For years, I thought pressure was a reason to dip.

A stressful day. A big moment. A tough loss. A hard conversation. Pressure always seemed to provide another excuse.

This week, I found myself reflecting on my son's high school baseball career as it came to an end. Last season, he pitched a complete game in the state championship, allowing zero earned runs in a heartbreaking 1-0 loss. This year, he carried the expectations that come with being the ace of a championship-caliber staff and took the ball whenever his team needed him most.

As I watched the final chapter unfold, I realized something: not once did I think about nicotine.

In this episode, I share the emotions of watching a young man grow up, the pressure that comes with high expectations, and the realization that quitting tobacco didn't just help me survive life's biggest moments—it allowed me to be fully present for them.

Whether you're a parent, an athlete, or simply someone learning to navigate life's pressures without nicotine, I hope this story resonates with you.

Stay strong. Stay quit.

Recorded June 4th, 2026

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction 01:41 Pressure 02:35 Last Year's State Championship Run 03:37 The Weight of Expectations 04:59 107 Pitches 06:02 Five Days Later 07:30 Thinking About Pressure 08:57 Not Once Did I Think About Nicotine 09:56 Gratitude 11:00 Stay Strong. Stay Quit.

🔗 Join the KillTheCan Discord: https://www.killthecan.org/discord/

✉️ Get Long-Term Quit Perspective With The Quit Log: https://www.killthecan.org/newsletter/

In this episode of the Kill The Can Podcast, Chewie shares a surprising social media debate that challenged one of the most basic assumptions about quitting nicotine.

A public health advocate argued that the words addict and addiction are stigmatizing — and even suggested that nicotine itself should not be considered addictive.

Chewie breaks down the conversation, discusses the cold turkey philosophy of quitting nicotine, and asks the community for feedback.

Can anyone quit nicotine with dedication and will?

Or do people need nicotine replacement tools to succeed?

Recorded on March 4th, 2026.

🔗 Join the KillTheCan Discord: https://www.killthecan.org/discord/

✉️ Get Long-Term Quit Perspective With The Quit Log: https://www.killthecan.org/newsletter/

After a long break, Chewie returns to the Kill the Can Podcast with an honest update on life, the holidays, and what long-term freedom from nicotine really looks like.

This episode covers holiday reflections, illness and recovery, and why even during stressful moments, nicotine never crossed the mind. Proof that quitting does get easier — and it’s always worth it.

🔗 Join the KillTheCan Discord: https://www.killthecan.org/discord/

✉️ Get Long-Term Quit Perspective With The Quit Log: https://www.killthecan.org/newsletter/