Beyond The Mud

About Beyond The Mud

Step into the raw and emotional story of a life shaped by hardship, love, and survival. From growing up in one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods to losing my father—a cab driver murdered in cold blood—this podcast is a heartfelt exploration of family, sacrifice, and finding strength in the darkest moments. Join me as I relive memories, share untold stories, and navigate the journey from loss to resilience. If you’ve ever faced struggles or felt like the world’s weight was on your shoulders, this is for you. Let's walk this road together.

Publisher

Mudshuvel

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

29 Sept 2024

Latest episode

18 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

74 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Nov 2025

   When You’re Tired of Fighting but Still Show Up Anyway

   On this episode of Beyond The Mud, Mud (Mike) gets brutally honest about what it’s like to look “put together” on the outside while feeling like a complete imposter on the inside. Four days into a new antidepressant, juggling ADHD meds, sobriety, single fatherhood, and a nonstop grind, he talks about the days when the tools stop feeling like they work the writing, the therapy, the medication, the gratitude, all of it. Mud opens up about anxiety, social anxiety, trauma, addiction, neurodivergence, and fatherhood, and what it’s like to still feel broken even after doing “everything right.” No highlight reel, no fake positivity just a real conversation about living with a brain that was rewired by years of alcohol, prescription drugs, instability, and emotional neglect… and still choosing to fight for a better life anyway. You’ll hear about the lonely road where he takes his guilt, pressure, and anger so his kids don’t have to carry it. You’ll feel the tension of trying to be a present dad while battling imposter syndrome, overthinking, and the fear that you’ll become the person you swore you’d never be. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I still feel like this after all the work I’ve done?” this episode is for you. Topics: mental health, depression, anxiety, neurodivergent, ADHD, antidepressants, therapy, sobriety, addiction recovery, single dad, healing journey, imposter syndrome, childhood trauma, inner work, faith, self-doubt, nervous system, healing while parenting. Listen, share with someone who’s struggling in silence, and remember: you’re not alone

2. 

   19 Oct 2025

   I’m Tired, I’m Trying, and I’m Not Giving Up | Journal Entry 39

   In today’s raw and unfiltered journal entry, I reflect on the past few weeks of mental burnout, parenting struggles, identity shifts, sobriety challenges, and awkward public moments (including that time I accidentally sent 30 personal photos to the wrong person yeah, that happened). From waking up at 5AM to keep my mind in check, to feeling like a stranger in social settings, I open up about what it really means to be a high functioning human just trying to hold it together. This episode dives into anxiety, personal growth, fatherhood, loneliness, and what happens when life feels like a loop of doing your best but still feeling off. If you've ever questioned your worth, laughed through your breakdowns, or wondered why healing feels like a full-time job this one’s for you. We cry, we laugh, and we keep it brutally honest. Because this isn’t just a podcast it’s a journal you didn’t know you needed. Keywords for discovery: mental health podcast, journal entry, sobriety, anxiety, self-growth, fatherhood, real talk, emotional healing, podcast for healing, raw storytelling, self discovery, inner work, vulnerability, burnout, comedy podcast about life

3. 

   15 Oct 2025

   Boardwalk Academy Series: Michelle’s Story of Survival, Self-Discovery, and Stepping Into Her Power

   In this raw and unforgettable episode of the Boardwalk Academy Series, we dive into Michelle’s powerful journey from surviving trauma to becoming a beacon of leadership and healing. Once trapped in a cycle of pain, silence, and self-doubt, Michelle found the strength to face her past, embrace her worth, and rise into her purpose not just for herself, but for others walking a similar path. Through heartbreak, resilience, and self-reinvention, Michelle's story reminds us that true leaders are often forged in the fires of adversity. Her transformation is more than inspiring it’s a call to action for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or broken. 💥 Whether you’re battling your own demons, supporting someone who is, or searching for stories of real redemption, this episode will shake your soul and lift your spirit. 👉 Tune in and hear how community, courage, and connection at Boardwalk Academy helped Michelle turn her wounds into wisdom and how her voice is now helping others rise beyond the mud.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

90

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Beyond The Mud

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.