# Choose Yourself: Hakeem Bourne McFarlane on Grief, Addiction, Jail, and Rebuilding Through Systems

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/awaken-your-soul-s-journey-6726458/choose-yourself-hakeem-bourne-mcfarlane-on-grief-addiction-jail-and-rebuilding-through-systems
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/awaken-your-soul-s-journey-6726458/choose-yourself-hakeem-bourne-mcfarlane-on-grief-addiction-jail-and-rebuilding-through-systems.md
Podcast: [Awaken Your Soul's Journey](https://stenobird.com/podcast/awaken-your-soul-s-journey-6726458)
Published: 2026-07-27T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://awaken-your-soul.captivate.fm
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/c8ffa798-5359-4807-9014-f01a27e78c6f.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/awaken-your-soul-s-journey-6726458/episodes/choose-yourself-hakeem-bourne-mcfarlane-on-grief-addiction-jail-and-rebuilding-through-systems
Duration seconds: 2048

## Resource

Angela welcomes guest Hakeem Bourne‑McFarlane, who shares how a childhood marked by addiction, instability, and the death of his younger brother, shaped his anger, identity, and later self-sabotage. Sports became his mask as he moved through Division I to Division III football, but injuries, five knee surgeries, substance use, and incarceration ultimately forced him into sobriety, honesty, and accountability. In jail, he began therapy, read personal development books and the Bible, and started writing his book, concluding that while trauma may not be one’s fault, healing is one’s responsibility. Hakeem explains the “Choose Yourself” process and Foundation Framework, emphasizing systems, boundaries, filtering sensory inputs, community accountability, and a sacred nighttime and morning routine to build integrity, resilience, and sustainable change. https://chooseyourself.info/ https://www.facebook.com/keem.dreeam/ https://www.youtube.com/@ChooseYourselfChannel https://www.instagram.com/bigdreamhakeem/ https://www.tiktok.com/@bigdreamhakeem

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## Transcript

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