In this episode of I Am Redemption, Shawn Livingston sits down with Kenny Whitacre, a former Division I football and track athlete whose pursuit of elite performance collided with addiction, trauma, and substance abuse — and ultimately led him to sobriety and a new mission centered on human capacity. Kenny’s athletic path didn’t follow a straight line. After competing at the highest collegiate levels in football and track, he transitioned into competitive cheerleading, all while battling a severe pain pill addiction that quietly became part of his daily life. Alongside the pills came alcohol, other substances, and unresolved trauma that compounded the struggle behind the scenes.

In this raw and honest conversation, Kenny opens up about:

-Life as a high-level D1 athlete and the pressure to perform

-How pain pills entered his world through athletics

-The role trauma and alcohol played in deepening addiction

-The moment honesty and sobriety became unavoidable

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction

02:15 – Growing up in athletics

06:40 – D1 football & track pressure

11:30 – Transitioning into cheerleading

15:45 – Pain pills entering the picture

21:10 – Addiction, trauma, and alcohol

28:30 – Hitting the turning point

35:50 – Choosing sobriety

41:20 – Athletics in recovery

47:10 – Races, HYROX, and training sober

52:40 – Human capacity & mindset

58:30 – Kenny’s future goals and mission

1:03:40 – Final thoughts & redemption

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