Plug Tone Audio
Plug Tone Audio
Episode 9: Pain Leads To Purpose With Matt Arends
Episode 9: Pain Leads To Purpose With Matt Arends
Episode 9: Pain Leads To Purpose With Matt Arends
Tuesday 13th April 2021
Matt Arends discusses chronic pain, addiction, and the healing power of nature in this episode of Nature Untold.
Explicit
52 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Hopeful
Supportive
Engaging
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Plug Tone Audio
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Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Body & Mind
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Get the buttons here!Matt Arends: Chronic Pain, Sobriety, and the Healing Power of Nature
I think, on top of that, one of the things that I benefited from the most was my buddy actually starting that group, and what it did is it opened up a channel to be open and honest about the problems I was having and other potential solutions I could deal with or how I could deal with them.
Imagine facing chronic pain while navigating the challenges of addiction. That's exactly what adventurer and environmentalist Matt Arends has been doing. In this episode of 'Nature Untold', Matt opens up about his journey from college athlete to outdoor enthusiast, all while dealing with the physical and emotional toll of chronic pain. His story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of nature.
Matt shares how his drinking habits were shaped by his time on a college football team and how injuries led to an identity crisis. He discusses the mental health struggles that come with cyclical injuries and the end of a sports career, and how alcohol often becomes part of the equation in outdoor sports. But Matt's journey didn't end there.
He found a new sense of purpose in the outdoor community after college, which played a crucial role in his recovery. One of the most poignant parts of Matt's story is his experience with chronic pain. He talks about how one injury set him on a path of discovering and dealing with this pain, and how it forced him to reevaluate his relationship with alcohol.
His time working for a whale shark tour company in Tanzania and his efforts to extend the local farming season in his hometown are just a few examples of how he's channeled his energy into positive endeavors. Matt emphasizes the importance of sharing our pain and being vulnerable to avoid feeling alone and to find community. He credits a simple group chat started by a friend as a game-changer in his journey.
Now, what lights him up are plants and helping others through the MindStrong Project, an organization focused on supporting mental health through community and conversation. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, addiction, or just looking for a new sense of purpose, Matt's story offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to hear how he's found healing and community in the great outdoors.