WWE Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle has openly attributed his remarkable journey to sobriety and redemption to his wife, Giovanna. In a heartfelt conversation on the "True Geordie" podcast, Angle delved into his tumultuous past, highlighting his battles with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, which led to a troubling series of DUI arrests.
At a critical juncture in his life, following his fourth DUI, Angle faced an ultimatum from his wife. "I called my wife from jail, and she said, 'I can't do this anymore. You either go to rehab or I'm taking the kids and I'm leaving,'" Angle recounted.
This stark moment was a turning point for him, prompting a reluctant but necessary step towards rehab — a decision initially made to prevent losing his family. Angle admitted that his initial motivation for rehab was not self-improvement but to appease his wife.
However, it was during his time in rehabilitation that he came to terms with the severity of his addiction. He shared candid memories of times when he was incapacitated by substances, leaving his wife to shoulder the responsibilities of their family life.
Today, celebrating 13 years of sobriety, Angle expresses profound gratitude towards his wife. "I was always lying to her, and that's what an addict does. My wife was so strong for me when I couldn't be strong for myself," he said.
Giovanna's resilience and unwavering support, according to Angle, were instrumental in keeping their family intact during his darkest times.
Triumph Over Addiction
Angle's journey is not just a personal victory but also serves as an inspiring narrative for those grappling with similar struggles.
His story underscores the importance of support systems in overcoming addiction and highlights the often-overlooked challenges faced by family members of those battling substance abuse. As Angle continues to speak candidly about his experiences, he not only sheds light on the realities of addiction but also offers hope and encouragement to others on their path to recovery.
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