Recovery is not a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a slow, deliberate process that often feels painstaking. As we discussed with @traylordisbrow on The Collector’s Compass, some people are fighting for the next five minutes, some for the day, and some for the week. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, every small step matters.

These small victories, stacked brick by brick, become the foundation of long-term healing. The challenge is that many people beat themselves up over how slow it feels, forgetting that lasting change often takes years.

One of the most important truths is that honesty and openness are the starting points. When we keep our struggles hidden, isolation and shame take hold, and the problem grows stronger. Healing, however, happens in community. It happens when we gather in spaces where people understand what we’re going through, where judgment is set aside, and where we are reminded that we are not alone.

This is why safe spaces matter - not only in the hobby, but in every arena where addiction or compulsive behaviors exist. Whether the struggle is gambling, overspending, drinking, or collecting without control, recovery looks different for each of us. What remains the same is the need for empathy, honesty, and connection.

The road may be long and steep, but when we take it step by step and brick by brick, we begin to build something solid, something that can last.

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNeKTmju72x/

Published August 16, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

In a social media landscape driven by algorithms and clout, it’s easy to mistake numbers for real impact.

Followers, views, likes—metrics that make us feel like "bigger" automatically means "better". But when it comes to building something with real meaning, I’ve learned that one high-quality community member is worth far more than a thousand people chasing a cheap thrill.

This lesson comes into sharp focus in the hobby. On platforms like Whatnot and Fanatics Live, breakers can pull in massive crowds with flashy marketing, big promises, and the adrenaline rush of the chase. Thousands of people often tune in for the spectacle, flooding the chat with comments and emojis—many of which feel automated or hollow.

But how many of those individuals walk away feeling fulfilled? How many actually end up with cards they want, or habits that make the hobby sustainable? Too often, the numbers hide the reality—burnout, disappointment, and financial strain.

Some viewers are only there to chase a giveaway, while others aren’t even real people at all, just bots purchased by the streamer to inflate the crowd and make the experience look bigger than it really is.

The spectacle of the modern hobby: flashing lights, flooded chats, and high-pressure, 'sudden death' auctions that make the experience feel more like an online casino than a hobby. This isn’t community, it’s chaos fueled by noise, hype, and relentless pressure to spend.

At Collectors MD, our community may be smaller, but it’s built on something far deeper than hype, fire emojis, or spamming "W’s" in a chat.

We’re not chasing quick hits; we’re chasing clarity, connection, and long-term health and growth. I’d rather have one person show up fully—ready to reflect, learn, and grow—than a thousand people drifting through in search of a quick dopamine rush that fades just as fast.

Because that one person has the chance to carry the message forward, to build healthier habits, and to create ripple effects that go far beyond a single transaction or a spot in a break.

It’s tempting to measure success the way the loudest voices in the hobby do, but real impact isn’t about how many people are watching—it’s about how many walk away feeling like they're still in control.

#CollectorsMD
The true measure of success isn't defined by the number of views or followers, but in whether we walk away feeling grounded and confident in our choices.

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In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we sit down with therapist-in-training Traylor Disbrow to explore the connection between mental health and the sports card hobby. From his own wake-up call in 2020 to his work with people in addiction recovery, Traylor brings a unique clinical perspective on how collecting can shift from passion to compulsion — and how we can recognize the signs before it’s too late.

Our conversation dives into how dopamine and reward loops drive collecting behavior, why compulsive collecting exists in a “gray area” between gambling and other addictions, and the ways marketing and product design can fuel unhealthy habits. We talk about the red flags every collector should be aware of and how peer support and professional therapy can work hand-in-hand to build a healthier and more sustainable hobby.

Whether you’re a collector, a mental health professional, or someone questioning your own relationship with the hobby, this episode offers perspective, practical tools, and a reminder that balance is possible.

Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion.

Learn More & Join The Movement:
Website: https://www.collectorsmd.com
Socials: https://www.hopp.bio/collectorsmd
Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: https://bit.ly/45koiMX
Contact: info@collectorsmd.com
Instagram: @collectorsmd

Contact Traylor: traydisbrow@gmail.com

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/live/1q5NpWMXCVo

We’ve reached a pivotal fork in the road in the hobby.

One path is community, passion, nostalgia, and genuine connection.

The other is unchecked gambling-like mechanics, influencers pushing high-risk products, and constant pressure to chase.

Manufacturers, platforms, and breakers are always marketing something—not just to adults, but to vulnerable and impressionable kids.

This culture has become dangerously normalized, and that’s why we built Collectors MD—a support-first space for anyone who’s felt the mental, emotional, or financial toll of the hobby.

Huge thanks to Alijah (@hoosier_pulls) for opening up his platform for this critical conversation.

Watch the full discussion now on Hoosier Pulls’ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saQbJIx0h1o&t=241s

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNMUIhRMGea/

Published August 10, 2025 | By Sean H, Collectors MD Advocate

A truth hurts for a minute. A lie hurts forever.

This was one of the first mantras I heard when I started attending Gamblers Anonymous, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Those words are simple—but they hit deep.

When I was addicted to spending money on cards, I kept it hidden. I lied to my wife. I lied to my friends. I lied to myself. I was drowning in shame and embarrassment. And when the truth finally came out, I made a promise: I won’t lie to them again.

For over five months, I stayed clean. I didn’t buy a single card. But last week, that changed.

In a moment of desperation, guilt, and unhappiness, I bought some personal boxes. It didn’t feel good. It wasn’t joyful. But this time, I didn’t hide it. I told my wife. I was honest about my struggle and where my head was at. And you know what? That honesty was a win.

Addiction thrives in silence. Shame grows in secrecy. But healing begins the moment we open up.

I still don’t know if I’ll be able to buy cards again in a healthy way. I’m not sure what recovery looks like long-term. But I do know this: I’m not alone. I have my family. I have my friends. And I have the resources and support of Collectors MD.

If you’re struggling, please hear this: You are not alone.

And if you haven’t told someone yet—if you’re still carrying that weight—there is no better time than now to let it out. The truth might sting for a moment, but it could save your life.

#CollectorsMD
Honesty doesn’t just free you—it connects you to the people who can help you heal.

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Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
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