Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Valverde.
Hi Andy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2016 and 2018, I made two decisions that changed my life forever. The first decision was to get healthy and lose weight. I tipped the scale at 374 pounds and had enough. I had weight loss surgery, became a rock climber, and lost 220 pounds. The second decision was to start recovery from drugs and alcohol and get sober.
Shortly after, I realized that I had never had healthy relationships, nor sober relationships romantically and sexually. I changed my life complete and deiced that I would chronicle my journey of dating as a sober man in recovery with authenticity and integrity. My podcast Dating and The Big D was born in 2018.
The show began with two cohosts and me huddled around one microphone getting to know ourselves better and challenging each other with dating goals and tasks on each episode. In 2020, I upgraded with my own studio to produce the show and researched hundreds of clinical studies, books, articles, and videos on dating, sex, and relationships. I have had several cohosts over the past 3 years and have had many guests including international New York dating coach Connell Barret on my show.
With season 4 now starting, I am the sole host of the show and embarking on this journey of dating that is my love life and growing my brand and listener base. Dating and The Big D is now featured on all streaming podcast platforms with listeners worldwide. The chubby boy who couldn’t get a date to save his life is now hosting an exciting podcast with great friends and guests all in the beautiful city of Dallas, Texas
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth journey. The show started with just one microphone connected to laptop and I taught myself audio production. Along the way, life happened and I parted ways, albeit amicably with my various cohosts, and wondered how the show was going to continue.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I host a podcast called Dating and The Big D in Dallas, Texas. The show specializes in dating, sex, and relationships and I chronicle my journey in to dating and my love life as sober man in recovery. My goal is to show and teach others that we can date with authenticity and integrity which is seldom seen or heard of in media. I would say I am most proud of having international New York dating coach Connell Barrett on my show.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My biggest supporters are Connell Barrett, my brother John, my niece Vivian, and my sponsor Sam who all have encouraged me and believe in me. This show would not have been possible without my former cohosts Charlie, Sommer, Beau, and Dallas celebrities South Dallas Foodie and Brooklyn Steele! Lastly, all of my introspection and courage would not have been possible without my Sponsor Sam once again, my therapist Charlotte, and my heroes Brene Brown and Matthew Hussey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linkin.bio/datingandthebigd
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/datingandthebigd
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/DatingandTheBigD
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DatingandTheD
- Other: www.datingandthebigd.com
Image Credits
Andy Valverde
Guillaume
