There is no “tomorrow.”You never wake up there. You only ever wake up here.In this solo episode of Unwritten Chapters, I talk honestly about what it means to live in the now when you’ve got a brain full of flashbacks, burnout, and worst-case scenarios. As a former army medic and paramedic turned author in recovery, I’m not preaching “good vibes only.” I’m talking about trying to stay present when your nervous system is cooked and you’re still waiting for the other shoe to drop.If you’re a nurse, medic, frontline worker, partner of a veteran, or someone in or around recovery who is exhausted, trauma-literate, and allergic to bullshit, this is for you.In this episode, we get into:Why “tomorrow” is the lie your brain keeps selling youHow trauma, anxiety, and addiction keep us anywhere but hereThe quiet grief of feeling like life is always on holdPractical, imperfect ways to come back to right nowGiving yourself permission to want more than just survivingThis isn’t self-help sparkle. It’s one guy who’s been to rock bottom, still trying to make sense of life after trauma, addiction, and hitting the wall at high speed.If you connect with dark humour, honest storytelling, and real talk about PTSD, mental health, and recovery, pull up a chair. You’re not the only one trying to figure out how to actually live the one day you’ve got.🎧 New to the channel?Subscribe for more solo episodes on trauma, addiction recovery, first responder mental health, and life after rock bottom.#trauma #mentalhealth #addictionrecovery #veteran #paramedic #firstresponders #livinginthenow #ptsdWelcome — I’m Matthew Heneghan: Canadian veteran, former paramedic, addiction survivor and storyteller. After 17 years on the front lines — in the Forces and EMS — I now write, podcast and share stories of trauma, recovery and what comes after the worst of it.📚 My BooksA Medic’s Mind – Memoir of military medic → paramedic, trauma, loss and reinvention. Amazon: https://a.co/d/fbYbp7xTrauma and Tea: Essays on Trauma, Recovery and Growing Up the Hard Way – A collection of raw essays about hitting rock bottom, healing and telling the truth. Amazon: https://a.co/d/9GnaoDV🌐 Visit my website for more: www.authormheneghan.com Author Matthew Heneghan🎙️ Host of the podcast Unwritten Chapters – Life After Trauma (for veterans, first responders, survivors of addiction and anyone rewriting the next chapter). Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC?si=N66NaCV_RGWcOrJz9HR-nALINKS & RESOURCES– Buy my books: authormheneghan.com/buy-the-book Author Matthew Heneghan– Follow on IG / Twitter / Facebook – @matthewhenehgan_author– Drop a comment, hit Subscribe, ring the 🔔 — let’s build a community of truth-telllers, healers and story-keepers.WHAT YOU’LL FIND ON THIS CHANNEL– Talking-head reflections on trauma, mental-health work, addiction recovery– Behind-the-scenes of EMS & veteran life — what they don’t teach you in training– Practical tips to cope, heal and build resilience from the rawest possible vantage– Author & podcast updates, plus live discussions about writing your next chapterThanks for being here. Whether you’ve worn a uniform, watched someone struggle, or are simply trying to make peace with your past — you’re not alone. Let’s walk it out together.

In this video, you get to watch self growth in real time.I hit play on old episodes of my podcast, Unwritten Chapters, and react to past-me talking about mental health, addiction, trauma, recovery, and life. As a veteran, former addict, and solo podcaster, I break down what’s changed — in my storytelling, my headspace, and my healing.We dig into:How I used to talk about trauma, PTSD, and pain vs. nowThe messy truth of addiction recovery and staying sober long-termSubtle signs of personal growth you only see when you look backWhat I’d tell that earlier version of myself todayHow the podcast evolved from chaotic rambling to honest, grounded conversationsIf you’re somewhere on your own mental health or healing journey — stuck between who you were and who you’re trying to become — I hope this helps you see that growth is allowed to be awkward, imperfect, and in-progress.🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST – UNWRITTEN CHAPTERSSolo episodes on mental health, addiction, recovery, and writing through the hard stuff.👍 If this resonates:Hit Like to help more people find thisSubscribe for more “podcaster reacts,” recovery stories, and real talkComment below: What’s one way you’ve grown that old-you wouldn’t believe?Welcome — I’m Matthew Heneghan: Canadian veteran, former paramedic, addiction survivor and storyteller. After 17 years on the front lines — in the Forces and EMS — I now write, podcast and share stories of trauma, recovery and what comes after the worst of it.📚 My BooksA Medic’s Mind – Memoir of military medic → paramedic, trauma, loss and reinvention. Amazon: https://a.co/d/fbYbp7xTrauma and Tea: Essays on Trauma, Recovery and Growing Up the Hard Way – A collection of raw essays about hitting rock bottom, healing and telling the truth. Amazon: https://a.co/d/9GnaoDV🌐 Visit my website for more: www.authormheneghan.com Author Matthew Heneghan🎙️ Host of the podcast Unwritten Chapters – Life After Trauma (for veterans, first responders, survivors of addiction and anyone rewriting the next chapter). Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hmuMofDnEkc8Ec9MqGHmC?si=N66NaCV_RGWcOrJz9HR-nALINKS & RESOURCES– Buy my books: authormheneghan.com/buy-the-book Author Matthew Heneghan– Follow on IG / Twitter / Facebook – @matthewhenehgan_author– Drop a comment, hit Subscribe, ring the 🔔 — let’s build a community of truth-telllers, healers and story-keepers.WHAT YOU’LL FIND ON THIS CHANNEL– Talking-head reflections on trauma, mental-health work, addiction recovery– Behind-the-scenes of EMS & veteran life — what they don’t teach you in training– Practical tips to cope, heal and build resilience from the rawest possible vantage– Author & podcast updates, plus live discussions about writing your next chapterThanks for being here. Whether you’ve worn a uniform, watched someone struggle, or are simply trying to make peace with your past — you’re not alone. Let’s walk it out together.

In this episode of Unwritten Chapters, I talk openly about my experience as an alcoholic and why I no longer see rock bottom as a single, dramatic crash — but as a checkpoint on the way down. I share parts of my own story with alcohol addiction, the moments I thought were “the bottom,” and how life kept showing me there was always a deeper low if I didn’t change.

We explore questions like:

• What does rock bottom really look like in alcoholism?

• Why is rock bottom different for everyone struggling with addiction?

• How do you know when it’s time to ask for help?

• Can you start recovery before you completely lose everything?

If you’re wondering, “Have I hit rock bottom?” or you’re scared of where your drinking is heading, this episode is for you. I talk about shame, relapse, denial, trauma, sobriety, and the small decisions that slowly move you back toward level ground. Rock bottom doesn’t have to be the end of your story — it can be the place you decide to fight for a different one.

Whether you’re in early recovery, still in active addiction, love someone who’s struggling, or are just trying to understand mental health and substance use, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

🔔 Subscribe for more real talks on trauma, addiction, recovery, and rebuilding life after the fall.
👍 If this episode resonates, please like, share, or leave a comment about your own journey with rock bottom or alcoholism.

#Alcoholism #RockBottom #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #MentalHealth #Trauma #RecoveryJourney #UnwrittenChapters