Ben Brown has seven years of sobriety and one of the most layered stories we’ve had on the show. Born in Brooklyn and raised between two completely opposite households, he grew up never feeling like he belonged — and found that the things that finally got him acceptance, weed at 14, then alcohol, cocaine, and above all sex, became the very things that ran his life for the next two decades. He’s remarkably honest about all of it: the performance anxiety, the womanizing, the BDSM, the love-addict/love-avoidant cycle, and the double life he lived while appearing to have it all together as a New York real estate agent.
Ben also opens up about the wreckage underneath — a chaotic childhood, his father’s long struggle with mental health, and the heartbreak that finally cracked him open. He walks through the string of “God moments” that led him into recovery, the hardcore sponsor who put him through a full year of withdrawal, the 500 days he went without sex as he rebuilt himself from the ground up, and how he finally learned what real intimacy and love actually look like. Today he channels all of it into helping other men through his coaching and his podcast, The Shift.
Sponsored by Caron Treatment Centers
My recovery journey began at Caron Treatment Centers, and the care I received there changed the course of my life. That's why I'm proud to partner with Caron.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, Caron has been helping individuals and families find hope and lasting recovery for nearly 70 years. They are in-network with all major insurance providers, and same-day admission is available.
➡️ Learn more: https://www.caron.org/lp/rise-above
📞 Call Caron today: 855-352-0103
Recovery starts with taking the first step.
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