I have been sexually sober for a week now which is the longest for me in a very long time and I owe this to my joining this program and feeling more accountable and supported. I know it’s still very early in my recovery and I’m still having a lot of urges but it feels good. I have also noticed that have been more productive because I am not wasting all the time I had been in acting out. Thanks for being there.

Hi Tayla and Russell,

I have had a few weeks now to think about the impact that the program had on me. My appreciation for it only grows with even this short time away.

When I joined, like most guys, my marriage was in crisis, and continued to be in crisis during the first few weeks. I don't know where I would have gone for help and support if I didn't have that group of guys and Russell and Greg to lean on, plus a curriculum that helped me see what I had done to my wife. This was basic life support for me.

But in chaos, you need direction, and the curriculum gave that to me. I had something to do. The whole program is about recovery and healing while never minimizing the consequences of our actions. Most importantly, I learned the vital difference between shame and guilt, and it got reinforced many times.

This program gave me my first baby steps to feeling and expressing empathy for my wife, which is necessary for her healing. I learned how to have check-ins with her. We are doing FANOS regularly now and she feels it helps a lot, the structure is beneficial to a real talk, and gives her the freedom to talk about how she feels.

Self-awareness is so powerful. I understand myself so much better now, I see threads in my life going all the way back to my childhood. This is thanks to the curriculum and the work and thinking I did. The CSAT I am working with says I am way ahead of guys he usually sees because of this work, he is impressed. I understand the root cause of my addiction, and instead of feeling not good enough in most any situation in life, that core lie has been replaced with being at peace with who I am. More and more I feel that in settings and situations where in the past that "not good enough" would have sprouted more problems. I am not at peace with what I have done - that is something I will never feel. But this program has made a new life possible for me. I am embracing the joy of integrity and simplicity.

My marriage has a long way to go. And I do too. But I also know that is the reality for what I have done and I feel there is a better day ahead, while understanding it's a rollercoaster, and knowing I can handle it.

Russell has set up such an important program and the guys in the group are equally helpful in supporting and understanding the struggles of getting sober. This addiction is done in solitude. But the recovery is done with a group of brothers.

Wishing you, Russell and Greg some very happy holidays and all the best in the New Year!

I can look back at when I started this program compared to now and really see a different person.

Hi all, I have been in this program for almost three months, and what has been great is it’s given me structure during a chaotic time in early disclosure. I needed something to retreat to from a series of tough conversations with my wife, and needed to show her that I was trying to become a better man. At the same time, this program is more than fair to partners, it really keeps reminding us addicts to see things from their window. When things get tough you have brothers here to support you. And my wife has seen my morning routine and how every day I start with a reminder of how I hurt her, it impressed her.

I am starting to find spontaneous empathy for my wife, and instead of thinking about it I express it. So far it always is a positive in some way. 9 weeks sober

Gentlemen, I have just completed my work in the 12-week course! I feel like a different man than I did in August when I joined, and while my wife and her therapist both think this is very intense, I cannot imagine doing it another way. When someone's heart stops you don't ease it back into working. You jump start that sucker. I feel like this stopped me falling, and gave me new insights on myself that I can build on the rest of my life.

Hello, Russell,

I hope you're doing well. Below is the testimony that I promised you. Thanks for all your help.

"Russell's program has given me a solid foundation on which to build a better life for myself. His program provided the tools and insight I needed to begin living my life free from my self-destructive, addictive behaviors.

I usually come to you guys with my difficulties or support for your stuff, but today I just want to say I’m having a great day today! I’ve had no urges yesterday or today so far, and I’ve treated a lot of patients in my clinic and I had a really good time doing it. The sun is shining and now I’m at my other job and my old friend, who I have missed, has come back to the area and is going to work here again, and I’m so excited to see her!

Hey guys. I’ve been in the program for about 13 weeks now and I just wanna exemplify my progress. I never stopped doing yoga (despite obvious urge possible) so that I could work through it. I just finished a class I’d never been to with probably 20 young women. 4 or 5 months ago I would have walked into that studio and started buzzing and heading down the path of building mental imagery. But today I walked in and saw 20+ humans all with their own struggles and levels of happiness. It’s just nice to feel my brain getting better. Keep doing the hard work my friends!

Hi all. Checking in after a great day together with my wife at 6 flags. Handled temptations to look, etc extremely well, and am proud of my choices and connection today. Sleep well everyone.

Hey Russell! Just wanted to reach out and say that yesterday marked 1 year sober for me. I'm appreciative of the program and what it has done for me. Even though I had some decent sobriety before the program, it definitely helped me to continue to uncover my 'sober problem' so that I'm in such a better place now and feel really good about myself even though things with my wife are still not good at all. So thank you!

Above all, I am celebrating 214 days of sobriety today by the grace of my higher power. I would not be here without this program and I am incredibly grateful for that.