I met Doug a couple months ago when I attended the Light Hustler Retreat in LA.  He was one of the first people I met, and I had already heard about him before I even met him! Doug reached out to me a couple days before the retreat to see if he could interview me for a book that he is compiling,”Titans of Recovery” which is going to be a selection of many other recovery titans that are all striving for the same thing – to be able to share our truth and live out loud in our recovery to help others. Doug is one of those people that when you meet him, you know he is serious about his recovery, and his love for all things healthy, as he is a fitness junkie and an amazing personal trainer.  Since Doug interviewed me, I figured I’d interveiw him for my Relationship interview series.  And this is what he had to say:

What was your relationship with Alcohol/Drugs/Food before you got clean and sober?

I used drugs such as cocaine and oxycontin to feel better about myself and cope with trauma, stress and anxiety in a very unhealthy way.  I used food to manage stress too. When I would get nervous or anxious, I would make extremely unhealthy choices to feel good. Fast food, pizza, Chinese food, you name it I ate it when I got stressed out.

What is your relationship with Alcohol/Drugs/Food today?

I have been drug free for nearly a decade. I will occasionally have a drink here and there socially. I never had an issue with alcohol.  There was actually a time I didn’t drink for years.  I now have many healthy coping mechanisms in my life to help deal with stress, anxiety and depression that comes my way at times.

How were your relationships with your family before you got clean &sober?

Horrible.  They were superficial and all I cared about was myself and what I needed to do to score/sell drugs.

How are those relationships today?

My relationships with family are ten-fold what they used to be. I have a great relationship with my Mom, grandparents and brothers. My Dad and I are much better than we used to be. I am now able to have deep meaningful relationships with people and actually care about them. Whereas before all I cared about was myself.

Regarding your prior romantic relationships – how did your addiction affect those?

I had no interest and/or esteem to get into any sort of romantic relationship during my drug using/dealing days. I was worthless back then, and was roughly 40% body fat and a flat out piece of junk. I didn’t think I would make it through my 20’s.

What is your current relationship status today?  

I am Single. (Hint, hint for any ladies out there! – Don’t kill me Doug!)

How has this changed since being sober?

Well, just the types of people I am interested in has changed. I know what I want and when I am dating someone, if I see signs of things that go against what I want, I get out. Sometimes I hang around too long being that I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt.

During my 20’s I had to recalibrate my entire life. I was on probation until I was 25 and then started my career as a trainer when I was 24. So between those two things, I had to take a lot of time to work on myself and figure out what I wanted in life. I got lucky to surround myself with many great mentors and friends to help guide me on this subject, but I am by far not perfect.

Do you have relationships with pets and if so, how has that helped with your recovery?

I love dogs. I have a rescue named Shadow. He definitely helps me a lot. He has taught me a ton about gratitude as well. He is so happy to see me everyday –  no matter what. I wish we could all learn more from dogs. They cherish the small stuff.

Do you have a relationship with and/or a Higher Power, God, the Universe, The Spirit ?

I have a relationship with Jesus. I am not one of the Evangelical types that jam it down your throat. But, I am a Christian and I believe in God. With that being said, I also respect other forms of spirituality.

How is your relationship today with Society at Large? 

I do my absolute best to be a beacon of hope. I give maximum effort on a daily basis to help others transform into the best version of themselves. This can be through my social media platform, my business or just hopping on the phone with someone to bend an ear.

What have you been able to contribute?

I have helped hundreds of people change their lives through fitness, but more importantly I use my passion for helping others to help inspire hope in people through my platform, daily activities and any other way I can to help encourage others in an authentic way.

Doug Bopst is an award-winning personal trainer, author, speaker and business owner. Those credentials and accolades are a result of his own transformation.  He is a former felon and drug addict, sentenced to a few months in jail due to getting arrested for selling pot. He chose to use his time locked in that small cell to beat his demons and reinvent himself thanks to a combination of faith, family and fitness. He is the author of two books:  “From Felony to Fitness to Free,” about how people can turn a negative into a positive and  make the most of their second chance, His second book, “Faith Family Fitness,” encourages readers to grow closer to God, believe in themselves stay mentally, physically and spiritually fit.

Feel free to follow him at: http://www.dougbopst.com/