You may not know this by looking at my life now, but I’ve struggled with chemical and behavioral addictions my whole life…
When I was 18 years old, in my worst state, I weighed 105 pounds from freebasing cocaine daily. In order to save my life, I moved away to live in a trailer for two years with my father in New Mexico. During that time, I changed my environment and all my relationships, and I got a job working in a health club selling gym memberships. I began exercising, eating better, and taking better care of myself overall.
I also started taking classes at New Mexico State University, and eventually got a job working in a mental hospital where I would drive alcoholics and drug addicts to twelve-step meetings, which I’d sit in on.
Today, I’m happy to be in long-term recovery… And one thing I’ve learned after years of running one of the most well-known networking events in the world is that people crave connection. That’s the way I think about addiction now, as a “connection disorder,” because the opposite of addiction is CONNECTION. What we’re really talking about when we talk about recovery is how to connect with others, and with ourselves. When someone is an addict they’re using something external to numb themselves because they feel disconnected. That’s why, after years of helping business owners and entrepreneurs connect with each other, I decided to take on a new project: Genius Recovery.
I started it so we could change the global conversation around addiction, because I truly believe addiction is misunderstood and mislabeled. Learn more about how you can help change the understanding of addiction, and raise awareness around it.
by Joe Polish
Founder of Genius Network
P.S. Tomorrow, I’m going to get back to sending you strategies for growing your business. But, if you’d like to know more now, check out these resources:
- The Genius Network Show: Genius Network® is the place high level entrepreneurs go to get their next big breakthrough with access to connection, contribution, and collaboration not available anywhere else. The Genius Network Show gives you access to the world’s greatest wisdom from the world’s top experts. Get exclusive presentations from luminaries like Tony Robbins, Peter Diamandis, Daymond John, John Mackey, and Sir Richard Branson to Ten Minute Talk® presentations from Genius Network Members including Dean Graziosi, Sean Stephenson, Dave Asprey, Cameron Herold, J.J. Virgin and more. The Genius Network Show gives you a glimpse into the Genius Network community - Click Here
- Grow Your Business 10X: If you listen to the podcast I do with my friend and founder of Strategic Coach, Dan Sullivan, you can discover untapped potential in your business, multiply your opportunities and grow 10X – Click Here
- I Love Marketing: Get over 300+ Hours of The Best Marketing Education On The Planet: Hear me and my co-host Dean Jackson talk about new marketing ideas, direct mail ideas, lead generation, lead conversion, getting referrals, stick strategies, email marketing, psychology, books, people, productivity and a lot more - Click Here
- Help Change The Global Conversation Around Addiction and Recovery: The two people I want to help are entrepreneurs and addicts. I want to help change the global conversation of how people view and treat addicts with compassion instead of judgments and find the best forms of treatment that have efficacy and share those with the world. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, Click Here
Also check these out 🙂
Artists For Addicts
Rich Cleaner Podcast | Rich Cleaner System
JoePolishRecommends.com
More Genius Network Articles You Might Enjoy
The Importance Of Being A Fit Animal
In business, you are going to have to have some level of marketing stamina. This is why, when you start out, eating healthy, getting enough sleep and exercising are more important than figuring out how to run a company. You have to be a fit animal. The more fit you...
Marketing Matinee: Dr Robert Cialdini on Influence
#149 Episode Summary: This week’s Saturday Matinee performance is Dr. Robert Cialdini starring in the first I Love Marketing conference. What did you get from Roberts talk? How are you using this information to influence your audience?by Joe Polish Founder of Genius...
How to Achieve Exponential Growth in Your Business
#329 Episode Summary: Is exponential growth in your business magic – or mastery? Is it mystical, or is it the power of structure, passion, and tenacity? Here’s a glance at what you’ll learn from Stefan Wissenbach in this episode: Is It Magic or Mastery: How to achieve...