Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery – Ryan Dusick (Ep 238)

My guest for this episode is Ryan Dusick. Ryan is the founding drummer of Maroon 5, an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, and author of Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery (out November 2022).

In 1994, Ryan Dusick joined friends Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, and Mickey Madden to form the band Kara’s Flowers. They released the album The Fourth World in ’97. Following the termination of their record deal, the band went on hiatus and everyone went their separate ways.

In 2001, Dusick reunited with Levine, Madden and Carmichael. They were joined by former Square guitarist James Valentine. The group changed their name to Maroon 5 and set to work writing new songs for what would become the award winning album Songs About Jane.

The band scored several hit singles, was named Best New Artist at the 47th Grammy Awards and in 2006 won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, with Vocal for the live version of This Love.

Ryan is now releasing an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at his journey from the highs of international superstardom to the depths of addiction, anxiety, chronic injury, and depression. His book Harder to Breathe chronicles Ryan’s remarkable recovery and his transition from the music industry to professional counseling where he’s helped hundreds of clients overcome mental and physical health challenges.

He is indeed a true success story and wholly dedicated to sharing the message that recovery is not only achievable but that life after addiction can yield incredible results. I so enjoyed speaking with him about his music journey and renewed outlook on life.

You can find Ryan on Instagram @ryan_michael_dusick.

Please enjoy!

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Mentioned in this Episode

Ben Bella Books

Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery by Ryan Dusick

Kara’s Flowers

New Gods Part 2 by Robonzo (music video)

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