Alex Warren on Turning Pain into Purpose.

Alex Warren on Turning Pain into Purpose
ON THIS EPISODE
From sleeping in his car to social media stardom — 21-year-old Alex Warren has a phenomenal success story! And yet there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. Today he opens up about his parents’ cancer and addiction-related deaths, what it was like getting kicked out of his house at 17, and how he’s been figuring himself out ever since. Alex has a perspective on his story that’s both unique and powerful. If you’re grieving the loss (physical or otherwise) of a parent and re-parenting yourself, this episode offers tools and wisdom to help.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
ABOUT THE GUEST
Alex Warren

At just 21 years old, Alex Warren is one of the top creators on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, as well as the co-founder of the creator collective THE HYPE HOUSE. Alex’s channel and social media accounts document his life in the house and include hilarious pranks, viral video challenges and the unexpected twists of life as a social media superstar. He is set to star in the upcoming NETFLIX reality series, which will “offer an exclusive, fly-on-the-wall look into the glamorous, stressful and high-speed personal and professional antics of the young stars, as they live together and collaborate daily on new content.”

SHOW NOTES

Alex Warren is an internet celebrity and influencer. He started his career with humor and skateboard-stunt videos on TikTok, where he has acquired millions of fans. He also started a YouTube channel where he posted vlogs as well as stunt and skateboarding videos. Alex became a member of the TikTok group Hype House and is featured in the reality series by Netflix based on Hype House.

He’s 21 years old and shared some major insight today with me that you can only get through the school of life and I am so glad to invite you to be part of this conversation.

He released his original song “Remember Me” in June 2021.

Alex’s father was diagnosed with cancer before he was born and died when he was 9 years old. His mother passed away last year after her struggle with alcohol addiction.

We discuss Alex’s experience with grief. He shares that when someone dies we lose the person as well as the future we would have had with them. We have to mourn both.

We talk about addiction, losing parents, and how we can turn our pain into purpose. Alex Warren is brave and genuine, wise and so generous I think you’re going to find this episode really meaningful.

Alex shares what he has learned about the illness of addiction, the stigma, and the importance of separating the addiction from the person. We discuss anticipatory grief and creating a legacy after a loved one dies. We also talk about grieving the ideal parent we needed in addition to the parent we had and ways to re-parent ourselves. 

In the world of social media with filters and perfect-appearing people on social media, Alex is authentic and honest. 

To understand more about death, you can read Chapter 8, What Death Looks Like from The Needs of the Dying by David Kessler. Click here to download it for free.

FOR MORE SUPPORT

www.tenderheartssupport.com - David's online grief support group, Tender Hearts

www.aboutgrief.com - Understanding loss and grief

www.lossofaparent.com - Death of a parent

www.parentforever.com - Death of a child and sibling

www.griefsuicide.com - Death of a loved one by suicide

988lifeline.org - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

nami.org - National Alliance of Mental Illness

afsp.org - American Foundation of Suicide Prevention

adultchildren.org - Adult Children of Alcoholics® & Dysfunctional Families

al-anon.org - Al-Anon Family Groups

amzn.to/31AZCPv - Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

actapublications.com/tear-soup - Tear Soup: A Recipe of Healing After Loss

www.elf-help.com/grief_therapy_124048.htm - Grief Therapy, Elf Help Books

Spotify Limited Series - Click here to see all 12 episodes
TIPS AND TAKEAWAYS

Become the parent you need 

Sometimes, as adults, we need to be the parent to ourselves that we didn’t get – we need to become it. How can you offer yourself the nurturing and love you needed as a child right now?

Addiction is a disease

The old paradigm for addiction had a lot of myths such as people could just say no or attend some meetings and be cured. It was thought to be a lack of willpower or a choice or problematic behavior. Addiction is a complex disease of the mind and body. How does seeing addiction as a disease impact your perspective and view?

Sharing our authentic experiences is healing

There are so many filters in our world with social media. We are tempted to think that we have to be perfect. We help others by talking about grief/trauma/tragedy allows me to be able to give others hope. How can you show up for yourself and others in your truth with both the good and the challenging aspects of your life?

Turn your pain into purpose

We talk about finding meaning after loss. Meaning doesn’t happen all at once but it can be so powerful. What are some ways that you can begin to turn your pain and experience into purpose?

Healing is ongoing

When we have experienced grief or trauma I like to say that we are healing vs. healed. It’s an ongoing process. Healing is when devastating and painful situations no longer control us. What are you working through so that it no longer controls you?

Thoughts About This Episode?
Back to Top
Translate »