Lives of the Sober - Balance and Harmony, with Michele Mannix

In today’s interview, I get to interview Michele Mannix about her recovery journey. Michelle recently celebrated 38 years of sobriety! She is a clinical professional, teacher, trainer, and avid runner! She’s worked for years in the mental health community, with houseless folks, people with long term mental illness, and supporting peers and other professionals in their sobriety. She is in recovery from alcohol and stimulants…and from nicotine! Michelle sees smoking as very connected to alcohol and drug use. Further, she also lives with and manages a Depressive Disorder! Turns out that substance use and other addictions can be a cover for other mental illness. Michelle has discovered an abstinence approach to be essential. Not just abstinence from one thing, but abstinence from a variety of things that all lead to each other is integral to her path to healing. Michelle reflects on her sobriety journey, from its beginnings, being confronted about drinking on the job, all the way to current day, solid in sobriety, and learning to thrive in old age. We talk about what is essential for sobriety, and what is essential for aging well. Daily practices for mindfulness and self-care, solid relationships, and investing in the community rank high among essential sobriety practices. She says, “Overall health and wellness is based on a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and practice, practice, practice. For me, [recovery and wellness] are about harmony, balance and service.” Her advice for beginners - “It’s a day at a time, never give up, and it gets better.” Also, the hardest days of sobriety are better than the best days of addiction. “Everybody’s capable of change. Everyone has strengths.” As people see more changes, they become more confident. They become more committed. As they become more committed, they move forward. This podcast relies on the partnership of listeners - especially with dollars! Please visit www.patreon.com/outercircle to learn how to partner with the vision of this show! Rhys Pasimio can be found through www.patreon.com/outercircle and on instagram at @newpattrencounseling and is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions! Michele Mannix can be reached through her email at [email protected]. #recovery #recoverywork #sobriety #addiction #addictionrecovery #counseling #mentalhealth #therapy #depression #oldage #aging #running #community #spirituality #dailypractice #rhyspasimio #outercircleinnerstillness