Standing Up 8 with Burt Schwartz

Summary

Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz

Episode: "Standing Up 8 with Burt Schwartz"
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Tom Schwarzenegger (aka Tom Schwartz)
Guest: Robert "Burt" Schwartz

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Overview:

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Tom Schwartz invites his brother, Robert “Burt” Schwartz, to share the challenging, raw, and ultimately triumphant story of his journey through severe alcoholism, liver failure, and miraculous recovery via a liver transplant. Marking Bert’s two-year "rebirth" anniversary, the brothers candidly explore addiction, stigma, relapse, the healthcare system, the realities of rock bottom, and the relentless hope that carried them through. The episode aims to uplift, educate, and offer solidarity to anyone touched by addiction, while celebrating Burt’s recovery and continued gratitude for life.

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Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Gratitude and Mindset

[00:57 – 08:09]

• Tom opens with heartfelt remarks on celebrating Burt’s second chance at life, noting, “It’s been two years since his brush with death and his miracle liver transplant.”
• Emphasizes how witnessing his brother's struggles gave Tom a “whole new respect [and] compassion for people struggling with addiction.”
• Tom describes addiction as a physical disease, not a moral failing. He breaks down how alcohol hijacks the brain’s dopamine, GABA, and glutamate systems, likening it to an “anxiety monster slowly chasing you throughout the day.”
• Sets a tone of empathy, stressing the importance of removing stigma and acknowledging the biological nature of addiction.

Notable Quotes:

• “It’s not a moral collapse. It’s a disease, and it really messes with your survival instincts.” – Tom [04:05]
• “Recognizing this as a disease helps remove the stigma, and I think it opens the door for more compassion, patience.” – Tom [05:51]

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2. Celebrating Life: The Rooftop Conversation Begins

[07:42 – 10:51]

• Tom and Burt set the scene on a beautiful rooftop in L.A., reflecting on how every day feels like a gift.
• Tom recalls a favorite Marcus Aurelius quote as a tribute to Bert’s presence:
  “When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” [08:10]
• Burt expresses humility and gratitude for his recovery, emphasizing he's “very grateful and humble and grateful.” [08:34]
• The mood is light, joyous, as the brothers poke fun at their habitual phrases and relive Burt’s transformation: “You’re not just surviving, you’re thriving. Papa’s got a brand new bag.” – Tom [09:52]

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3. Addiction as a Slow Descent: Nature, Nurture, and Trauma

[10:51 – 14:12]

• The brothers detail how alcohol dependence unfolds gradually. Burt started as a social drinker, then shifted to heavier use following a traumatic incident—a violent assault that left him hospitalized.
• Tom notes, “Most people stop here... But something happened to you. I think that was a seismic shift.” [13:38]

Notable Moment:
Burt recounts waking up in the hospital after the attack, his injuries (jaw, eye, ear), and how the trauma shifted his relationship to alcohol, leading to self-medication and numbing.

• “That was an awful, dreadful night... But thank God it all healed and I'm doing well.” – Burt [14:24]

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4. The Invisibly Spiraling Routine of Alcoholism

[16:37 – 25:13]

• Burt explains, in raw detail, what life is like during the depths of alcohol addiction:
  • Waking up and immediately drinking to stave off anxiety (“I would always have at least a couple shots ready by my bed for the morning.” – Burt [20:24])
  • Using the bathroom as a ritualistic, private space to consume alcohol, even in public places (“I would go in restaurant bathrooms... take a shot and a beer” [23:14])
  • Barely eating, surviving on vodka, beer, crackers, and cookies.
  • Hiding addiction through mini-bottles, maintaining functionality at work while secretly drinking (“I was a high-functioning alcoholic.” – Burt [25:57])

Notable Moments:

• Burt discusses hiding his addiction, shame, and denial:
  • “Denial was part of that...I was in denial. But, yeah, I would sit in there...carry around mini bottles...like having a safeguard.” – Burt [21:41, 22:07]

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5. Physical and Psychological Consequences

[26:52 – 33:41]

• Tom and Burt discuss the severe effects of withdrawal: shaking, seizures, hallucinations.

• A vivid, chilling account:

  • “I remember... you were having a seizure on the ground, convulsing. That’s what prompted our first intervention.” – Tom [32:50]

• Burt adds horrifying details of vomiting blood, jaundice, physical collapse:

  • “There had been times where it was so bad where I had woken up and throwing up blood... there was plenty of wake up calls, and I actually kept drinking after that.” – Burt [17:42]

• Burt explains the cycle of relapse and his multiple stints in rehab – “Third time was the charm.” [12:17, 33:18]

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6. Near Death: Medical Crisis and Miraculous Survival

[34:32 – 45:28]

• After being told he had “three to six months to live,” Burt details the fight for eligibility for a liver transplant.
• Tom paints a haunting picture of late-stage symptoms: fluid build-up (ascites), severe jaundice, and trips to get liters of fluid drained from Burt's body.
• Burt praises his doctor (“God bless Dr. Baber” – [40:19]) and the Greenville Memorial and Ochsner hospitals for saving his life; Ochsner’s transplant center is highlighted as world-class.
• The emotional ordeal of waiting for a transplant—being called multiple times, incompatibilities, finally, “the third one was a charm.”
• Burt extends gratitude to his unknown donor and their family, honoring their gift of life.
  • "I would like to thank my donor and their family very much." – Burt [43:00]

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7. Recovery, Faith, and Rebuilding

[45:28 – 49:27]

• Post-surgery: new challenges with immune-suppressing medications, medical routines, and adapting to life after transplant.
• Burt describes joy in the simplest activities: walking, running, appreciating music, and being present without craving alcohol.
• Tom emphasizes how he no longer worries about relapse:
  • “I never have to worry about you relapsing anymore. I never have to worry about you when you come to a restaurant or a bar and I know you have full control now.” – Tom [48:07]
• Burt voices a new sense of purpose:
  • “There's a lot of zest... I know I'm meant for, you know, obviously helping others. You know, I've already helped a few of my friends... looking out for anyone that has questions or is having trouble with any of these issues.” [49:06]

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8. Reflections & Closing Thoughts

[49:42 – 51:41]

• Tom reaffirms the importance of hope, support, and seeking help; acknowledges the reality of relapse.
• “Addiction can be scary, but it shouldn’t be shameful… shame is a huge barrier…You are not your addiction. Relapses can and will happen.” – Tom [51:42]
• Burt closes with:
  • “Everyone have a great day and God bless.” [51:32]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Recognizing this as a disease helps remove the stigma, and... opens the door for more compassion, patience.” – Tom [05:51]
• “At the worst of times... I would always have at least a couple shots ready by my bed for the morning.” – Burt [20:24]
• “A medicine that was actually killing me.” – Burt [17:09]
• “I was a high-functioning alcoholic… but then my balance was off and I could tell things were getting worse.” – Burt [25:57]
• “Third time was the charm.” – Burt, on liver transplant [12:22] and rehab [33:18]
• “Your body becomes your own prison.” – Implied throughout Burt’s recounting
• “No, that’s not happening. We began our campaign to get you far too.” – Tom [34:35], on refusing to accept a prognosis of hospice
• “I would like to thank my donor and their family very much.” – Burt [43:00]
• “It’s empowering, wonderful, great feeling… to go anywhere, be around anyone drinking, and never even have a think of it or even look at it and just enjoy the music and the company, enjoy life.” – Burt [48:24]
• “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Tom [attribution of episode title, 51:42]

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Practical Takeaways

• Addiction is a disease—stigma and shame can hinder recovery.
• Relapse is a part of many people’s recovery story.
• Medical intervention is often essential (medical detox, hospitalization).
• Social support—family, friends, persistent advocacy—can make the difference.
• Even after a life-saving transplant, medication adherence and ongoing self-care are crucial.
• Reaching out, sharing your story, and connecting with others in recovery can be empowering for all involved.

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Resources (as mentioned in episode):

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Smart Recovery
• NIAAA - National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Bert’s Instagram: @rjschwa (for those seeking peer-to-peer support)

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Recommended Listening Map (Timestamps & Topics)

• 00:57 – 08:09: Framing the discussion: Disease, stigma, empathy
• 10:51 – 16:04: Early stages, first descent, trauma as a trigger
• 20:24 – 25:38: A day in the life of addiction, mental and physical dependence
• 26:52 – 33:41: Rock bottom: seizures, hallucinations, first intervention
• 34:32 – 45:28: Near-death crisis, the organ transplant journey
• 45:28 – 49:27: Recovery, daily life post-transplant, new outlook

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Tone & Style

Tom’s style is conversational, irreverent, humorous, and deeply compassionate. Burt is candid, humble, reflective, and grateful. Their camaraderie and love infuse even the darkest recollections with hope and positivity.

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Summary

If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, this episode offers insight, solidarity, and hope—removing shame, encouraging medical help, and showing that with support, treatment, and persistence, recovery and a genuinely happy life are possible.

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“Addiction can be scary, but it shouldn’t be shameful. Just shame is a huge barrier... Relapses can and will happen. Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Tom Schwartz [51:42]

Transcript

[Robert Schwartz]

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[Tom Schwarzenegger]

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[Robert Schwartz]

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[Robert Schwartz]

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[Robert Schwartz]

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[Tom Schwarzenegger]

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[Robert Schwartz]

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[Tom Schwarzenegger]

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[Robert Schwartz]

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[Tom Schwarzenegger]

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[Robert Schwartz]

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[Tom Schwarzenegger]

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[Robert Schwartz]

It'S now time for your weekly detox with Tom Schwarzenegger.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Guys, what is up? Hi. I missed you. Welcome to another episode. Detox Retox. This time we're talking full detox, baby. I wanted to take a second to celebrate life, my brother's life. Robert Jay Schwartz it's been two years since his brush with death and his miracle liver transplant, so we wanted to sit down and just chat about his experience, share his story. Also, he wanted to share some of the more dark moments leading up to this in his bout with alcoholism. A little peek into what life is like on a daily basis when you're addicted. How nature and nurture can lead to addiction. How addiction thrives in chaos, which I've experienced, witnessed firsthand. How relapses can happen even after 1, 2 stints in rehab. I think if you've never experienced it or you're not properly educated, you might think it has to do with a lack of willpower or moral fiber, self control, series of bad life choices. But make no mistake, it is a disease, not a weakness. I mean, I guess to most people that seems pretty obvious, but it wasn't to me until I witnessed it firsthand. His slow descent almost decay into addiction. It was really heart breaking to watch. Jarring. And I have a whole new respect, compassion for people struggling with addiction. If you can't really relate with it, it's think of it like maybe you can think of it like caffeine. You know, once you you've had a nice salted caramelized coffee perks you up at first. But if you're crushing like six of those a day, your body adjusts. And if you skip your coffee, you get maybe a little bit of headache or you're just, like, cranky, so. Yeah, but, you know, except, like, missing your cup of Joe, you're just maybe a little bit of a Debbie Downer. But once you're addicted to alcohol, man, it gets dark, it can lead to seizures, liver failure. All of a sudden, your skin's yellow. Jaundice, hallucinations, it gets insane. So it's a condition where the body and brain become physically and chemically dependent on the alcohol. And over time, your brain just gets rewired, kind of hijacked. So it creates a cycle that is brutal to break. And, guys, I'm no expert, so maybe you want to go to the web for, like, a little refresher course. Okay. Okay. So what happens to the brain? Let's see here. Dopamine and reward system gets all messed up. Okay. Alcohol increases dopamine. The brains feel good chemical at first. You guys know this feels euphoric, relaxed. You took a chill pill. But with repeated drinking, the brain stops making as much dopamine naturally. So the person relies on alcohol just to feel normal. Exactly. And the GABA and glutamate balance. Okay. Alcohol boosts gaba, which is like a calming chemical, and it suppresses glutamate, which is an excitatory chemical. That's why drinking feels so chill. So sedative, sedating. So over time, your brain adapts by reducing gab activity and ramping up glutamate. So when the alcohol isn't present, the person feels anxious, restless, shaky, seizures. It's essentially like there's an anxiety monster slowly chasing you throughout the day, every day, morning, afternoon, night. So, yeah, it's not like. It's not a moral collapse. It's a disease. And it kind of really. With your survival instincts. It's like, Bert used to have really bad asthma. He was on a nebulizer every night. But think if you have asthma, you struggle to breathe without your inhaler. Okay. Without that shortness of breath, a person with alcohol dependence struggles because their brain is adapted to need that to function. So, yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyways, I don't want to. I don't want to ramble too much, but just recognizing this as a disease helps remove the stigma, and I think it opens the door for just more compassion, patience. Because it can be incredibly frustrating to watch someone you love just slowly fall apart. But, yeah, be more proactive. Seek proper treatment and. And be able to recognize what's going on when you see someone becoming an addict. Yeah, but, yeah, I think. Yeah, I think it's easy to chalk up your Excessive drinking to anxiety, maybe a bad run in life. You're just stressed out at work, family stuff, divorce. But I don't know. There's a fine line. If you find yourself waking up needing a drink on a daily basis, you might be in trouble. And I'm not talking about waking up hungover in Cabo cuz you went to Mango Deck last night and having a little hair of the dog. No, this is like situation where you feel shame because you're hiding Bailey's in your coffee just to make it through the 9 to 5 grind. Anyways, Burt wanted me to keep the tone more upbeat for this. We're gonna sit down with him, just chat. I love my brother. I just wanted to celebrate his life and show some of the darker moments. Not for entertainment or shock value, but hopefully if anybody out there is like walking that line right now, just, just maybe inspire them to seek treatment, get help, or, you know, just take a long look in the mirror and yeah, man, we're gonna sit down. He's very lucky to be alive. He's shining bright like a diamond. And I love him so much. This is my brother Bert's two year anniversary. His rebirth, his brush with death and his new lease on life, baby. And I love him. We're gonna get into it. We're gonna sit down. Next stop, Rooftop with Rob Schwartz. You guys, what is up? Welcome to another episode Detox. Retox heavy on the Detox. Today we have a very special guest. My brother, Robert Schwartz. Bert, what is up?

[Robert Schwartz]

What is up? My brother Tom. Hey, brother.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

We're sitting on the roof per bert's request. It's 85 degrees. There's a beautiful breeze.

[Robert Schwartz]

Somebody beautiful.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Somebody took a plane up in the sky and did some skywriting. It says somebody forever loves la.

[Robert Schwartz]

It does. Right here. That's awesome.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Are you loving la?

[Robert Schwartz]

I am. This day has been gorgeous.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

It's a gorgeous day. It's a good day to be alive. Every day is a good day to be alive. When I see you.

[Robert Schwartz]

Bless. Yes, it is.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Rob Schwa. When I see you, I think of this Marcus Aurelius quote. When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. And having you out here, it's like a nice reminder. Every morning I see you, I think that.

[Robert Schwartz]

Thank you.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Because it's a miracle and a blessing that you are here chilling with me, with us.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, it is. I'm. It is a miracle. And I'm very grateful and humble and grateful.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

We were Laughing a second ago because. Sorry to cut you off.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, it's good.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

We were laughing because me and Bert were saying every other word and we had to check ourselves. But we're not going to do that to you guys.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, we had. We cannot do a quick, quick reboot. We didn't realize we were saying that.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

No, we were in. We were, we were like 10 minutes in and I think there's like 50, 60.

[Robert Schwartz]

Warm up.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Oh my God, I just did another one. You guys were not doing that too. Listen, no, Robert, I'm. I'm grateful. I'm happy to have you here with me. It's been two years since your liver transplant.

[Robert Schwartz]

Really?

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You're brush with death, your rebirth. Can you tell me what the two year anniversary means to you?

[Robert Schwartz]

Of course, yeah. The two year anniversary means everything to me. It's huge to me. My two years being sober, my two year post surgery and doing well. And I'm grateful. All my blood tests have been well and everything is. I'm going, just going great. Every week and month seems to be getting better on my journey. I'm so grateful because the second chance, knowing I'm meant for so much more and I have a great purpose in life means everything to me.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

It's. I'm so happy that you're here with me transitioning in la.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Fresh, beautiful new chapter and you're doing the damn thing. You're not just surviving, you're thriving. Papa's got a brand new bag. Yeah. My brother, look at him. He's got mojo to spare. You guys, I wanted to take a second and just to celebrate you, your life and maybe tell your story a little bit. For anybody out there who might be struggling with alcohol or knows a friend who might be on the verge of becoming an addict, an alcoholic and just give a little insight into what, what it looks like. It doesn't happen overnight. You know what I mean? It's a bit of nature, a bit of nurture. Your environment can be circumstantial, of course, trauma, but it's, it's something that happens very slowly and if you're cool with it, we could take maybe slightly unpleasant but educational, informative trip down memory lane, if that's cool. Robshwa.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, T, that's, that's fine. I'm. I have two years recovery and honestly I, you know, remember everything. I'm very focused and you're so, you're so lucid now.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

It's like. I love, I. It's so nice to see the brightness back in your eyes. You can see your spirit soul. You never lost your heart, but like, there was a. Yeah, you know, you were dimmed for a while.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, I had, you know, you could. Sadly, I did, um, years ago. I had dim in my light and that was not me. I'm, you know, very have great faith and, you know, I do my prayers and, you know, I'm a man of God. I trust in God. I just, I just say that because there's many other people struggling out there with alcohol and other issues that had post surgery. So I have been helping other friends as well, and I'm open to help as many as I can.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. Burr, what's your Instagram handle?

[Robert Schwartz]

Rjschwa.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You guys have any questions about alcohol? He's not an expert, but he's. If he's experienced.

[Robert Schwartz]

I've been through them. He's been the gauntlet.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You really ran the gauntlet. That's a perfect way to phrase it. I was with you through a lot.

[Robert Schwartz]

Of it and thank you.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And it was heroin. And I never lost hope and faith. Two year anniversary since your successful liver plant. What a gift and a miracle just to be eligible for that because there's a long list of many people who wish they could get one. You were very fortunate. At the buzzer, fourth quarter, three seconds left, and.

[Robert Schwartz]

And it was. The third one was the charm. The third one was.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

The third time was the charm.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes. And I, of course, you know, you're. Anyone would be, you know, a bit scared and nervous while you're waiting, but I was never too nervous because I, you know, I always had trust in God and had great faith. I had my family around, my brother Tom, my mom.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

My brothers, my doctors, my nurses. I'd like to thank all them.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

We're going to get, we're going to get into that, but before we do, can we go back a little bit?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

So before you were in the hospital at Ochsner, Shout out to Ochsner awaiting. Shout out to Ochsner awaiting a liver transplant. Let's go back. Because before, before, you know, things got bad, you were just a social drinker. You like to go out, you like to have a good time. You knew when to cut yourself off. You were. It was never an addiction. And yeah, man, you just, you were a social drinker.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, for, for a while I was. Yeah, just some beers and whatnot. You were. It was eventually turned into liquor.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. No, well, no, let's. Yeah, well, let's not skip any beats here because, yeah, you were at the feel good stage for a while. You know, nice little mood boost. Lower that inhibitions vibe out. Relax yourself, you know, helps make socializing easier. Helps making lose your virginity for me. Yeah, maybe I might still be a virgin if it wasn't for alcohol.

[Robert Schwartz]

Long time ago with no good music and.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

No, no, that was self referential, Bert. But you. Most people stop here and you know, using it occasionally without a dependence. By the way, I'm. I'm an advocate for drinking in moderation. But listen, something happened to you. I think that was a seismic shift in your relationship with alcohol. You were out one night, wrong place, wrong time.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Booze fueled night. And you got jumped, you got blindsided, you got stomped in an alley, kicked in the head.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You woke up in a hospital.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, that was a awful, dreadful night. One of the ones. I remember everything, but parts of that night I don't remember, obviously because I woke up in the hospital.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You woke up in the hospital. I remember seeing a picture of you and I remember crying. You were just. Your entire face was swollen. I think you had a broken jaw. You had a concussion. What else?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, my jaw. My eye was swollen. I'm sure my tooth may have gotten chipped. My ear was bleeding. It was. You know, it's hard to talk about, but there was a lot of stuff. But thank God it all. It all healed and I'm doing well.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And you had some traumatic brain injury, if I remember correctly. And.

[Robert Schwartz]

Well, the crazy part is that ever anyone after that would have to see a brain doctor.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And you, you went to a neurologist. I think I remember.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And they couldn't see anything significant, but they said you had some brain damage. I know that's vague.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, well, that was the best part. They. After the scans, they didn't find anything.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Oh, they didn't.

[Robert Schwartz]

But wrong.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I think something.

[Robert Schwartz]

You.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You told me there was a shift in your relationship around that time with alcohol. You started drinking yourself to sort of numb. You had maybe a. A minor PTSD or it shifted something in your. In your. In your. In your mind, in your body, in your relationship with alcohol. And you slowly started drinking more.

[Robert Schwartz]

That's where it came to. Yeah, you're right. With the vodka and liquor that's so in it.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Like again, you guys, this doesn't happen overnight. It's a very gradual process, at least for you. And you're the only person I've ever known and the first time I've witnessed real addiction. But like I said. Yeah, it doesn't happen overnight.

[Robert Schwartz]

And it's environment.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yes. Oh, yeah, yeah, it's nature and nurturing your environment. But yeah, I mean, listen, I'm not an expert but I know your, your brain's reward system, it gets kind of, it gets hijacked and alcohol, alcohol becomes like the quickest, most reliable, most affordable way to find relief. It's available everywhere and you get it for like you get a jug of vodka for $10 and the cravings start to hit. Right. Do you remember, do you remember getting like early on, like in the beginning, do you remember getting cravings for alcohol?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, Tom, I to go back to that. Yes. It went in, had started the beer and went to vodka. Of course there was cravings because your body gets only used to that and you can only seem to function with alcohol.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, the cravings, I mean it's, you know, they start to hit when you're not just with your buddies, chilling at the bar or whatever, watching the kids game, but when you're sad, stressed or just even waking up very dependent, what starts of it starts to feel like your medicine.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, right. A medicine that was actually killing me.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Which is the great irony. It's like when you, when you get to a certain point you need alcohol so you don't have a complete panic, anxiety disorder or shakes. The DTS delirium tremens you. It's be kind of ironically is the thing that's keeping you alive and killing you.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

At the same time. Do you remember the first time you thought to yourself, okay, this isn't just a phase. I think I might actually have a problem, an addiction, I need alcohol.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes. I'm glad you said that because there was, there were definitely many a times where I was, I knew that I was definitely drinking too much and I was also hurting my body because I would wake up in the morning there, I have to say this, but there had been times where it was so bad where I had woken up and throwing up blood. And you know, that's when you know your body is poisoned and you know you're heading towards the wrong way. And I've had during, through that process, there was plenty of wake up calls and I actually kept drinking after that and then it kept going a bit longer and it turned to where I got jaundiced and I didn't want to admit, but when you know that it's not good.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Essentially you were wearing your ailment on your sleeve as they say, you know, you couldn't hide it anymore once your skin had turned yellow and once addiction had fully sort of locked in. Also I remember you talking to me Confiding me about, like, a sense of shame.

[Robert Schwartz]

You almost feel, like, guilty.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You feel guilty. You feel like you have lost your willpower. You know what I mean?

[Robert Schwartz]

And especially when you realize it's. That's not even close to the person I am.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Of course. Of course.

[Robert Schwartz]

But it's embarrassing, too.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. I remember vividly you having, like, a sense of shame. And, you know, even watching as a. As your loving brother, I would do mental gymnastics just to say, you know what? It's just a phase. He's going through a lot. He's stressed out. And it's easy to convince yourself, right, that it is just a phase.

[Robert Schwartz]

Well, I do want to say something.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, say anything.

[Robert Schwartz]

And I. I've been. And I'm glad I can say it here, but now I'm looking back now I'm. I'm actually very glad you and everyone was giving me tough love, because I needed it more every day to be hearing that with, you know, because now me doing that to other people, I realize, you know, how bad I was. So it just, you know, and I'm sorry for that, but I didn't mean to be acting that way.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

But it's okay. It's an addiction. You don't have to apologize for anything. It's a physiological. It's a chemical addiction. It's a disease.

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, it's. Yeah. It's not a. Yeah. It's dreadful when you come down to, you know, when it gets to the point where you're. And also, I was resting a lot. I was sleeping a lot, and that's when, you know, your body was shutting down. Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Well, before then, like, early on, like, say, like, you know, before you went to your first stint in rehab. Third time was a charm with rehab, too. We can come back to that. But before then, can you take. Can you take us. You've told me about this. Can you take me through a day, through your routine, the day in the life of someone who's dealing with addiction, in your case, alcoholic. So you would wake up and you would. You would have a few shots of vodka at first, or. What would you do?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, I can tell you. Yeah. Yes. At the worst of times, I would. Or depending, I would always have at least a couple shots ready by my bed for the morning, because that's when.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You would have the most anxiety, you said.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, because I never. Never knew, like, how the. Even the morning was gonna unfold, if it'd be, you know, you know, yelling or if it wasn't a good day or there'd be A, you know, not like something going on. And then my chest would get. Not good. So I'd have a drink, I think, to calm down or take a shot, but so I would have that. You were.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I remember you.

[Robert Schwartz]

And I would sit in the bathroom. I remember. And, yeah, I would sit in the bathroom and have a beer and have a shot. Take 30 minutes in there, try to do this, you know, just, I guess, thinking. And then I would just walk out after, grab another beer, and, you know, the day would just go on, I guess, worrying.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

That was kind of like your morning routine, though, to sort of recalibrate, get your equilibrium. You would have a few shots and maybe one beer and. And like, your bathroom was kind of like your sacred place. Right? That's where you'd go to relax and Zen out a little bit. And also that's kind of where you felt comfortable because you. At that point, you were kind of ashamed that you were drinking in the morning, but you had. You were aware that you had a problem, but you didn't want to admit it. So that's like. That was like your little place of solitude, right?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes. And I've. I've learned very well that, yes, of course I was in denial. I. Denial was part of that. But, yeah, I would sit in there. But also it would turn into all day because we'd eventually go up to the liquor store, and then I'd get a couple more dollar shots to carry around wherever I went with me. Like, almost like having a. Like a safeguard or something with you so you don't panic or if something.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Happens, or just comfort knowing it's in your pocket if you need it. Right. Your medicine at the time.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

What was your. So you would go and you would get the mini. But you said. You said you would get mini bottles because they're easier to hide, right?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Thanks for being so candid. By the way, Brew. I know you're so far past that, so it feels good to be able to talk about this.

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, no, I'm glad. I believe this could help others.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

That's what I mean.

[Robert Schwartz]

My story.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

That's what. That's why. Yeah, that's exactly why I wanted to talk about this. I remember, like, when I would take you out to eat when you were in your throes of addiction. You were still pretty decent, but you, like. Let's just say we would go to our favorite Mexican restaurant downtown for an Indiana beach.

[Robert Schwartz]

Very. And I'll add to this after he goes. It was very embarrassing, but it's okay. But I think I know what you're gonna say.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

There's no. No, we're not here to shame you or judge yourself in hindsight. But I remember you had a routine. We would go to a restaurant. You would go to the bathroom for, like, 15 minutes, and I think you would sit in there like you did at home, have a few drinks, get yourself balanced, stave off that anxiety. Right. Because it was always the. It was. It was almost like. It was almost like a constant battle just fighting off, fending off waves of angst and anxiety, Right?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes. And, yes, you were right. Also, I would go in restaurant bathrooms, say, before a meal or whatnot, and I would take a shot and also have a beer in there just to calm down, and I would just toss it in there and splash some water on my face and go back into the room and I'd be relaxed for dinner or whatnot.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. Also, you. You didn't really eat.

[Robert Schwartz]

No.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You would eat a little bit, but really, I think alcohol became your substance. Your substance, Right.

[Robert Schwartz]

Sadly, it did. I wouldn't. I would know. I didn't. I would only eat some crackers and cookies and some water and not really any substantial meals some days. And. And that was also just having. Literally just having vodka and beer hit your body, your kidney and liver, all day long, and minimal food. But. And I think.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And I remember you saying, it's like, you know, it's bad for you, but you can't stop it because at that point, it's your medicine.

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, yeah. At that time. Yes. And I know the thing is, you don't really have much control at that time over it.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

And unfortunately for me, I ended up at the hospital to where I was.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Near death multiple times. I remember we had. You had to do multiple medical detoxes. Eventually, we talked you into going. Well, before. Before it got that bad, you were still functional. You would go to work, but you couldn't drive. Right. You could never drive because you didn't want to risk a dui.

[Robert Schwartz]

And also, I want to add on. Yes. Another part about my. My days when I was an alcoholic. I couldn't drive either there because. Wouldn't risk a dui. And you're always asking someone, which is embarrassing. And on top of that topic with.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Working, you would still find a way to drink at work. You had. You had sneaky cheat systems. You were telling me you would go in the bathroom or you would do. How would you do it? At. How would you drink at work?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, you know, of course I'd go up, you know, dress Nice and whatnot. But I would. Yeah, I would bring a shot or two in my pocket and I'll go to the bathroom first just so I could get through the shift or even, you know, sorry, my hands aren't trembling and say I'm carrying trays or whatnot and. Yeah, because if not, you'll drop the tray because you don't have what your body was needing to get through those three or four hours.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Exactly. And. And, you know, and you did a. I think you did a pretty damn good job of hiding it, at least for a while until it was too late. But, like, I would come see you at work and I would never know that you had been drinking. You know, you were very good at hiding it.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, I was. I was a. I was a active alcoholic. I was a. What. What they call. Or. Yeah, I was.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

What's that mean?

[Robert Schwartz]

Or I was like a high functioning or like a. Yeah, I guess like a somewhat functioning alcoholic. But then it. Yeah. That there was times where I, you know, people said, you did great tonight. But then I got to where. When I was hitting the. When I had the liquor. Then, like one night I was working and I was carrying a tray and yes, I had a couple shots before and someone kind of bumped me, but I dropped it. And then I, you know, I could kind of tell things were getting worse with my health because I wasn't really. My balance was off and I could just tell then they could tell as well. So actually, that night I believe I went over and talked to a manager and, you know, I was like, you know, I couldn't not hide it. So, like, you know, have you been drinking? I. Yeah, I said I had a shot in the bathroom because I was having a lot of anxiety and that was about it. And. Yeah, well, you would get the.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. Which if you don't drink alcohol, when you get withdrawals, you do. You can shake. You can have convulsions.

[Robert Schwartz]

Well, it could actually. Yeah, they say at that time it can. Actually, they were saying it could, you know, try to say. Could kill you. If you didn't kill it.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You could have seizures.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Hallucinations or organ failure. You had all three. The worst trinity. And I experienced all of them with you. I. I remember seeing you have seizures, which is horrifying. I remember one story very vividly. I don't think a lot of people don't know this, but, like, when you start having withdrawals, you can have hallucinations. And I remember talking to you one time on the phone and you were explaining to Me that there was a strange man in the backyard cutting the grass. And you described in intricate detail what he was wearing, what he looked like. I remember he had a red shirt and riding a lawnmower. And I thought it was weird. And I never. I asked you to put Brandon on the phone and I said, brandon, is there someone cutting the grass in the backyard? And he said, no, there's no one here. And that was just the beginning of some of the crazy hallucinations you had. Do you remember any of the other ones?

[Robert Schwartz]

I do.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You do, if you're comfortable talking with it. Because that, like, I don't think people realize how crazy it can. It messes with your mind.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, I do. There's another one I haven't really talked a lot about, but. Yeah, I'd like to mention that one too.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

But yes, the one about the. And I think what that is is when you're. It's kind of crazy, they say, but when you're not realizing it, but maybe getting closer to the end of something, you're maybe see things that are, you know, normally don't see. But yes, there was a. A lawnmower and someone. Not. It wasn't negative at all. It was just, you know, something that was going. Just going on. Not all the time. I wouldn't see it either, but yeah, I would see that here and there, whatnot.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I think it comes. Listen, you guys, you know, I'm not an expert.

[Robert Schwartz]

Maybe it was just like a. What do they call it? Like a reoccurring.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Well, I think it comes from a. I think it comes from a depletion of nutrients, like vitamin B1, stuff like that. It's deficiencies. They cause some sort of neurological damage and. And it can increase your likelihood of hallucinations. I remember one night you. You called me and you told me that you saw a dad sitting in the chair, pointing a gun at his head. And that was like. That was just one of many. I remember you telling me you would see ghosts and stuff.

[Robert Schwartz]

I don't think I said the one you just said.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Oh, well, that was. Well, I thought anyways, no, it was a hallucination. It didn't actually happen. But you remember you telling me, and.

[Robert Schwartz]

I don't think that was me.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I remember you seeing old.

[Robert Schwartz]

Listen, I wouldn't have said that. I only think it was a hallucination.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And I remember you telling me that you would see an old lady sometimes too, in the house, or maybe a ghost or something. But anyways, like, you. You do remember some of the Hallucinations. It was crazy.

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, yeah. There was another spot I lived. That was when I was. It would been right before the hospital.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

Sometimes I could have sworn I. Maybe it was more vivid than I think, but I. There'd be times I.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You really thought you were seeing. I mean, you would paint. You would paint a very vivid picture for me, and it always blew my mind.

[Robert Schwartz]

Or I'd be, like, on the porch and be like. Or not the porch, but the dog park. And you'd think you'd see, like, dogs that weren't there or playing or like. Or other people or whatnot that weren't there. Maybe it had to do with something differently. But. No, it was some definitely. Some definitely more vivid and more weird dreams.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. Around that time you started having some. That's around the time you had a few seizures. And I think that was the first time we got you to go to rehab.

[Robert Schwartz]

And I can't believe I. Yeah. When you said, I can't imagine what you guys had witness.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Oh, well, that's okay. No one's judging you. We were just all worried about you. And that's another thing. It's. It's. It's hard when you see someone you love that's sort of falling apart. And of course, all of a sudden, you see their goals, their dreams, their ambitions sort of melt away and just give way to numbing themselves with alcohol. It's. It's brutal to watch it play out.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Do what you can. But ultimately, there's, like, no other way. Aside from. Well, there are other ways, but, I mean, going to. Going to rehab or detoxing is pretty much the path forward. And you did it once. It was successful.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Then you relapsed. Then you did it again, and you were really. You were doing really well.

[Robert Schwartz]

I remember, but I was doing well for a little while.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I think this is an important point, you guys, for this. This. If you're listening, I think the key mistakes. In hindsight, you said, we're going back to the same environment where there were some triggers, also some unresolved emotional trauma. And that's like a very dangerous thing when you're a recovering alcoholic is go back to a place where you can be triggered. Right.

[Robert Schwartz]

Exactly. Well said. It was the last spot you want to go is any red flags or triggers. And going back to that mindset of that environment is not healthy. And you're around that yelling or the drinking again, and then you start drinking again, and it's all around together. It's. It's a bad Thing for your mental health, physical health, and bad path.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

So you had your.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You had your internal triggers, your emotional ones, stuff with the family, some. Some other things like anxiety, just stress. But also externally, like other people were still drinking around you. They've tried. I mean, respectfully, I remember the boys, they would make it a point to not drink around you, but there were still other people occasionally drinking around you, and you thought you had it under control. I remember. But eventually, I think you convince yourself to maybe, hey, maybe I can just have one. I think I'm good now, right?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes. And, Tom, I want to ask you a question.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

When was the first time that you thought. When you noticed that I was completely drinking way too much?

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I think the first time you had a seizure. I remember I had no. I thought this is an extended phase, slight depression. And I remember the boys calling me in a panic, and you were having a seizure on the ground, and they. And you were convulsing and everyone was freaking out, and I was like, okay, that's. That's what prompted the first. Our first intervention. Your first trip to rehab.

[Robert Schwartz]

That is. That is crazy.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. You're on the. Yeah. So you went once, you went twice. Third time was your charm. Well, I.

[Robert Schwartz]

That's not the charm.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

It's a horrible way to phrase it. But the third time you went, you got there.

[Robert Schwartz]

That's the one. I don't remember. I think I remember you guys saying, I was. I had made it there, but then I wasn't able to get in because of how unhealthy or how out of it or, you know, out of it. I was.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Well, they got. You could.

[Robert Schwartz]

May explain.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

They were. By the way, I forget the name of the facility. I'd like to give them a shout out. It was in central Florida. But they.

[Robert Schwartz]

They.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

They were so sweet and compelling, passionate. And they saw you and they said, this man is going through liver failure and he has jaundice. I didn't really notice your jaundice at the time. I guess it was. I don't know. Maybe I'm just too close to you, or I'd spent too much time with you. But you had severe jaundice at the time, and they rushed you to the hospital for a medical detox. I remember. And then after that, they said, listen, he's beyond the point of repair. And I'll never forget this. We have had a conversation over the phone with me and mom and some of the other family members, and they said, your brother has liver damage. Liver failure. That's beyond Repair. And at this point, we're going to have to send him to hospice to live out the rest of his life and enjoy it in whatever quality. You know, just let him. Let him enjoy whatever time he has left. They gave you three to six months.

[Robert Schwartz]

To live and no way that would ever happen.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Well, well, at that point, I mean, you can. I can't imagine how you felt hearing that, just facing your mortality. But I remember we all freaked out and I said, no, that's not happening. And that's when we began our fight, our campaign to get you far too.

[Robert Schwartz]

Strong and too blessed and grateful for that.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You are. I agree. And also you had a whole team behind you who was fighting for you.

[Robert Schwartz]

And I'm very, very thankful.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, well, yeah, I'm not looking for a pat on the back back because I was. You're my brother and I love you, but we had to fight like hell. And we went. We first took you to South Carolina. And I mean, it gets. It get this, this. This is hopefully just to scare people who are drinking too much. But it got to the point where your body couldn't process. Your liver wasn't doing its job. So you would build up fluids in your stomach, right?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes. This is actually a topic that people are little squeamish. Don't. You can turn it down.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, thanks. Yeah. Can you talk a little bit about that?

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, sure. Yeah. There was a. Multiple times where I had to. The fluid was building up in my sides and I had to go in and had that literally drained out of my body into big, big, like, bigger than milk carton. Few like three or four milk cartons.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I remember one time I up the fluid. My thing. I think mom was in there with you. She sent me one of the most startling pictures.

[Robert Schwartz]

It was pretty. It was very. I think I was in more like kind of a shock in a way, but almost I was more. I wasn't really that, like scared. I was just more like, just please let me know. Another day where I was like, I'll be just fine. I'm, you know, God bless. I'll be just fine. Let's get through today. I'll be fine. Fine. I'm very grateful and just keep thinking of positive.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And I remember seeing. I remember seeing. Yeah, well, this time it got stark. One of the starkest images was. I remember seeing four 2L bottles of the fluid on the floor and it was like this electric yellow. And I think it. I think it's called AS Sites. As sites, yes. The fluid. Is that what it's Called Bert. Do you remember the name of it?

[Robert Schwartz]

I believe it's a. Cities.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Cities, sites. It's like. Yeah, so it's like a. I mean, I guess. Wait, wait, let me read. Let me read for you guys. Let me Google it. Okay. Okay. When liver failure occurs, a condition called asites can develop due to portal hypertension, which high blood pressure in the liver's blood vessels. This pressure forces the fluid out of the vessels into the abdomen, calling. Causing swelling, discomfort, and difficulty breathing. Yeah, man, it. It's. It's brutal. I remember your stomach was distended, and it was. That was like, one of the starkest, scariest things I remember seeing in the beginning.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, Tom, when you. You saying that, man, boy, am I a fighter. Because when I look back at it, you know, you actually have to. You kind of have to look, you know, you're not like, you know, on a table. I was actually just, like, sitting on. Well, you're very comfortable. You are on the doctor thing, but just realize, you know, what, you know, is covered with the gown, but you also know what's going on. I'm not, like, numbed, so, I mean. And luckily. And also luckily, you know, it wasn't. It wasn't very painful, but the having to do that was very shocking.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, I remember. Were you conscious during that time? Do you remember it well? Or did you kind of numb yourself to protect yourself?

[Robert Schwartz]

I kind of numb myself to protect myself. I believe you did.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And I remember I talked to you a lot, and we never lost the faith, but so we can. We couldn't find any. Any eligible.

[Robert Schwartz]

And we had beaten that. And then.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, we couldn't find anywhere in South Carolina that would accept you, because some places require you to be six months sober before you're eligible for a liver transplant. So they essentially said you're not eligible. And I know you went back to my mom's house and just kind of hung out.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, that was.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

That must have been one of the scarier moments when you realized you were not going to be accepted.

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, yes, of course. It was very scary and shocking. And you're in. You know, at that point, you're not feeling well, and you're kind of in disbelief, but also thinking, knowing, I'll be just fine.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And at that point, you didn't. I mean, I know you never lost your faith, but at that point, you know, you must have been a little nervous when they said you weren't going to be accepted anywhere, because you weren't. You had to be sober for six months, and at that Point, you didn't know if you were going to be alive six months, according to the doctor.

[Robert Schwartz]

And that's not the first I've had others actually, believe it or not, to my eyes, to my face say, robert, you will not make it. In the. In the nicest way they could, but you could tell in their eyes they didn't mean it or, you know, or they didn't think so. But when I knew I'd be fine the whole time. But that's just kind of a. Yeah, that's a scary. A very crazy moment in the life that must.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I mean, that would shake anyone, regardless of your faith. Right. Just having a doctor, a professional, a medical professional look at you in the eyes and say, robert, listen, I have bad news. I don't think you're gonna make it more than three to six months. And I just want to tell you this upfront and be brutally honest with you. Do you remember hearing that?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. But you just. It didn't. I think if it didn't really shake you that much, you said. Right. Because you just had so much faith that you were gonna make it.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah. As I said, I was never too, too rattled. They always kept my smile, and my hope was always great, and I guess I just knew the outcome would be. Would be good.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I think what you just said, your attitude, your demeanor. Demeanor, I think when. Shout out to Dr. Baber, right?

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, yeah. God bless Dr. Baby.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Your earth angel.

[Robert Schwartz]

He is.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I don't know what he. Well, I know what he saw in you, but he saw what others didn't and something.

[Robert Schwartz]

He has four. He has brothers as well, so he can relate. And, yeah, he had saved my life, and I'm very, very grateful and thankful for. For Dr. Baber and what was the.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Name of the hospital? Do you remember? Remember Bert?

[Robert Schwartz]

Dr. Baber.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, it's Greenville Memorial.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Greenville Memorial. Dr. Baber. Without him, my brother would not be sitting here podcasting on my roof in North Hollywood. So we are eternally and forever grateful. Dr. Baber, if you ever hear this. Yes.

[Robert Schwartz]

Dr. Baber, he had faith in you.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And he got you into Ochsner, which is one of the best organ transplant centers I think, in the world.

[Robert Schwartz]

It is. Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

For sure. In America.

[Robert Schwartz]

I owe. I owe everything to the Oscar, and I'm very grateful and humble.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And once you got into Oscar, you weren't out of trouble yet. Right. Because once you're in there, which was a blessing, a huge win just to be able to be admitted there.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

But then you have to find a cadaver Someone with a matching blood type and the right size organ. And here's another not, you know, one that's not scarred and. Yeah. So want to talk, want to talk through that again. Do you remember being there and waiting on an, I mean, it's kind of a morbid thing. You're essentially waiting on someone to die so you can live. Do you remember that?

[Robert Schwartz]

I actually do. I remember that day very well, and I remember when I got the call and the nurse was outside about the first one, and I was very excited and she came over and told me about it and told me the situation and that about that, and everything was excited and was going fine. And then I believe a day or so later, they found that it wasn't the right fit for me due to the size or in blood type. But fortunately, my blood type was very compatible with.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You have a universal blood type, right?

[Robert Schwartz]

I believe. Yes, I believe so. Is compatible, Very compatible with many. So that was also another blessing.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

So everyone who came in, you were eligible for the first two, I think one was too enlarged. The next one was fatty, scarred, and I had cirrhosis, I think.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And, and then the third one came in and it was a gift, a blessing. Do you remember that feeling? I was there with you right before your surgery. And I remember that's what you just, I mean, again, just to paint a picture for you guys, like you could, you were, you still had your, a little bit of your light, your sparkle.

[Robert Schwartz]

And also I would, and also I would like to thank my donor and their family very much.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Of course, I wasn't. Oh, yes, that's a beautiful thing. And that's super important. I know you say a little prayer. You don't have to say it here on the podcast, but I know you say you have them in your prayers every single morning.

[Robert Schwartz]

I do.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You do. And, and I know you're forever grateful for the donor and the family of the donor. And I remember being with you, I remember being with you the morning before you went in for your surgery, and I, and I shook your hand and, and I said, I love you. And, and you went in and the, the surgery was a success.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And you came back and it's like.

[Robert Schwartz]

And you mom was there as well.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Was there?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah. God bless my beautiful mother.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I'll never forget her saying, like, you came out of there almost like nothing had happened.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, she did. With a big smile on her face.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You're like, I, I, I don't even know what to say. I, I think I would be so traumatized. I And, and, and full of gratitude. Just mixed emotions. But you seemed, you seemed just pretty chill.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, I, you seemed like.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Oh, you were grateful, like oozing with gratitude and you knew how lucky you were. But at the same time, and I was like, I. You're like. I knew I never lost. I never lost hope. I never lost faith.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, my, my angels were watching over me the whole time. And I believe I was holding my cross. Either that or one of the. Either that or mom was or. Or the doctor. One of them. They put it aside. But yeah, I had a firm grip on that and I'm very grateful everything went well with that. And yes, as you said, Tom, afterwards went back to healing.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

So after there's. So after that he had to go to a short term living facility. I helped him move into an apartment in New Orleans. That's where Ochsner is. Remember? We got you a nice little apartment.

[Robert Schwartz]

Thank you. And that was. Yes, that was awesome. And I want to say, Tom, I remember when I wasn't in the best of shape there and kind of leaning and looking out the window at first when they told me about it and thinking in my head, kind of giggling, barely, but thinking, wow, that's really far. I'm never going to be able to walk there. And it wasn't even that far, but I remember thinking that a lot. Like, wow, that's far. The bar. And then when it did come together, I was very grateful to be in the nice place. And.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, yeah, it was about. It was about a thousand feet from the hospital. Remember we got you a nice wheelchair so we could wheel you over there because you couldn't walk.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, it's.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I'm gonna post some pictures of Bert's scar if he's cool with that. Remember your scar?

[Robert Schwartz]

I still have it. Yeah, it's healed a lot, but. Yeah, I'll have, I'll have that for the rest of my life.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. Starkard. Vivid reminder of, you know.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

What can happen. And the thing is, even when you, if you're lucky enough to get an organ transplant, a liver transplant, there still can be complications, infections, a lot of.

[Robert Schwartz]

Complications of your new liver.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And it's like you're. You're an honorary doctor now. You've learned anything. But it has to take a certain medication that suppresses your immune system enough so it won't reject your new organ, but not so much that it'll make you, you know, too. Too available to get sick.

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, exactly. You can't risk them. You can't risk rejection by taking too little yeah, so you can't risk taking too much. I remember for talks, sorry. Toxic toxicity.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Toxicity.

[Robert Schwartz]

Cat got my tongue on that one big time.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

No, but I remember, Bird. I remember I was there with you and we had to go through a reg. A regular regimen and education. They gave me, like, six books, and we both had to learn them. And you were taking probably in the beginning, what made 15, 20 pills a day?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, in the beginning, it's a, you know, it's a sheet, it's a regimen, and. Which I'm still on right now. You have to just take, you know, certain doses every morning and night and. Yeah, but in the beginning, it was obviously more. And it varies depending on the months and weeks that go by. And that's a lot to do with your. Each blood test and different levels of.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

So you have to do blood tests every month. What's your regimen like today? What do you take each day? Two years in. What do you have to take?

[Robert Schwartz]

Right now I'm taking two Tacrolimus in the morning and two at night and two of the mycophenolate in the morning and two mycophenolate at night.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

So about eight pills a day is not that bad.

[Robert Schwartz]

No.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Compared to what I saw you taking before.

[Robert Schwartz]

No, it's not at all. It's like having a water. I'm used to it.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And it's. Yeah. It's just ingrained in you now.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah. And of course, I just take a few other little things.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

But you live a great, healthy lifestyle. You work out.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Healthier.

[Robert Schwartz]

I've never, like vitamins and. And. Yeah, exactly. Being healthy and definitely staying in good shape and. Main thing is just keeping my health together and taking. I also enjoy taking long walks and runs, occasional hikes, so I've been proud of myself to be able to do that. And I keep proving to myself that I'm capable of doing anything I put my mind to.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah. I think that's a beautiful thing. And. Yeah, man, I'm just. I'm so happy you're here. I'm proud of you because I never have to worry about you relapsing anymore. I never have to worry about you when you come to a restaurant or a bar and I know you have full control over now, which is a beautiful thing.

[Robert Schwartz]

It is. It's a. It's empowering, wonderful, great feeling to go anywhere, be around anyone drinking, and never even have a. Think of it or even look at it and just enjoy the music and the company, enjoy life. It's a great feeling and to even walk by the stores and not even think of it and just to think what I used to be a few years ago. It's a completely brand new person in.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Life with a new purpose too.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Seeing you more in touch with your family prayers and just also just being more creative and just, just excited about. I love seeing you with your zest for life in your bonus round of life.

[Robert Schwartz]

So there's a lot of. Yes, there's a lot of, a lot of zest and a lot of energy and I know I'm meant for, you know, obviously helping others. You know, I've already helped a few of my friends and you know, I'm always looking out for anyone that has questions or is having trouble with any of these issues.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You can reach out to Bert on his social media or.

[Robert Schwartz]

Robert, what is it, Rob?

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Robert. Robert, what is your social media again?

[Robert Schwartz]

Oh, it's RJ Schwa. Sorry. Yeah. RJ S C H W A RJ Schwa. Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Yeah, man. Well, you've come so far.

[Robert Schwartz]

That heat's getting to me.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

No, thanks for doing this, bro. I know. No, this is some of it talking about and yeah, man, I just listen, it's always darkest before the light and it got very dark.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

And I'm glad that you're. I'm glad doesn't do it justice. I'm so happy you're still here with me. With us.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Here in la.

[Robert Schwartz]

You know, I'm gonna do big things. We're gonna do big things. And you know, say we said just getting started.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Just getting started.

[Robert Schwartz]

Yeah, man, I'm looking forward to a lot of the things I accomplish and just going one day at a time and skull Vikings and also. Yes, yes, skull Vikings. Vikings. Definitely gonna beat the Falcons today, you guys.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Well, listen, we're gonna go over to Kristen and Luke's, enjoy some football Sunday, you guys. Birth. This has been a pleasure. I just want, honestly I just wanted to sit down with you and celebrate to your two year anniversary and acknowledge how far you've come and how far I think you're gonna go. The sky, sky is the limit. Yeah, Tom, the writing was on the sky. Earlier we had that we somebody in the sky that said forever love la and it just felt very, it felt very suiting for this moment.

[Robert Schwartz]

And Tom, I want to say this has been a, a pleasure and it's, it's been just a beautiful day up here and I'm glad we had this conversation because. Yeah, just getting this message out and enjoying this evening with my brother and it's been a great, great podcast.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Thank you. Thank you, brother. All right, guys. Appreciate you tuning in. Bird. I love you.

[Robert Schwartz]

I love you, brother.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

You guys, I'm gonna post some links for resources, places you can find help if you think you friend, a family member is struggling and. Yeah, man. Anything else you want to say, Bert?

[Robert Schwartz]

Yes, I would like to say everyone have a great day and God bless.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Great day. God bless. Rob Schwarzwa. Love you, brother.

[Robert Schwartz]

Love you, brother.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

All right. Robert Schwartz, my brother. Thank you. Thank you guys. If you made it this far, I hope it was informative, educational, scary. Addiction can be scary, but it shouldn't be shameful. It should not be shameful. Just shame is a huge barrier. And you know, you're trying to recover, you're learning, you're human, you're fallible. You are not. Your addiction relapses can and will happen. Took Bert three times in rehab and yeah, he just wanted this to be educational, as did I. Informative. Listen, if you find yourself in that murky gray area, maybe get some counseling, seek some help, don't beat yourself up. Burt wanted me to keep the tone positive. All right, Mr. Pasture of Positivity Hope. I see you. You're radiating. And yeah, man, shout out to bert's guardian angels, Dr. Baber Ochner. You guys, love you. Seriously, thanks for tuning in. I said I would list some sources for help. Of course you can google them, but you know, you have AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, AA.org there's smartrecovery.org science based tools, online meetings. I've heard good things about that. I've dabbled. There's N I A A A. That's the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAA.NIH.gov of course you can Google local hospitals or detox centers. Guys, if you're down bad in the throes of addiction, don't try to do it yourself, okay? Get a proper medical detox because withdrawals can be dangerous. I've seen it firsthand. Shakes, shakes, seizures, like they can be violent, life threatening. Talk to a specialist and just don't lose hope. Right, Bert? Bert said, don't lose hope. Fall seven times. Stand up eight. I like that proverb. He's standing up eight right now. Looking great. All right, signing off of you guys.

[Robert Schwartz]

I mean that.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Thanks for tuning in. I'll see you next week. All right, bye. Detoxification complete.

[Robert Schwartz]

Summer might be wrapping up, but Pluto TV's Summer of Cinema is still going strong with hundreds of free movies. It's never too late to join an epic adventure with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Step up your movie game with Stomp.

[Robert Schwartz]

The Yard, get in the ring with Nacho Luca, or set a course for the stars with Star Trek. Every Star Trek Download the Pluto TV app now while the sun still shines on Pluto tv. Summer of Cinema Stream now. Pain Never did I put the clothes in the dryer. I hope they don't think I was.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

I need to be awake.

[Robert Schwartz]

I got my grand shut. Just sleep already. When your racing thoughts keep you up at night, it's tough to let go and get the rest you need. Better sleep can help. You might have heard of white or brown noise. There's a whole rainbow of color noises and they can help you calm your.

[Tom Schwarzenegger]

Mind, reduce stress and sleep better.

[Robert Schwartz]

Like the green noise you're listening to now. With the Better Sleep app you can discover more color noises and over 200 soothing sounds, guided meditations and bedtimes stories. High quality rest is vital to your mental well being and physical health. Calm your restless mind, conquer your day and sleep better at night. Download Better Sleep from the App Store or Google Play and start a seven day trial today. Because when you sleep better, you feel better.