John Carter: Part 1- Shot in the Head, Lost in Addiction, and Fighting His Way Back
Sh!t That Goes On In Our HeadsSeptember 15, 2026
15
00:32:5330.12 MB

John Carter: Part 1- Shot in the Head, Lost in Addiction, and Fighting His Way Back

John Carter shares how surviving a gunshot to the head led to a brutal journey through addiction, depression, prison, and ultimately recovery. In Part 1, G-Rex and Dirty Skittles explore resilience, sobriety, trauma recovery, second chances, and how John fought his way back to a life of purpose.

At 22, John Carter survived a point-blank gunshot to the back of the head—but surviving the bullet was only the beginning. G-Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with John for Part 1 of an unbelievable conversation about organized crime, depression, addiction, prison, sobriety, physical recovery, and the people who helped him fight his way back.

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Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads is a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health), 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), 2026 Podcast Tonight Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast), and 2026 NYC Podcast Award Audience Choice Winner (Best Hosts), with over 4.5 million downloads and listened to in over 160 countries.

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Mental Health Quote

“Tomorrow might not be here for you, so take advantage of it.” — John Carter

Trigger Notice + 988 Crisis Reminder

This episode includes conversations about gun violence, addiction, incarceration, depression, overdose, and loss. Please take care of yourself while listening.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs immediate emotional support in the United States, call or text 988 or visit:
https://988lifeline.org/

For crisis resources outside the U.S.:
https://findahelpline.com/

Episode Description

John Carter has lived through the kind of story that sounds impossible until you hear him tell it. Raised around organized crime and determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, John entered a dangerous world that nearly killed him. At just 22, he was shot point-blank in the back of the head. He survived—but the aftermath brought disability, depression, alcohol, drugs, and eventually dealing drugs to support his addiction.

In Part 1, John joins G-Rex and Dirty Skittles to talk about the moments that changed the direction of his life. After his arrest, he found himself sitting in a police department parking lot at more than 300 pounds, using a wheelchair, broke, addicted, and out of options. A trip to detox—and a woman named Deb who showed him what recovery could look like—became the beginning of something different.

John also shares how a 10-year prison sentence ultimately became part of his second chance. Inside, three men who had known his father refused to let him stay in his wheelchair. They brought him to the prison gym, trained with him, and helped him rebuild his body until he eventually walked out of prison.

The conversation also explores grief, the loss of John’s brothers to addiction, the importance of asking for help, and the unexpected purpose he found through personal training and service dogs.

John’s story isn’t about pretending trauma was a gift. It’s about what can happen when you keep getting back up.

Keywords: John Carter, addiction recovery, mental health recovery, sobriety, trauma recovery, depression, prison rehabilitation, resilience, second chances, organized crime survivor, personal transformation, service dogs, recovery community, fitness and mental health, overcoming adversity

Meet Our Guest — John Carter

John Carter is a personal trainer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, author, and owner of Titanium Health and Fitness, a private gym in Boston. After surviving a near-fatal gunshot, addiction, incarceration, and profound personal loss, John rebuilt his life around sobriety, service, fitness, and helping others believe that change is still possible.

His memoir, Triggered to Change, shares his journey from organized crime and addiction to recovery, purpose, and second chances.

Key Takeaways

  • Recovery can begin at the moment you finally admit you need help.
  • Getting sober does not make every problem disappear, but it gives you a fighting chance to face them.
  • A painful consequence can sometimes become the interruption that saves a life.
  • Asking for help is not weakness—it can completely change the direction of your story.
  • Physical movement and fitness became powerful tools in John’s rebuilding process.
  • The people who believe in you can matter enormously, but you still have to choose the next right step.

Actionable Items

  • Make a recovery plan before you need it. Identify the people, places, and resources you can turn to when life becomes overwhelming.
  • Look honestly at the environments that pull you backward. Sometimes protecting your progress means changing where you go and who you spend time with.
  • Find one healthy practice that helps you reconnect with your body—walking, strength training, stretching, swimming, or another form of movement that meets you where you are.

Important Chapters

  • 00:01:02 — John Introduces His Story
  • 00:02:25 — Growing Up Around Organized Crime
  • 00:03:03 — Surviving the Gunshot
  • 00:04:00 — Addiction, Arrest, and Hitting Bottom
  • 00:05:09 — Meeting Deb and Seeing Recovery Differently
  • 00:06:00 — A 10-Year Prison Sentence
  • 00:07:29 — Making a Plan Instead of Giving Up
  • 00:09:13 — Rebuilding His Body in Prison
  • 00:12:14 — The Lesson John’s Father Taught Him About Quitting
  • 00:16:55 — Entering Prison at 24
  • 00:18:31 — Facing Temptation After Prison
  • 00:19:40 — Losing His Brothers to Addiction
  • 00:21:16 — Turbulence and the Power of Service Dogs
  • 00:26:21 — Turning His Story Into a TEDx Talk
  • 00:29:46 — Finding Purpose Through Speaking and Service

Closing CTA

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#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #TraumaRecovery #SecondChances #RecoveryIsPossible #OvercomingAdversity #Resilience #PrisonRehabilitation #DepressionRecovery #ServiceDogs #FitnessAndMentalHealth #RecoveryCommunity #NeverGiveUp #TriggeredToChange #JohnCarter

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If You Need Support, Reach Out

If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.

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Audio Editing by NJz Audio


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