How Don M’s story of overcoming adversity, grief, and addiction became a guiding light for the recovery community.
Episode seventy-one of the Real Recovery Podcast brings you the fifth chapter in our Founding Voices series, featuring Don M—a cherished friend, mentor, and father figure to so many in our community. With over forty-five years of sobriety, Don’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of chosen family, and the impact of unwavering service. His story, marked by a turbulent childhood, a groundbreaking career as a flight attendant, and decades of helping others, continues to inspire listeners and newcomers alike.
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Don M’s early life was shaped by instability, frequent moves, and family struggles with addiction and mental illness. Despite these challenges, he found support in church and the kindness of friends’ families, which helped him survive the chaos of his upbringing. Coming out as gay in a less accepting era, Don faced the pain of losing his church community and turned to alcohol for courage and escape.
His professional life took flight as a pioneering male flight attendant, but addiction soon threatened everything he had built. A turning point came after a powerful out-of-body experience in a bar, which led him to seek help, get a sponsor, and commit to recovery. Don’s journey through treatment and early sobriety was marked by setbacks, but also by the discovery of purpose in service—first volunteering, then working in addiction treatment and employee assistance programs for over twenty-five years.
Don’s story is also one of enduring love and loss. After meeting his partner Doug, they built a life together until Doug’s passing, which brought new grief and challenges. Through it all, Don leaned on his recovery community, especially the Lunch Bunch group—a cornerstone for many, including co-host Peter, whom Don introduced to the meeting and mentored through recovery.
Today, Don is celebrated for his wisdom, compassion, and willingness to support newcomers. He has become a father figure to many, embodying the spirit of acceptance, humor, and hope that defines the Real Recovery Podcast community.
Listen to Don M’s full story on RRP Episode 71 and discover more inspiring journeys at the Real Recovery Podcast. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and join our supportive community.
Don M’s journey reminds us that recovery is not just about abstaining from substances, but about building a life of meaning, connection, and service. His resilience in the face of adversity and his commitment to helping others continue to light the way for all who seek hope and healing.
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Episode seventy of the Real Recovery Podcast features Ben M., whose deeply honest and impactful story has made his original episode one of our most listened-to to date. As the fourth voice in our Founding Voices series, Ben M. shares his journey from a turbulent adolescence in Texas to long-term recovery and leadership in Portland. His vulnerability, humor, and commitment to service continue to inspire listeners and newcomers alike.
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Ben M. grew up in a large Hispanic family in Texas, navigating early feelings of difference and the challenges of identity. By his teens, he was experimenting with drugs and alcohol, seeking acceptance and escape. His journey took him from the chaos of adolescence to college in New York, where the aftermath of 9/11 and the pressures of adulthood intensified his struggles with addiction.
Despite academic and professional achievements—including law school—Ben’s substance use escalated, leading to legal trouble, family interventions, and multiple attempts at sobriety. His story is marked by relapses, mental health crises, and the pain of watching loved ones struggle, but also by moments of clarity and hope.
Ben credits his recovery to the support of the AA community, the power of honest self-reflection, and the willingness to embrace vulnerability. Today, Ben M. is known for his unwavering service, supporting newcomers, leading meetings, and sharing his story with courage and humor. His journey is a testament to the power of connection and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone willing to reach out.
Ben M.’s journey reminds us that recovery is not a straight line, but a path marked by courage, setbacks, and the willingness to keep coming back. His story continues to resonate with listeners, offering hope, connection, and the reassurance that no one has to walk this journey alone.
Listen to Ben M.’s full story on RRP Episode 70 and explore more inspiring journeys at Real Recovery Podcast. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and join our community of hope and healing.
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@RealRecoveryPodcast How one man’s resilience and service sparked a movement in recovery.
Episode sixty-nine of the Real Recovery Podcast marks the third installment in our Founding Voices series, spotlighting Izzy—a friend, mentor, and inspiration whose journey from addiction and homelessness to leadership and service has touched countless lives. First sharing his story in episode five, Izzy’s path is a testament to the power of second chances, the strength of community, and the impact of giving back. As the founder and executive director of Go the Distance (GTD), Izzy’s vision and passion not only inspired the creation of this podcast, but continue to uplift and connect the recovery community across Portland and beyond.
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Growing up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Izzy always felt a bit different—drawn to music, fashion, and the arts, and often struggling to fit in. After high school, he excelled academically and socially but soon found himself swept up in the party culture of college, leading to years of substance use and cycles of self-doubt. Seeking a fresh start, Izzy moved to Portland, Oregon, where he worked in fine dining, but addiction soon took hold, leading to devastating relapses, job loss, and eventually homelessness.
Izzy’s turning point came through the support of friends, the structure of recovery meetings, and the love of his dog, Anna. With each setback, he found the courage to return—rebuilding his life, repairing relationships, and discovering a new sense of purpose in service. In 2019, Izzy founded Go the Distance (GTD), a nonprofit that empowers individuals in recovery through running, mentorship, and community. The organization has grown rapidly, now offering multiple weekly runs, employment opportunities for people in recovery, and a wellness program supporting both physical and mental health. 
Izzy’s story is also deeply intertwined with the Real Recovery Podcast. His passion for service and his example of “taking a chance on the underdog” helped inspire the podcast’s creation. Izzy remains a valued mentor and friend to the show, collaborating on events and supporting the broader recovery community.
Izzy’s journey reminds us that recovery is not just about overcoming addiction, but about finding purpose, building community, and lifting others along the way. His story is proof that hope, resilience, and service can transform lives—and that anyone, given a second chance, can go the distance.
Listen to Izzy’s full story on RRP Episode 69 and explore more inspiring journeys at Real Recovery Podcast. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and join our community of hope and healing.
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