Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Broderick, NCRC-II, CPS-AD.
Alison, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I like to believe April 11, 2011, was not the day my life came to a screeching halt; rather, it was the day my life began. It was a Monday, but not just any Monday. It was the last Monday in which I would endure a hangover from hell. Moreover, it was the first Monday I would experience life as a sober woman in recovery.
Fast-forward to 2019, at the ripe age of 40, and I can honestly say that the best moments of my existence have happened over these last eight years. As a person in long-term recovery, I no longer have to miss out on special occasions, destroy precious relationships or piece together last night’s events in a post-booze blackout. Today, I can show up for myself and others without regret from yesterday or worry about tomorrow. I can be fully present and usefully whole.
A year into my recovery, in 2012, I made a career change and began working in the mental health industry, specifically at a long-term, gender-specific residential addiction treatment center in Atlanta, Ga. Then in 2015, I accepted a position with a behavioral health treatment facility in Tucson, Ariz., that allowed me to work from my home office in East Cobb and focus on being a mom and a wife as well. In February 2018, my department was required to undergo recovery coach training, wherein I received certification as a nationally certified recovery coach. By late May of that same year, my position was eliminated due to budget cuts and restructuring, and I found myself unemployed and scared.
I leaned on my support network, prayed for direction and came to the conclusion that my next right move was to start my own business as a recovery coach. On June 20, 2018, less than one month after being laid off, I launched The Recovery Coach, LLC – a mental health practice that provides individuals with the tools, structure, and support needed to establish a solid foundation in recovery from substance use disorder, eating disorders, anxiety and/or depression. In July, I joined forces with Atlanta Center for Wellness in Sandy Springs, which consists of 35 clinicians and mental health professionals specializing in a wide range of treatment modalities, holistic therapies, and integrative services, all operating on an outpatient basis.
The past year has consisted of grit, guts, and a whole lot of growth, including some hard truths and life-changing realizations along the way. I have been told an entrepreneur’s first year in business is often the most difficult. The same is true for recovery. There may be challenges and even a few setbacks, but the rewards are long-lasting. I am honored to join the millions of other American women who proudly call themselves entrepreneurs.
Has it been a smooth road?
Because I am only a year into it, I still face the typical struggles associated with owning a business. I am thankful for my faith because without it, I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. When I was laid off from my full-time position last May, I endured feelings of grief, loss, fear, inadequacy, and insecurity. I had been laid off before, but this was the first time I had experienced it sober.
My advice to other hopeful entrepreneurs: Create a business strategy from the start, then revisit your plan every 3-6 months to ensure you’re on target. Surround yourself with a strong support team, and remember that positive affirmations and gratitude are the antidotes to self-doubt and worry. If you have eliminated excess spending and find that finances are still too tight for comfort, you might consider getting a part-time job while you steadily grow your business.
The late Bob Marley said, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” It was in complete defeat that I began to rise. I continue to face challenges, but just like recovery, I take them one day — sometimes one breath — at a time.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40-60 percent of people struggling with addiction will fall back into some form of substance abuse after treatment. Fortunately, the mental health industry is beginning to recognize the connection between a full continuum of care and long-term recovery. That’s where The Recovery Coach comes into play.
When a person makes the decision to join the recovery way of life, it is no easy feat. I have yet to encounter an individual who has found long-term success by recovering on his or her own. If the opposite of addiction (and other maladaptive behaviors) is connection, then leaning on others for guidance and support is vital.
As a Nationally Certified Recovery Coach-Level II (NCRC-II) and Georgia Certified Peer Specialist-Addictive Diseases (CPS-AD), my role is to support clients on their healing journey by helping them uncover their truth and reconnect with their authentic selves. It’s easy for family members, friends, employers, and even mental health professionals to point the finger and tell the struggling loved one, friend, employee, or client precisely how to recover. But when a recovery coach meets the individual on an even playing field of “me too,” something powerful takes place: walls come crashing down, defenses begin to soften, and an unspeakable bond forms. It is not until the individual taps into his or her own unlimited source of power, that true and lasting recovery is achieved. I help clients to focus inward and recognize that the answer has been with them all along. The Solution comes from within.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
– Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries
– Sadie Lincoln of Barre3
– Izabela Amos, owner of Barre3 East Cobb
– Sara Blakely of SPANX
Pricing:
- Accountability Group: Meets every Friday from 4-5 p.m. at Atlanta Center for Wellness; $20 per person/per group with no commitment required. Adult men and women (18 and up).
Contact Info:
- Address: The Recovery Coach at Atlanta Center for Wellness
6100 Lake Forrest Drive NE
Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30328 - Website: www.therecoverycoachatl.com
- Phone: 678-851-3314
- Email: Alison@TheRecoveryCoachATL.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/therecovcoach
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheRecoveryCoach
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheRecovCoach
- Other: www.linkedin.com/company/the-recovery-coach
Image Credit:
Alison Broderick, founder/owner of The Recovery Coach
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
