The Offbeat Path, Episode 1: JivaG

Welcome to the maiden voyage of The Offbeat Path! I couldn’t think of a better guest to kick things off than my friend and inspiring force, JivaG (   / @bhaktirecoverypodcast ). In this episode, we dive deep into Jiva’s journey, from growing up in the fast-paced 1980s NYC punk scene to finding her way through addiction, and ultimately discovering a new path through yoga, recovery, and spiritual practice.

Jiva shares her powerful story of resilience, healing, and the strength of community, from her first encounters with AA and NA to building a life based on wellness and connection. Her journey reveals how raw honesty, humility, and a willingness to surrender to something bigger can lead to profound change. Jiva opens up about the challenges she faced and the transformation that followed, touching on her roots in the punk scene and her discovery of spiritual philosophies. We discuss the meaning of surrender, a concept she initially resisted but later embraced, finding that it allowed her to take shelter and lean into true recovery. Our conversation delves into the importance of community support, with Jiva highlighting how groups like AA and NA played an essential role in her growth, creating a foundation for others to find hope and healing. Her vision now? To make recovery accessible to everyone, with dreams of building a recovery center where no one is turned away because of financial barriers.

Tune in to hear about:

☑️JivaG’s early years navigating the punk rock and hardcore scene in NYC

☑️How AA, NA, and spiritual practices changed her life

☑️The impact of surrender and embracing humility

☑️Why Jiva believes every person should have access to recovery services, regardless of income

☑️Stories from the punk rock era, from CBGB’s to the Lower East Side This conversation is raw, real, and full of insights for anyone interested in mindfulness, resilience, and the power of community.

Whether you’re on a personal journey of self-discovery, exploring recovery, or simply love hearing incredible life stories, this episode of The Offbeat Path will leave you inspired. Don’t forget to hit subscribe to join us on more journeys into wellness, purpose, and living life authentically.

Listen on your favorite podcasting place or watch on YouTube.