The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst
Doug Bopst
The Adversity Advantage is where life’s hardest struggles become your greatest strengths. Each week, host Doug Bopst — a former felon and addict who used fitness to save his life — brings you raw, powerful conversations with world-class experts and thought leaders.
From Andrew Huberman to Mel Robbins, Gabby Bernstein, Gabor Maté, Robert Greene, Rich Roll, Kevin O’Leary, and more - you’ll hear the untold stories of how they turned setbacks into comebacks.
You’ll also walk away with practical, everyday tools to help you: build resilience in the face of adversity, rewire your brain and body for growth, strengthen relationships and mental health, transform your health, recover from addiction and unlock the discipline to create the life you want.
From Andrew Huberman to Mel Robbins, Gabby Bernstein, Gabor Maté, Robert Greene, Rich Roll, Kevin O’Leary, and more - you’ll hear the untold stories of how they turned setbacks into comebacks.
You’ll also walk away with practical, everyday tools to help you: build resilience in the face of adversity, rewire your brain and body for growth, strengthen relationships and mental health, transform your health, recover from addiction and unlock the discipline to create the life you want.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 29, 2025 • 59min
How To Program Yourself To Build Unstoppable Confidence & Get Ahead In 2026 | Alan Stein Jr.
Alan Stein Jr., a renowned coach and author who has trained elite athletes, shares powerful strategies for building unstoppable confidence. He discusses how self-destructive patterns emerge during adversity and introduces the 'Next Play' mindset to regain emotional control. Alan emphasizes reframing rejection positively, focusing on daily resilience practices, and the importance of self-forgiveness. He outlines three pillars to cultivate confidence and encourages listeners to embrace growth over perfection. Tune in for insights that can elevate both performance and personal life!
Dec 25, 2025 • 1h 6min
You’ve Been Lied To About Building Muscle! - Do THIS Instead For Easy Gains | Paul Carter
Paul Carter, a leading hypertrophy coach known for his no-nonsense muscle-building advice, breaks down the myths surrounding fitness training. He emphasizes the importance of training smarter rather than harder, discussing how progressive overload trumps fancy workout splits. Paul debunks the myths of bulking and protein intake, advocating for a sustainable approach to nutrition. He shares insights on modifying exercises for targeted muscle growth and the need for patience in coaching, ultimately guiding listeners toward realistic fitness expectations.
12 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 52min
How To Find Hope When Your Life Is Falling Apart | Dr. Julia Garcia
Dr. Julia Garcia, a psychologist dedicated to mental health and emotional habits of hope, shares insights to rebuild hope when life's challenges arise. She emphasizes that hope is a skill, distinct from mere positivity. Julia discusses the importance of emotional honesty as a crucial first step and how tiny acts of courage can shift destructive thought patterns. She critiques performance culture, offering strategies to cultivate resilience and self-identity separate from external pressures. Julia also introduces a five-habit framework to identify needs and transform struggles into actionable hope.
Dec 18, 2025 • 54min
Use This Simple 5-Step Framework To Help You Turn Hard Times Into Personal Growth | Femi Ayanbadejo
Femi Ayanbadejo, a former NFL player and Super Bowl champion, now specializes in human performance and mental fitness. He discusses how losing your identity can ignite reinvention and emphasizes the importance of taking action after adversity. Femi shares a 5-step framework to transform trauma into growth and highlights discipline as key to resilience. He also tackles misconceptions about athletes, the impact of public criticism, and reframes failure as a learning opportunity, all while offering practical health tips for long-term well-being.
Dec 15, 2025 • 57min
Neuroscientist: How To Break The Bad Habits That Keep Anxiety Coming Back | Dr. Jud Brewer
Dr. Judson Brewer, a leading neuroscientist and psychiatrist at Brown University, specializes in habit change and mindfulness for anxiety and addiction. In this discussion, he explores how anxiety stems from habit loops and the role of dopamine in forming unhealthy patterns. Dr. Jud highlights the difference between fear, worry, and anxiety, and explains why curiosity can break these cycles. He introduces practical tools like five-finger breathing and underscores the importance of mindfulness without jargon for managing anxiety effectively.
Dec 12, 2025 • 55min
The #1 Way to Lose Fat Without Tanking Your Energy Levels | Dr. Thomas Levy
Dr. Thomas Levy, a board-certified cardiologist and attorney with a focus on orthomolecular medicine, dives into the crucial role of vitamin C in detoxifying the body and enhancing longevity. He discusses how fat loss releases toxins and the importance of magnesium for metabolism and recovery. Levy highlights the significance of mitochondrial health for fat loss and aging while advocating for nutrient testing. He also debunks myths around vitamin C and shares insights on liposomal supplements, emphasizing the need for proper absorption to boost health.
Dec 11, 2025 • 1h
Relationship Expert: The Myths That Destroy Marriages & Keep You From Being Happy | Vanessa Bennett
Vanessa Bennett, a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of The Motherhood Myth, joins to explore how parenthood reshapes identity and intimacy. They discuss the pressures of modern parenting and the importance of self-awareness before having children. Vanessa debunks myths around parenthood, pointing out that children aren't responsible for our happiness. The conversation emphasizes emotional intimacy beyond physical connection, and how open communication can strengthen relationships. Bennett encourages men to develop emotional intelligence and for both partners to prioritize self-relationship.
Dec 8, 2025 • 56min
Top Addiction Expert’s Playbook To Reset Your Brain And Take Back Control | Dr. Greg Hobelmann
Dr. Greg Hobelmann, Co-CEO of Ashley Addiction Treatment, shares his extensive expertise in addiction and mental health. He delves into the frightening realities of the addiction epidemic, the brain's rewiring due to substances, and key strategies for early recovery. Hobelmann emphasizes the importance of quality treatment, identifies red flags in the industry, and discusses the potential dangers of fentanyl. He also offers invaluable advice for families supporting loved ones in recovery and stresses the significance of daily habits for long-term success.
Dec 4, 2025 • 45min
How to Prepare for Menopause Before It’s Too Late | Dr. Mariza Snyder
Dr. Mariza Snyder, a functional medicine practitioner and author specializing in women's health, dives deep into menopause and its broader impacts. She discusses how hormonal changes can affect relationships and family dynamics. Chronic stress and lifestyle factors are revealed as hidden disruptors of hormones. Dr. Snyder emphasizes the importance of community and sleep for aging well. She reframes menopause as a powerful reset, encouraging women to embrace this phase while advising men on how to support their partners through these transitions.
Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 7min
Navy SEAL Secrets to Dominate Fear, Pressure & Discomfort | Brent Gleason
Brent Gleeson, a Navy SEAL combat veteran turned entrepreneur, shares profound insights on overcoming addiction and achieving identity transformation. He reveals how SEAL training's pressure is easier than battling addiction while discussing the importance of discipline over fleeting motivation. Brent emphasizes converting discomfort into growth and the significance of cultivating mental toughness through emotional intelligence. He also highlights the shift in veteran culture towards sobriety and faith, encouraging listeners to redefine their identities and focus on meaningful pursuits.
