Ron White’s Rythmia Story on JRE

Comedian and Rythmia board member, Ron White was on the Joe Rogan experience recently discussing his time and role at Rythmia and how Rythmia’s plant medicine retreat sparked a major change in his life, inspiring him to support and champion their holistic mission. 

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For the uninitiated, Ron White is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and New York Times best-selling author, celebrated for weaving real-life experiences, like his small-town Texas upbringing, into his climb to comedic success. 

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Recognized for his iconic cigar-and-scotch persona, Ron starred in the famed Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which sold out more than 90 U.S. venues. Each of his four comedy albums peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Comedy Charts, he’s been honored with three Grammy nominations. White also penned the bestselling book “I Had the Right to Remain Silent… But I Didn’t Have the Ability,” securing his place on the New York Times best-seller list.

In 2021, following a serious warning from his doctors, White visited Rythmia for the first time and credits the Rythmia Way Program with helping him achieve sobriety and transform his life. He’s since shared his journey through various outlets, including The Roseanne Barr Podcast, leading up to his most recent deep dive on The Joe Rogan Experience.

Since then, White has been a notable inclusion on Rythmia’s board of directors, as he brings both firsthand experience of the retreat’s life-changing potential and a public platform that amplifies Rythmia’s mission. His comedic background and genuine passion for holistic wellness help foster open dialogue, reach new audiences, and continually inspire innovative ideas within the organization.

You’ve probably heard about Joe Rogan, the critical-thinking renegade who skyrocketed to having one of the largest media platforms in the world. His podcast boasts millions of listeners per episode and consistently ranks at the top of global podcast charts. The podcast has gained a reputation for tackling diverse topics that bridge science, pop culture, comedy, and societal issues - a perfect fit for the both hilarious and psychologically conscious White. 

The pair discussed a variety of eclectic topics you may expect from Joe Rogan, ranging from the ways to succeed in stand-up comedy to Leonard Skynard, but soon the White brings up Rythmia and discusses the immense benefits the retreat has to offer.

As White hilariously points out, in a cigar-smoke haze comedic tone that only he could deliver, Rythmia is “prepared when people wig”. In less comedic terms, he points out that Rythmia is the only medically licensed facility, and shares a funny yet insightful story of a massive NFL linebacker who encounters some difficulty during his Ayahuasca journey, and Rythmia’s staff promptly assisting and helping the man through his experience - even though he was twice everyone’s size. 

All these antidotes reinforce White’s main observation about Rythmia “it’s so safe” he exclaims to Joe, and even speaks about an organization of wounded soldiers who are sent to Rythmia to learn to let go and heal from their emotional injuries. 

On a personal note, White identifies how Rythmia awakened him to all the hate he was holding onto, and powerfully helped him to overcome his life-long alcoholism. 

His hilarious and insightful stories are certainly better experienced than read about check out the episode below to hear White’s first hand accounts of the Rythmia experience! (Rythmia conversation starts at 41:30)

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