Valerie Martinez’s journey from addiction to advocacy showcases the power of running and community in transforming her life.
In this powerful episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Valerie Martinez, whose journey through addiction, recovery, and advocacy has been nothing short of inspiring. Valerie's story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the life-changing role of running. Through the challenges she faced growing up, including family trauma and substance abuse, Valerie found strength in herself and the communities that supported her. From overcoming the darkest moments to running toward hope, Valerie is a true example of recovery's transformative power.
Early Struggles and Addiction:
Valerie's early life was marked by family struggles, with addiction running through her household. Her father’s addiction was a silent presence, only visible when her parents' relationship began to unravel. At the age of nine, Valerie's family was torn apart, and the trauma would set her on a path to addiction. She began using drugs at the tender age of 11, finding solace in substances that numbed the pain and gave her a temporary escape. For years, her life spiraled as she struggled to balance family life, school, and the pull of addiction.
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The Turning Point:
When Valerie turned 13, she met her oldest child’s father, who, in her eyes, was everything she needed at the time—a stable figure who could offer a sense of security. However, the relationship quickly became toxic and abusive. Despite the chaos, Valerie took on the role of mother, sister, and protector at a young age. She had her first child at 16 and her second at 17, but the emotional and physical abuse from her partner led her back to drugs as a way to cope with the overwhelming pain. Valerie’s story took another devastating turn when her children were taken from her by their father, leading to years of deep shame and regret.
Recovery and Running:
The pivotal moment in Valerie’s recovery came when she was introduced to Fora Health, a treatment center that played a significant role in her journey to sobriety. It was here that Valerie discovered the healing power of running. Through her involvement with GTD – Go The Distance, Valerie began running to clear her mind and heal her body. As she shared with us, running became her metaphor for recovery—each mile represented a step away from her past and closer to the person she was becoming. "Recovery is about growing every day," Valerie shares, and running was her tool for personal growth.
Community Support:
Valerie credits much of her success in recovery to the supportive communities she found at Fora Health and through programs like GTD – Go The Distance. Peer-driven recovery programs like GTD provided her with the accountability and encouragement she needed to stay on track. She learned to trust herself and others, a lesson she continues to carry with her as she navigates life and sobriety. Running with a community of like-minded individuals helped Valerie form lasting bonds that reinforced her commitment to her recovery.
Giving Back and Advocacy:
Today, Valerie works as an outreach worker, helping individuals who face challenges similar to those she once did. Through her work at 4D Recovery, Valerie helps those in need find resources, advocate for themselves, and build a life beyond addiction. She now shares her story widely, offering encouragement and hope to those who feel lost or alone in their journey. "You are not alone. Come home to recovery," Valerie emphasizes. Her work reminds us that recovery is not just about personal transformation; it’s about using your experiences to help others find their way.
Valerie Martinez’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery is not a destination, but a lifelong journey. Through the darkest times, Valerie found hope and strength through community, support, and the simple yet transformative act of running. Her story is proof that no matter where you start, with perseverance, self-compassion, and the right support, you can always run toward hope.
#RealRecoveryPodcast, #AddictionRecovery, #ForaHealth, #GTD, #PeerDrivenRecovery, #RecoveryJourney, #HopeAndHealing, #CommunitySupport, @GTDgothedistance, @ForaHealth
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 This past weekend, Julie and I had the honor of attending Fora Health's Hope and Freedom Gala, celebrating 50 years of transforming lives. The event's theme was "Disco Glam," and as you'll see from the photos, we went all out in full costume to support the cause. It was a night of fun, reconnections, and heartfelt stories from the recovery community, many of whom have been featured on our Real Recovery Podcast. A Night of Inspiration and Disco Glam: Celebrating 50 Years of Recovery with Fora Health
 Harry Wilson Harry Wilson followed Reverend Newton with a powerful story of his journey to recovery. Listening to these stories of perseverance and transformation was both humbling and inspiring, reminding us why we do what we do through the Real Recovery Podcast.  Kelly Russell The night continued with a thrilling auction, hosted by the ever-talented Kelly Russell, who blew us away with her ability to auction off items at lightning speed! The generosity in the room was palpable, and it was wonderful to witness people rallying around the recovery movement in such a tangible way.  Doyle Smith After the auction, the prestigious Freedom Award for this year was presented to Doyle Smith, the Executive Director of Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) of Oregon. Doyle shared his remarkable story of recovery, rising from personal struggles to lead such an impactful organization. His words left everyone in the room deeply moved. You could feel the raw emotion as Doyle recounted his journey to becoming the leader of DDA, a program that has changed countless lives.  Addison Blackbond Throughout the evening, we were treated to several inspiring videos highlighting participants who have started their recovery journeys through Fora Health. One of the highlights was hearing from Addison Blackbond, a Fora Health graduate, who now works as a house manager. His story of overcoming adversity and helping others on their recovery journeys was truly inspiring.  Jessica Varga Peterson Another highlight of the evening was hearing from Jessica Varga Peterson, the Multnomah County Chair, who announced a generous $6.5 million grant to Fora Health to build much-needed recovery housing. It was a momentous announcement, underscoring Multnomah County’s strong commitment to supporting the recovery movement and the individuals whose lives are transformed through these programs.  Devarshi Bajpai As the event came to a close, Devarshi Bajpai, CEO of Fora Health, thanked everyone for their generous support and contributions. We felt incredibly grateful to be part of such a meaningful celebration. We also had the pleasure of running into Izzy Alvarado, Founder and Executive Director of GTD (Go the Distance), and last year’s Freedom Award recipient, which made the night even more special. If you haven't already, be sure to listen to past episodes of the Real Recovery Podcast, featuring some of the incredible individuals who continue to make a difference in the recovery movement. We look forward to including more of the inspiring people we met tonight in future episodes. Visit Real Recovery Podcast to hear their stories of resilience and hope.  Peter & Julie - Real Recovery Podcast #RealRecoveryPodcast #HopeAndFreedomGala #ForaHealth #DiscoGlam #RecoveryMovement #TransformingLives
RRP 017: From Chaos to Clarity: How Meditation and Community Support Saved Mike Hovey of Fora Health6/21/2024
A Journey of Transformation: Mike Hovey's Path to Recovery
"I'm blessed to get to witness the miracles of recovery every day. People coming in here truly lights off, defeated. And in 60 to 90 days, there's hope again, lights are back on, vibrant. I see these pathways of opportunities presented themselves."
In our latest episode of the Real Recovery Podcast, we had the honor of sitting down with Mike Hovey from Fora Health, affectionately known as "Mentor Mike." His story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of recovery, community support, and the often-overlooked practice of meditation. Mentor Mike first appeared on RRP SHOW 010: RUNNING TOWARDS RECOVERY: TRANSFORMING LIVES WITH GTD (GO THE DISTANCE) where he discussed being a mentor for Izzy Alvarado & GTD.
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Mike’s journey began in a chaotic environment filled with substance abuse and frequent incarcerations. By his early twenties, Mike found himself deeply entrenched in the world of addiction, facing numerous challenges that seemed insurmountable. However, a pivotal moment came when he chose family over friends, moving to Portland in search of a better life. This decision set him on a path that would eventually lead to profound change.
One of the key elements in Mike’s recovery was the introduction of meditation. Initially skeptical, Mike discovered that meditation was more than just a practice—it was a lifeline. Through meditation, he began to cultivate self-awareness, discipline, and a deep sense of inner peace. This practice became the cornerstone of his recovery, allowing him to navigate the complexities of life with a clear and focused mind.
At Fora Health, Mike has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for many. His role as a mentor allows him to give back to the community, offering guidance and support to those who are just beginning their recovery journeys. Mike's story is a reminder that recovery is not just about abstaining from substances; it's about rebuilding one’s life, embracing new practices, and finding purpose.
The Real Recovery Podcast is dedicated to sharing stories like Mike’s because they highlight the resilience of the human spirit. Mike’s transformation is a testament to the power of recovery, and it serves as a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with addiction. His journey from chaos to clarity is not just inspirational—it’s proof that with the right support and practices, anyone can turn their life around.
#RealRecoveryPodcast,#MikeHovey,#ForaHealth,#AddictionRecovery,#Meditation,#Transformation,#Purpose,#Hope,#Inspiration,#Recovery @forahealthpdx
Coming up next week...
Join us for Episode 18 of the Real Recovery Podcast as we sit down with Becca Stabach. From her chaotic high school years to her inspiring transformation, Becca's journey is a testament to resilience and community. Tune in for an episode filled with raw honesty, heartfelt moments, and inspiration for anyone on their recovery path. Don't miss it!
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