Coping vs. True Change: A Transformational Conversation with Vince Ruiz

Are You Managing the Symptoms or Rebuilding Your Life?

Let’s get brutally honest for a second. Are you learning to cope with your struggles, or are you taking the steps to fundamentally change your life?

There’s a massive difference.

Coping means learning to survive. True transformation means creating a life you no longer need to escape from.

This is the core of our conversation with Vince Ruiz on the Crackin Backs Podcast—a deep dive into addiction, stigma, resilience, and the power of rewiring your entire belief system. If you’re tired of just managing your problems and want to know what it takes to break free once and for all, this episode is for you.
 

Coping vs. Transforming: What’s Keeping You Stuck?

Coping strategies—like therapy, medication, harm reduction, and support groups—can be a great start. But if that’s where your growth stops, you’ll stay in survival mode instead of thriving mode.

Vince puts it bluntly:

"The common thread is there's no drugs, no alcohol, no gambling—but you're still stuck with you."

If you’ve removed the toxic habits but still feel lost, it’s because the real battle isn’t with the addiction—it’s with yourself.

So ask yourself:
✅ Are you just removing the problem, or are you building something new?
✅ Are you surviving, or are you creating a life that excites you?
✅ Are you waiting for change, or are you taking action?
 

Stigma, Labels, and Bias: The Chains That Keep You Trapped

For many, the biggest roadblock to real transformation isn’t the addiction—it’s fear of judgment.

You worry about what your family thinks.
You fear being labeled as "damaged" or "a failure."
You seek validation from people who have never walked in your shoes.

But Vince makes one thing clear:

"If you're looking to someone else to get approval about how you change, you're looking in the wrong place—because that answer is inside you."

Breaking free from addiction—or any major life transformation—requires you to stop seeking permission and start trusting yourself. The right people will support you. The wrong people will fall away.

And that’s okay.
 

The Hardest Truth: You Might Have to Let People Go

One of the toughest but most necessary steps in transformation? Letting go of the people who keep you stuck.

It’s not easy. It might mean stepping back from old friends, distancing yourself from family, or completely rebuilding your support system.

But as Vince shares from his own journey:

"My wife didn’t exist when I was in the storm. She bet on me when I was at rock bottom and helped me build something better. But I had to make space for her by letting go of the people and habits that kept me stuck."

If you want something new, you have to make room for it.
 

The 15-Minute Rule: How to Rewire Your Mind and Life

Feeling overwhelmed by change? Start small.

Vince follows a simple but powerful practice:

🕒 Read for 10 minutes a day on a hyper-specific topic.
📝 Write for 5 minutes about what you learned.
📅 Do this every day for a year, and you’ll be in the top 10% of knowledge in that field.

This strategy works for anything:

✅ Mental resilience – Study psychology, self-development, or mindfulness.
✅ Career growth – Learn a new skill or industry.
✅ Financial literacy – Master investing, budgeting, or entrepreneurship.

The key? Consistency. You don’t need permission—you just need to start.
 

Journaling, Therapy & Self-Care: The Non-Negotiables

Want to stay mentally strong? Get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper.

Vince swears by daily journaling to:
1) Organize his thoughts
2) Track his growth
3) Find clarity in chaotic times

"If I let the ping-pong balls in my head keep bouncing around, I lose clarity. Journaling helps me process, reflect, and confirm how far I’ve come."

Beyond journaling, he also prioritizes:
Therapy & Coaching – Seeking guidance when needed.
Time Alone – Scheduling moments to read, reflect, and think.
Giving Back – Engaging in pro bono work as part of self-care.

Transformation isn’t just about what you remove from your life—it’s about what you add.
 

Simple Leadership Frameworks That Keep You Moving

You don’t need a complicated plan. Vince follows a basic leadership structure used in the military:

Receive the mission – Define your goal.
Make a tentative plan – Outline a strategy.
Take action & adjust – Implement, then refine.
Supervise & reflect – Measure progress and adapt.

This applies to recovery, self-improvement, and business success. Keep it simple, structured, and actionable.
 

3 Books That Will Change Your Perspective

Vince recommends three must-read books that shaped his growth:

📖 Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl (A framework for resilience)
📖 The Autobiography of Malcolm X – (A masterclass in transformation)
📖 The Autobiography of Ben Franklin – (Timeless wisdom on success and discipline)

Want to think bigger? Start reading smarter.
 

Your Decision: Cope or Transform?

At some point, you’ll reach a crossroads.

Do you keep coping, or do you commit to fundamental change?

This episode isn’t just about addiction—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. Whether you’re struggling with addiction, grief, self-doubt, or just feeling stuck, Vince Ruiz delivers a message that challenges you to think bigger and go deeper.

🎧 Listen now: HERE

📺 Watch on YouTube: HERE

So what’s your move? Are you ready to truly change—or are you just managing the symptoms? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let’s start the conversation.