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Get a Grip Podcast

Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes
Get a Grip Podcast
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5 of 103
  • How I Got Addicted to F3nt4nyl At 30 Years Old
    In this powerful and emotional episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Katie Szabo from Youngstown, Ohio, whose story is one of unexpected turns, heartbreak, and redemption. Katie grew up never knowing her father, but she was raised by her mother—a brilliant and hardworking woman employed by NASA—who did everything she could to provide her daughter with a stable and loving home. Katie’s childhood and early adult years were filled with normalcy and success. She was a bright student, a dependable friend, and someone who seemed to have her life completely together.For nearly thirty years, everything appeared steady—until one day, a switch flipped. Around the age of 30, Katie met a man she would later marry, and together they set out on what seemed like a dream life. With money from a settlement from a previous job, they traveled the country in an RV, camping along the coasts and chasing adventure from state to state. From the outside, it looked like freedom. But behind the smiles and scenic photos, Katie was struggling. Her life began to spiral into on-and-off sobriety, emotional chaos, and instability that slowly eroded everything she had built.The relationship became increasingly toxic and violent, eventually drawing Katie into the court system. It was there that her world truly came crashing down—she lost custody of her children, a heartbreak that still drives her to this day. Shortly after, she spent a month in jail, where everything finally caught up to her. In that time, away from the noise and destruction, the lightbulb came on. She saw her life for what it had become and realized she had the power to change it.When Katie walked out of jail, she stepped into a new chapter—one defined by recovery, reflection, and rebuilding. Today, she is not only sober, but also fighting to regain custody of her children and to prove every day that transformation is possible. She uses her experience to help others who are still trapped in the cycle of addiction and despair, showing them that recovery isn’t just about getting clean—it’s about finding yourself again.Katie’s story is a raw and inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, redemption, and love. From the open roads of her past to the uphill climb of her present, she continues to fight—with courage, with faith, and with hope. Her journey reminds us all that no matter how far we fall, there’s always a way back, and the fight for what matters most is never over.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • My Truth: Exploiting Myself to Survive Addiction While Another Man Profited | Ep 99
    In this powerful and emotional episode, Aaron and Louis sit down with Amber Rabold, a woman whose life has been anything but ordinary. Amber’s story begins in the rough neighborhoods of north Columbus, where she grew up sharing a single room with her family—four people crammed together just trying to survive. From a young age, chaos and instability were all she knew. Her parents, both struggling with alcoholism, passed down more than just their habits—they passed down a legacy of pain, confusion, and addiction.Amber’s life took a dark turn early on. At only nine years old, she discovered drugs and alcohol, and what started as curiosity quickly became her way of escaping reality. She describes it as “love at first high,” the feeling that took her away from the constant noise and hurt of her world. But that escape came with a heavy cost. As she got older, her addiction tightened its grip, pushing her deeper into a life of survival and desperation.By her teenage years, Amber found herself chasing money the only way she thought she could—stripping. What started as a means to get by soon became an all-consuming lifestyle. The fast money, attention, and adrenaline made it easy to ignore the pain she was hiding. But when the club lights dimmed and the music stopped, Amber was left facing the same demons she had been running from since childhood. Eventually, that life led her even further down, selling herself just to feed her addiction and survive another day.Amber’s story is raw, real, and filled with the kind of honesty that stops you in your tracks. She opens up about the lowest moments—the loneliness, the shame, and the times she thought she wouldn’t make it out alive. But this story isn’t one of tragedy—it’s one of redemption. Through hard work, recovery, and a newfound sense of purpose, Amber has completely transformed her life. Today, she stands proud, clean, and stronger than ever, using her past to help others find hope in their darkest moments.Tune in to hear Amber’s incredible journey from addiction and survival to freedom and healing—a reminder that no matter how far you fall, recovery is always possible.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment and follow.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Merch store in LinkTreeSocial Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast
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  • How 4 DUIs and a Felony Forced Me to Change My Life | Ep 97
    In this emotional and eye-opening episode, hosts Aaron Garnes and Louis Essig sit down with Josh Hively, a man whose story of addiction, pain, and redemption will leave you speechless.Josh opens up about his life — a childhood that seemed picture-perfect on the surface. He grew up in a loving family, played sports, and excelled in school. From the outside, Josh looked like the kind of kid destined for success. But beneath that normal exterior, something darker was beginning to take hold. When he first tried alcohol, he discovered something that made him feel invincible — free from fear, worry, and insecurity. It wasn’t just a drink to him; it was an escape, a way to numb the parts of himself he didn’t understand.As time went on, Josh’s drinking spiraled out of control. What started as casual use with friends became an obsession — a way of life. Pills soon followed, deepening the chaos and pulling him further away from the person he once was. His life became a cycle of blackouts, broken promises, and regret. Family relationships suffered, his potential slipped away, and the consequences piled up.Eventually, Josh found himself standing in a courtroom — four DUIs deep, facing the very real possibility of a prison sentence. It was a breaking point. The walls had finally closed in, and there was nowhere left to run. But what could have been the end for Josh became the beginning of something new. It was in that moment facing the harsh reality of what his addiction had done — that he made the decision to take recovery seriously.What followed was not easy. It took years of hard work, honesty, and humility. Josh had to rebuild everything from the ground up — his trust, his relationships, his sense of purpose. Through recovery, he found a new way to live, one built on gratitude and service. Today, Josh uses his past not as a source of shame, but as a message of hope. His story proves that no matter how far down addiction takes you, there is always a way back.This episode is a raw and powerful look at how addiction doesn’t discriminate — it can touch anyone, even those who seem to have everything going for them. Josh’s transformation from a seemingly never-ending alcoholic to a man living a life of purpose will inspire anyone who listens.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • Addiction Unfiltered: Xanax DUIs, Pill Runs, and a Shot at Redemption Ep | 96
    In this raw and powerful episode, hosts Louis and Aaron sit down with Alex Butt, a man whose journey from a normal upbringing to the chaos of addiction shows just how fast life can spiral out of control — and how strong a person has to be to fight their way back.Alex grew up in what most would call a normal household. He wasn’t born into dysfunction or addiction. But like so many, he was drawn to the fast life of the streets — the rush, the danger, the illusion of control. Everything changed the day he tried his first Xanax. It was love at first taste — a feeling that numbed everything and made the world feel easier. But that love quickly turned toxic.What started as a way to feel calm turned into full-blown chaos. DUIs followed, along with a string of crimes that kept pushing Alex deeper into the system. But the spiral didn’t stop there. He began selling drugs — not in some back alley, but at the airport, where he worked, dealing to co-workers, his boss, and even his child’s mother. The lines between right and wrong blurred until there weren’t any left.Before long, Alex found himself caught in a violent triangle of people, fueled by drugs, jealousy, and desperation — a mess that exploded into a brawl that could have ended much worse. Not long after, an unpaid ticket landed him back in jail, a place that had become far too familiar. But this time was different. Facing a felony, Alex had no more excuses, no more “one more chances.” He was at a crossroads — keep going and lose everything, or finally fight to turn it all around.And he did.Alex made the decision to change his life for good. He got clean, stayed committed, and started to rebuild from the ground up. Today, he works at a treatment center, dedicating his life to helping others who are fighting the same battles he once did. His story is proof that no matter how many times you fall, you can always get back up.This episode is packed with emotion, honesty, and redemption. Alex opens up about his darkest moments, the insanity of his choices, the pain of facing consequences, and the freedom he’s found in recovery.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippodcast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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  • My Battle with H3r0in, F3ntanyl & Methadone -- Trying to Stay Clean Ep | 95
    In this powerful episode, hosts Aaron and Louis sit down with Dan Vanwallsen, a man whose life took a sharp turn from a normal childhood into the darkness of addiction — and eventually, into a life dedicated to helping others heal.Dan didn’t come from chaos. He didn’t grow up surrounded by addiction or crime. In fact, his childhood was nothing out of the ordinary. But addiction doesn’t discriminate, and for Dan, it started with curiosity — and ended in chains.Heroin entered his life quietly, the kind of thing you think you’ll only try once. But the drug’s grip was fast and unforgiving. To avoid withdrawal and keep functioning, Dan transitioned to methadone — believing it would be his lifeline. Instead, it became another prison. Methadone ruled every day of his life, controlling his decisions, his movements, and his future. It was a ball and chain he dragged behind him for years.Dan’s story is packed with heartbreaking lows and near-fatal mistakes — moments when he couldn’t see a way out and wondered if this was how his story would end. But somewhere in that struggle, something changed. Dan refused to let addiction write the final chapters of his life.Through brutal honesty, support, and an unbreakable will, Dan broke free. He detoxed. He rebuilt. He transformed. And now, he doesn’t just celebrate his own sobriety — he works in recovery, using the pain he survived to guide others out of the same darkness.This episode is unfiltered and packed with emotion — a deep dive into:• How a good childhood can still lead to addiction• The quiet traps heroin and methadone set• The brutal process of getting clean for real• The mission Dan now lives out every day helping othersToday, Dan is proof that no matter how far drugs take you, there is always a way back. His journey is a reminder that recovery isn’t just possible — it’s worth every single fight.🔥 Expect emotion. Expect truth. Expect hope.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful stories on addiction, recovery, and resilience.Get a Grip Podcast Social Media: Find our TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio links, a more on our Link Tree below!Get a Grip Social Media Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/officialgetagrippod.cast👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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About Get a Grip Podcast

Get a Grip Podcast is hosted by Louis Essig and Aaron Garnes, both in recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In each episode, they share their unfiltered stories of overcoming addiction, time in prison, and struggles with mental health—mixing raw honesty with humor. The podcast gives a voice to the underdog, breaking down the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. Through candid conversations and real-life experiences, Louis and Aaron inspire others on their journey, showing that while recovery is challenging, it’s possible. Tune in for laughter, hope, and stories of transformation.
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