Fit2BTide S07.E04: Recovery Month

[00:00:11] Speaker A: Happy Sunday, y'. All. You are listening to Fit to Be tied with Sheena and Whitney on 90.7 the Capstone. And. Hi. [00:00:17] Speaker B: Hello. [00:00:19] Speaker A: Okay, so, you know, we're in another Sunday. And it's so funny I'm mentioning this because I said this to one of our students earlier in the week. I was thinking, like, oh, wow, I can't believe it's September. And then I was like, holy cow. It's like, mid September. [00:00:34] Speaker B: Actually, mid September. [00:00:35] Speaker A: Past mid September. How did we already, like, get this far? [00:00:39] Speaker B: I feel like we live in the Twilight Zone when it comes to being on campus, because for us, being a student life, we have all this planning that we do in the summer. And this was kind of a weird summer because we still kind of didn't really know what the fall was going to look like. And then I feel like once the fall hits, it's like warp speed. It's like, literally, you get in it, you're going, and next thing you know, you blink and the semester's over. But I feel like this point in the semester going into, like, the end of September, well, mid September into October, it flies by. [00:01:07] Speaker A: I agree. And I know you and I were definitely looking at this through the lens of professional staff on campus. I actually am curious to ask our guests later today, you know, what their perspective is on that from, like, the student perspective in terms of where we are in the semester. Does it feel like we're that far in? But I don't know. Like, it's weird. [00:01:27] Speaker B: It's been crazy, and I'm getting ready to go on a trip at the end of the month. I'm heading down to Orlando because I have to go play at Disney World and Universal, So I'm very excited. [00:01:36] Speaker A: Okay, so that. So tell me a little bit about that trip. Like, what are your favorite, like, parks within the Disney system? Like, what do you prioritize? [00:01:45] Speaker B: You know, I would have to say my favorite park would be Epcot, and a lot of people are probably, like, rolling their eyes, like, that's the least fun park. But hear me out. It's all culture and food and languages and backgrounds, and, I mean, it's just everything. So I prefer that. [00:01:59] Speaker A: Yes. [00:02:00] Speaker B: And then I really love Animal Kingdom because I love animals and I love all. Again, it kind of goes back to culture. You get to go to the Africa portion, the Asia portion. It's just kind of fun. Like, I just enjoy being kind of swept away from reality. [00:02:12] Speaker A: Absolutely. No, I will admit Animal Kingdom is the only park I have not been to, and I Would like to go at some point in time. You know, obviously, like, Magic Kingdom is Magic Kingdom, but I agree, like Epcot, you appreciate it more as an adult. When I went the first time when I was 9. [00:02:30] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. No, no, it's not. I don't really view Epcot for kids. I think of it, like, the adult scene, and it's actually the Food and Wine Festival, so you get to try food from countries and it's. I don't know, it's just really fun. And I love culture like that, so that's kind of right up my alley. Now. [00:02:45] Speaker A: Are you going to their Food and Wine Festival? You just mentioned that. [00:02:48] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. So. So what they'll do. So those of you that are listening, if you're just curious, it used to just be like a fall thing, but they've actually made it, I guess, start in July, and so they'll have, like, you've got 11 countries in EPCOT, I think. 11. But then they add extra countries, and it's like a list of, like, 22 different booths that you can go to. [00:03:05] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:03:06] Speaker B: And then if you like to taste wine or different types of cocktails like that, they'll have, like, pair that you can actually do. But I kind of, like, just go for the food because it's, like, stuff I never would have really had before. You know, it's like, you go to Ethiopia. I've had Ethiopian food before, but, like, the first time I ever tried it was, you know, in Epcot, and I was like, this is awesome. I love trying different foods and things like that. So, yeah, we will spend some time in Epcot and Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, which is probably my least favorite now that I'm an adult, you know, but in Universal Studios, so if you're a Harry Potter fan, that's kind of your place to go, which. I love everything about Harry Potter, and it's just fun. It's just fun being a kid. [00:03:50] Speaker A: Well, I'm gonna live vicariously for you. You can now. Okay, so what are the dates that you are going? [00:03:55] Speaker B: So the end of the month, so we're getting close. Actually. Next week I'll be flying out. [00:04:00] Speaker A: Very nice. I. Next month we have two trips planned to Just the beach. And I hate saying, like, just the beach, because, like, it's the beach, it's vitamin C, you know, So I feel like it's good that have some fun things that we're sprinkling through the fall. So there is that work, life, balance. And, you know, and we mention that because we talk to our listeners all the time about work, life, balance. So live it up. Go to the beach, go to Disney World, all the things. But, y', all, we are gonna get back on task after the break. I know we need to take one. [00:04:35] Speaker B: Y'. [00:04:35] Speaker A: All. Grab a beverage. Talk to your Disney planner. Do what you gotta do. You are listening to Fit to Be Tied and we'll catch you on the flip. [00:04:47] Speaker C: Wvuafm, tuscaloosa. [00:04:54] Speaker B: Welcome back. You're listening to Fit to Be Tied with Sheena and Whitney, and we're just talking about jet setting and traveling because I guess apparently we need a break. I don't know about you, Sheena. Wellness week was last week and y' all had a lot of activities. I know for us at the rec center, we've been super busy because, I mean, it's been a madhouse. Just people excited about working out again. So was like, I'm gonna peace out and go to Orlando and play around in the parks and you're going to the beach in October. [00:05:18] Speaker A: So I mean, we're just going to. So, yeah. So listeners don't be mad at us. Because I was thinking about it and I was like, gosh, I was like, I hope that we don't sound like we're like, oh, let's go jet set and everything. And people are like, we have real lives and real obligations. But seriously, again, work, life balance. Work life balance. You know, we talked about that during the break. But for those of you that don't know, September is national recovery month. And so, you know, we always like to partner with our different departments on campus, including our collegiate recovery services. And so one of the guests that we have today is Mr. Ben Spellman, who is not a stranger to the show. Ben, welcome back. [00:06:05] Speaker C: Thanks for having me. This is something I look forward to pretty much every September. Yeah, this is the third one now, and for me, it's just kind of like the official, like. So when we come into the fall semester, they're just the little things that start coming on piece by piece. But this is kind of like, okay, the fall semester is officially full on start. [00:06:24] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, yeah. [00:06:25] Speaker A: Well, you know, I don't know what kind of social media accounts you have, but, you know, usually in people's About Me section, they'll, you know, do their little, like, humble brag. So I would totally expect you to say, like, something along the lines of, like, recurring radio show guests. Yes. You don't have to name drop, like our show, but just to say, like, you're recurring radio show Guests is, you know, that's kind of. [00:06:49] Speaker B: Well, and I was gonna say too. I mean, is this is your third time on the show, right? [00:06:53] Speaker C: It is. [00:06:53] Speaker B: So I think the first time we had you, it was before the Pandemic, so we recorded in the studio. And then the second time was through Zoom, which was definitely not my favorite. I'm so over Zoom. Sorry, developers of Zoom. But I don't. I'm over it, but. And then now, finally we're back in the studio. So how does it feel to kind of be coming back into like a normal type of, I don't know, like schedule? [00:07:14] Speaker C: Much more familiar. I think that would be the best word to use. Especially last year. It was just so unfamiliar. [00:07:23] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. [00:07:23] Speaker C: As everything was new. And then about the time that we would get our feet under us and get used to it and find that equilibrium, something would change. And. Okay, now it's starting to look like we're going back to more normal stuff. Oh, hold on, wait. No, we're not. And it's just been kind of a never ending search for balance. So. [00:07:41] Speaker B: Roller coaster. [00:07:42] Speaker C: Yes. [00:07:42] Speaker B: Yes. [00:07:43] Speaker C: It's nice to have some familiar. If I could talk today. Familiar, familiarity. [00:07:49] Speaker A: That's the thing. [00:07:50] Speaker B: Now that we're in the, in the studio, it's like, it's hard because I found myself like getting tongue tied, like being around people again because it's like I'm so used to like seeing people on the screen and when I see people in real life, I'm like, oh, you're real. We're back in real life. This is crazy. So, yeah, I get tongue twisted. [00:08:06] Speaker C: And I never, I never realized before, until everybody started wearing masks, how much I depend on reading lips to understand what somebody is saying. [00:08:14] Speaker B: And you've got on one of the fancy masks that's like a Coach Saban kind of mask. [00:08:18] Speaker C: It is. When I got it, I literally googled Sabin mask. [00:08:22] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:08:23] Speaker C: And this is the one that came up. [00:08:24] Speaker A: I might have to do that. Google. [00:08:25] Speaker B: It's pretty cool because, like, I can still kind of see through it a little bit, which is cool. I've always wondered, like, how those work, but I've heard that those are the most comfortable masks to wear. [00:08:32] Speaker C: They are. This is the most comfortable I've found. [00:08:34] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:08:36] Speaker A: So a few weeks ago we had Dr. Perez, our vice president of student health and well being, and he had a mask like as well. So, yeah, it must be like you, you're just, you're in the in crowd. So now I'm like, I gotta Google this. But you Know, Ben, even though you have been on our show before, you know, Whitney and I, we gain so many new listeners every year because, you know, we're just a very popular show on Sunday afternoon. And so since we do have some new listeners who may not be familiar with you, tell us a little bit about yourself as far as where you're from, campus organizations, you're in your grad program job. Like, we got to know your life. Tell us the deets. [00:09:13] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:09:14] Speaker C: Okay. So I'm from up around Gadsden, Alabama, kind of northern part of the state. I'm 32 years old. I am someone in long term recovery. My sobriety dates March 30th of 2016. I was addicted to opioids and alcohol for the majority of my 20s. Bounced in and out of rehab time after time. And, you know, there's a whole storyline that goes into all that. But the long and short of it, I tried to attend school here at UA twice and both times failed miserably. Left to my own devices, got sent off to treatment, and the third time it finally stuck. Or I say it has stuck so far. Yeah, five and a half years or so. Something has stuck thus far. Yeah. So it was. I went off and stayed a year away and really didn't have any plans on coming back. And then I crossed paths again with Dr. Jaime Garza and he kind of bullied me into coming back. [00:10:24] Speaker B: I assured, like, let's just take a pause real quick. I have heard that Jaime does, has like a sense of like, it's hard to describe, but like, because he's been there, done that kind of thing, like, he knows what to say, he knows what to do. And it's like this tough love. And I've heard that from a lot of people. [00:10:38] Speaker C: Yes, it is. And I say that kind of jokingly bullying. I mean, it's kind of true, but it was for my best interest. [00:10:44] Speaker B: You're coming back to school? [00:10:46] Speaker C: Yeah, I mean, I've made an appointment to come meet with him just to talk about because I wanted to stay at the treatment facility that I had graduated from. And I was going to stay there and just work there and then live my life happily. And I reached back out to Jaime and made an appointment to come see him. And as soon as I walked in the door, there was no, hey, how you doing? Great to see you. It was just, come here and fill out this readmission form. [00:11:10] Speaker B: I love that. [00:11:11] Speaker C: Well, and I said, I don't. I don't really think I want to go. He's. I don't care. Do it anyway. [00:11:15] Speaker A: Yeah, but, you know, and I love that, like, where the heart of all of that is, is that he sees people in the beyond as far as, like, what your potential is and really just wanting all of what life has to offer for you. And, you know, you know, even though his techniques are, you know, just a little non traditional, like, we just have such mad respect for him because, like, we know where his heart is in that tough love. So that's really cool. [00:11:43] Speaker C: So, yeah, so after returning back for the third time, worked towards and finished my undergraduate degree in addiction and recovery and had a nice little job set up for me, ready to go down in Savannah, Georgia, and was engaged at the time. And then we made big plans for the wedding, and then the pandemic, it comes. And again, a whole long story goes into that too. But the results of it is I ended up in graduate school in the marriage and family therapy program here at ua. And, yeah, we just got married a few weeks ago. [00:12:20] Speaker B: Congratulations. [00:12:21] Speaker C: Thank you. It was, you know, we had to. Had to call some audibles, but made it happen, you know, and we're excited about it. And, yeah, here I am. [00:12:32] Speaker B: Here you are. And I think that's such a. That's a great story. In the amount of time you said your sobriety date was March 30th of 2016. 30th. 2016. And that's five years. I mean, that's pretty awesome. I mean, that's an amazing accomplishment. I always love to hear people's sobriety dates because I have in my phone, my brother and his wife, their sobriety dates as well, because I'm always like, happy birthday. You know, like every time it's their Friday, because that's their, you know, that in our eyes, I guess, just being involved with them, what they've gone through, that's how I see, like, their birthday is like, you've started over. And, you know, it's always a. It's always a pretty. Pretty cool. And it can be a very emotional thing. [00:13:11] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:13:12] Speaker B: So that's awesome. So tell us a little bit. We're gonna go on a break pretty soon, but I'm curious, what has the pandemic been like for you? Because we talked a little bit before the break, and we were like, man, this has been crazy. And I just kind of like everybody's perspectives. But, I mean, how did you make it? I mean, obviously you're doing great because you're married. You're. You're going through your graduate school program. You look great. So, like, I mean, how'd you make [00:13:34] Speaker C: it just keep going? Yeah, that's really all it was. You know, I was fortunate enough to come through kind of a school of teaching and recovery that taught me to have a solid foundation in a. In a spiritual connection and really working and having that foundation to stand on when the community piece of it was kind of pulled away through no faults of our own. [00:14:04] Speaker B: Yeah, [00:14:07] Speaker C: that was. That was huge. To be able to have that to stand on and then start as things started changing and moving back in, you know, kind of acclimating back to almost feeling like unnormal was normal. [00:14:21] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:14:22] Speaker C: Just being comfortable with consistently changing things up. [00:14:27] Speaker A: No. Well, and I love how you articulate that. Just like, you know, being used to the unnormal, being the normal and what that looks like. And, you know, Ben, you've shared, you know, just like a wonderful, like, history and timeline of things, and we want to continue this conversation. And I know Whitney mentioned. We've got to take a break. So y' all grab a beverage, grab some water. Do what you gotta do. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Whitney on 90.7 the cat. [00:15:01] Speaker C: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:15:08] Speaker B: We are back. You're listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Whitney on this lovely Sunday afternoon. And it's National Recovery Month. And so we have Ben Spellman here. He's kind of one of our, I guess you always sit in on recovery month. This is our third year talking, I guess, pretty in depth about it on the show. And you're kind of our go to person when we want to talk about these things, which is kind of cool because we get to learn about, you know, what addiction recovery is, which, you know, we'll get into that pretty soon. But then I feel like as the years have gone on, the times you've been on the show, we've kind of gotten to know you a little bit better. And for us watching you and your journey, it's cool to kind of see how, you know, now you're married, you're going through your graduate program, and it's just a lot of really cool things going on, which is awesome. [00:15:49] Speaker C: Yeah, that's the beauty of living in recovery and working, actively working a program of recovery is I do a lot of speaking engagements and they tell us you're supposed to speak on what it was like, what happened, what it's like now. So as time has went on, like what it was like, that segment keeps getting shorter and shorter because I don't have as much time for it. What it's like now is drastically changing every six months. [00:16:15] Speaker B: Yeah, that's a really great perspective. [00:16:17] Speaker A: I like that. And, you know, Ben, we just mentioned that, you know, you recently got married. And, you know, when we think about those people that are close in our lives and, you know, new people that we are introducing into the intimate parts of our life, what was that journey like for you, letting your now wife know about that? You know, that addiction history? If you feel comfortable kind of sharing that. Because I think that that'd be something great for our listeners to hear about. [00:16:45] Speaker C: Yeah. So as I told you off air, we knew each other in high school. We went our own separate ways. Our paths crossed again. And before there was any kind of a relationship, we were just kind of, you know, talking and catching up. Like, I fill her in that. Let's see, we got back. It was. I was about two and a half years in recovery. And I mean, I was. By that point, I was very open about it. That's another one of the cool things of the recovery lifestyle, is it? I can't tell you exactly when it was, but at some point, what was once, like what I viewed as my greatest failure has now become probably my biggest asset in life. So I was very upfront about. I mean, I don't get into the nitty gritty details, you know, that I do, like when I work with another alcoholic or drug addict. But I'm. I've been very open with her, you know, since day one, really, about that. [00:17:43] Speaker B: And I feel like from what I understand about recovery and the 12 steps and like, now living this life of, you know, continuing to kind of, like, put your best foot forward and think through things, you have to be open, because if you're not true and open to what you've gone through. Because I know with Ross, he, like my brother, he literally won't hold anything back. He's like, what you see is what you get. And I'll tell you exactly how I'm feeling. I have to be true. I have to set boundaries for myself. This is just part of it. So, like, you know, I kind of curious, you know, because I'm kind of ready to get into, like, a little bit of the nitty gritty of, like, what addiction is, you know, for our listeners, because we hear that word a lot. I think we throw it around a lot. Just kind of like, yeah, I'm addicted to this and that, but there's a lot more to it. So just kind of enlighten us and tell us. You Know, you know, what is an addict? What is addiction? [00:18:30] Speaker C: Okay, So I think the most common area of confusion for people, they will look at strictly the chemical usage as addiction. I'm addicted to drinking, or I'm addicted to this, or I'm addicted to that. So there's a difference between a physical dependency and true addiction. Disease of addiction. This is where people get confused and where a lot of the pushback against the disease model comes from is because when they look in there like, okay, drinking or using that is a choice. Choice is a. It's a choice. So it's not a disease of the brain. Okay? So the way that these chemicals act on the brain with people who are genetically predisposed. Predisposed to alcoholism and drug addiction, it acts in the reward center and also in the deep brain, in the same area of the brain that's responsible for breathing, eating, sex, sleep, all this stuff. So essentially what it is like. So if I were to ask you to take in a deep breath and hold it as long as you can at first, you can control that and say, okay, I'm not going to take a breath because I'm choosing not to. You can do that for a period of time. But as time starts to go on, the chest will start to tighten up, heart start pounding a little harder, start focusing on it more, face will start to get flush. And eventually, at some point, that part of the brain of survival takes over and says, you're going to take a breath whether you want to or not. In people with the disease of addiction, it's the same way with chemicals because they act in that same part of the brain to these people who are genetically predisposed to it. So they may be able to make a conscious decision for a certain period of time and say, I'm not going to drink or use. But eventually, when the internal discomfort gets bad enough, that survival part of the brain is going to kick in and take over and say you're going to do it whether you want to or not. And that's the difference between somebody with a disease of addiction versus somebody who has a drinking problem or just likes to party too much. [00:20:35] Speaker B: Like a bad habit. It's almost like you have bad habits. But like, yeah, you're right. Like that. That chemical dependency is crazy. And just. Just from my brother's experience, what I've seen, like, I mean, the way our brains are wired and depending on if you are kind of predisposed to that, it's. It's kind of. It's a disease. And you. It takes A lot of patience with yourself and your family members and things like that. I mean, it's, it's kind of crazy. So those of you listening, I know that it's kind of hard to think about the differences. You're like, well, just stop drinking. Well, it's not that easy for some people. Some people can, they're not made up that way. And then others, they have a chemical, can have a chemical dependency on it. [00:21:17] Speaker A: Yeah. And that, I mean, just that analogy you used is so tangible that I feel like that was just a very practical way for our listeners to discern between again, someone who has a quote unquote bad habit and someone who has that chemical dependency. [00:21:32] Speaker C: Another one that I use a lot is we know for a fact, the scientific fact, every human on this earth that takes opioids for an extended period of time will become physically dependent on them. They will experience withdrawal symptoms if that chemical is removed. So I love this, this kind of, this, it's not really medical. This really happened, this example because it shows like the difference between these two brains. So my dad worked with a guy who had severe chronic knee problems and he took just handfuls of opioids multiple times a day. And if he went more than four or five hours without, he would start getting sick and feeling withdrawal symptoms after about 10 years. He said, this guy, he said, I've had enough of taking this stuff. I'm done with it. I don't ever want to touch him again. He went through 10 to 14 days of horrible opioid withdrawals. Terrible. And he got on the back end of it and he said, I'm so glad that's over. I'm never going to touch these again as long as I live. And he hasn't since then and his life has gotten better. But you have somebo like me that gets that same physical dependency to opioids and I go through that same sort of withdrawal and then I get on the back end of it and say, okay, I'm glad that's over. Here's where I messed up and here's how I can keep it from getting back. Yeah, that's what it looks like and what the kind of thought process that goes behind it. [00:22:53] Speaker B: Yeah, I feel like I've heard that before. I've definitely heard that before. And you know, it's kind of like that with a lot of like any other drug. Like let's say you're on antidepressant or like a anti anxiety type pill and you decide, okay, I think mentally I feel well enough. I Want to come off that pill where you. You are going to have withdrawals. And so I can only imagine with opioids and as strong as opioids are and how your tolerance continues to build, how that can definitely, you know, be hard for people to come off of that. So, yeah, I mean, it's kind of crazy. And the cool thing is you're very open about talking about these kinds of things, because I think sometimes we. We like to talk about all the resources that we have and help. But, like, in my opinion, something that can be this serious and, you know, cause such trauma and, you know, breakups and hardships and things like that in your life, I mean, it kind of needs to be talked at in a [00:23:43] Speaker C: real setting, you know, And I'll give you one. So you asked about how I talked to my wife about this. [00:23:48] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:23:48] Speaker C: When we first got together, she might get on. I don't think she'll care about the story. I'm gonna tell it anyway. Yeah. So. But she was saying, yeah, we both have prior marriages, and I was talking about alcoholism and stuff one day, and she's like, I think I might be an alcoholic. So why do you say that? She said, well, back before my divorce, I was drinking a lot, like, every day. I was like, okay, so what happened after your divorce? She's like, well, I quit. Okay, now let me explain something. So when you were drinking because of an external circumstance and that external circumstance was removed, you stopped when I'd say, I'm drinking over an external circumstance circumstance, and that external circumstance gets removed. Now I drink to celebrate not having that external circumstance. [00:24:32] Speaker B: It's like you're always going to do [00:24:34] Speaker C: either way, no matter what. So that's the difference. [00:24:37] Speaker B: I think that's great for our listeners to hear, too. [00:24:39] Speaker A: No. Yeah. And I mean, I really. I have just been geeking out during this whole experience because it's just, again, even though you've been with us before, Ben, just to get to learn more about this, and really, you also speaking now from the educational background that you have from your undergrad and now going through your master's program. But, you know, we've got to take a break, and when we get back, you know, let's definitely jump into some discussion about collegiate recovery community and all that it has to offer. But y' all grab a beverage, take a break. You are listening to Fit to Be Tied with Sheena and Whitney on 90.7 the Capstone. [00:25:17] Speaker C: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa. [00:25:23] Speaker B: We are back celebrating. Celebrating National Recovery Month with our friend Ben, I can't even talk, guys. I'm telling. This is how, you know, I need to go to Disney World. I need my, my reset. Our friend Ben, and he's just been enlightening us on his story and his background. Five and a half or five and a half years sober, so. Or getting almost to that half, five and a half mark and almost into six years. So I think that that's just great for our listeners to listen to. And you know, I'm kind of curious. We've talked a lot about your story and we do have resources on campus and there are resources in the community and, and I kind of want to talk about ways that if you're, if you're someone listening to the show and [00:26:01] Speaker A: you think you might have a problem, [00:26:02] Speaker B: you're not really sure, you're just kind of listening and thinking. This kind of resonates with me. Like what would be the first thing you would do if you suspect that some of these traits that you're mentioning kind of hit home for some of our listeners? [00:26:15] Speaker C: Yeah. Reach out and talk to somebody that can help and maybe clarify some of this stuff. I'm a member of the Collegiate Recovery Community, like was just mentioned. It's part of the Collegiate Recovery Intervention Services umbrella and the building is. It's on campus right up next to the law school. I'm really not sure of the exact address, but it's over there. So we have. Regardless, we love having people come in just to talk. I'm the chairperson of what we call the Newcomer Committee. So if you come in and become interested, you'll get to meet me. So that's a bonus. The man himself or deterrent, depending on who you talk to, I guess. [00:27:00] Speaker B: But [00:27:02] Speaker C: yeah. So when you come in, we're not gonna force you into anything. We just want to talk to you, you know, get to know you. And we have several different options available to accommodate various different where people are to able at. Because not everybody walks into our building in the Collegiate Recovery community with hey, I've got four years sober and I'm just ready to go back to school. That's not the case for everybody. So for full membership in crc, we do have a year requirement of sober time as well as some other requirements. But we have other programs that. To make sure that we catch everybody that comes in the door. Right. So the next day will be the Forge program, which is. Is you're not mandated to say you have to live in a 12 step recovery lifestyle. That's not what it's for. It's for. I'm kind of curious about this whole recovery thing and I want to dabble in it a little bit. I want to see what it's all about and to have the freedom to be able to do that. And again, like, I practice 12 step recovery. I'm a huge favor of it. I believe in it wholeheartedly. There are people who've gotten sober other ways. So just because somebody doesn't particularly use that same way, we don't want to just cut them out. [00:28:24] Speaker A: Right. [00:28:24] Speaker C: We want to make sure that we have ways to get everybody involved, regardless of which pathway they choose. [00:28:32] Speaker B: I think that, that, you know, we always like to talk about our resources on campus and y' all seem to have the most fun on your side of campus because I used to teach some yoga classes over there and every time I walk in it was like, like somebody's dog was walking around, somebody was like throwing a ball. And then like you have your. The room in the back with the TV and like you have a meditation room also. And like I walk in, I'm like, oh my gosh, this is so much fun. [00:28:57] Speaker A: I know. The pantry is always stock. [00:28:58] Speaker C: Yeah, it is always. [00:28:59] Speaker A: I'm always checking that out. [00:29:01] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a good community, you know, I mean, y' all really do look out for each other. And having people, you know, with the same likelihood, you know, to talk about those things, I mean, it's great. [00:29:12] Speaker A: And do you guys still do. I've attended a few of them. That the events that you guys have done on Thursday nights that like celebrate recovery nights, where someone shares their story. Is that going on this yesterday? [00:29:22] Speaker C: Yes. Recovery night is in Farah Hall. I think it's room 120. [00:29:26] Speaker B: Could they find it on the website, you think it should be on the website? [00:29:29] Speaker C: It should be on there somewhere. If not, it's when you pull into Farah Hall's parking lot, it's the door on the bottom. It's one something. But yeah, it's every Thursday night at. And it's very, I guess the equivalent of a non denominational thing. So it's not specifically AA N A. There's no specific. It's just different people in recovery sharing experience, strength and hope. [00:29:54] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, how was that affected during the pandemic? Because, you know, I think we were also curious too, how, you know, with the collegiate recovery community and all the services you have to offer, you know, we, we'd be remiss if we didn't recognize like how the pandemic has affected, like normal university operations. Including the programs y' all do. How was Recovery Night affected during that, like, especially, like, last school year? [00:30:17] Speaker C: Yeah, last school year it was. I'm trying to remember when we went back to hybrid. I think that was in the spring, but, like, last fall, it was, like, pure virtual. And we would have, like, four people. [00:30:29] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. [00:30:32] Speaker C: Which was discouraging for those of us that have been around for a while and, you know, really enjoy, like, not just just coming, like, I'll speak for myself. That Thursday night meeting is always kind of an anchor in the schedule. [00:30:45] Speaker A: Yeah, right. [00:30:46] Speaker C: It's just kind of a good point of the week of, like, okay, I've got the majority of it over with. I get this to look forward to. And it's just a good kind of point to fixate on and have as a, you know, consistent thing there. So when that got kind of taken away, like, it was really discouraging to see, like, numbers drop and people get less involved with it. And then we moved back. I'm trying to remember again. I'm trying to remember my time frames back. Last spring, we moved back into a hybrid format. We still had the speaker in person, and you could come in person if you wanted to with all the various precautions taken, or you could zoom into it, which I didn't feel like that was much better just because it still didn't have that sense, sense of community that we love to have. But now this year, we've been. Went back to just being full in person and being able to do that is, you know, the big group get together again. Even though. Even though, like, the names and faces are different, it's still the same in [00:31:52] Speaker B: a way, kind of starting over in some ways and trying to build that. And I know, not just in collegiate recovery, but at the rec center, I'm sure, in your area on campus as well. I mean, the pandemic really did screw some stuff up mentally for people because you're so used to having this, you know, schedule and this pattern, especially for us, teaching, you know, group exercise classes with people and yoga classes. And yoga is not the same through zoom. Like, you cannot connect to people that way. And so I can only imagine when you're in that setting, with collegiate recovery, in the community setting, like, looking at a screen is just not helpful. I mean, we did what we had to do, and I think that that's great, but I'm glad that things are becoming more normal, quote, unquote, whatever that'll mean. But more normal these days, you know, with, you know, the pandemic. [00:32:37] Speaker A: Absolutely. And, you know, thinking about community too, and also recognizing that it's football season. I know we're, you know, nearing the end of this segment, Ben, but tell our listeners about the tailgate that you guys have. [00:32:48] Speaker C: Yes, we have a big sober tailgate. If you're walking down university, it's on the dinny chime side of the road on the quad, maybe about 50 yards or so before you get to the chimes, if that far. But it's a big one set up and there's a lot of yellow balloons that we hang up flying. And we always have TVs up and going. They don't, they don't hold back with the food we have catered. [00:33:13] Speaker A: That's awesome. [00:33:13] Speaker C: Yes, it's a fantastic thing and a good way to kind of put ourselves out there. And I don't want to say market, but let people know that we're there, [00:33:24] Speaker B: that there's another opportunity on the quad that you don't have to go get smashed if that's not what you want to do, you know? [00:33:30] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:33:31] Speaker A: Yeah. So is that open to anyone, anybody [00:33:35] Speaker C: who wants to come by? We would love to see you. [00:33:37] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:33:37] Speaker A: Okay. Well, good to know. Well, and I Collie bum. I had another question in mind. Like through all of the talking, I've just been like, oh my gosh, this sounds great. This sounds great. This sounds great. I did ask about the tailgate. Whitney, I'm trying to think. Can you read my mind? [00:33:52] Speaker B: Look, I'm going to tell you right now, I am due for a vacation, and I think you're due for a vacation. [00:33:58] Speaker C: I need both of you to take a vacation for me as well. I'll be up here at the Capstone family therapy clinic. [00:34:05] Speaker B: Okay. [00:34:06] Speaker C: Y' all take care of that for me. I will Give enough vacation for me too. [00:34:10] Speaker B: Yeah, we gotcha. [00:34:12] Speaker A: And no. So you know, with that, tell us a little bit about what your experience has been in that. Like what kind of, what do those clinic hours look like for you? What does that structure look like as a grad student, just out of curiosity. [00:34:23] Speaker C: Oh, it's so busy. I do an internship through a, through a addiction treatment center. And I do Iop group for the first half of the day several days a week from like 8:30 to 12 and then usually in the afternoon. I'm seeing clients for everything from anxiety to self harm to depression and infidelity and everything in between. Everything from individuals, couples, entire families, a little bit of everything. So from day to day, I see the. Pretty much the full gamut of what there Is out there. [00:34:59] Speaker A: Yeah. Now, last question. Is that virtual or in service right now with the COVID protocols? [00:35:05] Speaker C: Both. [00:35:05] Speaker A: Okay. [00:35:06] Speaker C: We do have it in person, but if a client prefers to. We were also trained in teletherapy. [00:35:12] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:35:12] Speaker A: Well, nice. Well, Ben, you are a wealth of knowledge as always. Thank you for. For sharing your story with us. And I'm, like, coughing my ear, but thank you all so much. And, Ben, thank you. We've got to take a break, y'. [00:35:25] Speaker B: All. [00:35:25] Speaker A: You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheen and Whitney on 90.7, the capstone. [00:35:34] Speaker C: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa. [00:35:41] Speaker B: We are finishing up another great show today. Although Sheena and I, we both were talking during the break that our brains have turned to mush. And I really do think it's because we're kind of in that point in this semester that we talked about earlier of like, okay, we can kind of take a breath because everything is kind of set into motion, but my brain is just straight up mush. I don't know about you. [00:35:59] Speaker A: Yes. I mean, it is weird, you know, and I think it has been this whole, like, since the semester started, it's been hitting the ground running especially, too, because, you know, we have really advertised ourselves to be this business as usual with the semester, and I think that it's just a change of pace from what we were at before. And so I'm excited to do it because I like to go back to the types of programs that I would have done pre pandemic. So that's definitely fun and awesome, but it's like my brain is like, hold up. I need to get re acclimated. And now, Whitney, I feel like this is kind of a nice connection here with part of that. Something that helps with brain sharpness is being well hydrated. And we were talking before the show started earlier today about your hydration hacks. So tell me, have you gotten bougie with your liquids? [00:36:54] Speaker B: Well, let me first off, just say this. Being in the fitness world and, like, teaching yoga and Pilates, one would think that I drink tons of water. I don't drink sodas. I don't drink stuff like that. I do drink water, but sometimes I can go a really long time and not even think, like, not remember to have water. [00:37:10] Speaker A: Yeah, I just. [00:37:10] Speaker B: I mean, my body just doesn't really require a lot of water. Well, I started thinking, I was like, you know what? I do need to drink more water. But I have gotten bougie with my water, and I now drink Evian water. Water. And I. I Actually, some of you guys are like, oh, my gosh, you'd pay that much for water. I'm like. But I can literally tell a difference. Like, I kind of tasted a few waters just to kind of see if I could tell. And it tastes so different to me. So I actually will go and I will buy, like, I think it's like a liter and a half, maybe, like, the big bottle of water. And if I can drink one of those in a day, I feel pretty good about my water intake. You know, just making sure that I'm staying hydrated. I will say that by drinking more water, I do think I. I have had more energy. I'm trying to drink more in the water, more in the morning when I, you know, after I have, like, a little bit of coffee, like, instead of just, like, not drinking anything for a while, I'll try to, like, slam a lot of water. [00:38:00] Speaker A: Sure. [00:38:00] Speaker B: To kind of get my day started. But I really do think it's helped me have a little bit more energy. Definitely feel better. But, yes, I have become bougie. I love fizzy water, too. Fizzy water, for those of you are. Have no idea what I'm talking about. Sparkling water. I like drinking bubbly water, although I don't feel like it hydrates me. It's weird. [00:38:18] Speaker A: No, it's one of those, like, to me, I call it a recreational beverage. [00:38:22] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:38:23] Speaker A: I don't know. [00:38:23] Speaker B: You drink it, like, maybe if you're, like, needing a little fix or something, [00:38:27] Speaker A: just want something that's. Yeah. Just beyond that. Flat water. But you are so right, because I, too, can tell differences between, like, different brands of bottled water. And if I don't like a particular, like, I'm not gonna drink it, I'm gonna be like, oh, my gosh, this tastes terrible. And so when you do find a quote unquote flavor of water that you like and like, it's so refreshing, you know, for lack of better words. So I don't know, but that's really interesting. [00:38:52] Speaker B: You know, I heard something. I don't know this is true or not. I don't know where I heard it. This could have been, like, somewhere on YouTube, the radio. Somebody could tell me. But some of the water that you buy, and maybe, you know, this, like, that's cheaper and it says purified. I heard that sometimes it's just, like, poured from, like, the faucet, and then they bottle it, market it. So I don't know if that's true or not. That's why I kind of feel like spring water to Me is usually. Or artesian water is usually kind of my choice, rather than like a purified water. [00:39:19] Speaker A: Yes. Well, I used to joke like this. So y'. [00:39:23] Speaker C: All. [00:39:23] Speaker A: And again, let me just say, since this is a radio show, this is my opinion and a joke. Yeah. You know, I used to joke with, like, Dasani water. I would be. Because it's by Coca Cola. I'd be like, oh, that's Atlanta city water. Because, you know, it's made. Made and processed in Atlanta. But, you know, I mean, because they too, you know, the water plants in different municipalities, like, they purify the water. So again, yeah, it's like a clarification of, like, what is a marketing tactic versus. [00:39:49] Speaker B: Yeah, true. It definitely has to me a different flavor. Like, I feel like I can tell the flavor. And I. I tried one. This is so funny. I went on a water kick where I was like, I'm gonna try every neat water that's out there. And I tried, like, this volcano water. And the ph was like, kind of. Of. I can't remember if it was high or low, but anyway. And it was like, it kind of burned. Like, it had, like, a burn to. And I tried a Hawaii, a Hawaiian volcano water, and then like, an Icelandic volcano water that I bought somewhere. [00:40:16] Speaker C: I don't know. [00:40:16] Speaker B: Who knows where I find this stuff? And I could definitely tell, like, feel like, a little bit of a burn. And so I don't, like, if anything says volcanic water. Stay clear, because it has a burn to it, man. Pretty crazy, like. [00:40:28] Speaker A: And so with this water talk, y', all, I'm gonna get and I'll claim it right now. I'm going to put. Put something up on our Instagram asking, what's your favorite bottled water? [00:40:38] Speaker B: There we go. [00:40:39] Speaker A: What's your. You know, what's up with your water? That'll be our way to engage with y'. [00:40:44] Speaker B: All. [00:40:44] Speaker A: But you guys, it's been the end of a Sunday. Thank you for listening to us. You have been listening to Fit to Be tied with Sheen and Whitney on 90.7, the capstone. [00:40:58] Speaker C: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.