James Deacon is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose music has made waves across South African radio — with chart-topping hits like “Not Givin’ Up” and performances alongside international icons like A-ha. But behind the success is a story of struggle, identity, and transformation.

In this episode, James opens up about who he was before the music — a teenager grappling with insecurity, feeling like an outsider, and turning to alcohol and drugs to cope. He shares what it was like to chase a “badass” image while quietly losing himself, and the powerful moment when he realized he didn’t need substances to feel worthy.

Now 7 years sober, James talks about what helped him take back control of his life, how he found purpose beyond addiction, and why we don’t benefit from numbing ourselves or trying to escape reality. We also explore the role that love, music, and self-awareness played in turning his life around.

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, addiction, or feeling like you don’t belong — this is a must-listen conversation about growth, courage, and what it really means to start over.

Brandon Muir has lived through more than most — losing his father, grandfather, and uncle to suicide, and stepping into the role of “man of the house” before he was even a teenager. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Brandon opens up about his journey through grief, trauma, and healing.

We explore why men often suffer in silence, how childhood wounds shape our adult relationships, and why taking full responsibility for your life can be the first step toward freedom.

From navigating societal pressure to managing expectations and understanding that no one really has it all figured out — this episode is a heartfelt reminder that empathy, vulnerability, and ownership can change everything.

If you’ve ever struggled with loss, identity, or the pressure to “have it all together,” this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Coffee Charged Conversations, I sit down with Greg Risely, the founder of Rise Wellness, to talk about the power of cold therapy and why doing difficult things can change your life.

\We dive into the mental and physical benefits of stepping into discomfort, and how the simple act of getting into an ice bath can help you build consistency, discipline, and a stronger mind.

We cover:

•The mental and physical benefits of cold therapy

•Why doing difficult things daily builds a stronger mindset

•The ideal time and temperature for an ice bath

•How cold exposure helps boost dopamine and combat depression

•Breathing techniques to stay calm in high-stress situation

•Why Greg entered The Comrades Ultramarathon

•Why consistency is key—in cold therapy and in life