Rise and Climb: How To Find Purpose And Become The Hero Of Your Story | With Ben Barbic

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If life is kicking your ass right now and you feel stuck, lost, and asking “why me,” this conversation is for you. In this episode of the Think Unbroken Podcast, Michael Unbroken sits down with author, musician, and survivor Ben Barbic to talk about his new book Rise and Climb: Finding Purpose Through Pain and the exact decisions that turned rock bottom into a life of purpose and happiness.

We dive deep into childhood trauma, losing everything overnight, panic attacks, addiction, getting arrested at 28, and the mirror‑moment that forces you to choose: stay a lifer in your old identity or become the hero of your own story. Ben shares how he used therapy, meditation, music, and “flip the switch” decisions to correct the ship one day at a time and build a life as a present father, creator, and peaceful soldier.

In this episode you will learn:

How to know when you have truly had “enough” and are ready to change your lifeWhy one decision at rock bottom can snowball into a completely different futurePractical ways to turn anxiety, panic attacks, and darkness into fuel for growthHow to deal with shame, imposter syndrome, and your past without letting them define youWhat it really means to find purpose through pain and raise your standards again and againTimestamps:

00:00 Facing reality and finding purpose through pain

03:15 What to do when life is kicking your ass

07:50 Childhood chaos, anxiety, and feeling different

13:10 Rock bottom, getting arrested, and the teddy bear moment

22:30 Panic attacks, letting go, and driving to Portland for therapy

32:20 Daily habits, long‑game thinking, and building momentum

47:30 Purpose through pain and using your story to help others