The Surprising Truth Jessi Learned After Quitting Smoking for Good | 154

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Author and former smoker Jessi Hartnett joins Amanda Russo to share how she broke free from decades of nicotine and marijuana addiction by shifting her mindset, listening to her intuition, and embracing self compassion.

In this deeply moving episode of Manders Mindset, host Amanda Russo sits down with Jessi Hartnett, wife, mother, author, and former smoker to explore the emotional roots of addiction and the mindset shifts that make lasting freedom possible. With raw honesty, Jessi shares her decades long struggle with cigarettes and marijuana, the cultural myths that kept her hooked, and the self compassion that ultimately set her free.

From her first cigarette at 13 to the day she realized she was done for good, Jessi unpacks how cravings, self-talk, and emotional avoidance can keep people stuck far longer than they realize. She opens up about “practicing quitting” over a five-year period, discovering that the heart (not the mind) holds the key to lasting change, and why she believes cravings are an invitation to listen to your deeper needs. The conversation also dives into her book Honor Your Heart, written as a guide for her daughter and anyone seeking to break free from destructive patterns, and her recent transformative experience with holotropic Breathwork.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating addiction recovery, supporting a loved one through it, or simply wanting to build a healthier, more intuitive relationship with themselves. Jessi’s story offers hope, practical insight, and a reminder that every craving, relapse, and breakthrough is part of a bigger journey back to yourself.

🎙️ In this episode, listeners will discover:

💭 Why willpower alone rarely works — and what to replace it with
 🔎 How “practicing quitting” can reveal the real drivers of addiction
 💔 The hidden link between negative self-talk and cravings
 🛠️ Tools Jessi used to regulate emotions without smoking
 🌱 How self-compassion and intuition changed her recovery
 📖 The inspiration behind her book Honor Your Heart
🌬️ What holotropic Breathwork revealed AND released for her

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[1:35] – Who Jessi is at her core and why “happiness” drives everything
 [2:02] – The first cigarette, initiation, and early emotional wiring
 [6:45] – Marijuana addiction and why it was just as hard to quit
 [12:46] – Practicing quitting: what repeated relapses revealed
 [14:41] – The mindset shift from willpower to kindness
 [20:34] – Allowing emotions instead of avoiding them with addiction
 [22:07] – Writing Honor Your Heart for her daughter and others
[26:29] – Reframing cravings as clues to deeper needs
[29:21] – Heart vs. mind: which truly leads to lasting change
[34:58] – Jessi’s #1 tip for breaking any addiction
[35:58] – Holotropic breathwork and releasing emotional control

To Connect with Amanda:

Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE

📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddess

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