As many of you know, David, the founder of this podcast, was an incredibly insightful man. A lot of that was gleaned from the hardships that he endured, many that were self-inflicted. He also studied Eastern religions like Buddhism which helped him acquire a better understanding of the human psyche, and pointed him toward directing his energies inward toward improving himself in order to improve the world around him. Along the way, in his memoir, Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery, he showed how he could attain a huge measure of that by showing his vulnerability, unashamedly exposing his mistakes and shortcomings, discussing the self-loathing he felt, and letting people make up their own minds about his efforts to make amends, and importantly, not harboring ill will toward them if they chose not to accept any of that. He understood that we all have done things we regret, and he was willing to accept others for who they were trying to be instead of judging them for past misdeeds.
The most interesting book along those lines I have read in a while is by Nick Moore. I found his book, Who Am I?, to be a real page-turner that I tore through in two sessions. Nick grew up in Texas among racism, violence, and parents who were unfaithful to one another. On the plus side, he loved to play football, and in high school received all of the adulation that football players get in Texas, and eventually got to play for Georgia Tech and Baylor. On the other, he had a mercurial, sometimes violent father. Nick discovered that his father had been molesting his daughter and granddaughter, leading Nick to call Child Protective Services, and causing an irreparable rift in his family. Nick struggled from that point with depression, substance abuse, mistrust of his religious upbringing, and finding a good direction to his life. Nick’s story takes more twists and turns than a rollercoaster as you share his bad luck, frustrations, and questionable choices. But he could eventually see how the Universe was pushing him in the right direction, even after losing his life savings – an envelope with $4000 in cash – that he’d planned to use to re-start his life in Amsterdam.
Interestingly, Nick had a psychological breakthrough while experimenting with psychedelics. He now lives in Hawaii, where he learned about the love and acceptance offered by Hinduism, and found some very wise mentors. He shares his poetry with visitors on Waikiki Beach, and like David after the revelations he realized, has become a leader in teaching others about vulnerability, self-love, and compassion, and most importantly, how people think about themselves. He definitely gave me some impetus for self-reflection, so I hope you enjoy this chat, too.
Nick Moore
nicholasjordanmoore.com
His book "Who Am I?" is available on Amazon
Nicholasjordanmoore@gmail.com
Instagram @nicholasjordanmoore and @papa_infinite
YouTube @nicholasjordanmoore
X @NickJordanMoore
TikTok NicholasJordanMoore
Bill Stahl
silly_billy@msn.com
Facebook Bill Stahl
Instagram @stahlor and @coachstahl
YouTube We Are Superman Podcast