Michael Chernow - An INSPIRING Story of Conquering Addiction & Lessons from 20+ Years of Sobriety | EP071

Michael Chernow — restaurateur, entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and founder of Kreatures of Habit — joins us for a brutally honest conversation about addiction, recovery, discipline, and building a life worth living.From running some of New York City’s most iconic restaurants to hitting rock bottom with drugs and alcohol, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in transformation. He shares the moment he realized, “I’m gonna die. I hate myself,” and how that pain became the catalyst for an entirely new way of living.  We go deep into what sobriety really means — and why quitting drinking or drugs is only step one. Michael breaks down the routines, mindset shifts, and non-negotiables that keep him on track:

• Why discipline beats motivation every time
• The morning routine that builds your “foundation” for the day
• The 3 C’s that guide his life — Commitment, Confidence, and Courage
• How community and accountability play a vital role in staying sober
• Why entrepreneurship is about people, not just profit
• The story behind Kreatures of Habit and his newest product launch

Follow Michael on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/michaelchernow/

And visit the Kreatures of Habit website here: https://kreaturesofhabit.com/

3:00 – Restaurants and cocaine
5:45 – Life is pain
6:30 – Self-proclaimed savage; life is pure sober
8:30 – Glass half full; wine sales down 40%
9:30 – School picture policy; getting off phones
12:00 – Boundaries around quality time; work/life balance
14:00 – True wealth is the people you love
15:20 – Entrepreneur mindset: “Who am I working 14 hours a day for?”
20:00 – Happiness in Denmark and work policies
22:00 – Purpose is love, not just drive
25:00 – Sobriety advice: stay in the present moment
26:45 – Building your foundation in the morning
28:30 – “Don’t trip at the starting line” — I am a miracle
30:00 – Your brain on alcoholism
31:30 – Doing what you say as a superpower
35:15 – Guilt from the past
40:00 – Calling the man who saved my life on my sober anniversary
41:45 – The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
43:00 – Relationship with God and dealing with fear
46:00 – We are built to endure hard things
47:00 – Turning up your awareness
50:00 – “I’m gonna die. I hate myself” — Michael’s rock bottom
54:00 – Daily routine for sobriety
1:01:30 – Diet & exercise: The 3 C’s (Commitment, Confidence, Courage)
1:04:00 – AA meetings daily
1:06:10 – Community in sobriety
1:08:00 – Story of Kreatures of Habit
1:12:00 – Crowdfunding a business venture
1:14:30 – Tony Robbins: “All you need is 100 raving fans”
1:15:30 – Kreatures of Habit protein bar announcement
1:17:00 – Closing