Drugs, chess, and rock and roll—Brian Lawlor has seen it all. I didn’t include the sex part because I don’t know, but he's been to jail. We talk all about that: how, why, when. But I was concerned—how did he survive? Interestingly, part of the way he survived was through chess.
Brian's story is riveting and valuable, touching on survival in general. We played a bunch of games. I’m not including the games in the podcast, but he surprised me with his skill. We’ll do a video on that later. But for now, here’s Brian Lawlor.
###Episode Description:
In this episode of "The James Altucher Show", James sits down with Brian Lawlor, a man who transformed his life from being a drug addict in and out of jail to becoming a successful composer and teacher. Brian shares his remarkable journey of overcoming addiction, finding solace in chess, and building a career in music against all odds. This episode is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of passion and discipline.
What You’ll Learn:
• How Brian used chess as a tool for mental stability and personal growth.
• The impact of music on Brian's rehabilitation and how he built a career from it.
• Insights into the challenges and stigmas faced by former inmates trying to reintegrate into society.
• The importance of self-reinvention and finding new pathways to success.
• Practical advice for anyone struggling with addiction or looking to make a significant life change.Chapters:
• 01:44 Brian's Jail Experience
• 02:42 Surviving Jail Through Chess and Ping Pong
• 04:00 The Reality of Jail Life
• 07:16 The Ping Pong Incident
• 18:52 Struggles with Addiction
• 28:32 Rebuilding Life After Jail
• 39:04 Exploring Musical Diversity
• 39:49 Classical Influences in Modern Music
• 41:07 Pop Music Production Insights
• 43:20 Favorite Bands and Musical Influences
• 44:28 Chess Journey and Early Experiences
• 46:51 Chess and Music: A Unique Intersection
• 51:56 Sound Sensitivity and Chess Commentary
• 55:04 Chess Tournaments and Personal Stories
• 01:06:02 Concluding Thoughts and ReflectionsAdditional Resources:
• Brian Lawlor’s Music Studio (https://brianlawlor.bandcamp.com/)
• Book: “How to Reassess Your Chess” by Jeremy Silman (https://www.amazon.com/How-Reassess-Your-Chess-Imbalances/dp/1890085138)
• Book: “My 60 Memorable Games” by Bobby Fischer (https://www.amazon.com/My-Memorable-Games-Bobby-Fischer/dp/190638830X/)
Keywords: addiction recovery, peak performance, chess, music, rehabilitation, Brian Lawlor, James Altucher, resilience, reinvention.
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