EP 224: Mike's Story

This episode of Unashamed Unafraid introduces guests Mike (“Sacramento Mike”) and his son Weston, with Mike visiting Utah from Hawaii for his daughter’s wedding. Mike describes growing up in an LDS family near Sacramento, first encountering pornography at 11, becoming compulsively drawn to it, and being forcibly sexually assaulted by older boys around age 13–14, which deepened his shame and porn use; he later learned those boys were arrested for raping family members. At 18, after drug use, he prayed on a beach, quit drugs, served a mission in Ecuador, married, and raised a family while hiding a long-term pornography problem that escalated alongside law-enforcement work in Oakland and PTSD. After multiple deaths in his care and suicidal crises, he sought help, was retired from duty, and recounts a 2018 moment when his wife, prompted by God, prevented a planned suicide, helping him recognize God’s love. Mike has now been sober from pornography and sexual acting out for 8 years. Make a donation and become an Outsider!Follow us on social media! Instagram, Facebook & TikTokSubscribe to our YouTubeCheck out our recommended resourcesWant to rep the message? Shop our MERCH!  For more inspiration, read our blogDo you have a story you are willing to share? Send us an email! [email protected]:01:28 Wedding Weekend Banter03:02 First Exposure To Porn05:25 Sexual Assault And Confusion07:14 Shame And Silence08:43 Beach Prayer Wake Up11:32 Mission And Marriage13:51 Law Enforcement And Trauma15:22 Confessing and Hiding Secrets16:30 PTSD and Relapse Cycle18:14 Family Distance and Regrets21:07 Deaths on the Job23:24 Retired and Identity Crisis25:22 Therapy and Escalation26:10 2018 Suicide Crisis27:31 Gods Love and Closing28:25 The Dream32:59 Weston's thoughts on dad's recovery39:11 Life After Disclosure41:34 Warrior Heart Boot Camp49:15 Helping Other Men54:19 Gratitude by Brandon Lake