Recovery is not just about quitting something. It is about rebuilding your life, understanding your habits, and finding the courage to face the reasons behind them.In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich and co-host Wendy Beck sit down with Derek Diem, who shares his honest journey through addiction recovery, gambling, food struggles, weight loss, heartbreak, and learning how to love himself again. Derek got clean on July 25, 2014, after beginning his recovery journey in San Diego, and today he uses what he has learned through the 12-step program, fitness, and personal growth to help others understand that change is possible.Takeaways from this episode: Why recovery is a lifestyle, not a one-time decision  How food, gambling, and other behaviors can become replacements for addiction  Why understanding the “why” behind habits matters  How the gym helped Derek through anxiety, depression, and heartbreak  Why love, support, and honesty can help people come back to life Mentioned in this episode: Freedom Federal Credit Union Studios, American Addiction Centers, Dream Excel, Repurposed Rising, GLP-1 coaching, and ChatGPT.Subscribe to Conversations with Rich Bennett, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that they are not alone.Send us Fan MailSupport the showRate & Review on Apple Podcasts Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennettTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTokSponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Hosted on BuzzsproutSquadCastSubscribe by Email