Struggling in the Right Direction with Chico West

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Finding New Waters Podcast, host B. Reeves sits down with Chico West for a wide-ranging conversation about sobriety, faith, surrender, and what it truly means to do the work.With 36 years of sobriety, Chico shares his journey from early addiction, arrests, and spiritual emptiness to long-term recovery, counseling, and helping others step into what he calls the messy middle. Together, B and Chico explore how growth often happens not on the mountaintops, but in the valleys, and how peace comes from surrender rather than control.This episode blends recovery wisdom, biblical reflection, personal storytelling, and practical insight for anyone seeking a deeper, more grounded life, whether sober, sober-curious, or simply searching.⸻⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Chico West02:00 – Finding joy in sobriety and living clean and sober05:00 – “Struggling in the right direction” and life’s worst hands08:30 – Peaks, valleys, and emotional balance in recovery12:00 – What Chico does today: counseling, coaching, and consulting14:30 – Getting sober at 21 and early addiction history20:00 – Doing the work beyond alcohol and addiction24:00 – Faith, brokenness, and true surrender30:00 – Me vs. we: getting out of self35:00 – Building cases in our heads and emotional sobriety41:00 – Returning to faith and a life-changing moment48:00 – Surrendering to win54:00 – How to find Chico West and final reflections⸻🔑 Key Takeaways• Recovery is about more than abstinence; it’s about transformation• Peace comes from surrender, not control• Growth happens in the messy middle, not just success• Faith and recovery can reinforce each other• Long-term sobriety requires daily maintenance and honesty⸻👤 About the Guest: Chico WestChico West is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over three decades of sobriety. He works in private practice, executive consulting, and coaching, and co-hosts the Filter Optional podcast with his wife. Chico specializes in helping people step into emotional honesty, spiritual growth, and long-term healing.📞 Contact: 214-384-7459🎧 Podcast: Filter Optional🎧 Listen, Share, and SubscribeFollow Finding New WatersInstagram: www.instagram.com/newwatersrecoveryFacebook: www.facebook.com/newwatersrecoveryLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/new-waters-recoveryTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@newwatersrecovery_nc⸻Watch & ListenWebsite: www.findingnewwaters.comSpotify: open.spotify.com/show/4NOV2g85KExFWU5mTz5GjwApple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-new-waters/id1684075608YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfAIXtiOgy1XFcwAduXgXwYouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuJOc6yLcjibGGAKgLYPCN47etJCY89mn