#24 - Arlyn Smith - Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, Anorexia, Ataxia, Stroke Survivor; Thriving in the Face of The Impossible

Arlyn Smith became an Alcoholic in 8th grade.  Her mom found empty vodka bottles under her bed; she then turned to substance abuse to escape the demons in her head; and ultimately, she found control in starving her body of food.  The one thing she couldn’t escape, however, was the haunting thought of not knowing why.  Why did she do this to herself?  Why did she feel hopeless?  She prayed every night to never wake up.This pattern continued through high school and college, the whole time she appeared to those around her to have everything.  She moved from place to place, burning any bridge she formed, until one night after returning from buying food to binge, she found her father lifeless in their apartment; he had committed suicide.  This sent Arlyn to another level, her addiction grew worse, and she felt as if she could do nothing right.  One night, she decided to end her own life.  A gallon of vodka, pills, drugs, and a bathtub; she left nothing to chance.  Yet, just as she was beginning to slip away, her spirit found a spark, a desire to live.  She suffered a massive cerebellar stroke that left totally without control of her own body, and in that Impossible, Arlyn found sobriety.Now, she is a competitive athlete, she is an advocate for those who suffer addiction, and she is an inspiring and motivating force for good in every life she touches.  In this episode of The Impossible, learn how Arlyn Faced the Impossible in her life and overcame it despite every perceived limitation.One thing is certain, Arlyn is Impossible.Find Arlyn on Instagram! @alusmith Suicide Hotline: Call 988 or visit www.988lifeline.org Thank you for listening, and as always…Be Impossible!------------Impossible Performance:https://www.impossibleperformance.com/ Marathon Fundraising:https://give.nationwidechildrens.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1694195&pg=personal&fr_id=1780 King and Fifth:https://www.kingandfifth.com/collections/affiliate-products?dt_id=548485Use Code: ImpossiblePerformance for 10% OFF Norse Fitness:https://norsefitness.co/   Thomas Earnshaw Fine Watches: https://thomas-earnshaw.com?sca_ref=4201986.6zEao78rQF Use Code: AUSTINDOUGLAS5   Liquid Death:https://liquiddeath.com/Support the show