We talk to Saul Malek - Storyteller & promoter of mental health, resilience & hope, sharing lessons from his journey with gambling addiction through public speaking. Saul was, like many, a big sports fan. As a college student, he was on the radio calling games, followed teams, enjoyed watching and rooting for outcomes. However, when he was introduced to daily fantasy sports and gambling websites in 2017, he started looking at sports much differently. His interest slowly turned into a hobby before ultimately turning into an obsession and an addiction. He went through a series of emotions when he wasn’t betting on games, transferred money from different bank accounts, was asking for money and putting his time and funds into gambling. He began to lose a grip of who he was as a person and realized he had lost touch with reality. Weather, politics, the outside world didn’t matter to Saul. He had been using several bookies to place wagers on every sport imaginable. It consumed his mind and was his main priority 24/7. Like drug and alcohol addiction, he needed help and he was able to get that help, but still speaks to a therapist, his sponsor, attends meetings and does what he can to avoid gambling. It’s challenge and a struggle. Like any addiction, gambling addiction can completely change and destroy a life. Saul is still paying off the debts he accrued through various bookies.
(00:02:25-00:29:57) How he got into gambling, his initial introduction, his low points and when he realized he had a problem.
(00:31:22-00:37:47) – When he decided to get help, gamblers anonymous and 1-800 gamblers
(00:37:49-00:44:19) – His relationship with sports today and how he is able to navigate life today.
(00:44:20-00:46:02) – His recent speaking trip to Las Vegas, what that was like for him.
(00:47:59-00:56:14) – How prevalent gambling is today with so much accessibility and so much promotion of online gambling and DFS services. The harm it might be doing to those with a gambling personality.
(00:56:15-01:02:31) – The link between mental health and gambling or addiction of any kind.
(01:02:32) - The stuff that matters.
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