Health & FitnessMental HealthEducationSelf-Improvement

The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst

Doug Bopst

The Adversity Advantage is where life’s hardest struggles become your greatest strengths. Each week, host Doug Bopst — a former felon and addict who used fitness to save his life — brings you raw, powerful conversations with world-class experts and thought leaders.

From Andrew Huberman to Mel Robbins, Gabby Bernstein, Gabor Maté, Robert Greene, Rich Roll, Kevin O’Leary, and more - you’ll hear the untold stories of how they turned setbacks into comebacks.

You’ll also walk away with practical, everyday tools to help you: build resilience in the face of adversity, rewire your brain and body for growth, strengthen relationships and mental health, transform your health, recover from addiction and unlock the discipline to create the life you want.

Play

Open in

49 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 1 hr 7 min
English

Episodes 49

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Monday · 1 hr 4 min
How to Break Free From Gambling Addiction & Rebuild Your Life | Dr. Timothy Fong
Dr. Timothy Fong is a board-certified addiction psychiatrist, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA's Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and Co-Director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program. He also serves as President of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Fong specializes in gambling disorder, behavioral addictions, and substance use disorders, with a focus on understanding how addiction affects the brain and developing evidence-based strategies for prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery. Through his clinical work and research at UCLA, he helps individuals and families recognize addictive behaviors, overcome their consequences, and rebuild healthier lives. Today on the show we discuss the alarming rise of online gambling addiction among young men, how big wins and near misses fuel the brain's reward system, the warning signs that gambling has crossed into addiction, how shame and financial devastation can destroy families, the four pillars of lasting recovery, and how to rebuild trust and take back control of your life and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠⁠⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thursday · 57 min
Psychiatrist: How To Trick Your Brain Into Doing Hard Things | Sasha Hamdani
Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a board-certified psychiatrist, ADHD specialist, bestselling author, and mental health advocate known online as @ThePsychDoctorMD. Drawing on her experience as both a psychiatrist and someone living with ADHD, she helps millions of people better understand their brains, improve focus, manage emotions, and overcome challenges with motivation and executive function. Today on the show we discuss: how to trick your brain into doing hard things even when you lack motivation, the hidden emotional reasons behind procrastination, why ADHD is more than just a focus problem, practical strategies to stop self-sabotage and follow through on your goals, how sleep and phone habits impact your ability to concentrate, and how to break the cycle of shame and self-criticism to build lasting discipline and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 ⚠ WELLNESS DISCLAIMER ⚠ Please be advised; the topics related to health and mental health in my content are for informational, discussion, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health or mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your current condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard from your favorite creator, on social media, or shared within content you’ve consumed. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help: Emergency Medical Services—911 If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. SAMHSA addiction and mental health treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) and https://www.samhsa.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 19 · 57 min
The Biohacking Industry Is Selling You Problems You Don't Have | Stan Efferding
Stan Efferding is a world-record-holding powerlifter, IFBB professional bodybuilder, nutrition expert, and creator of The Vertical Diet. Known as the “World’s Strongest Bodybuilder,” Stan has spent over 30 years helping elite athletes and everyday individuals improve their strength, body composition, and overall health. He is also the co-author of The Vertical Diet, which emphasizes simple, sustainable nutrition and lifestyle habits for long-term health and performance. Today on the show we discuss: the biggest biohacking scams and misleading health claims, why fasting and popular diet trends are often overhyped, the dangers of obsessing over health optimization, the simple habits that actually drive sustainable fat loss and better health, why consistency and accountability matter more than motivation, and how to build a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing your happiness and much more. This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MOMENTOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 15 · 1 hr 4 min
The Dating Green Flag That's Actually a Red Flag | Sabrina Zohar
Sabrina Zohar is a dynamic entrepreneur and dating coach renowned for her transformative podcast, The Sabrina Zohar Show. With a clear, no-nonsense approach to relationship advice, Sabrina's podcast has resonated globally, ranking in the top 0.05% of all podcasts. Each episode features practical tips backed by board-certified and licensed psychologists, aimed at helping listeners improve their dating lives by fostering self-worth and personal growth. Today on the show we discuss: how to spot love bombing and hidden red flags in dating, why setting boundaries is essential for healthy relationships, how childhood trauma shapes who we attract and tolerate, the difference between talking about your trauma and actually healing from it, how to stop self-abandonment and break toxic relationship patterns, and the keys to building lasting love through healthy communication and emotional security and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 12 · 1 hr 14 min
Robert Greene: You're Losing Yourself & Sleepwalking Through Life
Robert Greene is a New York Times bestselling author who’s best known for his books The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, Mastery, and The Laws of Human Nature. Today on the show we discuss: why so many people are sleepwalking through life and losing themselves, how technology is controlling your thoughts, how to reconnect with your true self, how Robert stroke completely changed his perspective on life, how adversity can unlock your greatest potential, and how to overcome fear and rejection and much more. This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MOMENTOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Preorder Robert's new book: https://sites.prh.com/lawofthesublime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 8 · 1 hr 6 min
The Psychology of Trust, Deception & Human Behavior | Greg Hartley
Greg Hartley is a former U.S. Army interrogator, interrogation instructor, and internationally recognized expert in body language and human behavior. He is the co-founder and host of The Behavior Panel and has co-authored 10 books on deception, communication, and behavioral analysis. Greg has spent decades applying his expertise everywhere from military interrogation rooms to corporate boardrooms and national media. Today on the show we discuss: how to spot deception through changes in someone’s baseline, the subtle tactics manipulators use to gain your trust, the biggest body language myths that can lead you astray, the four types of lies and how to expose them, interrogation techniques that can help you uncover the truth, what the Lindsay Clancy case reveals about the dangers of judging behavior without context and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 5 · 1 hr 23 min
The Science of Fat Loss, Muscle Growth & Metabolism | Layne Norton
Layne Norton, PhD, is a nutrition scientist, natural pro bodybuilder, champion powerlifter, founder of BioLayne, and co-founder of Carbon Diet Coach. He is known for translating complex research on fat loss, muscle building, metabolism, and nutrition into practical, evidence-based strategies. Today on the show we discuss: how to lose fat while building muscle, the best ways to preserve muscle during weight loss, why calories still matter even when food quality is high, how fiber and saturated fat affect heart health, the danger of becoming obsessive about health and longevity, and why success means little without strong relationships and mental well-being and much more. This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠MOMENTOUS⁠⁠⁠⁠: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
October 1 · 1 hr 2 min
Former Addict: How To Rebuild Your Life After Everyone Writes You Off | Dane Spealman
Dane Spealman is a business owner, father, and recovering addict with more than 23 years clean. After nearly losing his life to addiction in his early 20s, he rebuilt himself through accountability, community, discipline, and relentless consistency. He later built successful careers in the automotive and insurance industries and now shares lessons on recovery, resilience, business, and personal growth. Today on the show we discuss: Dane’s descent into addiction, the conversation that saved his life, how he stayed clean for 23 years, rebuilding after everyone wrote him off, why discipline and accountability changed everything, what recovery taught him about success and fatherhood and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 28 · 1 hr 18 min
Anthony Scaramucci: Ego, Public Failure & Rebuilding His Life
Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge Capital, a global alternative investment firm, and the founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. He also co-hosts the podcast The Rest Is Politics: US. Today on the show we discuss how Anthony rebuilt his life after public failure and nearly losing his marriage, why ego can quietly destroy your biggest decisions, the mindset shift that helped him regain confidence and stop living in regret, what wealth and status can never give you, how America became so divided and what he believes needs to change, and why adversity can ultimately make you more self-aware, grateful and resilient and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠⁠⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 Buy Anthony's book: https://amzn.to/3VbXtrS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 26 · 1 hr 5 min
From the NFL to Building One of the World’s Most Trusted Supplement Brands | Jeff Byers
Jeff Byers is a former NFL player and the co-founder and CEO of Momentous, one of the most trusted performance nutrition and supplement brands in the world. Before building Momentous, Jeff played college football at USC and spent four seasons in the NFL. Today, he is focused on raising the standard of the supplement industry through science, quality, and transparency. Today on the show we discuss how Jeff’s NFL career ending forced him to redefine his identity, why adversity became the foundation for his growth, how he turned the lessons from football into building Momentous, the biggest problems with trust and misleading claims in the supplement industry, why fundamentals like creatine and fiber matter more than trendy products, and why protecting quality and long-term trust matters more than short-term profit and much more. This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠⁠MOMENTOUS⁠⁠⁠: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 24 · 1 hr 32 min
How to Prevent Heart Disease Before It's Too Late | Michelle Routhenstein
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a preventive cardiology dietitian and founder of Entirely Nourished, a virtual nutrition practice focused on helping people improve their heart health through personalized, evidence-based nutrition. With more than 14 years of experience in cardiovascular nutrition, Michelle helps clients address cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation, blood sugar, insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic risk factors. Her work focuses on preventing and managing conditions including heart disease, heart failure, atherosclerosis and atrial fibrillation while translating complex science into practical, sustainable strategies. Michelle earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and previously worked in New York City hospitals managing complex medical cases. She serves on the Forbes Health Advisory Board and the Medical Advisory Committee for the National Menopause Foundation and is the author of The Truly Easy Heart-Healthy Cookbook and Simple Meal Solutions for High Blood Pressure. Her expertise has been featured in Forbes Health, Fox News, Women’s Health, Prevention, GLAMOUR, Good Housekeeping and other major outlets. Today on the show, we discuss why the ketogenic diet may accelerate plaque formation, why ApoB and other overlooked blood markers matter for heart disease risk, how blood pressure and sodium can affect your arteries, the truth about fiber caffeine alcohol and energy drinks, why exercise alone cannot fully protect your heart and how genetics supplements medications and nutrition all play a role in preventing cardiovascular disease and much more. Visit www.entirelynourished.com to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 21 · 1 hr 7 min
Why Staying Sober Is Harder Than Getting Sober | Chris Herren
Chris Herren is a former NBA player, recovery advocate, speaker, and founder of Herren Project and Herren Wellness. After a highly public battle with addiction, Chris rebuilt his life through recovery and has now been sober for 18 years. Today, he works with individuals and families struggling with substance use, leads prevention and recovery initiatives, and speaks across the country about addiction, healing, mental health, and what it really takes to build a sustainable life in recovery. Today on the show we discuss: why learning to live sober can be harder than getting sober, the alarming rise of marijuana psychosis in young adults, why community and longer treatment can change recovery outcomes, how Chris came dangerously close to relapse after 15 years sober, the therapy and family work that helped him heal years of shame, and why slowing down and surrounding yourself with the right people may be the key to lasting recovery and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 19 · 1 hr 4 min
How To Build Muscle Without Gaining Body Fat | Dan Churchill
Dan Churchill is a chef, athlete, and content creator known for blending food, fitness, and performance. A longtime advocate for making healthy eating enjoyable and sustainable, Dan combines his culinary background with his passion for endurance and hybrid training, including Ironman and HYROX competition. Through his recipes, content, and coaching philosophy, he helps people fuel their bodies, perform at a higher level, and build healthier habits for life. Today on the show, we discuss how to build muscle without gaining unnecessary body fat, why chasing performance may build a better physique than obsessing over aesthetics, whether cardio actually kills your gains and how to balance strength with endurance, how to eat for muscle, fat loss, performance, and longevity without living on a restrictive diet, why training harder isn’t always better and how poor recovery can sabotage your progress, and how consistency, realistic goals, and finding your deeper motivation can transform your health for life and much more. This episode is brought to you by: ⁠⁠MOMENTOUS⁠⁠: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: ⁠⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 17 · 1 hr 13 min
Narcissists, Sociopaths & the Psychology of Manipulation | Aishia Grevenberg
Aishia Grevenberg, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, professor, and mental health educator with more than 20 years of experience. Her work focuses on relationships, manipulation, narcissism, sociopathy, emotional regulation, trauma, and helping people better understand unhealthy behavioral patterns so they can protect their mental health and build healthier relationships. Today on the show we discuss the #1 sign you may already be getting manipulated, why manipulators use praise and attention to hook you, the key differences between narcissists psychopaths and sociopaths, how toxic relationships can become an emotional addiction, the subtle ways controlling people isolate you and break down your boundaries, and how to break free rebuild trust in yourself and recognize healthier love and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠⁠Waking Up ⁠⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: ⁠https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 14 · 1 hr 8 min
Rehab Made Her Addiction WORSE… Here’s What Finally Saved Her | Maddi Reese
Maddi Reese is a reality TV personality, DJ, and cast member of Southern Hospitality. After first drinking at 12, she entered treatment at 16 and ultimately got sober as a teenager after multiple attempts at rehab. Today on the show: Maddi shares how drinking started at 12, rehab at 16 made her addiction worse, and why her real rock bottom didn’t come until 90 days sober. She also opens up about the reality TV drama that destroyed her mental health and what finally helped her rebuild and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 12 · 1 hr 27 min
The Real Reason You Keep Failing At Weight Loss (Fix This To Burn Fat) | Dr. Joey Munoz
Dr. Joey Munoz is a nutrition and fitness expert with a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Florida State University and the founder and CEO of Strong Standard Coaching. He specializes in helping everyday people lose fat, build muscle, and improve their health through practical, evidence-based nutrition, strength training, and lifestyle strategies designed to create lasting results. Today on the show we discuss: why most people can lose weight but struggle to keep it off, why improving body composition matters more than chasing a number on the scale, how to lose fat without sacrificing muscle, why calorie tracking and moderation can create more freedom around food, when health optimization crosses the line into health anxiety, how to build muscle with a simple training plan that actually fits into a busy life and much more. This episode is brought to you by: ⁠MOMENTOUS⁠: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 10 · 58 min
Losing My Dad on 9/11, 25 Years of Grief & Learning How to Live | David Ferrugio
David Ferrugio is the host of the DEAD Talks podcast and author of You’re Not Dead Yet. After losing his father in the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 at just 12 years old, David turned his experience with grief into a mission to help others navigate loss, death, healing, and what it means to truly live. Through hundreds of conversations with guests ranging from near-death experiencers to grief experts, he explores the lessons adversity can teach us about presence, purpose, love, and life. Today on the show we discuss David’s experience losing his father in the Twin Towers on 9/11, why grief can still feel fresh 25 years later, how vulnerability and emotional expression helped him heal, what near-death experiences have taught him about death and the possibility of an afterlife, why letting go of control and staying present can change how we live, and how turning pain into purpose can honor the people we’ve lost and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 7 · 1 hr 14 min
Rosebud Baker: Divorce, Sobriety, Grief & Starting Over
Rosebud Baker is a comedian, writer, and author known for her dark, deeply personal style of comedy. Nearly 20 years sober, she often draws from her experiences with addiction, grief, motherhood, relationships, and rebuilding her life through adversity. Today on the show, we discuss: navigating divorce while your life is still unraveling, the conflict between motherhood and career, why community is essential for long-term sobriety, Rosebud’s rock-bottom moment and nearly 20 years in recovery, how to rebuild your life by stacking small wins, and what losing her sister taught her about grief, guilt, and becoming someone new and much more. Today's sponsor: ⁠Waking Up ⁠ Join me on my meditation journey and get your free 14-day trial here: https://wakingup.sjv.io/B5V291 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 5 · 36 min
Creatine Expert: What Everyone Gets Wrong About Creatine | Dr. Darren Candow
Darren G. Candow, Ph.D., CSEP-CEP, FISSN is a Professor and Director of the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory, Director of Research for the Athlete Health and Performance Initiative and past Associate Dean-Graduate Studies and Research in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina, Canada. Today on the show, we discuss whether creatine has become overhyped, how much creatine you actually need for muscle and brain health, when higher doses may help with stress and sleep deprivation, what the research says about fat loss and healthy aging, the emerging evidence around depression and Alzheimer’s, and how to choose a high-quality creatine supplement. This episode is brought to you by: MOMENTOUS: Try their new Signature Spec Creatine and use code ADVERSITY for up to 35% off your entire first order: https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 3 · 1 hr
Steve-O: I Thought I’d Be Dead By 30… Then Everything Changed
Steve-O (Stephen Glover) is a stunt performer, comedian, and entertainer best known for his iconic role in Jackass. After years of addiction and self-destructive behavior, he got sober in 2008 and completely rebuilt his life. Today, he’s focused on comedy, health and fitness, his career, and caring for animals at his Tennessee sanctuary.Today on the show we discuss: why Steve-O never thought he’d live past 30, how getting sober completely changed the trajectory of his life, the surprising origins of Jackass and his obsession with being remembered, how health and fitness became a major priority in his 50s, the role accountability and forgiveness played in overcoming years of shame, and why he believes phone addiction, comparison, and a loss of faith are making modern life harder than ever and much more. Special thanks to Mosaic Asset Partners for letting us record in your beautiful conference room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 1–20 of 49 episodes