Navigating family dynamics during addiction recovery.

Calvin N.

When I first started my recovery journey, my relationships with family were strained, especially with my kids and co-parents. The emotional toll of addiction had left scars, and trying to rebuild trust felt like an uphill battle. My decision to leave my job and focus on therapy, even after changing therapists multiple times, was one of the hardest choices I made, but it was necessary for my healing. Sobriety became my foundation on December 18, 2020, but learning to reconnect with my family and rebuild trust took time. I realized that recovery isn’t just about overcoming addiction; it’s about repairing relationships and being there emotionally for those who’ve been affected by my past. I now support others in similar situations, offering guidance to parents and family members who feel like the damage is too great to overcome. The key is patience—both with yourself and with those you love.

Navigating tough transitions in parenting

Da’Sean H.

As a father of seven, I've had my share of challenges when it comes to parenting, especially through the tough transitions that life throws at us. One of the most impactful experiences was when I worked with a mother of six who was homeless and living in her car with her children. She had nearly given up, but through my program, we were able to give her the support she needed to get back on her feet. We provided social and emotional training, a hotel stay for her family, and eventually placed her in a stable job. Watching her grow and see hope in her eyes again was a reminder of how powerful support can be for both parents and children during tough times. Parenting has always been about showing up, no matter how difficult the circumstances, and being there for your children when they need you most. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about getting through the tough times, but about knowing when to ask for help and offering it to others. From navigating toddler challenges to being there through the tougher teen years, I’m committed to being a positive influence and providing the resources that make the journey easier for both parents and their kids.

Getting your life back on track after hitting rock bottom

Howard H.

Five years ago, my life fell apart. I went through a painful divorce, lost my job, and was drinking every day. At my lowest, I realized that if I didn’t change, I might not survive. So I did something about it. I quit drinking, reconnected with my faith, and started showing up for myself—through prayer, workouts, meditation, and making small positive changes one day at a time. I eventually found a new job, a new partner, and now have two young kids. I’m also a proud dad of four, ranging from age 30 to a few months old. I’ve lived through the hard stuff—depression, addiction, loneliness, financial stress—and I know how it feels to be stuck and overwhelmed. But I also know what it’s like to come out the other side stronger, more joyful, and more alive. I’m here to talk honestly, without judgment, and to encourage anyone trying to rebuild.

Navigating challenges in relationships

Jahmal R.

I’ve faced a lot of challenges in relationships over the years. Coming from a broken home, I was no stranger to the ups and downs that come with family dynamics. As the breadwinner and responsible one in most relationships, I often felt burdened by the weight of expectations and struggled with balancing my needs against the needs of others. I’ve also been through the painful experience of domestic violence, which taught me that abuse is never love, no matter how much I wanted it to be. Alongside these struggles, I’ve wrestled with anxiety and depression, which often made it harder to trust myself and others. I had to learn to say no and establish boundaries in order to protect my peace. Therapy played a huge role in helping me find my voice and rebuild my self-worth. Through these experiences, I’ve come to understand that healthy relationships, whether with family, friends, or partners, require respect, communication, and most importantly, self-respect. I’m here to offer support for anyone going through similar struggles—whether you’re navigating family dynamics, healing from an abusive relationship, or just learning how to set boundaries and prioritize yourself.

Finding wisdom in the fire of anger

Jake A.

For a long time, I didn’t know what to do with my anger. I either buried it until I went numb or let it erupt in ways that caused harm mostly to the people I cared about and, often, to myself. I’ve felt the shame of being “too much,” and the loneliness that comes from not knowing how to express what’s really going on underneath it all. Anger used to feel like something I had to fix or silence. But over time, I’ve learned that anger isn’t the enemy, it’s a signal. It often shows up when something important has been ignored, crossed, or abandoned. Through therapy, body awareness, and some hard lessons in love, fatherhood, and life, I’ve learned to listen to anger instead of fear it. I’ve practiced feeling it without acting on it, giving it language without letting it run the show. What I’ve found is that there’s often grief, pain, and deep care underneath the rage and when I meet it with curiosity, it actually brings me closer to myself and to others. These days, I’m not perfect, but I’m more honest, more grounded, and less reactive. If your anger feels like too much or not enough, I’d love to sit with you in it. Not to fix it, but to help you hear what it’s really saying.

Immigrating to the U.S and creating a prosperous life

Jimmy E.

I was born in Quito, Ecuador, and raised in Miami. As the child of a single mom in a new country, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges that have shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for personal growth. With over eight years of experience in event management, business development, and training, I’ve developed skills in connecting with and empowering others. Now, as a father to a newborn and a stepdad to my daughter, I’m experiencing the unique challenges of fatherhood firsthand. I’ve also gained invaluable experience in building communication, compromise, and shared goals with my partner. Together, we’ve worked on setting boundaries to strengthen our relationship and support each other. I know how important it is to find balance in relationships, especially as a new parent, and I’m here to offer support to anyone navigating their own path, whether it’s in parenting, relationships, or personal growth.

Picking up the pieces from an abusive marriage and navigating divorce

Jon H.

After 34 years of marriage, raising three wonderful sons, and surviving physical abuse, I found myself in a place of rebuilding my life. The divorce was difficult, but through the support of therapists, holistic healers, loved ones, and even kind strangers, I found my strength. I now have the best mental health I’ve ever had, and looking back, I see the experience as a learning journey. It taught me so much about what love truly is—and what it’s not. Today, I’m stronger, healthier, and deeply grateful for the lessons life has taught me. I’m passionate about supporting others through tough relationships, helping them navigate divorce, build trust, and create healthy, loving connections. Let’s connect so you can begin to rebuild and rediscover the joy and peace you deserve!

Confronting trauma and maintaining recovery from drug and alcohol addiction

Joshua M.

My journey hasn't been easy, but it's taught me resilience and the power of support. I was in a car accident that claimed the life of my girlfriend, and that trauma led to a PTSD diagnosis. For years, I struggled with severe anxiety and, rather than seeking treatment, I turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. I started drinking heavily when I was 20, and over the years, I also used marijuana, opiates, cocaine, and Xanax to numb the pain. It wasn't until my early 30s, after years of self-destruction, that I decided to change my life. With the encouragement and support of my family, I’ve been sober from alcohol for nearly two years and from drugs for five. I'm also a father to an 8-year-old with ADHD, and I understand the toll mental health challenges can take on relationships and daily life. PTSD has put a strain on many of my relationships, but I’ve learned healthier coping mechanisms along the way. I now want to share those tools with others and offer the kind of support I once needed. Whether it's providing a listening ear or recommending resources that helped me, I'm here to offer hope and encouragement to anyone on a healing journey.

Continuing with life after loss and redefining your role in your family

Larry K.

As a widowed father of four and grandfather to eleven, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of family life—raising children, watching them grow into parents themselves, and finding ways to stay connected through the inevitable changes life throws at you. After a 42-year marriage, losing my spouse was a profound loss. It taught me the importance of rediscovering who I am as an individual and redefining my role. I understand that parenting today is different from how it was when I was raising my kids. With the pressures of one income not being enough and evolving societal norms, families are facing new challenges. I’ve spent years supporting my children through their own parenting issues and offering a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to navigate these shifts. I’m here to offer a listening ear, to explore possible solutions, and to help you redefine your role in both family and life. Sometimes, all it takes is a thoughtful question or perspective to shift how we view things.

Choosing fatherhood over alcohol and marijuana

Nathan K.

In my early adulthood, I leaned heavily on alcohol to avoid facing my problems. It felt easier to numb out than to confront the anxiety and pressure I was feeling. Over time, though, those avoided problems grew and started impacting the people I loved most. The wake-up call came when I noticed how my drinking was affecting my young children. I made the decision to seek help through rehab, and being completely honest with my wife and family gave me the accountability I needed to truly heal. Earlier in my life, I also abused marijuana to deal with depression and anxiety, especially during college, and it eventually interfered with my professional life. Meeting my wife gave me the motivation to stop and reimagine the kind of life I wanted. Now, as a father, creative director, and founder, I’m committed to living fully present — for myself, my family, and the work I love. If you're navigating sobriety, parenthood, or personal growth,

What to do when you’ve been bottling things up

Nick K.

For a long time, I didn’t think I was allowed to feel much. When my cousin died by suicide and my dad passed from COVID, I stayed busy: work, parenting, holding it all together. I thought that was strength. But underneath, I was carrying way more than I admitted to anyone, even myself. It started to show up as anger, stress, snapping at the people I loved. Eventually, I hit a wall and started therapy, and joined a men’s circle where (for the first time) I could actually say what was going on without feeling weak. Since then, I’ve helped other men open up in their own way. If you’re feeling stuck, heavy, or just tired of keeping it all in, I’ve been there. You don’t have to do it alone.

Men's mental health and facing the emotions we're taught to hide

Peter L.

When I looked for support around men’s mental health, I noticed something striking: the only category available was “anger management.” It felt like anger was the default label, overshadowing the full spectrum of emotions men carry — sadness, fear, confusion, and vulnerability. I struggled with these feelings quietly for years, believing I had to keep them hidden to be “strong.” Over time, I learned that real strength comes from acknowledging all parts of ourselves, including the anger but also what lies beneath it. Men’s mental health, for me, is about creating space for the whole emotional experience — without shame or judgment. It’s about breaking free from narrow expectations and finding authentic ways to be seen and heard.

Navigating sobriety as a parent, and dealing with loss and work stress

Stephen M.

I was a daily drinker for 18 years and now I have 18 years of continuous sobriety! My journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. I’ve faced addiction, mental health challenges, co-parenting struggles, and the heartbreak of losing loved ones. Through it all, I leaned into therapy and a strong support network to come out stronger. I'm now a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, and helping others find their footing is something I care deeply about. Whether you're navigating sobriety, parenting kids with complex needs, or just trying to keep your head above water, I’m here to listen, relate, and support however I can.

Overcoming self-sabotage and building healthier relationships

Timothy H.

After my divorce, I found myself trapped in a cycle of self-sabotage. I turned to alcohol and unhealthy relationships, convinced that I didn’t deserve happiness. I made mistakes, hurt others, and repeatedly found ways to mess things up, especially when things were going well. I cheated on partners and became increasingly self-critical, which only reinforced my belief that I wasn’t worthy of love or peace. It took years of self-reflection, therapy, and support to break free from that cycle. Along the way, I learned some painful but valuable lessons about what not to do in relationships. I now help friends through their own struggles, offering a calm and honest perspective, especially when they feel lost. As a Black professional and CPA, I understand the pressures of balancing career identity with personal happiness. If you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward in life or relationships, I want to be that voice of support, reminding you that change is possible and you deserve better.