Pornography is like a drug. It draws in consumers and hooks them. Many say they’ve tried to quit over and over. But progress can feel almost imperceptible. It’s easy to get discouraged and want to give in. Those who succeed learn that victory is about preparing for the long game. It takes endurance to overcome pornography.
In this episode we sit down with Garrett Jonsson. He’s a father, a fighter, and an endurance enthusiast. He shares with us what it takes to overcome pornography. Not just personally, but also as a dad fighting for his family and his community. Plus he’s got advice for parents whose kids are consuming pornography. And finally, a call to all dads to take up the fight.
There are those of us who fight pornography. And then there are those who fight pornography by running 30 marathons in 30 days, then hop on a bike for another 56 days and cycle from Virgina to California. Ok, scratch that. There’s only one fighter like Garrett! Tune in to the podcast and listen to his incredible story.
Hope, health, and recovery
Pornography impacts individuals. There’s a memory that stands out in Garrett’s mind. You could say it’s where he started his fight. At 9 years old he attended a sleepover and saw something that would significantly impact the rest of his life. For almost two decades thereafter he consumed porn—whether he wanted to or not.
Thinking about this, it’s easy to let fear take over. What if my kids see pornography? What if they can’t stop looking? But when we take a closer look at Garrett’s story, we recognize that it’s really about hope, health, and recovery.
Ep. #2-17, Is My Child or Teen Addicted to Porn? with Paul Lavergne, Turning Point Counselling Services
Yes, kids will see pornography. Often at a very early age. Garrett explains that his first exposure was actually around age 5 (a memory he had repressed). Discovering your child has been looking at pornography is never easy. As parents we’re quick to want to “fix” the situation. But overcoming habits requires patience and endurance. Attempts at quick fixes often only leave a child feeling more “broken.” Remember that the victory is in the long game.
To put things in perspective and calm our worried minds, Garrett reminds parents that no one goes immediately from a healthy to an unhealthy state. So, whether a child has been consuming pornography for 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 years, they are not beyond repair. Most children will do just fine with an outpouring of love and understanding.
For love of family and community
Pornography impacts relationships. Garrett loves his wife. They have a great relationship. But despite that, he originally kept his ongoing porn consumption a secret. Garrett explains that he didn’t know how to tell her. Or even if he should. He felt unprepared and ill-equipped to have that conversation.
Then by chance, he found himself sitting in a presentation by Fight the New Drug. (Is there such a thing as coincidence?) He listened to how pornography affects individuals, relationships. and the world. He was stirred to take action.
The first thing he did was share with his wife the struggle he’d been having for years. Then he asked her to help him find a unique way to build awareness in their community. It was surprising to him how few meaningful conversations were being had about the harms of pornography.
Garrett told his wife that he had an idea. He had done endurance events in the past (Ironman, 100-mile run, etc.). He was soon to turn thirty. So it made sense (to them—not us!) for Garrett to run 30 marathons in 30 days. But that’s not all! To represent the addictive nature of pornography he would run in handcuffs. It was an all-in experience that included quitting his job!
Endurance to overcome pornography
Pornography impacts the world. Garrett wanted to combine his talents with his new-found knowledge to make a difference on a bigger level. He thought running 30 marathons would get people in his community talking and excited to get involved. But to his disappointment, not much changed. Despite the personal support from friends and family, his agonizing runs didn’t spark the conversation he had hoped it would.
Was this meant to be just another lesson in endurance? Maybe. But Garrett wasn’t ready to give in. He had a bucket list (written at age 16) that included cycling across America. When he presented the idea to his wife, her answer both surprised and inspired him. She said that he had to do it. But also added, if he did it, he could not come home early—no matter what! Yikes!!!
Looking back, he says it was all craziness! He and his wife both knew there would be days he would want to quit. He shudders now at his lack of preparedness. In other words, kids—DON’T DO THIS AT HOME!!!
Garrett cycled 56 days straight and on his own. No support crew. No hotels. Just him and the road. And the road was long! He talks about riding through the Appalachian Mountains. There, he was blind to the terrain. He had no clue what he had gotten himself into. Hill after hill he climbed and rode. Oh, and did we tell you he was dragging heavy chains behind his bike?
To see what this looked like watch the video clip, How This Guy Overcame A Porn Struggle And Biked 3,800 Miles Across America, below.
A dad’s true strength
To fight pornography, start where you’re at. Garrett acknowledges how underprepared he was for this endurance ride. From his cycling journal he shares this: “Lack of preparation is okay—the state of being unprepared is a realistic starting point.” This was true for him as he cycled and it has great application for parenting. We don’t know exactly what the road ahead is going to look like. We have no map. We are learning and discovering as we go.
Now that his endurance runs and rides are behind him, Garrett speaks to audiences across the globe representing Fight The New Drug, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and education on the harmful effects of pornography. Once he understood the impact that pornography has on individuals, relationships, and the world, he couldn’t stay silent!
“I love my wife, I love my kids, I love my community and I love you. I believe that LOVE is worth fighting for. I believe that if I’m not actively fighting against pornography, then I’m aiding its growth.” —Garrett Jonsson
Garrett agrees, the world needs more dads leading out in the fight against pornography. But he’s concerned that some dads are afraid to speak out. Either because they’ve consumed pornography in the past or they’re still working to overcome it. He reminds all of us that imperfections and a fighting endurance to overcome pornography can become our greatest strength. Join the fight!
Related: Ep. #2-19, 4 Essential Steps to Protect Kids from Pornography
Episode challenge
Garrett challenges parents to talk to their kids THIS WEEK about the harms of pornography. Listen all the way to the end of the episode for his tips on how to bring up the conversation. And why we should never give up.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a positive review or tell a friend!
More about today’s guest
Garrett Jonsson is an endurance enthusiast. From riding his bicycle 3,800 miles across the country to running 30 marathons in 30 days, he doesn’t give up easily but insists raising children requires the most stamina. He loves the outdoors, road trips, and fighting for love. As one of Fight the New Drug’s veteran presenters, he’s spoken to more than 160 audiences from around the globe about the harmful effects of porn. He is also host of Fight the New Drug’s biweekly podcast, Consider Before Consuming.
Links/Resources
Consider Before Consuming Podcast
Garrett’s Story: How He Raised Awareness on the Harms of Pornography (video)
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