Randal Maurer: Threat Unseen

Randal Maurer: Threat Unseen

From 37 Years in the Army to a Bio-Thriller: Randal Maurer on Threat Unseen, Purpose, and Veteran Advocacy | Rock Bottom with RyanIn this episode of Rock Bottom with Ryan, Ryan interviews Randal Maurer, author of the biological thriller Threat Unseen, focusing on how Randal’s 37-year Army career and plant biology background shaped his writing. Randal shares growing up in rural Wisconsin, joining the Army at 17, early independence overseas in Germany, years split between active duty and the reserves, and retiring in June 2023 before selling most of his belongings to travel full-time by camper with his wife. He explains the novel’s premise: how real plant and fungal research, including genetic manipulation, could be used for good or catastrophic crop die-offs if exploited. Randal discusses his transition struggles, PTSD treatment experiences, and his mission to encourage veterans to seek help and watch for those silently struggling. He also previews a potential sequel inspired by travels in Germany and Spain.00:00 Teen to Germany01:00 Helping Fellow Veterans01:26 Show and Sponsor Intro02:58 Meet Randal Maurer05:43 Roots and Family Values08:13 Joining at Seventeen10:25 Early Army Adjustments12:06 Reserve to Active Duty14:11 Threat Unseen Origins19:32 Science Behind the Thriller23:18 Military Shaping the Hero25:07 Drafts and Leadership Lens28:21 Researching Realism29:45 Writing With Restraint30:30 Could Threats Be Real31:43 AI And Creativity33:37 Dream Movie Casting34:57 Reading Influences36:55 Military PTSD Journey42:29 Veteran Advocacy Mission44:18 Next Novel Tease46:01 Message And Five Years48:00 Rock Bottom Lessons51:05 Advice And Wrap Up

Dark Days to Bright Futures: Richard from Ark Rehab House

From Cocaine Rock Bottom to Recovery: Richard’s Story & Inside Ark House Rehab | Rock Bottom with RyanRichard, from Scarborough in North Yorkshire, shares how early alcohol use and a pressured upbringing led to a long, escalating cocaine addiction that progressed from social use to daily dependence, car-park and hotel binges, job loss, debt, and an attempted suicide plan. A WhatsApp message from his 11-year-old son prompted him to admit he was an addict and seek help, leading to treatment at Ark House on 5/4/2020. He describes surrendering, recognizing he was also alcoholic, finding a higher power in the sea, and using 12-step work and counseling to face trauma and stop using. Richard explains Ark House’s structured, abstinence-based program, confidentiality, phone restrictions, assessments, co-ed capacity, aftercare via Zoom, and staff with lived experience. He now works there, helps others access detox and treatment, and advises listeners to reach out, attend meetings, get a sponsor, and do daily recovery work.00:00 Coke Car Park Spiral01:28 Podcast Intro Sponsor02:57 Meet Richard Sober Date04:05 Childhood Pressure Abuse06:31 Alcohol Early Coping08:35 Forced Bank Career11:03 First Cocaine Hit13:04 Addiction Takes Over15:47 IVF Losses Debt Jobs18:18 Rock Bottom Suicide Plan19:41 Confession Rehab Call21:13 Surrender Ark House23:09 Choosing Ark House Intake24:27 Tough Love Breakthrough25:15 Step Three Surrender26:17 Owning The Problem27:42 Last Use Realization29:25 Why Arkhouse Works31:30 Structure And Confidentiality33:59 First Month Challenges35:34 Helping Resistant Clients38:34 Choosing Recovery Yourself40:47 From Alumni To Staff44:56 Daily Recovery Routine45:50 Reach Out For Help47:15 Closing Thanks And Signoff

Sharina: From Self Destruction to Service

From Military Brat to Building Arcana Recovery: PTSD, Substance Use, and a Tech Solution for Treatment Engagement | Rock Bottom with Ryan Sharina joins Rock Bottom with Ryan and co-host Rachel to share her background as a military brat who moved frequently, navigated learning disabilities, and later joined the military at 17, including deployment to Iraq. She describes early substance use beginning in childhood, heavy partying as a club promoter, and how PTSD, anxiety, and depression contributed to dependence and losing her house, car, and stability. After a DUI and dual-diagnosis inpatient treatment, she experienced a shift through journaling and reframing, but struggled with discharge planning and relapse risk without housing or job security. Sharina explains how these gaps inspired Arcana Recovery, a platform that tracks recovery engagement and alerts support teams, and discusses expanding into licensed outpatient services for professionals, veterans, and returning citizens while emphasizing safe spaces and avoiding isolation.00:00 School Gaps and Catching Up01:16 Podcast Intro and Sponsor02:45 Meet Sharina and Recovery Views05:06 Military Brat Childhood07:14 Joining the Military at 1708:13 Moving Around and Relationships10:43 Learning Disability and Sports14:37 Early Substance Use Begins17:31 Post Iraq and Therapy Clash19:06 Club Promoter Party Life19:50 Purpose Crisis and Depression23:23 Community Center Full Circle26:43 DUI and Dual Diagnosis Program28:05 CBT Breakthrough29:20 Treatment Feels Safe29:44 Discharged Without Stability30:43 Relapse After Rehab31:57 Bargaining for a Job33:29 Building Business Ideas34:41 AI Therapy Pivot36:02 Arcana Recovery Explained37:20 Serving High Achievers39:44 Referrals and Screening42:02 Success Still Feels Empty44:49 Hosts Reflect on Sobriety50:11 Anxiety and Exposure53:10 Advice Find Safe Space55:04 Quote and Closing

Michael: Healing Beyond Abstinence

Michael’s Rock Bottom: Tequila, Rehab, AA, and Finding Sobriety Through Ibogaine & IbogaOn Rock Bottom with Ryan, Michael shares how his tequila drinking progressively worsened—especially during COVID—despite being a high-functioning husband, father of three, and long-time tech sales professional. With a family history of alcoholism and mounting anxiety and physical discomfort, he struggled to stop despite repeated attempts, including AA, psilocybin, and “California sober,” and eventually completed a 30-day rehab stay. After relapsing, he pursued ibogaine treatment in Mexico, which eliminated his alcohol cravings but initially didn’t last; a second ibogaine treatment on August 30, 2025 became his sober date. He then completed a seven-day iboga retreat, reporting broader lifestyle changes like improved diet, hiking, weight loss, reduced sugar cravings, and a stronger spiritual connection, while continuing AA for community and emphasizing integration work.00:00 Vacation Drinking Spiral00:56 Rock Bottom Intro01:25 Sponsor Sober Strong02:36 Meet Michael Sober Date04:09 Family History Early Signs06:18 First Drinks High School07:31 Work Travel COVID Escalation09:39 Hiding Bottles Red Flags10:48 Health Anxiety Rock Bottom15:45 Rehab AA Relapse Cycle18:35 Ibogaine Discovery Reset22:19 Iboga Retreat Transformation23:21 What Ibogaine Feels Like26:11 Bwiti Tradition Spiritual Shift27:30 Palapa Night Ceremony28:10 Iboga Retreat Breakthroughs28:34 Integration After The Reset30:32 Costs Rehab Versus Iboga31:42 AA Bridge And Pushback39:53 Risks Misconceptions Safety41:26 Clinics Demand And Big Pharma44:16 Daily Routine Wellness Tools48:59 Closing Quote And Advice

AJ: Built To Last - A Tradesman's Journey to Sobriety

AJ’s Rock Bottom: Opioid Addiction, Intervention, Rehab, and Recovery Through Fitness | Rock Bottom with Ryan On Rock Bottom with Ryan, guest AJ shares how a high-achieving, sports-focused upbringing and heavy partying in early adulthood eventually gave way to opioid addiction after multiple surgeries beginning in 2018. Prescribed Percocets, he quickly escalated to taking far beyond the recommended dose, buying pills illegally, hiding his use while functioning at work and home, and spending $500–$600 a day at his worst. After lying to his wife, attempting Suboxone and meetings, relapsing, and traveling with pills, AJ’s family staged an intervention that led him to rehab through his union. Following early stumbles after treatment, he committed to sobriety on October 12, 2024 and has not used opioids since, tapering Suboxone and rebuilding trust while coaching others using fitness, nutrition, mindset, and accountability. 00:00 Addiction Costs Spiral00:45 Family Intervention Setup01:13 Show Intro Sponsor03:01 Meet AJ Sober Basics04:42 Childhood Pressure Sports06:38 First Drinks Weed08:12 Chameleon Teen Years09:13 College Party Crash12:32 Surgeries Start Opioids14:45 Tolerance Street Supply16:28 Hidden Functional Addiction19:27 Withdrawal Risks Smuggling21:40 Confession Rock Bottom24:02 Seeking Suboxone Help24:09 Suboxone And Meetings24:43 Lying And Relapse25:07 Family Intervention26:06 Choosing Rehab Anyway27:34 Inside Treatment Life29:16 Post Rehab Stumbles31:02 October 12 Sobriety Date32:27 Making Amends Rebuilding Trust33:45 Starting Recovery Coaching35:04 Fitness Food Mindset Blueprint38:44 Tradesmen Opioid Culture40:27 Life Then Versus Now44:36 Program Details And Contact46:23 Advice And Closing