How do you find light when you are surrounded by darkness? For Bill Newgent, the path to spiritual freedom led through the doors of a jail cell.

In this deeply moving episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with author and spiritual guide Bill Newgent to explore his extraordinary journey from a tumultuous childhood and the grip of alcoholism to a profound spiritual awakening.

Bill opens up about the scars of growing up with an unpredictable father, the spiral of addiction that led to his incarceration, and the life-altering moment that changed everything. This isn't just a story about survival; it’s a masterclass on how to transmute your deepest pain into your greatest power.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The Gift of Rock Bottom: How hitting his lowest point in jail became the catalyst for Bill’s spiritual rebirth.
• Healing Father Wounds: Navigating the complex emotions of a volatile childhood and finding the strength to forgive.
• Overcoming Addiction: Real insights on breaking the cycle of alcoholism and finding lasting sobriety.
• The Power of Forgiveness: Why forgiving others (and yourself) is the ultimate key to inner peace.
• Living Authentically: Practical advice on how to drop the mask and live a life aligned with your soul’s purpose.

Whether you are struggling with your own shadows or seeking inspiration to rise above adversity, Bill’s story is a powerful reminder that redemption is always possible.

00:00 A Shocking Start: A Father's Threat

00:21 Disclaimer: Important Medical Information

01:55 Introduction to the Show and Guest

02:37 Bill's Troubled Childhood

16:16 The Quarter Story: A Midnight Adventure

23:07 Alcoholism: A Family Struggle

27:50 A Warning and a Downward Spiral

28:05 A Life-Changing Accident

28:25 Probation Violations and Jail Time

29:15 Surviving Jail and Becoming 'Scribe'

33:02 Realizing the Need for Change

33:20 House Arrest and the Path to Sobriety

34:40 Reflecting on the Accident

36:05 Seeking Forgiveness and Making Amends

39:27 The Journey to Spiritual Awakening

48:50 Guiding Others on Their Spiritual Path

56:07 Connecting with Bill Newgent

Connect with Bill and get his free e-book:

https://unlearningmyself.com/

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

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https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

What does it take to protect the world’s most famous people? And more importantly, how can you use those same skills to protect yourself and your family?

In this powerful episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Dene Josham, a former Royal Marine Commando and elite celebrity bodyguard who has protected A-list stars like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Russell Crowe.

But Dene’s story isn’t just about Hollywood glamour. It’s a raw, "tragedy to triumph" journey that takes you from the pain of childhood bullying to a life-altering accident that nearly ended it all. Dene reveals how he turned his deepest traumas into his greatest strength: the ability to sense danger and protect others.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The "Bodyguard Mindset": How to spot behavioral cues and red flags before danger strikes.
• Celebrity Secrets: What it’s really like inside the inner circle of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
• Child Safety: Practical, non-negotiable tips every parent needs to know to keep their children safe in a complex world.
• Overcoming Trauma: How Dene used his painful past to fuel his elite career—and how you can do the same.
• Situational Awareness: Simple habits (like planning escape routes) that could save your life.

Whether you are a parent worried about your child’s safety, someone healing from past trauma, or just fascinated by the high-stakes world of celebrity protection, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:49 Andrea's Near-Death Experience

01:33 Welcome to Wake Up Your Soul

01:48 Meet Dene Josham: From Celebrity Bodyguard to Protector

02:15 Dene's Journey: From Bullying to the Marines

04:22 The Accident That Changed Everything

07:55 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact

13:03 Parenting and Understanding Children's Emotions

18:12 Protecting High-Profile Children

28:30 Recognizing and Preventing Threats

34:33 Understanding Human Motivation and Psychopathy

37:26 Skills for Self-Protection and Environmental Awareness

38:32 The Role of Intuition and Emotional Awareness

44:44 Empowerment and Boundary Setting

47:34 Real-World Self-Defense and Personal Safety

50:06 Practical Tips for Safety in Public Spaces

59:48 Navigating Risky Situations and Deception

01:04:48 Final Thoughts and Resources

Connect with Dene Josham:
https://www.streetwisedefence.com/

Link to Uber/taxi tips podcast:

https://www.streetwisedefence.com/self-defence-for-women-podcast/uber-taxi-safety-tips-for-women

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

Follow me on Ig:

https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Olympian reveals what happens when the cheering stops?

In this powerful episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Carrie Bates (formerly Carrie Steinseifer), a three-time Gold Medalist swimmer from the 1984 Olympics. Carrie takes us on her raw and remarkable journey from the pinnacle of athletic glory to the depths of alcoholism and the fight to reclaim her life.

For years, Carrie was defined by her sport. But when the career ended, the identity crisis began. Carrie opens up about the dark side of elite athletics, the struggle with post-Olympic depression, and the heartbreaking rock bottom that led to losing legal rights to her children.

This isn't just a sports story—it's a story of survival.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Identity Trap: Navigating the mental health struggles athletes face after retirement.
• Rock Bottom: Carrie’s honest account of addiction, legal battles, and losing custody.
• The Road to Recovery: How she found lasting sobriety and built a life beyond the pool.
• Parenting & Pressure: The vital role of parental support in youth sports.
• Authenticity: Moving from "The Swimmer" to just "Carrie."

Whether you are an athlete, a parent, or someone navigating your own recovery journey, Carrie’s story proves that no matter how far you fall, you can always rise again.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
00:49 Andrea's Story: Finding purpose through pain
01:33 Welcome to Wake Up Your Soul
01:36 Carrie Bates: What happens after the gold medal?
02:16 The "Identity Trap": Why athletes crumble when they retire
05:13 How to separate your self-worth from your performance
05:38 Parenting advice: Supporting young athletes without the pressure
13:12 The hidden dark side of fame and success
21:32 Mental health crisis: The crushing weight of expectation
23:38 Life beyond the medals: Who are you without the sport?
24:52 The isolation of being a public figure
25:31 How media narratives distort reality
26:12 The struggles nobody sees behind Olympic glory
27:42 The journey to sobriety begins
28:24 When celebration turns to coping: The onset of alcoholism
30:10 The harsh reality of life after the Olympics
31:23 How addiction destroys family dynamics and relationships
34:34 The turning point: Finding recovery and a new purpose
41:41 Rock Bottom: Losing custody and the darkest moments
47:35 Embracing self-discovery and finding your true self
50:12 Final thoughts: You can always rebuild

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

Follow me on Ig:

https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr