Published December 10, 2025 | By Alyx E, Founder of Collectors MD

Leading a movement like Collectors MD requires a level of consistency that doesn’t always come naturally. The work is steady, often invisible, sometimes exhausting, and rarely thanked in the moment. And yet—there’s a purpose beneath it that pulls me forward every single day.

Today we hosted our second Advisory Board meeting, and the theme that came up over and over again was burnout—how easily it can creep in, how quietly it can take hold, and how important it is to stay aware of the signs before they swallow you whole. It’s a reminder I needed more than I realized. When you’re building something that matters, especially something grounded in service, it becomes incredibly easy to put yourself last.

But this cause is bigger than me. It’s even bigger than Collectors MD. It’s about creating a place where people caught in cycles of compulsion, shame, secrecy, or overwhelm can finally breathe. And if the mission is truly to help as many people as possible, then protecting my own health—my energy, my pace, my ability to keep showing up—has to be part of the work, not something outside of it.

It’s in the late hours of the night—when the world is quiet, the day finally slows down, and that second wind kicks in—that the ideas start pouring out. But there’s a thin line between inspiration and exhaustion. When you burn the midnight oil too often, stretch yourself past empty, and set expectations no one could realistically sustain, you risk trading short-term momentum for long-term burnout.

Consistency matters, but not at the cost of collapse. Sustainability matters, because movements don’t grow from intensity—they grow from steadiness. And self-preservation isn’t selfish; it’s strategic. It’s what allows the work to continue long after the adrenaline fades and the early momentum settles.

This journey has been extremely challenging at times. There are heavy weeks and thankless tasks and long stretches where progress feels slow or quiet. But there’s purpose in the grind, and clarity in the reminder that I don’t need to carry everything at once. I just need to carry what I can today.

And that’s enough.

Because consistency isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about protecting the ability to keep showing up.

#CollectorsMD
To keep serving the mission, I have to protect the person behind it—and that’s the foundation sustainable healing is built on.

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We’re re-uploading every episode of our podcasts—one per day—to make sure our new members and followers can catch up from the beginning.

If you’re new to Collectors MD, these conversations are where it all started—honest, unfiltered discussions about the realities of collecting, recovery, and rebuilding a healthier hobby.

We’ll be sharing episodes from The Collector’s Compass & Behind The Breaks covering everything from gambling parallels in collecting, to mental health, to how we find purpose beyond the chase.

Whether you’ve been here since day one or just joined the movement, this is your chance to revisit the stories that shaped our mission.

Subscribe on YouTube, follow along daily, like, comment, and help us spread the message: the hobby gets healthier when we do.

Collect With Intention. Not Compulsion.

The Collector's Compass #6: The Bridge Between Mental Health & The Hobby

#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

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

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Website: collectorsmd.com

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Contact: info@collectorsmd.com

YouTube: @collectorsmd

Instagram: @collectorsmd

Follow Ambre:

Instagram: @mznapalm_most.hated

Follow Travis:

Instagram: @montananorseman

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y5ETIVEiNk&t=2780s

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.

When?:

Date: Every Thursday Evening
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 | #Therapy | #HobbyHealth | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly

Join Unboxed: Powered By Collectors MD
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For more information or to connect with a trusted professional through Collectors MD’s growing network, visit collectorsmd.com/resources.