#35 The Day Richard Almost Drowned (and What It Teaches About Anxiety)

In this episode of the Free From Porn Podcast, Justin and Richard kick things off with a hilarious question: “What’s the manliest thing you’ve ever done?” What starts as jokes about peeing standing up and awkward gym compliments quickly turns into a story that nearly ends in disaster—Richard almost drowning at a Hawaiian beach because he fought the waves instead of letting himself float.

But that moment becomes the doorway into a much deeper conversation about white-knuckling, rumination, anxiety, and why so many men exhaust themselves trying to “fight the waves” of life, urges, or stress.

Justin breaks down the real meaning of Philippians 4:13 (hint: it’s not about doing backflips for Jesus), and together they unpack why:

• Most people aren’t sinning because they’re evil—they’re medicating because they’re overwhelmed.
• Trying to out-think your anxieties only drags you deeper into the rip current.
• Freedom isn’t found in controlling the waves—it’s found in learning to float.

If you’ve ever felt like life is “lifeing,” like you're trying to fix circumstances you can’t fix, or like your urges spike the moment stress rises, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

You don’t need more force.
You don’t need more self-hatred.
You don’t need to swim harder.

You need to learn the art of endurance, peace, and floating with Jesus in the middle of the waves.

This episode will show you how.

Tune in now.