From Alcohol to Awakening: The Night That Saved My Life
Why Gary’s Story Matters Now
Nineteen years ago, Gary woke up in a Nassau County jail cell facing a felony charge for breaking a police officer’s nose. Today, he is a father of two, founder of the Begin Again Podcast, and creator of the “Recover Out Loud” apparel line RCVR Brand. His path from benders and bar fights to Episode 100 of Sobriety Uncensored is more than inspirational; it is a playbook for anyone who feels trapped in the loop of relapse.
🎧 Watch the full conversation in the video below:
The Night Everything Changed
A Small‑Town Thanksgiving Gone Sideways
Port Washington is famous for two things: its marina and its drinking culture. On the night before Thanksgiving, sixteen‑year‑old Gary sneaked into a jam‑packed local bar, beers already under his belt. When a street‑wide brawl spilled outside, he landed a punch that shattered a cop’s nose and his own sense of invincibility. The arrest didn’t scare him straight—but it did set the stage for a decade‑long downward spiral.
Alcohol, Cocaine, and the Illusion of Control
One sip of beer led to round‑the‑clock binges. Cocaine kept the party rolling and the “fun” lasted longer—until it didn’t. “A belly full of booze and a mind full of sobriety is a brutal place to be,” Gary recalls. Four rehab stints from 2002 – 2006 proved that simply putting down the bottle isn’t the same as picking up recovery.
A Tuesday That Meant Everything
Alone in his dark West Village apartment—with blinds drawn and future dim—Gary prayed a foxhole prayer he rarely admits out loud: “God, I can’t do this anymore.” By the next morning he was dialing New York City Intergroup and walking into his first post‑rehab AA meeting on May 13, 2006. He hasn’t had a drink or a drug since.
Rebuilding, One Uncomfortable Action at a Time
Daily meetings: He sat in the front row, even when shame told him to hide in the back.
Sponsorship: He worked the steps again—this time with rigorous honesty.
Tunnel vision: “All I had to do was go to work and hit a meeting.” Nothing fancy, just consistent.
His girlfriend—now his wife—stood by him, proving that lasting relationships don’t require liquid courage.
The Ten‑Year Wall & How He Broke Through
At the decade mark Gary wanted out. Life pressures mounted, ego whispered You’re cured, and a glass of wine sounded civilized. Then a speaker with 16 sober years shared how one drink cost him his business and his daughters. Fear—this time healthy—hand‑stitched Gary back into his program. The lesson: long‑term sobriety demands as much vigilance as day one.
Begin Again: Turning Pain Into a Global Platform
When a podcast host told Gary, “You should start your own show,” the idea stuck. Two years later, Begin Again releases weekly conversations on mindset, transformation, and raw recovery stories. Mission statement? Help at least one person every single day—a goal that grew into thousands of international downloads and an Instagram community that refuses to whisper about sobriety.
RCVR Brand & the Recover Out Loud Movement
Reducing stigma isn’t enough; Gary wants to eliminate it. RCVR Brand’s clean street‑wear aesthetic lets people broadcast recovery without saying a word. The merchandise funds outreach efforts and sparks conversations that once felt taboo.
Sober Parenting: Breaking the Generational Mold
Gary’s kids have never seen their father drunk. They know virgin piña coladas from the real thing, and family anniversaries include celebrating Dad’s sobriety date. Openness has replaced secrecy—proof that one parent’s recovery can rewrite an entire lineage.
Tools That Keep the Engine Running
| Tool | Why It Works | How Gary & Megan Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Prayer & Meditation | Grounds mindset in gratitude, not scarcity | Knees to floor every morning and night |
| Walking & Hiking | Clears emotional residue; boosts dopamine naturally | Pandemic strolls evolved into weekend trail-hunting |
| Exercise & Nutrition | Builds stress resilience | Weight-training, yoga, and non-alcoholic hydration rituals |
| Community Check-Ins | Interrupts isolation before it metastasizes | Group texts, sponsor calls, coaching sessions |
If Gary’s journey proves anything, it’s that sustained sobriety thrives on connection. Whether you’re 24 hours sober or 24 years in, the right guidance can accelerate your breakthrough. Explore personalized coaching, free resources, and a judgment‑free community:
👉Qutting Alcohol? 1:1 Sober Coaching: https://soberstrongcoaching.as.me/
👉More Sober Content: https://www.youtube.com/@Soberstrong
👉Be a guest on the Sobriety Uncensored Podcast: https://thesoberstrong.com/sobriety-uncensored-sober-strong
Because we didn’t come this far to live a life that sucks—and neither did you.
