Gambling Recovery: Taking Back Your Life

Gambling Recovery – Taking Back Your Life Ep. 5

Welcome to Gambling Recovery, Taking Back Your Life. I’m your host, Jimmy M.
Today, we have a powerful and deeply personal story to share. My guest, Jason S, knows firsthand how gambling can take hold of a person’s life. How what starts as a thrill, a side hustle, or even just a way to pass the time can spiral into something that consumes everything: work, relationships, and even your own well-being.
Jason’s journey began with poker games in high school, escalated through pharmacy school, and continued into his professional life, where his addiction led to sleepless nights, hidden lies, and a desperate search for control.
But Jason’s story also comes with an added layer of complexity. As an Asian American, cultural expectations around success, family honor, and emotional vulnerability made it even harder for him to come forward and ask for help. His path wasn’t just about battling addiction, it was about breaking through cultural barriers of silence and shame.
Today, he’s here to share that journey , the highs, the lows, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Gambling Recovery – Taking Back Your Life Ep. 4

Today’s guest, Aaron Timms, is a freelance journalist from Australia, now living in New York, who has written for The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Guardian, and more.
 
Back in 2021, he wrote a powerful article for The Guardian about the rise of legalized sports betting in the U.S. and the marketing machine behind it . A piece that left a lasting impression on me. I remember thinking at the time: If I ever start a podcast, I want to talk to this guy.
 
In the piece, he also reflects on Australia’s experience, a country that legalized gambling decades ago. He explains how it gradually reshaped social interactions and public life, and draws striking parallels to what’s now unfolding in America.
 
In this episode, we talk about the story behind that article, the cultural shift brought on by legalized betting, and what lessons if any , we might still have time to learn.

Gambling Recovery – Taking Back Your Life Ep. 3

Welcome back to Gambling Recovery, Taking Back Your Life. I'm your host, Jimmy M.
This is where we dive into the real and raw stories of gambling addiction and the journey to recovery.
Today’s guest is someone who spent 25 years living a double life, gambling from the moment he woke up until he went to bed, lying, deceiving, and destroying everything in his path, his marriage, his family, his finances, and, ultimately, himself.
He was an action gambler, a stock market addict, a sports bettor, a blackjack and craps player. Anything to keep the machine going. He lied about where he was, faked car accidents, and even had a second phone and computer just to cover his tracks. And when it all came crashing down, when the reality of losing everything finally hit, he found himself in a dark garage, staring at the ignition, ready to end it all.
But that wasn’t the end of his story.
In this episode, he unveils the raw truth of his descent into gambling addiction and the pivotal moments that led him to reclaim his life. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
This is Martin’s story. Let’s get into it.

Gambling Recovery – Taking Back Your Life Ep. 2

Welcome back to Gambling Recovery, Taking Back Your Life. I’m your host, Jimmy M. This is where we dive into the real and raw stories of gambling addiction and the journey to recovery.
Today, we’re stepping into the life of Bob S., a man whose journey with gambling addiction took him from the thrill of dominoes with his grandparents to a hotel room in Cleveland. A night where he hit his own rock bottom. At 37, with a new promotion in hand and a family waiting back home, Bob found himself drowning in despair, his life unraveled by a decades-long battle with a Gambling disease that started innocently enough but grew into a relentless force. From caddie shack card games to secret credit lines with bookies, Bob’s story is one of chasing wins, hiding losses, and ultimately facing the truth. How did he get there? And more importantly, how did he climb out? This is a tale of highs and lows, deception and discovery, and a powerful reminder that sometimes, the hardest confessions lead to the greatest freedom. Let’s get into it.
 
 

Gambling Recovery – Taking Back Your Life Ep. 1

This is the story of my darkest days of my gambling addiction—a time when my choices weren’t just destroying my life, but my family’s too. I’ll share the raw truth about hitting my own rock bottom, including my three-month stay in county jail, and the journey that led to 13 years of sobriety. How I found hope through hopelessness. But now, it’s not just about my recovery—it’s about helping others fight the same battle I once fought. This is my story of recovery, hope, and humility. I hope my story inspires you to find your own path to taking back your life.