“There’s no magic solution in life — healing takes time, patience, and compassion. One day, your tears won’t be from pain, but from the joy of realizing how far you’ve come.”
— Hassan Moaminah
In this deeply personal and transformative episode of The Advisor, author, athlete, and wellness advocate Hassan Moaminah joins Stacey Chillemi for an eye-opening conversation about overcoming one of society’s most silent struggles—pornographic addiction. Speaking candidly from his own experience, Hassan opens up about how this addiction once consumed his peace, damaged his relationships, and left him feeling disconnected from his purpose. Through self-awareness, discipline, and unexpected healing practices rooted in mindfulness and nutrition, he discovered a natural, sustainable path to recovery that not only transformed his habits but restored his sense of self.
From losing 155 pounds and competing in Mr. Olympia to publishing his inspiring book Captain Garuda: A Tale of Bravery, Kindness, and a Big Heart, Hassan’s story is a remarkable testament to resilience and redemption. In this conversation, he shares how simple practices—like mindful eating, reconnecting with family, and nurturing both the body and soul—can break even the most powerful cycles of addiction. Plus, he reveals details about his upcoming short film and his new Captain Garuda Fitness Program, available for free using the code GARUDA at Captain Garuda Fitness.
Thank you so much for joining us, Hassan! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Of course. My journey has been long and transformative. I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, and my life has taken me through many phases — from struggling with my weight and losing 155 pounds to now competing naturally for Mr. Olympia. Along the way, I’ve become an author, a filmmaker, and a fitness coach. But the most powerful transformation happened inside me — overcoming pornography addiction and learning how to live a balanced, mindful, and family-centered life.
That’s incredible. What inspired you to open up publicly about such a personal topic like pornographic addiction?
Because I lived it. I used to watch pornography regularly. It became an unhealthy escape from stress — arguments, work pressure, life frustrations. Like many men, I used it as a way to numb feelings instead of facing them. But I realized it was slowly destroying my emotional health and relationships. Speaking about it openly isn’t easy, but I believe honesty is the first step toward healing.
How did this addiction impact your daily life and mental health?
It affected everything. My sleep was terrible, my stress levels were high, and I constantly felt guilty. I would try to quit and fail repeatedly. Every time I got upset or overwhelmed, I would go back to that habit for temporary comfort — but it only created more shame. My emotions became unstable, and my relationship with my wife and kids suffered.
What was the turning point for you — the moment you decided to change?
One night, I was exhausted and craving something different. I made myself a simple hot noodle soup with chicken stock and an egg. When I ate it, I felt warmth, calm, and peace in my body. That’s when I realized that our bodies crave comfort — but we can choose healthier ways to give it. That bowl of soup became a symbol of change for me. It helped me reconnect with my body, regulate my emotions, and eventually quit the habit completely.
That’s a fascinating approach — using food and mindfulness as healing tools. Can you explain how that works?
Yes. When you eat something warm like soup, your body activates the vagus nerve, which helps regulate emotions, digestion, and heart rate. It’s connected to your ability to feel calm and safe. So when I started having soup mindfully — eating slowly, focusing on the taste, breathing deeply — it became a form of meditation. Over time, I didn’t need pornography to soothe my emotions anymore.
How long did it take you to fully overcome the addiction?
It wasn’t overnight. It took several months of consistent effort. At first, I relapsed, but I didn’t give up. I started noticing triggers — stress, arguments, boredom — and replaced those moments with simple rituals: soup, workouts, family time. Eventually, I reached a point where even the thought of pornography felt like a nightmare. My body and mind were rejecting it naturally.
You mentioned your family played a big role in your recovery. How did they support you through this?
My wife was my anchor. I made her a promise that I would quit for good. At first, I struggled, but her love and patience kept me grounded. My children also became my motivation. When I spent time with them — watching cartoons, doing puzzles, just being present — I remembered what real joy felt like. That’s when I started feeling human again.
Many men feel shame about this issue and avoid talking about it. What would you say to them?
Shame is a heavy chain that keeps people trapped. I felt ashamed too, especially when I realized that by watching pornography, I was indirectly supporting something harmful to others. But guilt can be transformed into awareness. When you acknowledge your pain, you begin to heal. You are not your addiction — you are someone learning to be free.
You also mentioned that nutrition and rest played a huge role in your recovery. Can you tell us more?
Absolutely. Our hormones play a big part in addiction and emotional control. By eating nourishing food — especially warm, protein-rich soups — and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, I was able to restore my body’s balance. Hot soup before bed not only reduced my appetite and anxiety but also improved my sleep. When your body feels safe, your mind follows.
So would you say this became part of your nightly routine?
Yes, it became a daily ritual. When I feel stressed, I drink soup slowly and mindfully. It’s like a signal to my body that everything is okay. It’s such a small act, but it makes a huge difference in emotional control and mindfulness. I recommend everyone create a similar self-soothing ritual instead of turning to harmful habits.
That’s powerful advice. How do you see mindfulness and social connection helping others overcome addiction?
We live in a time where people isolate themselves with screens. I always encourage people to eat together again — to talk, to laugh, to connect. Real-life connection heals. It reminds us that we’re not alone and that simple shared moments are more powerful than any artificial pleasure.
Let’s talk about your new short film. What inspired you to make it?
It’s called Captain Garuda, and it’s my first short movie. It tells my emotional journey toward competing in Mr. Olympia — a journey of struggle, pain, and perseverance. In the film, I compare my experience to being stranded on Mars with a damaged spaceship — fighting to survive and find a way home. It’s a metaphor for the human spirit.
That’s such a creative concept. What message do you want viewers to take away from the film?
That resilience is universal. Whether you’re facing addiction, injury, or heartbreak, there’s always a way back to yourself. My film is about finding light through darkness, strength through vulnerability, and peace through purpose.
How did your family react when they first saw the movie?
My son actually cried. He thought I was really going to space and might not come back! It touched me deeply because it showed how emotionally connected the story is. Even without words, the message reached him — and that means everything to me.
You’re also the author of Captain Garuda: A Tale of Bravery, Kindness, and a Big Heart. How does your book tie into your overall mission?
The book shares lessons of courage, compassion, and personal growth — the same values I live by. It’s about discovering strength in kindness and bravery in vulnerability. Both the book and film aim to inspire people to lead with heart, not ego.
For someone struggling right now — whether it’s with addiction, stress, or emotional pain — what’s your best advice?
Be patient with yourself. There’s no magic cure. Healing takes time, discipline, and compassion. Don’t chase quick fixes. Even a painkiller needs time to work — your emotional wounds are no different. Keep showing up, keep trying, and one day, your tears will be tears of joy for how far you’ve come.
That’s truly beautiful. You also have a new fitness program, correct?
Yes! I’ve launched my new program, Captain Garuda Fitness, which is available on Playbook. It’s designed to help people build discipline, strength, and mental clarity through fitness and mindfulness. I’m offering it 100% free for a limited time — just use the code GARUDA at checkout.
👉 Join Captain Garuda Fitness
That’s such a generous offer. Before we wrap up — what’s next for you?
I’m continuing my journey toward Mr. Olympia, writing more, and working on new film projects that blend health, spirituality, and personal transformation. My goal is to inspire people worldwide to believe in themselves again.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find me on my Playbook app, Instagram, and YouTube — all under my name, Hassan Moaminah. I share updates about fitness, family life, and my projects there. And don’t forget to use the code GARUDA for free access to my Captain Garuda Fitness program.
