Healing Through Habits | Michael Chernow on Hopeaholics Pt. 1

Podcast Summary: "Healing Through Habits | Michael Chernow on Hopeaholics Pt. 1"

Podcast: Kreatures Of Habit
Host: Michael Chernow
Date: August 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Michael Chernow, host of Kreatures of Habit, as a guest on the Hopeaholics Podcast. The conversation centers around Michael’s remarkable journey from addiction and trauma to health, success, and twenty years of sobriety. Through candid storytelling, he details the healing power of routine, the importance of community, and the unifying role of physical fitness—revealing how structured habits have been key to his transformation. The episode is rich with raw, personal anecdotes, practical habit advice, and encouragement for anyone struggling to find a way out.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Habits in Recovery

Michael opens by reinforcing that anyone struggling can change, stressing structure, community, and a "fitness component" as essential (00:00).
- "Anybody who's listening to this that's struggling, like, you can get out... you don't ever have to feel that way again." — Michael Chernow [00:00]
The theme of mind-body-soul connection returns throughout, with all hosts emphasizing physical fitness as integral to staying sober and healthy (00:30, 52:19).

2. Personal Story: From Turmoil to Healing

Rough Childhood: Michael describes growing up in an abusive, volatile New York City household with a mentally ill father who was "incredibly violent and aggressive" (20:23).
- The family environment led to early manipulation tactics and "escape artistry" as a survival mechanism.
- His first realization of positive family structure came from dining at a friend’s house, prompting profound longing for normalcy (20:23–21:30).
Early Trauma and Addiction:
- At age 12, a suicide attempt in front of his father marks an inflection point (24:11–24:25).
  - "I want this guy to see how bad he has made me feel... I just want this man to hug me." — Michael Chernow [24:25]
- Drug use begins soon after, escalating quickly from weed to meth and selling drugs by 14.
Life on the Streets & Consequences:
- Violence, running with street kids, homelessness, and multiple brushes with death (30:41).
- A harrowing story of being robbed at gunpoint, refusing to give up the combination to his safes, and narrowly escaping death (29:00–30:40).

3. Turning Points and Early Sobriety

O.D. and "Bottom of the Barrel":
- Michael recounts an overdose that nearly kills him, being revived in a bathtub with cold water (39:14).
- Even after this experience, he relapses—illustrating just how powerful addiction is (39:41).
The Final Bottom and First Steps to Recovery:
- After being fired from the only job anchoring him to life, he’s offered a deal: sober up, start over in the restaurant as a cleaner, and he’ll be given another chance (44:02).
- He’s guided into a strict daily routine by a sober mentor (46:20).
  - Morning Routine: Make the bed, hygiene, prayer for help (God, universe, etc.), physical movement (walk/jog), and a bowl of oatmeal [46:20].
  - “You need to start putting wins into your body as opposed to putting losses into your body.” — Michael Chernow's mentor [47:24]
  - Meal Structure: Chicken and broccoli for lunch and dinner, Muay Thai training, end-of-day gratitude prayer, “rinse and repeat.”
- Michael sticks to this regimen obsessively, noting that Muay Thai and the surrounding community were life-saving.

4. 20 Years of Sobriety & Life After Addiction

“I just celebrated 20 years on August 2nd. Holy sht.”* — Michael Chernow [50:37]
Michael emphasizes that there is always a solution:
- "...there is a f**ing solution. If you're stuck right now... how you're feeling right now, you don't ever have to feel that way again. And I know that to be true."* [51:16]
Stresses fitness: "You gotta find a fitness component like mind, body, soul... it's saved and saves my life." [52:22]
Observes that most of his friends from addiction days are “either sober or dead. There’s no one floating.” [54:32]

5. Building a Life Beyond Survival

Rediscovering Passions: Michael describes how moving out of NYC, embracing rural life, hunting, and preparing his own food have given new meaning; relishing the connection to nature, family, and the food he produces (various, 05:12–14:12).
- "It's a moment where I was like, wow, this is real... this animal is going to feed us for the next four months." — Michael Chernow [09:52]
Career and Relationships:
- Returning to work at Frank Restaurant, finding love, integrating fitness, entrepreneurship, and “habits over willpower” into his brand and message (59:21–60:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"I think at heart, I'm really a hunter... I'm a hunter of life." — Michael Chernow [12:11]
"Curiosity has been just, like, a big component to, like, the things that I’ve done over the years." — Michael Chernow [12:11]
"I just want this man to hug me...so much so, I'm ready to just call it quits." — Michael Chernow [24:25]
"If you don’t make that kill...then you’re not harvesting that season." — Co-host [17:14] (on responsibility in hunting)
"There’s not like a maybe a solution. There is a fucking solution." — Michael Chernow [51:16]
"All of my friends from my using days are either sober or dead." — Michael Chernow [54:32]

Important Timestamps

[00:00] — Opening message of hope and the importance of habit and fitness
[20:23] — Michael’s early story: family abuse, survival, and drug onset
[24:11] — Suicide attempt and intervention by school/child services
[29:00] — Armed robbery and realization of life’s danger
[39:14] — Near-fatal overdose and moment of reflection
[44:02] — Fired from job, offered last-chance sobriety plan
[46:20–47:24] — Detailed daily sober routine from Michael’s mentor
[50:37] — Marking 20 years of sobriety
[51:16–52:22] — Refrain: There IS a solution, it’s habits, community, fitness
[54:32] — Consequence: Friends are “either sober or dead”
[59:21] — Quitting smoking as another important habit change

Closing Tone and Takeaways

Michael’s storytelling is unapologetically raw—layered with dark humor, vulnerability, and an undeniable optimism. He disarms listeners by owning his darkest moments, yet never glamorizing them. The through-line is clear: profound change is possible, but it’s built on actionable routines, openness, physical movement, community, and the humility to ask for help. This episode is especially poignant for those struggling with addiction, seeking hope, or looking for models of radical habit change and resilience.

Final Encouragement

"Anybody who's listening to this that's struggling... you can get out. The beauty of this thing is, how you're feeling right now, you don't ever have to feel that way again. And I know that to be true."
— Michael Chernow [00:00, 51:16]

This summary covers the core content of the episode, capturing Michael Chernow’s central messages, turning points, actionable habits, and words of encouragement for anyone in pursuit of change.