Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

In this episode, Ash has a raw conversation with husband, father, and sober human Vim Verma as they discuss addiction, identity, and what happens when you finally stop running from yourself. Vim opens up about growing up in a mixed-race culture where drinking was normalised, emotions were rarely spoken about, and asking for help felt almost impossible.

Together, they unpack the quiet pressures of family expectations, the heavy emotional charge of the holiday season, and the stigma that keeps so many people suffering in silence. There are moments of grief, moments of clarity, and Vim’s classic humour, that remind us how human this journey really is.

Vim also shares how his recovery program, meditation, and spiritual practice became a turning point, helping him strip back the noise and reconnect with who he is beneath the coping mechanisms. This is a conversation about breaking cycles, choosing courage over comfort, and discovering that real healing starts on the inside.

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, felt trapped by expectations, or wondered what life could look like if you truly listened to yourself, this episode will land.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Retreats and Self-Discovery
01:34 Vim Verma's Journey to Sobriety
03:45 Navigating Sobriety During the Holidays
04:54 Cultural Influences on Drinking
07:24 The Impact of Family Dynamics
07:53 Getting to Know Vim: Daily Life and Fun
14:06 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Photo Story
16:20 The Progression of Alcoholism
19:05 Consequences of Drinking: Crashing and Bashing
28:18 The Turning Point: Seeking Help
31:44 Experiences in Early Recovery
38:47 Finding Hope in Recovery
41:54 Life After Sobriety: Changes and Growth
47:50 Navigating Life's Challenges in Recovery
51:23 The Role of Support in Recovery
59:46 Non-Negotiables for a Happy Life

You can connect with Vim through his Instagram here. 

Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

In this special episode, Ash is joined by her longtime friend Ash Murray. For years, both women battled addiction silently, only sharing the full depths of their stories with one another after coming into recovery. Today, Ash Murray is the Eating Disorder Lead and Therapist at The Wave Clinic in Malaysia, with her expertise grounded not just in study, but in lived experience.

Ash opens up about her personal journey through eating disorders and alcohol addiction, sharing what recovery has truly looked like beyond the surface. From the isolating depths of illness which nearly took her life, to the slow rebuilding of trust, self-worth, and connection, she reflects on the pivotal role that rehab, honesty, healing and self-care have played in finding lasting freedom.

Together, they explore the intersection of therapy and lived experience, how vulnerability and empathy can become powerful tools for healing both self and others. They unpack the mental health challenges that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of ongoing support in maintaining balance and wellbeing.

Episode chapter:
00:00 Introduction to Ashley Murray's Journey
02:57 Life in Malaysia and Work at the Wave Clinic
05:46 Navigating COVID-19 in Treatment
08:21 The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
11:08 A Photo that Represents Struggles
13:55 The Super Yacht Experience and Its Consequences
16:27 The Turning Point: Seeking Help
19:22 Life in Bali and the Struggle with Addiction
22:16 The Rock Bottom Moment
24:49 Desperation and the Path to Recovery
27:08 The Turning Point: Reaching Out for Help
31:53 Childhood Struggles: The Roots of Eating Disorders
44:03 Escaping Reality: The Need to Hide
48:25 Facing the Truth: A Journey of Self-Discovery
54:28 The Struggle of Surrendering Control
57:02 The Complexity of Eating Disorders
59:13 The Power of Intervention
01:00:41 Transformation Through Therapy
01:04:11 Building Trust in Recovery
01:06:15 The Importance of Honesty
01:08:57 Setting Boundaries for Recovery
01:13:03 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

Connect with Ash through:
https://thewaveclinic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thewaveclinic/

Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

In this episode, Ash sits down with husband, father, and business owner James Date to explore what life looks like after addiction—and how recovery has reshaped the way he moves through the world.

James shares how community, service, and genuine connection became the anchors of his sobriety, transforming what once felt like isolation into a life rich with meaning and purpose. He speaks openly about the power of vulnerability, the role of daily routines and prayer in keeping him grounded, and how embracing honesty has deepened his relationships at home and beyond.

Together, Ash and James confront the lingering stigma around addiction and discuss the strength it takes to ask for help. Through moments of reflection and gratitude, James reveals the quiet joy found in showing up authentically each day—a reminder that recovery isn’t just about living without substances, but about rediscovering who you are underneath it all.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to James Date and His Journey
02:54 The Importance of Connection and Community in Recovery
05:52 Daily Routines and Spiritual Practices
08:58 The Role of Surrender in Recovery
11:58 Compassion and Kindness in Daily Life
15:01 Finding Joy in Service and Helping Others
17:57 The Impact of Sponsorship in Recovery
21:03 The Struggles of Identifying as an Addict
24:03 Behind the Smile: A Photo Reflection
26:53 The Journey to Acknowledging Addiction
30:08 Understanding the Roots of Addiction
32:54 The Ongoing Journey of Recovery
36:18 Understanding Alcoholism and Addiction
38:30 Rock Bottom Moments
42:14 Finding the Right Rehab
49:34 The Journey of Outpatient Recovery
51:23 The Importance of Vulnerability
56:54 Reconnecting with Self and Family
01:02:25 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

Connect with James below:
Instagram: @slayingsober
Podcast: Slaying Sober - listen on Spotify 

Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

In this solo episode, Ash challenges the myth that hustle creates happiness and asks a better question: what if the dream life is built through alignment and embodiment instead of force?
Through her own transformation from corporate burnout and addiction to sobriety, surrender and spacious success, she explores why achievement without fulfilment leaves us empty and how co-creating with life can deliver breakthroughs hustle never could.
She unpacks the Law of Least Effort, the power of nervous system safety, and the practical habits she’s using to set up 2026, including her word of the year and a new manifesto that prioritises alignment, presence, ease and self trust. If you’re tired of pushing, proving or performing, this episode shows you how to create more by doing less and build a life that feels good on the inside.

Follow and connect with Ash on:
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here.

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

After years of living with a debilitating condition, Rick Watson has learned what it truly means to face fear and find freedom on the other side. In this episode, the holistic coach and gestalt therapist in training opens up about the profound transformation that followed his diagnosis, the trauma of constant uncertainty, and the life-altering decision to undergo brain surgery.  

Rick shares how recovery from both the physical and emotional toll of his condition sparked a deeper journey toward authenticity and self-understanding. As he describes his transition into therapy, he unpacks the core principles of gestalt work: presence, honesty, and the courage to be seen as you are. The conversation explores how health challenges can reshape identity, relationships, and purpose and how taking full responsibility for our emotions becomes the key to freedom.  

Together, Ash and Rick reflect on themes of vulnerability, generational patterns, and the importance of truly listening to ourselves and others. They discuss burnout in helping professions, the meaning found in midlife transitions, and the art of mapping one’s inner world to reveal clarity and connection. 

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Rick Watson and His Journey
02:58 Living with Epilepsy: The Hidden Struggles
05:55 The Impact of Brain Surgery and Recovery
08:57 Life After Epilepsy: Embracing Freedom
11:54 Transitioning to Therapy: A New Path
15:02 Gestalt Therapy: Understanding the Modality
18:05 The Importance of Being Present
20:48 Personal Growth Through Therapy Retreats
23:58 Authenticity: The Journey to Being Yourself
32:01 The Power of Vulnerability in Men's Circles
35:56 Unpacking Core Wounds and Generational Patterns
39:48 Navigating Burnout and Protecting Energy
44:04 The Importance of Listening and Emotional Responsibility
49:00 Finding Meaning in Midlife Transitions
55:53 Mapping the Inner Self for Clarity
01:00:59 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

You can connect with Rick through:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rickwatson_/
Website: https://www.rickwatson.com.au/
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3r8QaWJYgB73pOF9b0Hi0t?si=76e4b44b93864ba0