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Published on:

29th Sep 2024

Voices for Change: Linda Johnson's Fight Against Addiction and Her Journey of Advocacy

Welcome to the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast with James Blasco! In this episode, we are joined by Linda Johnson, the founder of Voices for Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Linda shares her powerful journey of advocating for addiction recovery and discusses how her personal experiences with her son’s addiction led her to start this transformative organization. We explore the struggles of finding recovery resources, the challenges of supporting loved ones through addiction, and the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding addiction. Linda also shares advice for those in similar situations and how everyone can contribute to making a positive change. This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by addiction, as well as for those interested in community advocacy and supporting recovery efforts.

Key Timestamps:

  • (00:00) Introduction to Charge Forward Coaching and Linda Johnson’s journey with addiction recovery
  • (01:15) Linda’s story of founding Voices for Change and the inspiration behind the nonprofit
  • (03:30) The struggles Linda faced when seeking addiction treatment and the lack of resources
  • (05:00) The emotional journey: Balancing personal experiences with leading an organization
  • (06:30) How Linda stayed focused on the mission despite the emotional toll
  • (09:00) Linda discusses the importance of mental toughness in navigating the challenges of addiction recovery
  • (12:00) The role of the community in breaking down addiction stigma and supporting recovery
  • (15:00) How families can support their loved ones without enabling harmful behaviors
  • (17:00) Voices for Change’s initiatives, including the Overdose Awareness Day event
  • (19:30) Linda’s advice to those considering starting a nonprofit or advocating for a cause

Key Takeaways:

  • Mental toughness is crucial when dealing with the challenges of addiction. Linda emphasizes the importance of making tough decisions in the best interest of loved ones, even when those decisions are painful.
  • Recovery requires both the individual and their family to heal. Support systems like Al-Anon and Naranon offer essential resources for families affected by addiction.
  • Breaking the stigma around addiction is necessary for progress. Linda encourages others to share their stories to help remove the shame and silence that surrounds addiction.
  • The community plays a vital role in supporting those in recovery. Hosting events like Overdose Awareness Day and raising awareness about addiction helps create a more open and supportive environment for recovery.

Bio:

Linda Johnson is the founder and president of Voices for Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. Her personal journey, including her son’s battle with addiction, inspired her to create a space for families to connect, share resources, and find support. Through Voices for Change, Linda has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about addiction, provide resources for recovery, and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. Linda’s work is rooted in her deep commitment to helping others find healing and support, both for individuals suffering from addiction and their families.

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James Blasco, Charge Forward Coaching, Voices for Change, addiction recovery, substance use disorder, mental toughness, families of addicts, nonprofit organization, recovery support, drug addiction, family support, community advocacy, addiction awareness, overcoming stigma, mental health, resilience

Transcript

James Blasco: [:

als and families affected by [:

ourney, the challenges she's [:

James Blasco: How are you doing Linda?

Linda Johnson: I'm good [:

about what Voices for Change [:

ubstance use disorder, find, [:

Linda Johnson: Addiction [:

and. Addiction. And recovery [:

e right rehab for your loved [:

So it kind of morphed into a [:

this money and I want to be [:

hould even do with the funds [:

at's kind of how it started. [:

t's interesting, you know, I [:

Blasco: It wasn't something [:

eeded, but more importantly, [:

ranch manager. Um, but being [:

Linda Johnson: For these resources to be out there.

James Blasco: So, [:

James Blasco: I mean, you got to be very strong to do that. So how do you, how do you balance those two realities?

Linda Johnson: Um, [:

hat moment and nothing else. [:

. I, I remember what it felt [:

to listen to me and hear me [:

use. They have to be able to [:

Linda Johnson: And letting somebody hear that message is very comforting.

James Blasco: There's [:

is? means for you as you had [:

l toughness when it came to, [:

'll give you an example of a [:

nson: And the reason I can't [:

going to be the best in the [:

Linda Johnson: They had to [:

just had to make, which were [:

James Blasco: is, uh, amazing, you know, for you to be able to, uh, not just deal with that, navigate it, uh, cope with it.

sco: Um, and. You know, find [:

d you're still leader there, [:

: So overwhelming sometimes, [:

ring about these events. Um, [:

ich is still around, they're [:

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, they asked me to, to share [:

something we have to be out [:

o: So speaking of community, [:

e that We're getting closer. [:

arriers of shame and stigma, [:

, you know, there's a lot of [:

happen to them, because they [:

e pills. It's not the drugs. [:

went away. And the research [:

inda Johnson: But we're very [:

e aware that they could seek [:

Linda Johnson: So I [:

get better? Right? They're, [:

g rock bottom, there comes a [:

as gonna get better that Joe [:

essages to them is that they [:

en, um, very, not toxic, but [:

[:

Linda Johnson: Um, and I have to take a look at me and change me because I can't change Joe.

lasco: So, on the flip side, [:

wonderful recovery stories. [:

Linda Johnson: And they went [:

rom losing someone, and then [:

Linda Johnson: Um, [:

have it at the big stage at [:

ay. And people gather and we [:

: And then they also allowed [:

hours of time where [:

Johnson: We say recovery is [:

d the community so much. So, [:

James Blasco: [:

that Your story is going to [:

nprofit. Just go ask another [:

ives. And if I don't give it [:

about, they need some help, [:

r you. And you can probably, [:

son's journey for about four [:

next week and I didn't want [:

Linda Johnson: Will get better when you get better.

ns of grace, uh and strength [:

he show. We have more Really [:

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About the Podcast

Charge Forward Coaching
What if the key to unlocking your athletic potential wasn’t just about improving your skills, but strengthening your mind? At Charge Forward Coaching, we believe that mental toughness is the secret weapon every elite athlete needs to excel. In this podcast, we explore how athletes can develop the focus, resilience, and mindset necessary to perform at their best, whether you're a high school athlete facing intense competition or a college athlete aiming for the next level.

We explore essential topics such as mental resilience, providing techniques for overcoming self-doubt and building mental endurance. We also tackle performance anxiety, offering strategies to manage stress and stay focused under pressure. Throughout the show, we focus on mindset mastery, sharing tools to stay motivated, handle setbacks, and maintain peak performance. James Blasco offers expert advice on cultivating a champion's mindset for long-term success, helping athletes gain the mental clarity needed to perform at their highest level.

With expert guidance from James Blasco, each episode empowers athletes with actionable strategies they can apply immediately, enabling them to sharpen their focus, handle adversity, and perform under pressure. James’s coaching approach fosters a supportive and empowering environment, where athletes are encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and unlock their full potential. In the world of elite sports, success goes far beyond physical ability—it’s about mastering the mental challenges that arise during competition and ensuring they are prepared to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

In addition to James’s insights, each episode features interviews with top athletes, coaches, and mental performance experts. These guests share their own stories, experiences, and strategies for achieving success in highly competitive environments. Through these conversations, listeners will gain diverse perspectives on how mental toughness plays a pivotal role in their journeys to excellence. Whether it’s learning from a former professional athlete about overcoming personal obstacles, or hearing a coach’s tips for developing a high-performance team mindset, these interviews will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
Join us on this journey to improve your concentration, boost your confidence, and develop the mindset necessary to reach new heights in your athletic career. Start listening today and begin charging forward toward your goals with mental clarity and strength.

About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Having received coaching and mentoring throughout his personal and professional life, James recognizes the profound impact of genuine, constructive, and meaningful guidance. He understands the passion required to pursue a goal, as well as the challenges of doubt, fear, and the need for perseverance. James’s coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and results, focusing on helping clients uncover their goals, develop actionable plans, and persist through obstacles.

Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching

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