Ashley Loeb Blassingame
ckimmich@lionrockrecovery.com (Christiana Kimmich, Ashley Loeb Blassingame, Brendan McDonough)
Brendan McDonough: The Lone Survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots Shares His Heartbreaking and Inspirational Story
Brendan McDonough: The Lone Survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots Shares His Heartbreaking and Inspirational Story
Brendan McDonough: The Lone Survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots Shares His Heartbreaking and Inspirational Story
Tuesday 17th November 2020
Brendan McDonough's journey from addiction to lone survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots tragedy reveals hope and resilience. Listen now.
Explicit
107 minutes
Inspiring
Hopeful
Transformative
Encouraging
Motivational
About this podcast
Author:
Ashley Loeb Blassingame
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Family Recovery from Addiction
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
316 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Brendan McDonough: A Story of Survival, Brotherhood, and Recovery
Everything that I've been through, everything that I thought I was sacrificing by getting sober, but everything that I gained was just another reminder that there's hope, like matter what the there's hope, and you don't have to do it alone.
Imagine being the lone survivor of a tragedy that claimed the lives of 19 of your closest comrades. Brendan McDonough's life changed forever on June 30, 2013, when a fierce wildfire in Yarnell, Arizona, took the lives of his Granite Mountain Hotshots brothers.
In this gripping episode of 'The Courage to Change: A Recovery Podcast', Brendan opens up about his journey from heroin addiction to becoming a member of an elite firefighting team and the sole survivor of a devastating blaze. For Brendan, hitting rock bottom came with the realization that he needed to change for his young daughter. His path to recovery led him to join the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a decision that would shape his life in ways he never imagined.
Under the guidance of Eric Marsh, who saw potential in Brendan despite initial skepticism from the crew, he transformed into a dedicated firefighter. The camaraderie and brotherhood he found among the Hotshots provided him with a new sense of purpose and belonging. The tragic fire that claimed the lives of his team left Brendan grappling with immense loss, depression, and PTSD. Yet, his story is not just one of sorrow but also of resilience and hope.
Brendan discusses how he coped with the aftermath, the importance of seeking therapy, and how he found strength in serving others. His journey underscores the significance of support systems in recovery and highlights the mental health challenges faced by first responders. Brendan's story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is hope. His experiences offer valuable insights into overcoming addiction, dealing with trauma, and finding purpose through service.
Tune in to hear how Brendan's unwavering spirit and dedication to his brothers continue to inspire those on their own paths to recovery.