This hobby can be so insidious. But that's exactly why Collectors MD exists! 🤍

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re honored to share a story rarely told in the hobby—the perspective of the partner.

Our guest, Ambre LaVanway, is both a collector and the wife of veteran hobbyist Travis LaVanway (@montananorseman), whose journey we featured in Episode #8. Together, they’ve navigated the highs of connection and the lows of compulsion that so many couples quietly face behind the scenes of collecting.

In this conversation, Ambre opens up about what it’s like to love—and live with—a collector. From financial strain and emotional burnout to rediscovering joy and balance, she offers a raw and deeply human perspective on the difference between passion and obsession.

We explore Ambre’s Daily Reflection, “A Shift in Perspective", where she writes, “Not everything that sparkles is valuable". We also dive into her unique approach to collecting, including her thought-provoking “Murder Shelf”—a collection centered on empathy, imperfection, and understanding the stories behind flawed figures.

This episode sheds light on communication, boundaries, and healing—how couples can move from secrecy to teamwork, from guilt to understanding. It’s also about redefining what collecting looks like when it’s shared with love, intention, and accountability.

Whether you’re a collector, a partner, or someone trying to rebuild trust in the wake of compulsion, Ambre’s story reminds us that recovery isn’t just personal—it’s relational.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

Learn More & Join The Movement:

Website: collectorsmd.com

Socials: hopp.bio/collectorsmd

Weekly Meeting Sign-Up: bit.ly/45koiMX

Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Ambre:

Instagram: @mznapalm_most.hated

Follow Travis:

Instagram: @montananorseman

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/live/6y5ETIVEiNk

Collectors MD is proud to announce the official launch of Unboxed, a new support group hosted by the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado (PGCC) and powered by Collectors MD.

Unboxed is designed for individuals struggling with gambling-like behaviors in collecting—including sports cards, TCG, sneakers, memorabilia, coins, luxury goods, NFTs, gaming, and more.

This program is built on the proven Collectors MD model of peer support, accountability, and recovery, and represents the first franchise-style expansion of Collectors MD at the state level.

Why This Matters:

Compulsive collecting often mirrors the same patterns as gambling—chasing wins, overspending, hiding losses, and the emotional fallout that follows. Young adults, in particular, are vulnerable to the dopamine-driven mechanics embedded in modern collecting and gaming culture.

Unboxed is the first state-level program of its kind, bridging gambling prevention with hobby-specific support.

How It Works:

• Weekly PGCC-led Unboxed meetings (virtual and in-person)

• Co-branded modules developed in partnership with Collectors MD

• Backed by a commitment to fund development and presentation quality

• Ongoing access to Collectors MD’s IP, modules, and branding to sustain the program

Why Colorado? Why Now?:

Colorado is home to one of the nation’s strongest problem gambling coalitions. PGCC is leading the way as an early adopter, piloting Unboxed to address the growing overlap between gambling and collecting behaviors.

This model is designed to scale nationally, enabling other states and coalitions to adapt the universal framework for their own communities.

First Meeting:

Date: Thursday, October 9th
Time: 7PM ET | 5PM MT | 4PM PT
Location: Hybrid format: Virtual + In-Person (Lakewood, CO)

To join, simply scan the QR code on the flyer above, use this link, or visit the dedicated page (microsite coming soon).

Collect With Intention. Heal With Support.
#CollectorsMD | #PGCC | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly

Join Unboxed (Powered By Collectors MD)
Visit PGCC’s Website
Follow PGCC On Instagram

Follow Collectors MD On Instagram
Join Our Weekly Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel

In this episode of ALL IN The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast with Brian Hatch, Alyx Effron, Founder of Collectors MD, joins the show for an eye-opening conversation about where collecting ends and gambling begins.

Alyx shares his lived experience on both sides: a lifelong collector of sports cards, memorabilia, sneakers, and more—and someone who’s battled the highs, lows, and consequences of gambling addiction. He explains how today’s hobby culture, especially breaks and high-risk products, mirrors the dopamine loops of casinos and sportsbooks, pulling people into cycles of chasing, secrecy, and financial harm.

Brian responds throughout with honesty and perspective, comparing the hidden risks of card collecting to his own gambling journey.

Together, they cover:

-How pack ripping and live breaks mimic slot machines—and why the odds of “hitting big” are even worse.

-The emotional and financial fallout—debt, shame, and fractured relationships.

-Why kids are especially vulnerable in a hobby that normalizes risk-reward behaviors with no guardrails.

-The blurred line between nostalgia and compulsion—and what makes collecting uniquely complicated compared to gambling.

-What Collectors MD offers—weekly peer-support meetings, daily reflections, community contributions, and a growing referral network of therapists and recovery partners.

This episode isn’t about tearing down the hobby. It’s about having honest conversations so people can enjoy collecting without losing themselves in the process.

If you’ve ever felt the line blur between fun and compulsion, this conversation is for you.

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

Watch The Episode On YouTube

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

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SXuYrJ6XOg

Published October 07, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

We live in a time where it often feels like the burden of proof has been flipped. Allegations, whispers, or even a single screenshot can brand someone guilty long before the truth has a chance to be heard. Once the judgment lands, it spreads fast—and the work of rebuilding a reputation is significantly slower than the speed at which it was torn down.

This “guilty until proven innocent” culture can be devastating. It doesn’t just affect the person or organization at the center—it ripples outward, touching families, colleagues, and communities who had no part in the story. And the hardest part? Even when the facts eventually surface, the damage has already been done. Trust, once fractured, doesn’t always snap back into place.

It’s in that silence—when doubt hangs heavier than truth—that isolation sets in.

But here’s what we can’t forget: being judged unfairly doesn’t mean we’re powerless. We can’t control the narrative others choose to believe, but we can control how we respond. By choosing honesty over defensiveness, accountability over denial, and integrity over resentment, we shift the story from one of guilt to one of resilience.

In the hobby—as in life—rumors, assumptions, and misunderstandings can spread faster than truth. Deals gone wrong, mistakes in judgment, or even being tied to the wrong people can paint a distorted picture. But just as we remind ourselves at Collectors MD: our worth is not defined by what others assume—it’s defined by how we continue to show up. Over time, consistent actions outlast careless accusations.

When guilt is assumed, let your life become the evidence. When innocence feels invisible, let your integrity do the talking. The truth may take longer to travel, but when it finally arrives, it leaves a mark that shadows cannot erase.

#CollectorsMD
In a world quick to judge, the greatest defense is consistency, honesty, and time.

—
Follow us on Instagram: @collectorsmd
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Support Group
Join The Conversation On Mantel
Read More Daily Reflections