was their age.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“There weren’t the resources back then when I was a teenager, there just weren’t, but there are for kids now,” he said. “So the reason I’m talking to so many people, in particular young people, is I don’t want to see them lose their dreams and I definitely don’t want to see them lose whatever is dear to them, their families.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He still remembers an important moment in his life when he was nine years old. A speaker at his school warned students not to do drugs, and that advice has prevented Pedersen from ever getting into drugs, even though there were many opportunities over the years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“I lost enough, I didn’t lose it all, thank God,” he said. “But that guy, when I was nine, who told me not to do drugs, I don’t even know his name. He saved my life. If some kid can look back and say this guy one day in Swift Current told me this and that’s what I’m going to do and it changed my life, I would like to pay forward what he did for me.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He did not plan to become a sober coach, but it happened and he is now the founder and CEO of Pedersen Recovery. He has a diploma as a drug and alcohol treatment specialist and he is a trained interventionist.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“When I was getting training in New York to be an interventionist I told the lady that was running it, I don’t belong here,” he recalled. “I’m a football announcer drunk from Canada, I don’t have 27 letters behind my name like all the other people here. And she said ‘You were invited here for a reason; this is happening in your life; get out of the way, let it happen.’”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pedersen pointed to his “One Day at a Time” wrist bracelet, which symbolizes his approach to life since he started his recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“Every dream, every goal I had I blew out of the water because of my own actions,” he said. “So everybody asks me now what’s your goal and I don’t have one. Every morning when I get up out of bed I try to be a good person. I help people and you know what, it’s going pretty good, but I don’t know what’s next. I didn’t plan to do any of these things that are happening in my life, but they feel good and I’m following with what feels good.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He believes the legalization of cannabis was a bad decision, and he hopes the taxation revenue will be used to fund prevention and recovery programs. According to Pedersen there is still a shortage of aftercare programs in Saskatchewan and elsewhere in the country. The presence of sober homes in communities can make a difference to assist individuals with their recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“They need to stay sober and they’re in a sober community with other residents, which is great,” he said. “It’s the best way to get sober, and as long as they’re sober they can live in there as long as they want, but if they relapse they get 15 minutes to get their stuff and move out.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He hosts the Pedersen Recovery Podcast, which is also something he did not plan to do since he started his own recovery. He speaks at treatment recovery centres around the country and people suggested he should start a podcast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">“I started it with just people in sports and entertainment, and it ended up being some pretty big names telling their story of recovery,” he said. “All of a sudden they started playing these in treatment centres across the country to the members. It’s people telling their stories, and I know one thing. When public people come out with their stories of recovery, it makes the average Joe saying if he can do it, I can do it. I hear that all the time. I have people writing into me on Facebook saying if it’s cool for Rod Pedersen to be sober, it’s cool for me to be sober. So doing those interviews helps me stay sober, and what I hear is that it helps others.”</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.prairiepost.com/rod-pedersen-speaks-in-swift-current-about-the-road-to/article_6c80ce50-5c7a-11e9-86ee-4bc97c7f36fa.html?fbclid=IwAR03tBu7coMRCj5qTRsK1ZWcumFseZma1hxiWbW1it-NFVHT_TegekzZyMU">https://www.prairiepost.com/rod-pedersen-speaks-in-swift-current-about-the-road-to/article_6c80ce50-5c7a-11e9-86ee-4bc97c7f36fa.html?fbclid=IwAR03tBu7coMRCj5qTRsK1ZWcumFseZma1hxiWbW1it-NFVHT_TegekzZyMU</a>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-30572991097025630832019-04-10T05:36:00.002-07:002020-05-02T08:16:13.304-07:00SASK GOV'T PROVIDES $30-MILLION TO ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With Health Minister Jim Reiter</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">From CBC.ca:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saskatchewan's government is putting $30 million more toward mental health and addictions in 2019-20.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">About half of that money — $13.7 million — is going toward North Battleford's new Saskatchewan Hospital, which offers long term psychiatric rehabilitation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The federal government has also contributed $6.25 million, bringing the Ministry of Health's total dollars for mental health and addictions to $402 million in 2019-20.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"We just think we need to do better on the whole mental health front and this is, I would say, a huge step forward," Health Minister Jim Reiter said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He said the budget includes "the largest commitment ever to mental health services in our province."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reiter highlighted more beds, extra staff and new mental health clinics as some of the province's key areas of spending.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The province has also sectioned off $1 million for harm reduction initiatives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The government outlined the plans for new beds in its release:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- About 75 new residential support beds for people transitioning from hospital back into the community</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- About 50 pre and post-addiction treatment beds for people moving between detox and in-patient treatment or back to the community</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- 10 new in-patient addiction treatment beds at Pine Lodge in Indian Head</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Six new inpatient addiction treatment beds at Calder Centre in Saskatoon</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">- Six new in-patient addictions beds for youth in southern Saskatchewan</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Opposition says dollars don't go the distance</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon welcomed the "smart investment," but said this is just a start.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"It's certainly not going the distance to the level that Sask people need and deserve," Wotherspoon said. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He said the province still has a long way to go when it comes to closing the gaps for timely supports and services.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"We need to realize that we have a crystal meth crisis across this province that's ravaging people's lives and families and communities," he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"The kind of detox and rehab that's needed there is a longer duration."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The province is putting $1.5 million in funding to turn the temporary Mental Health Assessment Unit in Saskatoon permanent as a Mental Health Short Stay Unit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It has seven beds and will provide people with acute mental health care needs up to seven days of care. The province had previously indicated it intended to close the temporary unit, causing concern amongst mental health advocates.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">'It was awful in the ER': Mental health advocates push for permanent Saskatoon assessment unit</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The new budget also allots $1.6 million to start up three "Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine Clinics" in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Sask. seeking new hires</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The province said it is looking to hire more staff to provide mental health and addictions treatment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The province hopes to use $1.1 million to hire up to 12 full-time staff to help kids and youth who need mental health care. It is also allotting $650,000 to hire up to seven primary care counsellors. More than 139,000 people in the province seek care every year from counsellors like this, often for anxiety and depression.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It alloted $515,000 to hire an unspecified number of pediatric nurses and social workers at the not-yet-open Jim Pattison Children's Hospital emergency department.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The province is putting $300,000 to help the La Ronge Detox Centre provide 24/7 nursing support.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-budget-mental-health-2019-20-1.5064518">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-budget-mental-health-2019-20-1.5064518</a>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-13240400841953061382019-04-09T08:53:00.000-07:002020-05-02T08:16:33.993-07:00MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST: NHL GOALIE & BROADCASTER COREY HIRSCH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome back!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's our first Pedersen Recovery Podcast of 2019 and we're pleased to welcome former NHL goaltender, current Vancouver Canucks broadcaster, and Mental Health Advocate Corey Hirsch!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'd known - and known of - Corey Hirsch for quite some time. We're the same age, he's from Medicine Hat, AB, and I'd followed his illustrious playing career through his stops in Kamloops, Vancouver, New York, Washington, Dallas and Team Canada.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a pleasure to finally meet "Hirschy" in the living room of our mutual friend Curtis Hunt in Regina 10 or so years ago. At the time, Corey was working as a goalie coach.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But what really got my attention - and dropped my jaw - was Corey's <a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/corey-hirsch-dark-dark-dark">raw column</a> on his Mental Health battle on the popular website The Players Tribune two years ago. The courage Corey displayed in telling his story was remarkable, but it was equally sad to hear what he'd gone through including an attempt to take his own life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Happily, Corey came out on the other side and lived to tell the tale after reaching out for assistance. Now he's sharing his story and doing his best to help others.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here for you in our latest Recovery Podcast is Corey Hirsch telling his own personal story of battling Mental Illness, and he hopes to help others who might be battling the same thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Give it a listen here:</span><br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/575918841&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-38840397079178932882018-12-18T20:31:00.000-08:002020-05-02T08:16:55.698-07:00RECOVERY PODCAST: NFL AND CFL LINEMAN XAVIER FULTON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a brand new month, and time for a brand new Recovery Podcast here at Pedersen Recovery Inc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This interview is one I've been excited to post for quite some time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At 6'5" and 285 lbs, former NFL and CFL offensive tackle Xavier Fulton certainly looks the part of a rough-and-tumble pro football player.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But his life journey has had more than its share of ups and downs, with football stops in Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Washington, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Montreal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His longest stint was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2012-2016), but it was there where he hit his own personal rock bottom and began taking the steps to turn his life around.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Those around him didn't know what "X" was going through at the time, but it turns out to be a familiar story for anyone who's battled the demons of Alcoholism and Mental Illness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Chicago, IL product went public with his personal story in 2016, and is happy to share it with our podcast listeners.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Heart-breaking at times, Xavier's story is one of triumph and inspiration and I'm thrilled to be able to share it with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks again to our Recovery sponsors Fine Foods, Milk 2 Go Sport and C.J. Evans Home Designs for their continued support of all our Recovery efforts including one-on-one coaching, public speaking, interventions, sober events and this podcast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Please have a listen here:</span><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/529623018&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe> <br />
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Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-80761592343829475592018-12-10T01:00:00.001-08:002023-10-24T06:10:20.557-07:00PEDERSEN RECOVERY PODCAST: CRIS CARTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pro Football Hall of Famer and Person In Recovery Cris Carter joins the Pedersen Recovery PODCAST with host Rod Pedersen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 8-time Pro Bowler and long-time ESPN and Fox NFL analyst gives a shockingly raw account of his history with Addictions and Mental Illness, and holds nothing back in this interview.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Carter answers with amazing candor and honesty:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- <i>What's your Recovery story</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTE9aEeFXjve7_f632H_E0imjFYuaipRCs20-6JwHi7cpjlq7Hs3TYJG8gM_CBRS7gptlcfzMTtSorSiGr1u0_3IntEpw3A2KY89mAUps6SuElAutNwpxFHjDXt-033g843D0h5rAcwjR/s1600/PEDERSEN+RECOVERY.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="800" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTE9aEeFXjve7_f632H_E0imjFYuaipRCs20-6JwHi7cpjlq7Hs3TYJG8gM_CBRS7gptlcfzMTtSorSiGr1u0_3IntEpw3A2KY89mAUps6SuElAutNwpxFHjDXt-033g843D0h5rAcwjR/s200/PEDERSEN+RECOVERY.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">- <i>What was life like before, and what's it like now</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- <i>How do you deal with social pressures around drinking</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- <i>What's your Self-Care regimen</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- <i>What advice would you give the still-suffering Alcoholic or Addict</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- <i>What advice would you give young people in the same position you were</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Listen to the show by clicking on the link below. If you have any suggestions for future podcast interviews, please email me or post in the Comment section!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For more information or sponsorship inquiries for Pedersen Recovery Inc., please email Director of Business Development Joe Gunnis at <a href="mailto:gunny@sasktel.net">gunny@sasktel.net</a> or Rod Pedersen at <a href="mailto:pedersenrecovery@aol.com">pedersenrecovery@aol.com</a>. For more information on the Pedersen Recovery <i>Right Place, Right Time Tour</i>, click <a href="http://pedersenrecovery.com/">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Follow our Social Media links at:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=pedersen%20recovery%20coaching%20inc.">Pedersen Recovery Coaching Inc.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Twitter: @pedersenrecover</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Instagram: @pedersenrecovery</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Pedersen Recovery RODCAST is produced by Jordan McRae. (@jmcraeradio)</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/372223733&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
LINK: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ridervoice/pedersen-recovery-rodcast-ep-1-cris-carter">https://soundcloud.com/ridervoice/pedersen-recovery-rodcast-ep-1-cris-carter</a><br />
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Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-33968408397397303972018-11-28T06:32:00.000-08:002020-05-02T08:17:53.823-07:00TALKING ADDICTION WITH DO MORE AG - #ITSTARTSWITHME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Rod, we are so grateful to have you join the Do More Agriculture Foundation for a Q and A. We wanted to connect with you because you have been a beacon of strength for many as you overcome alcoholism. Could you tell us about what prompted you to start drinking in the beginning?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- I was raised in a farm community (Milestone, SK) and drinking really was the "thing to do" once you hit high school. Road parties, bush parties, park parties, etc. That was fine for most everyone else but I was drinking to blackout from virtually the beginning. I had a history of alchoholism in the family and some underlying mental health issues that alcohol erased temporarily. I felt like I was just "going with the flow" but it was clear early on that alcohol and I shouldn't mix.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>2. Was there any point in your years of drinking that you thought maybe it had become a problem? Did you tell anyone? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">- My Dad was a recovering alcoholic and he warned me for years that I could be pre-disposed to this. Deep down, from the beginning of my drinking career, I knew that I had a problem because I couldn't drink like my friends and cousins. However the problems caused by drinking, initially, were few and far between so there weren't a ton of red flags raised early on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>3. You often mention the profound power of gratitude. What are three things that you are grateful for right now? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">An alcoholic generally thinks he or she is "hard done by" and others just don't understand. The concept of gratitude was entirely new to me when I entered Recovery but now it's a cornerstone of my life. When I think of what I'm grateful for, it reminds me daily how lucky I am.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1 - A loving and supportive family</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2 - Being able to pursue my career dream in my home province</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3 - Having a wonderful career and support from the people of Saskatchewan</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>4. What do you mean when you say ‘recovery is a gift’?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because the majority of alcoholics and addicts don't ever find Recovery. For those who are big on numbers, 1 in 10 people have an addictive tendency. Only 2% of those 1 in 10 seek help for it, or find "Recovery". It's a second chance at life. A "do-over". I never thought I'd ever achieve sobriety again, or a healthy, happy life. To get something back you thought you'd never see again is the greatest gift you could ever imagine.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>5. You have discovered that your purpose is helping people. You and many others, have found their purpose through the battling of their own darkness. If you were to give someone advice on how to find their purpose, what would you say?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have to credit CFL great Mike "Pinball" Clemons for cluing me in on this. He said to close my eyes for 2 minutes and try to imagine what my purpose was. I did, and a lot of things ran through my mind before it finally dawned on me what I'm here for. I'd encourage anybody else to do the same. Stop talking and start listening to the opportunities that are being presented in your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>6. It sounds like your wife Cindy has been an incredible support. Would you have any words of advice for someone whose spouse is struggling with alcoholism?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That would more be a question for Cindy but I suppose the family needs to let the alcoholic/addict know that their behaviour won't be tolerated. Two sayings I love in Recovery are, "Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes" and "What You Allow Will Continue". Al Anon is a great support group for families of alcoholics. Cindy and I talk about it and she's let it be known that under no circumstances is it okay for me to have a slip-up with drinking. If it were to happen, she'd be gone. That's enough for me to walk the line.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>7. Shame keeps us quiet and isolated and struggling on our own. How do you think we can create more supportive spaces for people who are struggling with the disease of alcoholism to feel seen, understood and heard? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's a slippery slope but people need to make the distinction between active alcoholism and Recovery. Of course there's shame in being a drunk, but there should be no shame in getting help and turning your life around. That's why I'm so open about my struggles. When you repair yourself as a human being - and realize you were battling a disease that's treatable - why should you be ashamed about anything? Getting sober and dealing with your demons is a major accomplishment that should be celebrated.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>8. What were 3 of the biggest changes you needed to make in your life to foster a hospitable environment for your sobriety? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1 - Having a support network at the ready whenever I needed it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2 - Self-care and going to support group meetings regularly</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3 - Putting up healthy boundaries, growing a backbone, and not being afraid to do what was best for me and my Recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>9. What would you say to your 16 year old self when you went for that first drink?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I would say, "Think hard about what you're doing and why you're doing it."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>10. If you could have a billboard set up in a big city where thousands and thousands of people would see it every day, what would your message be? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"DON'T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF", with a toll-free number for someone who's struggling to call.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_669883386"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.domore.ag/blog/2018/12/3/the-gift-of-recovery-q-amp-a-with-rod-pedersen">https://www.domore.ag/blog/2018/12/3/the-gift-of-recovery-q-amp-a-with-rod-pedersen</a>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-25981486052699689502018-10-09T05:43:00.000-07:002020-05-02T08:18:34.752-07:00A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the most difficult thing I've ever written. In fact, I came to tears a few times while writing it but there's one reason and one reason only why I'm doing it: I know for a fact there are young people out there going through the same things I did years ago. If this piece strikes a chord with just one of them and it spurs them to go make a change in their life, then it will have been worthwhile.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here goes:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dear Rod</b>,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Look at you right now. Just look at you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When you look in the mirror each morning, I know you don't like the young man who's staring back at you very much, do you? It's okay. I've walked in those shoes and realize they're very uncomfortable. I know you don't like looking in the mirror at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You think everyone hates you but you're wrong. The fact is everyone who knows you, loves you. <b><i>When you're not drinking</i></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Deep, deep down, reallllly deep down, you know that's true but you don't want to do anything about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the very first time you drank as a teenager, you loved it and hated it all at the same time. But you couldn't get enough of it, and still can't. Even though you know it turns you into a monster.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually it will completely take over your life and nothing else will matter. But that's years away and you've still got plenty of damage left to do before then.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Really, the only thing saving your sorry ass right now is your work ethic and your talent. But one day that luck is going to run out too, just like a cat and its nine lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have to ask you - because nobody else will - what the hell is wrong with you?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When somebody close to you like your parents, your brothers, your wife, your bosses or a coach offers you some friendly advice which might save your life, you immediately do exactly the opposite of what they say?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When somebody pays you a compliment, why does it go in one ear and out the other but when some no-name on the internet says the most horrible things about you, you not only hang onto it for days but you<i> actually believe</i> it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You're killing yourself inside each day and everybody can see it but you. Eventually that spirit that everybody once loved will be totally dead. Why do you keep refusing peoples' gifts of help?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And don't say no one has offered to help. If you go back and think about it, I bet you can count dozens, if not hundreds, of times you've been offered a hand or seen or heard an ad about the warning signs that you're drowning in every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You are literally one step away from completely turning your life around for the better, and yet you keep taking the wrong step time after time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">People look to you to lead, but you don't want to lead. When it's time to step up, you want to run and hide, and if it's to a 12-pack of beer, that suits you just fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Rod, you have the world by the tail but all you see is what you don't have rather than the incredible things that you DO have. You were born with every possible advantage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just don't get it! Will you please open your eyes and wake up?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You don't know it but you've been battling Anxiety Disorder since you were in elementary school. Those suicidal thoughts you've had are NOT normal. But that's okay, it can be fixed. You think you're crazy, but you're not. You have a serious mental illness. I just wish you'd tell somebody.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Guess what? One day you're going to be going on doctor-prescribed anti-Depressants too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No shit you're depressed! You've taken a flamethrower to every relationship and friendship you have and caused possibly irreparable damage to your career! The pills aren't going to fix that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But, pick your chin up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your family and bosses aren't going to give up on you even though you've long since given up on yourself. They know the smart, kindhearted person you are beneath all of these problems and they are NOT going to let you to go down in flames.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every single thing in your life can be repaired and you'll save an immense amount of pain if you start doing it right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You are going to be strong. You are not going to be bothered by what people say because you'll know exactly who you are for the first time in your life. You're never going to have to look over your shoulder again because you're always going to be in the right place, at the right time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Best of all, God has given you another unbelievable gift which is the ability to connect with those who are still struggling. You are in flames now, but you know the road to sunshine and you'll have the ability to pass that on to those who are still lost. Helping others will make your heart explode with pride, more than anything you've ever done.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All I ask is, please do it today. Time's wasting.</span><br />
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Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-73023278782342303222018-10-07T07:24:00.000-07:002020-05-02T08:19:00.654-07:00MAILBAG: FIELDING QUESTIONS ON ALCOHOLISM & ADDICTIONS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been <a href="http://pedersenrecovery.blogspot.com/2018/02/10-questions-on-problem-drinking-and.html">several months</a> since I invited questions from blog readers on Alcoholism & Addiction, and did my best to provide answers. The last time proved to be a very worthwhile exercise as it shed plenty of light on what peoples' loved ones, or themselves, are battling with substance abuse. So after inviting more questions last week, here's my best swing at answering them:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1 - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ALCOHOLIC OR ADDICTED?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This comes up a lot and I'm guessing it's because people want to know if the symptoms they're feeling are a sign that they have a serious problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing that comes to mind when answering this question is that the person-in-question has a pre-occupation with alcohol and their current supply of it (or whatever substance they're hooked on). It's on their mind most of the time throughout the day. For example: planning when's the next time they can drink, what they'll drink, where they'll get it, perhaps how they'll hide it, how they'll get home, etc. Normally fun events like weddings, sporting events, fishing trips and family gatherings really just turn out to be an excuse to drink, and unfortunately that's generally where bad things happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When looking at this question, it wouldn't hurt to look up the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Some people abuse alcohol periodically which may cause problems on occasion while others depend on alcohol to cope with life. Big difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And, perhaps the best answer to this question is the definition of Addiction: When you want to quit using a substance or behaviour but are unable to, even when it's causing problems in your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2 - YOU LOST A PARENT RECENTLY AND HAVE OTHER CURRENT FAMILY CRISES. ARE YOU IN DANGER OF RELAPSING?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As a recovering alcoholic, I'm <i>always</i> in danger of relapsing! But no. I've examined this and I think that after 1,284 days sober, I've realized that getting drunk won't help matters. In fact, it would just add a host of new problems and make me feel worse. I don't need it, and booze has ruined enough of my life already.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But what DOES worry me is that with these recent hardships, my mind has returned to my old way of thinking. That is: "<i>What if I do this</i>?", "<i>What if I do that</i>?", "<i>Maybe I shouldn't be here, but I should be there</i>!", "<i>What are people thinking of me</i>?", "<i>Am I doing a good enough job</i>?", "<i>Should I be at work</i>?", "<i>Should I be at home</i>?", "<i>Am I disappointing my family</i>?", etc. All those thoughts were flooding through my head, round and round, at warp speed, for days on end. That's the rampant and raging Anxiety I lived with my entire life, which alcohol would cure for a night (but isn't an option anymore).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This scares the hell out of me! However I now know to tell my wife, call a sober friend, talk to my counsellor (Rand Teed), my sober coach (Bob Marier), slip into meditation or go to a meeting. Once I do this, the panic evaporates in minutes and I can get on with living normally.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3 - WHAT DO YOU WITH THE PHYSICAL CRAVINGS FOR ALCOHOL OR DRUGS</b>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">IN MY OPINION, Addiction is a mental illness and therefore those physical cravings are your mind tricking your body into believing you need the substance. This was <a href="http://pedersenrecovery.blogspot.com/2018/06/addiction-explained.html">explained very well</a> in the seminar I participated in with the Hazelden Betty Ford Center.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not surprising this question came from a reader who's in his first year of sobriety. I had three such attacks in Year 1 of my Recovery (later described as "Anxiety/Panic Attacks") by my Addictions Counsellor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank God I had a sober companion with me, or my wife, at those times or else I would've fallen mightily. That's why it's tough for a single person to stay on course in Year 1, so it's imperative they continue to reach out for help in the tough times. Don't isolate!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>4 - DID YOU GO TO A TREATMENT CENTRE FOR YOUR RECOVERY?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No but I wish I had. I certainly qualified for it because I had a huge, huge problem with alcohol. However I had a variety of stupid excuses not to go, which turned out to all be unfounded. I thought rehab facilities were scary places (they're actually just the opposite), I didn't want to be a financial drain on my employer or family (however they actually were more-than-willing to pay if it got me better), and I was afraid of what going to treatment would do to my reputation (which, in reality, was already blown to pieces but I was completely unaware of that in my alcoholic fog).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My counsellor said I took the long way to Recovery (out-patient support group meetings and one-on-one counselling) but at least I got there eventually because I badly, badly wanted sobriety. However now after touring treatment centres across the country - meeting the friendly staff and talking to patients - I really wish I <i>had</i> gone. Oh well, no looking back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>5 - WAS IT EMBARRASSING TO FACE AN INTERVENTION?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No, because my whole life was an embarrassment at the time. It was sort of an "add it to the pile" mentality. My opinion of myself was very, very low. It's typical addict thinking, and it's one of the reasons why I hate the disease so much. It sabotages good people. In retrospect I suppose I should've been embarrassed by it, but at the time, I was not.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>6 - WHY DOES A.A. WORK?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because it's a group of like-minded individuals who have all faced the same battle in their lives, and are winning. Once you walk through the doors of a meeting, you immediately feel like you're at home. That's also one of the best things of going to meetings all over the continent; you don't feel like you're walking into a room full of strangers even if you're 3,000 miles from home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And beyond that, as far as the mechanics of the association go, you'd have to go for yourself to find out. However suffice it to say that no one gets left behind and if you truly want to find sobriety, you will in AA. I've found the people who have the most success in Recovery are regular meeting attendees. Those who struggle to stay sober also struggle to go to meetings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>7 - WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE GET SOBER VERSUS RELAPSING?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's an incredibly difficult question to answer and I've seen numbers published that range anywhere from 50% to 90%. That question came out of the crowd when I was speaking at the Oak Tree Place fundraiser in Moose Jaw this spring and I settled on this answer:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"If you keep trying to get sober, no matter the setbacks, you will eventually get it. However if you stop trying, I guarantee you will not</i>."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>8 - WHAT'S YOUR ROLE IN RECOVERY AND/OR WHAT'S PEDERSEN RECOVERY</b>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">First and foremost I'm a Person in Recovery, saved from Alcohol Addiction on 01-27-2015. Secondly, I'm an Advocate for Recovery, spreading the message of hope but also fighting for funding in the War on Addiction. Thirdly, I'm working as a Sober Coach/Interventionist for individuals struggling with Addiction, no matter where they may be in the Arc of Recovery: active addiction//treatment//aftercare. Fourthly, we produce sober events which are family-friendly and are an effort to normalize sobriety rather than normalizing drinking and over-indulgence. Watch for one near you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>9 - WHAT'S THE BEST PART OF SOBER COACHING</b>?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously it's watching people take on their demons head-on and have success on a daily basis. Then, it's rewarding to see them get their lives back, their families, their jobs and everything they hold dear, but lost due to the Disease of Alcoholism/Addiction. I'm a highly competitive person - probably from my background in sports - and I actually enjoy the war against Addiction everyday. I don't like to lose, and don't plan to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>10 - DO YOU HAVE A MESSAGE, MANTRA OR MISSION STATEMENT?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes. Two of them. 1) <i>It's Never Too Late</i>. Don't ever give up on yourself. I thought I was a lost cause, but thankfully there were a few people left who didn't give up on me. And 2) <i>Anyone Can Be Saved.</i> I've yet to come across someone who can't achieve sobriety if they truly want to. I refuse to give up on anyone. As Dr. Phil says, "I will <i><b>never</b></i> surrender to the disease."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>RP</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">@PedersenRecovery</span></b>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-64364881072437686272018-10-06T06:23:00.000-07:002020-05-02T08:19:43.771-07:00PEDERSEN RECOVERY RODCAST: SCOTT OAKE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"If you fight against Addiction daily and are successful, I think that makes you a hero."</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>- Scott Oake</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The star of CBC's Hockey Night In Canada Scott Oake tells his family's Recovery story on the latest Pedersen Recovery Rodcast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oake's son Bruce died of a drug overdose in 2011 in Winnipeg and while the Oake family will always struggle with that loss, they are working hard to ensure Bruce's death wasn't in vain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In this month's podcast Scott talks about what got Bruce on the wrong path, how he struggled even in Recovery, the stigma facing both active <i>and</i> recovering addicts, and what the family is doing to attack the Addiction Crisis in Winnipeg.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A huge thank you to our sponsors Fine Foods, Milk2Go Sport and CJ Evans Home Designs for bringing you another edition of the podcast, and for sponsoring my speaking tour on Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next stop on the tour is Saturday, May 12 at the fundraising gala for the Oak Tree Place centre in Moose Jaw. We'll be raising funds for the opening of the facility and the speakers are Billy Cuthbert and me. For tickets email jody.oakes@sasktel.net.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Please give the podcast a listen here:</span><br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/424919760&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-70102099362099599052018-10-04T19:44:00.000-07:002019-03-11T08:32:05.390-07:00RECOVERY PODCAST: TSN'S MICHAEL LANDSBERG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have to say I'm tremendously excited for you to hear this month's Recovery podcast interview because I think it's going to help A LOT of people.<br />
<br />
National sports broadcaster and Mental Health advocate <b>Michael Landsberg</b> is our latest guest on the Pedersen Recovery Rodcast for Fine Foods, Milk2Go Sport and CJ Evans Home Designs!<br />
<br />
The award-winning broadcaster and host of TSN's <i>Off The Record</i> is a household name in Canada but has only recently hit the speaking trail telling his story about his struggles with Mental Illness.<br />
<br />
Specifically, Landsberg suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and depression which are a bitch. (In case you didn't know). You'll learn from this interview that Landsberg knows all the ins and outs of Mental Health struggles, and is now a huge supporter for mental health awareness, popularizing the hashtag <b>#sicknotweak</b> in tribute to his mental illness.<br />
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Michael and I first crossed paths in the fall of 2008 when I was a guest on <i>Off The Record</i> in Toronto and, to put it bluntly, it didn't go well. The two of us failed to "click" and it made for an awkward episode which would never be destined for the <b><i>Best Of</i></b> file.<br />
<br />
I later discovered that I had an experienced an anxiety blackout during the show and barely remember much of it.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to now, and Michael Landsberg and I are both on the other side of our demons and are out campaigning across the country trying to help others.<br />
<br />
I'm super proud to say that we're on the same team.<br />
<br />
If you're battling Mental Illness, this month's interview should help a great deal. If you're struggling with <i>something</i> but can't quite figure out what it is, then this episode is a must-listen. It may trigger something in you to go get the help that you need.<br />
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A huge shoutout goes to our sponsors Fine Foods, Saputo Dairy's Milk2Go Sport and C.J. Evans Home Designs for continuing to sponsor Pedersen Recovery Inc. and bring you this podcast on a regular basis.<br />
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Now, let's hear from Michael Landsberg:<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/470935935&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4532330521191382054.post-10549778522191952432018-10-03T06:02:00.000-07:002019-03-11T08:32:24.137-07:00THE NEXT STEP IN MY RECOVERY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another milestone in my sobriety.<br />
<br />
On the weekend of May 5/2018 I found myself in a conference room in Times Square in New York, NY receiving training from renowned Interventionist Earl Hightower of Hightower Associates. He's a pioneer in the industry, having done roughly 2,000 interventions over the past 35 years.<br />
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How did I end up there? Well, fairly early on in my journey of sobriety (Sober Date 01-27-2015) some of the titans of the Recovery industry put their arm around me and said "Come with us". I'm so grateful they did. They've opened up so many doors that I didn't even know existed. One of those doors was Intervention training and the notion was, "You're going to need this training so you might as well get it from the best. His name is <a href="http://www.hightowerintervention.com/blog/earl-hightower/">Earl Hightower</a>."<br />
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What did I learn? Well, I didn't spend thousands of dollars and travel thousands of miles just to divulge all the information here for free. Suffice it to say it was 3 days of pretty intense training with a lot of time spent on ethics. I took many things away from the weekend but one stands out above the rest and that is Earl standing in the middle of the room with his index finger pointed. "Don't lie, and don't bluff," he warned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzQshasAlveZQx9r4xuHJZKwv6jAAOu4G56WZYxwZ-wnhq5i2WmE3waL-nZEYNd0piLpv_ruYNQf77VnRZsMdZ-OVh4pqLjDtVZIPyycwNXsTkzlqhDQwZnFUZxSYHH4o8_3SxIqfG-Zg/s1600/earl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzQshasAlveZQx9r4xuHJZKwv6jAAOu4G56WZYxwZ-wnhq5i2WmE3waL-nZEYNd0piLpv_ruYNQf77VnRZsMdZ-OVh4pqLjDtVZIPyycwNXsTkzlqhDQwZnFUZxSYHH4o8_3SxIqfG-Zg/s320/earl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earl and me</td></tr>
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A warm wave came over me at that moment because I'm not comfortable doing either of those things, yet they're a hallmark of the world I currently live in.<br />
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It's also why I turned down a recent offer to get into politics. I was told that as a politician you need to "be able to look in someone's face and lie". No thanks. That notion makes me want to puke.<br />
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In fact one lady at the training told me, "You're at home now". The room was filled with all walks of Recovery life including addictions counselors, psychotherapists, treatment center residential managers, intake specialists, sober coaches and sober companions and even the owner/producer of Intervention TV, Andrew Galloway. (That show, by the way, gets 2.1-million viewers a week on A&E. He bought me a steak supper).<br />
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I was anxious going in because I didn't know if I'd fit in but I quickly felt like a kid going to summer camp. I couldn't wait to see everybody each morning and didn't want to leave at the end of the day.<br />
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So, I'm a trained Interventionist but who knows when I'll do my first one. I have a little experience in the area since I was the target of an Intervention on January 28/2015 so I know the drill. Who knew that painful experience would pay such dividends just a few years later?<br />
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Less than 24 hours after returning home from New York, I was getting messages from treatment centers and sober living houses wondering when they'll start getting referrals. The first step is touring their facilities and meeting face-to-face, which I'm already doing.<br />
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I thought I lived in a fast-paced environment of Sports & Entertainment but that looks like it's in slow motion compared to the Addiction world, which is currently in a crisis. When someone needs help, they need it <b><i>NOW!</i></b> And we move at the speed of light.<br />
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The whole idea is getting people help, and saving lives.<br />
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These people don't care that I'm the broadcaster for a CFL team and only have a few years sobriety. "That's good enough! We need your help. We're in a crisis that's growing!"<br />
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That's a rush.<br />
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This experience will be part of my keynote address at the fundraising gala for the Oak Tree Place community centre in Moose Jaw, SK on Saturday night. I'll be sharing my Recovery story for those in attendance and raising funds for Oak Tree, which will be a safe place in Moose Jaw for those battling Addiction.<br />
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Honestly I'd prefer to just move on from that dreadful period of my life just over three years ago when doctors told me I'd be dead in less than a year if I didn't stop drinking immediately. But now people want to know how I've been able to do it, and I'm more than happy to share if it helps someone.<br />
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For tickets please email Jody Oakes at jody.oakes@sasktel.net.<br />
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Thanks to gala sponsors Sask Power, Hill St. Beverage Co., Fraser Strategy, Outlaw Communications, Clark's Supply & Service, Fine Foods and EMJ Marketing. Thanks also to CKRM Radio, CTV and Global TV for their promotion of the event.<br />
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<b>One Day At A Time,</b><br />
<b>RP</b><br />
<b>TW: @pedersenrecover</b><br />
<b>IG: @pedersenrecovery</b><br />
<b><br /></b>Rod Pedersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586046638981254251noreply@blogger.com0