Meet Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx is the co-founder, bassist, and primary songwriter for the legendary rock band Mötley Crüe. He’s also a member of the successful band Sixx:A.M. His book, “The Heroin Diaries,” was a New York Times bestseller. In it, he shares journal entries from the days he was doing hard drugs. He also shares what that was like for the people around him to see his ascent into drug use. Now, he’s written a new book called “The First 21” where he shares how his upbringing shaped him. The adversity he experienced as a child is linked to his addiction. But he’s sober now and he’s sharing how his rough past made him mentally stronger.
Why Nikki Sixx Is Mentally Strong
When Nikki was young, his father left. His sister, who was born with Down syndrome, was placed in a residential facility. And then, his mother left the family too. He was raised primarily by his grandparents. The family moved frequently and didn’t have a lot of money. Fortunately, Nikki found music to help him cope. Unfortunately, however, he also found drugs. He battled addiction for years. Unlike many rock stars whose addiction ends in tragedy, Nikki was able to get sober. During his recovery, he worked through the unresolved issues from his childhood. He’s open about the fact that he attends therapy and that he makes his mental health a top priority.
What You’ll Hear on the Show
The “aha" moment that helped Nikki know what he wanted to do with his life How the first 21 years shaped Nikki’s life How feelings about certain events in our lives often come up later What it was like for Nikki to relapse after 20 years of sobriety How Nikki stays creative How Nikki uses meditation in his life Why stability is a major component of his current success How therapy has helped Nikki make sense of his past The role journaling has played in his life How he changed the story that he’d been telling himself about his childhood
What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength
Childhood adversity can take a lifelong toll on us. It can certainly lead to unhealthy behaviors during adulthood, such as addiction. It’s tempting to avoid the emotional pain that stems from past trauma or difficult experiences. But the key to becoming better and growing stronger is about addressing those issues head-on.
Quotes From Nikki
“It was through recovery that I was able to do the work.““I had to accept the fact that I’ll be an addict for the rest of my life.““Meditation is a big part of my life.““I suggest putting the baggage down and seeing what life feels like to not be carrying around all this because it gets heavy.”
More About the Podcast
The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes
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