This Podcast Is... Uncalled For - Mandy Alexis

Episode Date: May 1, 2026

Mandy Alexis is a Canadian expat living in Nicaragua at the time of this recording.  She was on to talk about her story with addiction and finding ways to recover and being human.  Truly interesting discussion.

Check the mic, we'll go in live. Stories told they rise and dive. Topics fresh with every spin. You won't guess what's coming in. Every week a new surprise. Minds away, never lies. Conversations bold and free. Tune in now just waiting.

Just press play when oyster shop opinion is bright. Hi everybody. Welcome to the podcast. I have another great guest. me today going to introduce yourself please hi my name is Mandy Alexis I'm here to talk about overcoming a 16 year addiction to cocaine and things I discovered about being human and how to really go inwards to you know live a more aligned and connected life with with oneself all right excellent so first thing you're out there are you by chance Canadian because I hear a bit of Canadian in here

Yes, I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba. And so right now I'm living in Nicaragua. Oh, Nicaragua. So we can't Nicaragua off our international list too. So I've had a couple of Canadian guests already. And so we are now the third. And I'm here in the States, so Kansas City specifically. And so, yeah, let's start with the whole,

overcoming your addiction thing. Yeah, so actually I started experimenting with, like, drugs when I was only 12. It was the first time I smoked weed. And then that progressed pretty quickly, like, you know, by 13, 14, drinking and then plus mushrooms, you know, by 15, 16, doing ecstasy and acid. while still like, you know, drinking stuff up every weekend. And then when I turned 19, you know, being in the bars and I was working at in the restaurant industry, I was presented with cocaine.

And then like I actually, like I started it. Always told myself like when I'm ready to like stop, like I'll be able to quit like no problem. And then I saw like my outer world like was very. very functioning. You know, I was in that 16 years, I was going to school still. I opened a business, you know, volunteering, still attending all the family functions and everything.

But my inner world was being destroyed. Like I noticed my brain not working the same and having very like really dark moments, like when I was alone. And then like, you know, I started doing it by myself. Like it used to just be like with the party, right? And then when I was, you know, I'd be home. alone and not enjoying what was happening within. Like, you know, I would start doing it by myself.

And it was kind of like in those moments was my first like, oh my goodness, like, I really have a problem here. So my journey, it took me like a few years to actually like quit. There was, you know, you know, I'd go a few months and then think I'd be okay and go out, have some drinks and then trigger me again and then kind of get right back in that cycle. And it wasn't until I was in like a relationship with a man who had a child where that was kind of like my biggest aha moment. Like who do I want to be for this man and for this kid? Like if we're going to, you know, be serious and stuff.

So that was my huge turning point for me. And, you know, it was it was a big challenge. I had to change a lot of things about my outer world and really focus on my inner world too. you know wow awesome yeah that that's uh pretty pretty impressive stuff um yeah so as a result of your journey uh where where some things that's uh you've uh done to uh help uh uh get back on the right track shall shall i say and uh and uh anything practical that can come from uh experience. Yeah. So when I, when I first like I first was interested about what was happening in my brain and stuff. I actually started looking into like how the mind worked like free like during

the addiction. Like why am I why do I want to do this like what's happening to my brain and all this kind of stuff. And so I started kind of just learning about how the brain worked, what cocaine was doing to me. And. And then years later, I discovered Dr. Joe Dispenza, and he has, like, a course called Rewired, which really, like, digs deep into why we are the way we are, like the patterns, like our subconscious mind, you know, like, and he had a whole program around learning about subconscious mind and the mind and then offering techniques like meditation and practices to be able to really be aware of your thoughts and your patterns and being able to to change them.

So I just freaking went super hard on this program and I listened to it like over and over and over again to really cement these like new ideas and these new practices like and this, you know, to be able to change the way my brain was functioning around the addiction. that was that was the first step um i also had to really like i mentioned like change my environment so i had to not have a social life really for a lot like a while like um i did have you know some friends that were on like a cleaner path so just doing like very basic things like going for ice cream going for walks but like i couldn't go to concerts i couldn't go to the bar you know like even bowling like we used to go bowling and that would turn into like a big party so i had to really like change um my social setting i had to move out uh where i was living find a new place to live because my roommate uh was still in the party scene and um yeah like you know

it happened in stages um but i went i did go like full force and just wanted to to to make sure that i was living like a different life cool cool so yeah sounds like you're trying to live my life right now. I'm not much of a partier and everything. Could this doctor that you mentioned help with, say, my own issues, my biggest issue right now is I've been single for 47 years and with with seemingly no end in sight, you know? So. Yeah. So with Dr. Dode Spenza, like, like, like, he does.

talk about the subconscious mind, which I mean, it's pretty wild because so 95% of our reality is controlled by our subconscious mind, which, you know, unless you're aware, like really start watching your patterns and stuff, we're not, we're not in control of our reality because it's coming from the subconscious spot. And that could include, you know, like trauma, things we've learned like from childhood and beyond like from zero to seven our brain is a sponge. So we have no filter. So whenever we were exposed to during those years, that is now part of our belief system, part of how we think we're worthy, you know, how we watched our mother treat our father

and our father treat our mother. now that's like instilled in us like how those romantic relationships should be like involved. And so it's really about becoming aware of what are the patterns in your life or looking back at your family, like your childhood and revisiting some of the things that you witnessed like as a kid, you know. My father was an alcoholic. He was very absent for a lot of our childhood. So, you know, like, I've been asked, you know, was this a way to escape, like doing all these drugs? And at the time, I wouldn't say it was.

I would be like, oh, we're experimenting. We're just having fun. Like, we're just being normal teenagers. But knowing now what, like, I know, I could say that subconsciously, I was trying to escape, like, you know, this alcoholic father who, like was angry a lot or lapsing a lot. And I mean, the wild thing about that too is like we, most of the parties happened at my dad's house as a teenager. Like once he had a place for us. So I don't know. Like I was maybe trying to escape some of these, these pains and discomforts and confusion from my childhood. Like, you know, it's euphoric when you're smoking weed. You're laughing and

you're having a good time and then, you know, these other drugs are taking you on these different levels, right, of dopamine. And it could be like a great escape for someone who has these, these deep wounds that they haven't been able to recognize as a child, you know? So, yeah, my parents divorced when I was 12 and then I don't know how big it influenced that had. and had my own issues, you know, being on the spectrum and all that. And also, back to my volunteering in my situation. I didn't date in high school. I tried to, so not like a trying, but all the girls I was approaching while they were seeing

someone that I didn't quite understand that or just not interested and the ones who were interested were I had no interest in some does that make sense yeah I mean it's an it's an interesting journey being human you know like we we automatically we want you know love and companionship and you know and it's uh you know it's been forever that you know like you find your person and you build a home like we're we're taught and we're taught that as well as it in us you know we all we all want to be loved we all want to like have someone to share well i shouldn't say all but a lot of people want someone to share their life with so it's very um very common um to want that stuff now and it it doesn't always happen the way we we think it should you know um and i mean that that's that's that's just

the way it is for some reason, you know? And, but yeah, for you, like, if you're wanting to, to meet someone and you're interested in that, like, you know, there's, there's different ways to approach that. Yeah. Yeah. Well, unfortunately for me, Kansas City always ranks near the bottom for cities and the states for singles. So, oh, there's like, like, there's lots of couples there already.

Yeah, people couple early here. That was a big observation of mine growing up as they couple in high school and stuff and they stay that way. Well, you know what? I bet you there's some single lady out there saying the exact same thing thinking like, oh, everyone's already coupled up and maybe your past just haven't crossed yet. and I know like sometimes it can be hard to believe that we can make change and that there's there's something out there. But belief and knowing is is a huge part of how we create our reality. And also getting out of your comfort zone, right? Like we have to do things to create a new reality.

Like, you know, like have you tried like the dating sites and stuff already out there? Yep. happen. Do you guys have like those meet and greet? Oh, I got to tell you a story about one of those meeting grits that happened. So this was a couple of years ago. I do occasionally participate in a singles group here that's based on Facebook. They did a Taco Tuesday. And a bunch of people showed up and I was there and I was in there.

No one was talking to me and everything. Everyone was engaged in their own little. discussion is like what the fuck am i doing here that's that's what's going through my mind yeah i don't know it's uh the journey it's it can be hard i'm still single and um i mean i just recently got out of like i have a in a breakup but i mean i believe he's out there and i guess that's all i can do in the meantime i'm just enjoying my life as it is and you know one day at a time. I do do a lot of work on my inner world,

like doing like energy clearing and stuff and really trying to to trust and, or I do trust and, you know, want to attract in what's meant for me and stuff. So, I mean, there's lots of different ways to help us like get to a different space in life. You know, our mind is, is very powerful. And even like the energies we hold will will will determine to a degree like what we have in our aura.

Like, you know. Okay. So give me a list of some activities he would, you would, let's say someone would approach you about one of one of the quits, drugs or one of the fix they're messed up social status is there a list of things you would recommend

for people to yeah like really you know it just in the outer world when you're wanting to quit like try to get out of drugs like you know the desire really needs to be there and I understand that

some people you know they're and and and not you know they got to understand that it's a journey all its own. Like I mentioned, I relapsed a few times which I've had already decided that that's what I wanted. But really, like, really just changing things in their life. And it is going to be uncomfortable. It is going to be hard.

But, you know, finding new people to hang out with, getting support where they need to. Like, honestly, meditation and, like, you know, kind of like, like really concentrating on my thoughts and rewiring myself really, really helps me, you know, doing things like exercise and being out in nature, like just things that are different than just going and sitting at the bar. And it's going to take discipline and it's going to take time.

But I do believe that if somebody really does want to change their life, that there are, that they can. Like there's, like, we are in charge of our, our existence. And, um, I feel like we're limitless, we're a limitless being as long as we believe that, you know, and it's not going to happen like this. Like, it took me a few years to completely get out of that. And, um, you know, then it brought up a whole bunch of other things, right? Like, for me, like, um, but yeah, I've, I found,

tools, you know, like breathing is really important, like intentional slow breathing, doing like meditation, journaling, being around the right type of people. Yeah, there's, you know, I also, a big thing was discovering things that sober Mandy like to do, right? Like, I tried a lot of new things or like once I was like past it or tried old things again to see if I still like doing them if there wasn't like a drink involved you know yeah yeah yeah all my activities tend to be a male uh dominated and all that's uh the few i have done a few things that um i remember are called take a meditation course whereas the only guy in the entire course but uh all the other all the women in there were older and married.

So that's our thing. Yeah, you just got to keep putting yourself out there, I guess, you know, and getting into new groups. Like, I volunteered a lot. I'm still volunteering now. You know, that gets you with, like, a lot of different types of people. And you get to, like, you know, be part of a good cause. You know, that really helped.

I had a dog in Canada. We did like therapy dog work. Like she was a certified therapy dog. So we would go into like hospitals and like old folks homes and schools. And the dog would be there at support for different reasons and different people. That was something really helpful for me along my journey and stuff too. Like, yeah. Yeah.

I mentioned volunteer work because I did volunteer work yesterday so wow where do you volunteer uh so I volunteer a few places around here but yesterday specifically was we have a big anime convention happening this weekend and I was there yesterday doing some video work for them so so unpaid video work how cool is that that's that's how I got into a doing a podcast and was through video and then got invited to do audio podcast. Yeah, sure, why not? And having fun with that as well.

How long have you been doing the podcast for? So this particular podcast I started in 2019. I've been doing it for a while, but podcasting, I got back, that goes back to 2012, was invited to do my first podcast. Wow, that's awesome. So are you a guest on some podcast too? I'm trying to be. I'm trying to be.

Okay. And what is it that you want to talk about on your, or when you are a guest? When I'm, it depends on, depends on, depends on the subject. So I've been on one that has to be re-recorded. And I've had this particular podcast or on my podcast. We talked on his podcast about being a Star Trek fan and all that. Oh. Yeah.

And this particular podcaster is also Canadian. He's one of the Canadians I talked about earlier. I think he's out of Thunder Bay, Ontario. So not too far from the West Side.

Not too far. Nope. Yeah. I'm going to be on another podcast very soon. We're going to talk about the KCA's. So a little...

What's that? That's basically. Baseball. Baseball. So, so, yeah, on one point, the team currently same between Oakland and Las Vegas, if you know baseball at all. The A's, they were in Kansas City at one point. So I thought, but that'd be, so actually he thought it'd be interesting to talk about as well. And then a few others, I'm open to talking about all sorts of different subjects and everything.

I think. There's also another podcast I've been invited on. I gave the host of choice. Well, we'll do a consultation call first. But I told, I could talk about being an ex-Morman or being a nudist. You are a nudist or you are now. I am. Are you still? Yeah, I went to a nudist event last night, actually. So. Oh, and how is that as a lifestyle? Like, have you been doing that for a long time? A long time. A long time. Interesting. Very interesting. And I think that's part of being human too is being comfortable being naked. Would you agree?

Oh, I mean, like, for me, I only like to be naked with my lover. But I know it's a very popular concept because, like, I mean, we have a nude beach in in Manitoba, like where I am from and stuff. And, I mean, there's nude beaches everywhere in the world and new just colonies and all this kind of stuff. And so, I mean, obviously, we were born naked and for however many years, there was no clothes. So it is, you know, very, you know, it's part of how everything began. But me personally, I don't know. And that's fine.

And then, you know, it's not for everyone, but, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So at my nudist club, there is a lady that's been shown up last couple times. I'm pretty sure she's single. But we hit off pretty good. And, no, I really like this girl and everything.

And I don't want to screw it up. Well, just be yourself, you know, to be yourself. We're all perfectly imperfect, you know, and, you know, someone is going to love you. It needs to be for you. You know what I mean? Like, you can't, yeah. Yeah. And another thing about it's the first time I met her, she and I were talking about podcasts.

I thought, well, you should listen to my podcast and she has been listening to my podcasts. Yeah. Good. Well, that's exciting. Yeah. So, yeah, I don't want to screw it up. And if it happens, it happens. Well, I wonder if she's going to listen to this one and she'll know that you're... She knows.

When I talked with her last night at the event, I told her, yeah, I'm doing a podcast interview. Yeah, and... Yeah. So are you planning on asking her out on a date or you just wanted to be like... Well, well, we... I kind of have Esther out a little bit. So we're like, yeah, I've got each other's contact info. Let's just do something casual, like go to a board game cafe and stuff.

She had mentioned she wants to learn how to play chess. Ah, okay. Which I do teach chess as well professionally. And she also talked about wanting to spend this. Some are going to various nudist places around our area and doing hiking and stuff. Yeah, if you want one plus one and she's open to it. That's how it starts. I mean, it's great to build like a nice foundation, right?

Like start doing things, become like close and become friends. And, you know, and that's how it begins, you know? Yeah. Good deal. Good deal. And I did bring up board games. That's a, that's been a great thing for me, too, is getting into the board gaming hobby. That's how I got the chess job back in 2017. So I've been doing that for a while, too. And as soon as I log off here, that's where I'm heading to that job. Cool. And you teach, do teach like all ages or you teach children? So our primary business model is we go, we do after school programs. But we also do a chess school where parents can bring their kids up for an hour and they just focus on chess.

And then I also rent casual play and rated tournaments. Oh, wow. Yeah. And then the tournaments are more adult. tournaments so yeah very cool mm-hmm yeah wow so so yeah rough rough the bad like lots of time as for the ex-mormon thing we do have an ex-mormon community up here to they get together once a month usually like first Sunday of every month there's a reason for that in Mormonism the first Sunday of every month they call it fast in testimony

You're expected to fast before going to church that Sunday. Any money you would have spent on food goes to the church as a donation, which is ridiculous because that church is already worth billions of dollars, but through business holdings and everything. And then they get up and they call it bare testimony. I believe the church is true. I believe Joseph Smith was a prophet. and hearing little kids go up and say,

I know this church is true. And because Mormons are not allowed to drink coffee, ex-Mormons, we get together on Fast and Testimony Day and just get together, drink coffee and eat. And just talk about things going on in our lives, including our time in the church. And of course, Kansas City is central to LDS teachings. They believe the Garden of Eden was in independence.

And they have various properties throughout Western Missouri here. So that's interesting, too. Very cool. Looks like you have like a nice, well-rounded community around. you and you get to do a lot of things that you love so that's really awesome yeah yeah all right i'll go and wrap up here a little bit at do you have any closing thoughts for for us uh sure i mean if anyone is interested in finding out more about the journey inward they they can uh find me on social media like at mandy lexas motivation on instagram or just mandy lexas on facebook i have um

some courses around, you know, gaining awareness and tools to live a more regulated, connected, and centered way of being. So, yeah. Cool. Cool. And yeah, feel free to message me that information on that doctor you mentioned, too. Sure. Yeah. No problem. All right. Thank you, Manny, for coming on. And thank you for listening. And we will talk again very soon. All right. Bye. This podcast is Uncalled for is hosted, produced, and edited by myself, Mike Chernivsky. Our opening music is the This Podcast is Uncalled for Theme, which is created at sueno.com,

sUNO.com. And our outro music for this episode is That Zen Moment by Kevin McLeod at Incompetec.com, and is licensed undergrative Commons by attribution 4.0 license. Please support the podcast and purchase our exclusive uncalled for merchandise, t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, stickers, and so much more. Go to www.comfacepress.com slash uncalled for pod. Thank you so much for listening. We will see you next time.