From D1 Athlete to Addiction, Recovery & Human Capacity | Kenny Whitacre | I Am Redemption

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

Today, Kenny lives and trains with intention. He shares what athletics look like for him now, from races and HYROX competitions to training sober, and how physical challenge has become a vehicle for growth instead of escape.

This episode also dives deep into Kenny’s philosophy around human capacity:

-Why sobriety unlocked a higher level of performance
-How discipline changes when substances are removed
-Training the mind with the same intensity as the body

We close with Kenny’s big goals and future vision, including coaching, mentorship, and helping others realize how much more they’re capable of when they stop running from pain and start using it with purpose.

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⏱️ 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

I Am Redemption is a podcast hosted by Shawn Livingston, built on raw conversations around recovery, discipline, fitness, mindset, and purpose. This is a space where we give power to our pain, celebrate growth, and highlight what comes after the struggle.

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