Blake Bates | Overcoming Alcoholism, Finding Love & Life Transformed

In this powerful episode of the Relentless Pursuit Podcast,host Joe Adams sits down with Joey Lankford of Cul2vate to share a story of faith, sacrifice, and service. From building a successful business in Tennessee to leaving it all behind for Africa, Joey’s journey led him to discover his life’s true calling—cultivating food, hope, and second chances for thosebattling addiction, incarceration, and poverty.Hear how adoption, surrender, and stepping into the unknown shaped a mission that now produces hundreds of thousands of pounds of food while transforming lives. This conversation dives deep into purpose, reconciliation, and the relentless pursuit of something bigger than ourselves.👉 Learn more about Cul2vate: https://cul2vate.org🔥 This episode is brought to you by:- Lake & Land Detailing – Keep your vehicle sharp & mission-ready.- True Friends Moving Company – Moving with trust and care in Nashville.If you value authenticity, real stories, and impact—this episode is for you.·      00:00 – Intro & The Power of Nature02:00 – Joey’s Present Mission with Cul2vate 07:30 – Addiction, Healing, and Reconciliation     13:10 – Adoption That Changed Everything     20:30 – Stepping Into the Unknown: Africa     31:00 – Building Farms & Businesses in Cape Town47:00 – Returning to Tennessee & Founding Cul2vate    57:00 – Food, Faith & Purpose in the Face of C*VID  1:12:00 – Stories of Transformation on the Farm1:20:00 – Hope as the Currency of Humanity   1:32:00 – Joey’s Relentless Pursuit#RelentlessPursuit #Cul2vate #Hope #AddictionRecovery#SecondChances #FaithInAction #Purpose #RelentlessAuthenticity #Agriculture#Transformation

Patrick’s journey continues — from bike rides in the rain just to get to work, to nearly dropping out of art school, to mushrooms opening the door to his creative breakthrough. In this episode, he shares how resilience, doubt, and relentless work ethic forged his path into tattooing, building his own shop, and ultimately, creating a life of meaning. We dive into:•           The grind of surviving art school as a true underdog.•           How self-doubt transformed into confidence and respect.•           The leap into tattooing, haunted houses, and finding love.•           Building a tattoo studio against all odds — even through sabotage and setbacks.•           Deep conversations on spirituality, Paganism, Christianity, Nietzsche, and finding your own myth.•           The power of discipline, sobriety, and creating alignment in life.This is more than a story of tattoos — it’s about resilience, redemption, and choosing the storm to forge your own path. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support more authentic storieslike this. 00:00Overcoming Adversity: My Walmart Days01:04Welcome to the Relentless Pursuit Podcast01:44Introducing Patrick Duggan: A Story of Resilience03:34Struggles and Triumphs in Art School07:28The Journey to Becoming a Tattoo Artist10:50Finding Love and Building a Career18:55Starting My Own Tattoo Studio29:11The Importance of Redemption and Change31:38Starting at a New Tattoo Shop32:19Building a Secret Tattoo Shop34:11The Impact of COVID-1934:28The Meaning Behind 'Vamachara'35:33Creating a Unique Tattoo Experience37:50Exploring Spiritual Beliefs50:52The Path of Suffering and Growth58:31Diving into Western Occultism01:06:58Odin's Poetic Justice01:07:59Thor's Last Stand01:08:29Loki and Christ: Parallels of Chaos01:11:01Sobriety and Discipline01:19:31The Journey to Owning a Tattoo Shop01:26:55Creating Your Own Myth01:33:47Outro and Final Thoughts #RelentlessPursuitPodcast#PatrickDuggan #ChaosToCreation #TattooArtist #SobrietyJourney #Resilience#TraumaToTriumph #Authenticity #OvercomingAdversity #RelentlessPursuit#ChaosToCreation #TattooJourney #Resilience #Redemption #Paganism #Nietzsche#LegacyBuilding #LifeLessons #UnderdogStory

From chaos to creation. In this episode of the Relentless Pursuit Podcast, host Joe Adams sits down with Patrick Duggan — a New York tattoo artist whose story is nothing short of extraordinary.Patrick opens up about a childhood marked by chaos, family turmoil, and homelessness — and how he transformed that pain into purpose through art, resilience, and relentless pursuit. From living out of his car to building a successful tattoo career and mentoring others, Patrick’s story is proof that even in the darkest places, creation is possible.Whether you’re chasing your own dream, fighting through adversity, or looking for inspiration to keep going — this conversation will hit home.🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations that remind us what’s real.00:00 Childhood Trauma and Resilience00:22 The Importance of Self-Awareness00:36 Overcoming Homelessness00:49 Fresh Coat Surfaces Ad01:50 Podcast Introduction02:38 Guest Introduction: Patrick Dugan04:32 Patrick's Current Life and Upcoming Wedding06:42 Bachelor Party Plans08:22 Tattoo Apprenticeship and Ultra Marathon10:00 Ironman Aspirations12:33 Leadership and Business Journey15:12 The Power of Names17:19 Instagram Ban and Social Media Challenges24:45 Positive Messaging and Connection26:49 The Influence of 'Start with Why'27:08 Patrick's Early Life and Family Background27:57 Growing Up in Long Island29:07 Musical Influences and Family Dynamics33:33 Childhood Challenges and Resilience38:32 The Impact of Family Trauma46:36 Finding Purpose Through Music and Sobriety57:05 A Teenage Romance and Early Struggles59:24 A Dark Night and a Desperate Act01:00:14 Early Encounters with Substance Abuse01:03:30 A New Path: Discovering Tattoo Artistry01:06:51 Homelessness and Pursuing Art School01:17:03 Life in New York City01:20:06 A Toxic Family Environment01:25:47 A Slumlord's Downfall01:29:06 Conclusion and Reflections#RelentlessPursuitPodcast #PatrickDuggan #ChaosToCreation #TattooArtist#SobrietyJourney #Resilience #TraumaToTriumph #Authenticity#OvercomingAdversity #RelentlessPursuit

In this powerful episode of The Relentless PursuitPodcast , host Joe Adams sits down with Brooke Moore to explore her incredible journey from a traumatic childhood and severe addiction to becoming a strong, independent mother and successful UPS driver. Brooke shares intimate details about her past, including a devastating vehicle accident, the profound impact of her father's overdose, and her struggle with prescription opiates. She talks about her fight to get her life back on track, entering a rehab program, and her relentless pursuit of happiness and self-love.This raw and inspirational conversation will resonate with anyone who's ever faced adversity, especially those battling addiction. Don't miss Brooke's heartfelt story of transformation and resilience.👉 Subscribe for more authentic conversations about resilience, growth, and purpose.00:00 A Life-Changing Accident00:20 The Prescription Era00:34 A Father's Overdose00:52 Fresh Coat Surfaces Ad01:55 Welcome to the Relentless Pursuit Podcast02:36 Introducing Brooke Moore04:11 Brooke's Daily Life05:36 Brooke's Childhood Memories10:20 Living with Grandmother12:45 Reuniting with Mom35:06 Struggles with Addiction40:09 A Father's Love and Loss46:38 Bartending and Addiction47:58 Losing Custody50:52 Struggles and Resilience51:40 Battling Addiction53:03 Reconnecting with Family57:09 Turning Points and Recovery01:05:45 Life After Addiction01:15:03 Healing and Moving Forward01:24:42 Final Thoughts and Advice#AddictionRecovery #OvercomingAddiction #RelentlessPursuit#BrookeMoore #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #Sobriety#PodcastInterview #TraumaRecovery #Resilience

The War Within — the battle most service members face but rarely talk about.In this episode of The Relentless Pursuit Podcast, Joe Adams sits down with Jonathon Schleicher — Military Family Readiness Specialist and Captain in the Tennessee National Guard — for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about mental health in the military. Jonathon shares his journey from aspiring cadet to outspoken mental health advocate, opening up about the stigma that keeps so many soldiers silent. Together, they discuss the devastating impact of suicide in the military community, the importance of breaking down barriers to care, and how leadership and family support can make all the difference.🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• The realities of military mental health• Why open conversations save lives• How stigma prevents soldiers from seeking help• The devastating cost of silence• Jonathon’s mission as a mental health advocateThis isn’t just a podcast — it’s a call to action. Let’s break thesilence, shatter the stigma, and support those fighting the war within.📌 Subscribe for more episodes on mental health, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of purpose.Timestamps:00:00 The Silence That Kills00:03 The Reality of Veteran Suicide00:21 The Importance of Mental Health01:19 Introduction to the Podcast02:04 Meet Jonathon Schleicher02:48 The Power of Authenticity03:55 The Role of a Military Family Readiness Specialist05:50 Personal Struggles and Professional Dedication13:56 The Journey to Joining the Military20:11 Overcoming Physical and Mental Challenges29:58 The Impact of Suicide in the Military39:43 Supporting Service Members Holistically45:57 Understanding Your Team Beyond Skills46:30 Financial Advice and Personal Struggles48:19 Addressing Stigma and Mental Health49:57 Suicide Prevention Training51:55 Generational and Cultural Shifts01:14:35 Personal Growth and Communication01:24:32 Final Thoughts and Relentless Pursuit #MentalHealth #Military #Veterans #MentalHealthAwareness#TheRelentlessPursuitPodcast

From the chaos of self-destruction to the healing power of music and love, Jake Arch’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and relentless pursuit of purpose.In this episode, Jake opens up about his journey through the darkest seasons of life, the power of fatherhood to reshape his path, and how music became both his therapy and his legacy. We dive into energy healing, vulnerability, and the fight to build something lasting in a world that often wants you to fail.This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about growth, forgiveness, and choosing a higher path.Hit play, and don’t forget to subscribe — these are the conversations that can change lives.00:00 The Importance of Trustworthy Roofing00:58 Welcome to the Relentless Pursuit Podcast01:41 Meet Jake: A Journey of Happiness and Music04:12 Jake's Musical Evolution and Career07:56 Childhood and Early Influences16:23 Teaching Music Therapy and Making an Impact26:52 Adventures in Australia and Beyond31:22 Record Deal and Moving to Nashville32:03 Struggles with Authenticity in Music33:30 Health Scare in Indianapolis42:43 Continuing the Party Lifestyle46:34 Life-Changing Loss of a Friend53:23 Turning Point: Finding Love and Healing55:50 Embracing Energy Healing and Positivity01:04:56 Manifesting a New Path in Music01:08:05 A Life-Saving Moment01:08:38 Mentorship and Musical Projects01:10:14 First Big Break in Film Scoring01:11:37 The Journey to Scoring 'Zero Limits'01:29:15 The Impact of Fatherhood01:36:52 Relentless Pursuit and Final Thoughts#Redemption #HealingThroughMusic #FatherhoodJourney #RelentlessPursuitPodcast #JakeArch #Vulnerability #Resilience #PodcastConversation #GrowthMindset #PurposeDrivenLife #Authenticity

From rock bottom to rebuilding his life, Blake — owner of Tennessee Massage Collective — shares his raw and inspiring journey. In this heartfelt conversation with host Joe Adams, Blake opens up about battling alcoholism, navigating family challenges, and the life-changing moment that sparked his transformation. He also reveals how meeting his fiancée Krista changed everything, and the role healthy relationships play in lasting growth.This episode dives deep into self-discovery, resilience, and entrepreneurship after recovery. Whether you’re facing your own struggles or supporting someone you love, Blake’s story is proof that it’s never too late to reclaim your life.00:00 – Trust, reputation, and why the right partners matter01:03 – Blake joins the show after years in the making02:59 – Life as a business owner and the personal battles behind it07:54 – Growing up: family dynamics that shaped the journey20:09 – Why the mission behind the podcast matters21:21 – Blake’s first steps toward sobriety42:52 – Hitting rock bottom: the turning point44:35 – Facing the consequences head-on46:27 – A moment of clarity changes everything47:13 – The uncle who stepped in and wouldn’t give up51:47 – Failing forward: lessons from setbacks53:18 – The Thanksgiving realization that sparked change57:20 – The power of self-reflection and ownership01:08:51 – Channeling anger into something productive01:24:13 – How to put relationships first without losing yourself01:32:14 – Breaking down defensiveness in communication01:33:57 – How childhood experiences affect adult relationships01:34:30 – The truth about “happy wife, happy life”01:35:02 – Facing criticism and learning to grow from it01:35:38 – What entrepreneurship really looks like after recovery01:36:31 – Boundaries as a tool for survival and success01:37:10 – Adversity as the ultimate teacher01:37:50 – Falling in love when you least expect it01:42:42 – Navigating difficult business relationships01:46:53 – Reflections on how far he’s come01:48:35 – Why genuine connections matter most02:02:45 – Final takeaways for anyone on their own journey#SobrietyJourney #OvercomingAddiction #AlcoholRecovery #LifeAfterAddiction #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #FindingLove #Resilience #RecoveryStory #LifeTransformation #SelfDiscovery #PodcastInterview #InspiringStories

In this episode of the Relentless Pursuit Podcast, host Joe Adams sits down with Jesse Stillwagon to explore the raw, misunderstood, and powerful journey of Germanic Heathenry, ancestral wisdom, and deep emotional healing.From discovering Norse Paganism and wrestling with childhood trauma, to embracing nature, plant medicine, and spiritual truth—Jesse’s path is both vulnerable and inspiring.Tune in for a deep conversation on: • Spiritual awakening through darkness • What it truly means to be Heathen in today’s world • The fire of tradition, not the worship of ashes • Healing trauma through ancient wisdom, not doctrine👇 Drop a comment below, subscribe for more realness, and remember: this isn’t just a podcast—it’s a life’s work.🔗 Follow Jesse Stillwagon📣 Support the mission: relentlesspursuitlifestyle.com🎙️ Full episodes on Spotify, Apple & YouTube00:00:00 - The Seed of Growth: Embracing Darkness 00:00:53 - Introduction to the Relentless Pursuit Podcast 00:02:24 - Meet Jesse Stillwagon: A Journey Begins 00:04:01 - Jesse's Story: From Midgard Musings to Podcasting 00:06:00 - Challenges and Triumphs: Swatting and Perseverance 00:10:36 - Exploring Heathenry and Personal Beliefs 00:14:02 - Family Dynamics and Personal Growth 00:19:56 - A New Life in Tennessee 00:40:20 - Working in the Prison System 00:40:37 - Discovering Norse Mythology 00:41:38 - Struggles with Spirituality 00:43:33 - Embracing Nature and Spiritual Growth 00:51:12 - Introduction to Plant Medicine 00:53:37 - Profound Experiences with Plant Medicine 01:10:56 - Dealing with Loss and Anger 01:21:11 - Facing Inner Demons 01:21:45 - The Power of Vulnerability 01:22:40 - Healing and Self-Discovery 01:24:22 - The Role of Authenticity 01:25:39 - Embracing Transparency 01:27:41 - Confronting Childhood Trauma 01:31:40 - Parental Reflections 01:37:48 - Mentorship and Leadership 01:49:38 - The Importance of Connection 01:59:54 - Pursuit of Peace 02:03:43 - Relentless Pursuit #RelentlessPursuitPodcast #JesseStillwagon #AncestralHealing #NorsePaganism #PlantMedicine #Authenticity #HealingJourney #SpiritualGrowth #EmbraceTheDarkness #JoeAdams

In Episode 155 of the Relentless Pursuit Podcast, Joe Adams sits down with Ken Cheatham, a man whose journey through addiction, loss, and redemption will leave you inspired. From confronting alcoholism and reuniting with a long-lost daughter, to reflecting on decades of faith, family, and personal growth, Ken shares raw wisdom about healing, perseverance, and purpose.This episode is packed with real, unfiltered conversation on recovery, spirituality, fatherhood, legacy, and the importance of helping others—especially when facing life’s darkest moments. Whether you’re in recovery, navigating grief, or seeking deeper meaning, Ken’s story will resonate deeply.Subscribe for more conversations like this—where purpose, pain, and power collide.00:00 - Introduction: Reflections on Growth01:20 - Meet Ken Cheatham03:30 - Recovery Begins: Alcoholism & Awakening06:55 - Ken’s Family Roots & Childhood17:50 - Reuniting with a Long-Lost Daughter39:20 - Early Preaching, Family Loss & Lessons50:45 - Career Change, Relocation & Struggles56:30 - Addiction, Rock Bottom & Rising Again01:10:30 - How Faith Anchored Recovery01:19:50 - Church, Community & Spiritual Conflict01:22:40 - Ken’s Personal Spiritual Path01:24:20 - Helping Others Heal01:27:30 - Growth Through Pain & Family01:36:50 - Health Battles & Acceptance01:57:25 - Losing His Grandson02:00:30 - Near-Death Encounter & Wisdom Gained02:11:30 - Embracing Pain for Spiritual Growth02:17:05 - Message to the Next Generation02:32:30 - Final Reflections on Life and Legacy#RelentlessPursuitPodcast #RecoveryJourney #FaithAndHealing #KenCheatham #SpiritualGrowth #LegacyAndHealing #AddictionRecovery #Fatherhood #FaithOverFear

In this powerful episode of the Relentless Pursuit Podcast, host Joe Adams sits down with Rachel Hope, a woman who survived the darkness of a New Age cult and found spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ.Rachel shares her raw, unfiltered testimony — from battling depression and manipulation to navigating abuse, spiritual deception, and deep mental health struggles. She opens up about how she was drawn into New Age ideologies,her experiences with mind control, gaslighting, toxic relationships, and the turning point that led her out of bondage and into healing, truth, and purpose.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking truth, wrestling with spiritual questions, or recovering from religious trauma. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the redemptive power offaith.🔔 Subscribe for more real stories, raw conversations, and relentlesstruth.00:00 A Harrowing Experience in Thailand01:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:39 Meet Rachel Hope02:36 Rachel’s Current Life and Reflections04:05 Rachel’s Mission and Spiritual Journey05:09 Rachel’s Childhood and Early Influences09:15 College Years and New Age Exploration14:32 The Quest for Healing and Joining a Cult39:10 The Dark Side of the Cult43:45 Chocolate in My Hair: A Traumatic Experience44:29 Mind Control and Abuse in the Organization46:54 Energy Harvesting and Dark Spirits47:24 Experiences with Psychedelics56:00 Realizing the Mind Control01:00:43 Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance01:18:16 Struggles with Anxiety and Faith01:24:59 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer#SpiritualWarfare #HealingJourney #FaithOverFear #NewAgeToJesus#RachelHope #RelentlessPursuitPodcast