In this meaningful episode, Zach Dawson and Bob Springer sit down with Becky Savage, a nurse, mother, and the founder of the 525 Foundation. Becky shares the heart-wrenching story of a single night in 2015 that changed her family forever: the loss of her two eldest sons, Nick and Jack, to accidental drug overdoses during graduation party season.

Becky describes the harrowing morning she discovered her sons and the "out of body experience" of performing CPR on her own child while paramedics responded to a second 911 call from the same house.

We discuss the hidden dangers of prescription drug misuse, the "gap in knowledge" that still exists today, and how Becky and her husband moved forward by focusing on their two younger sons while turning their grief into a mission of advocacy.

We also dive deep into the origins of the 525 Foundation - named after Nick and Jack’s hockey numbers - and how a simple idea from her then 11-year-old son grew into a nationally recognized nonprofit. Becky explains the foundation’s "Wise Up" program, which provides parents and educators with the facts and conversation starters needed to bridge the communication gap with youth.

Join us for an essential conversation on prevention, education, and the life-saving power of simply starting a dialogue.

🎧 By the way, you can listen to this episode, or any past episode, on your preferred podcast platform. 👀 Or, you can watch the episodes on our website or by searching Bare Knuckle Recovery on YouTube.

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📝 Key Topics Covered in this episode:

The "Normal" Sunday Morning: Becky walks through the surreal experience of losing two sons in one night and the "prophecy" of watching them sleep.

The Danger of the Unknown: Exploring how a lack of conversation about prescription drug misuse led to a fatal mistake.

The Birth of 525: How a handful of memorial bracelets became the "seed money" for a foundation dedicated to prevention.

"God Winks": The incredible story of how the foundation received its official 501c3 status on May 25th (5/25).

Practical Prevention: Refusal skills, "exit plans," and why parents should treat leftover medication like a "loaded gun" on the counter.

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🔗 To learn more about the 525 Foundation, visit: https://www.525foundation.org/

👊 To watch and/or listen to past episodes of the Bare Knuckle Recovery podcast, or to reach out to our team, visit: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

In this episode of the Bare Knuckle Recovery Podcast, Zach Dawson and Bob Springer kick Nate and Tommy out of the studio to take over the mics to speak directly to the two groups of people who reach out to them the most: moms and significant others.

Zach and Bob dive deep into the wreckage caused by active addiction, sharing vulnerable stories about the manipulation, lies, and fear they inflicted on the women who loved them most. They discuss the long, difficult road to rebuilding trust, emphasizing that sobriety is just the beginning... true recovery requires a complete change in behavior and integrity.

Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to the realities of working in the recovery field. The hosts open up about the toll the job takes on their families, the necessity of accountability among teammates, and how they navigate the fine line between helping others and being present for their own homes.

In this episode, we cover:

• The addict vs. the partner: How relationships survive the chaos and the transition into a healthy, sober dynamic.
• Rebuilding trust: Why "just trusting" an addict doesn't work and why it takes years of consistent action to repair the damage.
• The mother-son bond: Bob shares a touching story about taking his mother to breakfast with his own money and the redemption of being present for her when she passed away.
• The "monster" of addiction: Understanding how drugs change a person's personality and why they lash out at the people they love most.
• Accountability on the front lines: A raw look at how the BKR team supports each other, including a story about finding a stash of drugs on a job and relying on teammates to do the right thing.

Whether you are a mother, father, a spouse, or someone in recovery trying to make amends, this episode offers a message of hope: don't give up, because people can and do change.

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

💚🎗 Join Tommy Streeter and Nate Moellering for this powerful episode as they sit down with special guests Zach Dawson from the Bare Knuckle Recovery team and Allendale Treatment, along with Jarred White, founder of FW22, to discuss Mental Health Awareness Month and PTSD Awareness Month (recorded in June).

👀 Note: If you'd prefer to watch this episode, you can find it on YouTube by searching for Bare Knuckle Recovery.

The group delves into the stark reality of mental health struggles, particularly the skyrocketing suicide rates, especially among men and veterans. They explore how modern life contributes to the problem, discussing the isolating effects of social media and "artificial connectivity," which often replaces genuine human connection; a key to overcoming addiction, depression, and anxiety.

A core part of the discussion centers on the nature of PTSD, with Jarred sharing his perspective that it's often rooted in what someone tried to do to you rather than what one has done. They also explore the complex relationship between substance abuse and mental health, noting that one can mask the other, making it difficult to properly diagnose and treat.

The episode then shifts to focus on the solution, emphasizing the critical need for action and commitment, not just talk, to achieve lasting recovery and mental wellness. They stress that treatment is not "one size fits all" and encourage listeners to find their support system and take proactive steps like exercise, prioritizing sleep, and journaling. Zach shares his personal journey, underscoring the importance of asking for help and actively working to rebuild relationships.

👊 The team closes with a strong message of unwavering support: they promise to fight tirelessly for anyone reaching out, regardless of circumstance, with a commitment to meet people where they're at, but not leave them there.

Reach out to the BKR team here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/

Reach out to Jarred and FW22 here: https://www.fw22.org/

Watch this episode and all past episodes here: https://www.bareknucklerecovery.com/