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Connection, Vulnerability, & Power: A 5 Day Journey of Discovery
Connection, Vulnerability, & Power: A 5 Day Journey of Discovery
Nestled between the serene national parks of Canada, a group of Recovery Beyond women embarked on a trip hoping to foster empowerment within themselves on the first-ever Recovery Beyond Women’s Empowerment Retreat.
The goal? Embracing vulnerability, connection, and the power within.
Hitting the RoadWith a two-day road trip from Western Washington to our retreat destination in Canada, what might have seemed like a long drive turned into an opportunity for real connections.
We shared meals, gazed at awe-inspiring views, and bonded over our shared appreciation for nature’s beauty. As we ventured further from the familiar surroundings of Seattle, the landscape transformed, and so did our camaraderie. We reveled in the beauty that recovery allows us to experience.
The Power of Togetherness
The road trip experience set the stage for what lay ahead. Our interactions during the journey set a tone of unity and self-discovery.
We came from diverse backgrounds, some seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, and others new to the wilderness. However, these differences brought us closer together.
The trip wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was a crash course in practical outdoor skills. We learned to split wood, start a fire, and, importantly, the consequences of forgetting to close the grill or leaving a sweatshirt hanging outside.
Living in the great outdoors unveiled the simultaneous beauty of simplicity and complexity.
Lessons We Learned
Margo Talbot and Megan Wright led powerful workshops for the group.
Margo helped us carry the sense of power and connection we had fostered in the retreat into our everyday lives. Together, we worked to create practices and tools for pathways moving forward.
Megan led a workshop on the labyrinth. We reviewed its history and symbolism and it became a sanctuary for personal revelations and growth. Here, we delved into issues related to our relationships with our mothers and family of origin. We learned how to rewrite the stories we told ourselves and take control of our destinies. Our journey inside the labyrinth was a pathway to discovering the powerful individuals we are inside.
Yoga for the Soul
Our retreat was a delightful mix of activities, including invigorating yoga sessions. Guided by a skilled yoga instructor, we embraced learning poses and trying something new.
What began as a hesitant embrace of yoga quickly turned into a profound appreciation for the practice, leaving us feeling empowered and revitalized.
Healing with Nature
Water played a recurring role throughout our journey, symbolizing healing and transformation.
The weather was wet and the rain offered a challenge to living outdoors. Hot springs offered solace and rejuvenation, while our forest experiences were nothing short of enchanting.
Guided forest bathing encouraged us to reconnect with nature, and for many, it felt like their inner child was awakened. As we engaged with the forest floor, the trees, and the fallen leaves, we rekindled our connection with the natural world.
Reflections and Transformations
As our adventure came to a close, we realized just how much we needed this break from the constant buzz of technology and city life.
We returned home with a newfound appreciation for life’s simpler pleasures, a deeper bond with each other, and a strong sense of our own capabilities.
The Women’s Empowerment Retreat wasn’t just a travel experience; it was a lesson in the power of connection, vulnerability, and personal growth. It reminds us that the most profound transformations often happen when we step out of our comfort zone, bond with others, and immerse ourselves in the healing embrace of the natural world.
This retreat is a beautiful example of how recovery allows us to go deeper into ourselves and appreciate the world within and around us.
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Climbing Mountains with Scott
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul” – John Muir
Have you ever met Scott Brown? You would know it if you did.
Scott’s outgoi
ng and infectious personality fills up a room. You’ll hear his jokes and wild tales on the hiking trail, even if you’re at the back of the group. He’s the President of the Recovery Beyond Peer Advisory Board and has been hiking with the organization since January 2018.By his second year with Recovery Beyond, he was helping with every Seattle Union Gospel Mission and Tacoma Rescue Mission hike. By his estimates, he’s completed over 50 hikes with the program. Scott’s favorite thing about his volunteer work during this period was that “…it was a place to belong. Somewhere I felt comfortable and was able to share the adventures with others!”
His experience with the outdoors goes back to his childhood when he grew up hiking in Montana. He explains, “Mom had me hiking in elementary school. In fact, I believe I was camping before I could walk.”
Scott’s hiking eventually turned into mountaineering. He began mountain climbing and learning glacier travel training with Recovery Beyond in 2018.
In 2023, Scott wants to bring climbing mountains back to Recovery Beyond. He’s working with volunteers, staff, the Board of Directors, and participants to reinvigorate the climbing track. “Recovery and mountaineering,” Scott describes, “…well first it is something to occupy time. The other is it gives you a chance to escape, wind down mentally, and focus on stuff other than life… [climbing mountains] takes me out of day-to-day thoughts and concerns. Plus the views are awesome!!”
Scott shares that participants can expect to build on a community, create trust, and experience bonding over the adventure from the new climbing program. The team will get out, spend time on the trails, and enjoy nature together.
When asked what mountaineering has taught him, he responds, “I’ve learned that I am not in charge. The mountain is.”
We’ll share more information on the new climbing program throughout the year. The program will launch in 2024.
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Meet Newest Staff Member, Angie!
Meet Our Newest Staff Member
We are thrilled to welcome Angie to the team as an official staff member. Angie has been involved with Recovery Beyond since 2015 and has been a true advocate for the organization. Her kind and personable nature make her a great fit as a Recovery Beyond Coach. She says, “Never let fear or shame keep you from living the life of your dreams! Stepping into that fear has brought me the greatest challenges and most rewarding experiences of my life!”
In case you don’t know Angie, we asked her a few questions about herself and what she’s looking forward to in her new position. Find out more below!
What excites you about your new role?
What excites me most about this new role is the opportunity to be on the ground floor of helping to grow, expand and create with an organization that has been close to my heart for so many years and impacted my life in such a big way. I’m excited to hopefully bring that same impact to others!
Do you have a favorite Recovery Beyond adventure?
Do I have to pick just one?? There are just so many for so many different reasons. Whether it’s a bowling night to celebrate the start of a new climbing season, a virtual drawing class, a hike that leads to the new experience of standing behind a raging waterfall or yes, standing on top one of the most amazing peaks in Washington State, Mount Rainier…the thing that transformed all of these activities into special moments was the people that I shared them with. It’s just a fantastic community.
How did you hear about Recovery Beyond?
I first became aware of and immediately involved with Recovery Beyond in 2015. I heard about Recovery Beyond while I was attending the Women’s New Life Program through the Tacoma Rescue Mission.
What do you notice about participants when they attend an adventure?
I’ve noticed that participants who attend these adventures, myself included, even if they come in nervous and unsure of what to expect, possibly with some doubt about what exactly they’re getting themselves into, because of the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere of this community, by the time the adventure is over they’ve got a big smile on their faces and the confidence boost is just emanating from their soul! It’s a truly beautiful thing to witness.
What can someone who is thinking about joining Recovery Beyond expect?
Friendship. Kindness. Adventure. Encouragement. Laughter. Understanding. No judgment. FUN!
What do you hope to accomplish in this role?
I hope to inspire others and create a ripple effect that reaches far and wide!
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Peer Lead Spotlight: Taylor
Meet Taylor
I am motivated by positive behavior change; my definition of recovery is to be better than I was yesterday.
I have made self-improvement a major goal of mine, when I say improvement, I mean improve on the things in all areas of my life and stick with it. I have become tired of making excuses for why I can’t do well, because today I can do well.
I must remind myself that I am worthy of having a life worth living.
When I’m connected to my community, I feel like I’m living, when I am not afraid and a part of a group, I feel hopeful, I feel alive, and it’s a beautiful feeling.
I have so many things I want to do, and to look forward to doing. I start college this fall to finish my bachelor’s degree in applied behavioral science, this will give me even more tools to continue this life of progress.
I currently am a substance use counselor and I enjoy the work I do. It brings me joy to offer people hope for a better life. I have faith that people can do incredible things when effort is applied.
I have a lot of it is insecurities. It has prevented me from participating in activities. It’s not a fun feeling not knowing how to do something or I might look dumb if I try, but I have decided to be a part of Recovery Beyond so I can learn to have fun, even if I have to force myself. I have decided to get a personal trainer and get on a solid workout routine. I know that if I stick with it, I will see results, plus I can learn things today.
I am proud of how far I have come, and I’m excited about the future. I hope to make friends. I hope to learn from other humans. I want to laugh more. I want to be a part of the human race and not be so afraid of trying something new. I have to be willing.
The best feelings I have experienced during recovery are moments where I pushed myself, knowing that I was able to be a better person mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I can receive all these aspects from Recovery Beyond. I am a happy participant and I’m looking forward to watching this movement grow.
I’m going to start doing the rock-climbing event, and the boxing event, I love all the hiking events, I want to start my own event, I thought about a online book study, maybe reading a self-help book, and then talking about it, I feel inner work is just as important as outer work, sticking on a routine can sometimes be a struggle. I also want to make a point to join the virtual huddle groups when I can. -
Peer Lead Spotlight: Jose
Meet Jose!
Our Peer Leads are dedicated to supporting recovery journeys, all while balancing busy personal schedules and commitments!
January’s Peer Lead spotlight, Jose, has been involved with Recovery Beyond since 2018.
Jose elaborates on why he has remained a supporter of Recovery Beyond for so many years, “I truly believe in this group and the purpose behind it. The community and the relationships that have been built. It gives you the feeling that we are not alone and that is very comforting.”
We are thankful for Jose’s warm personality and his ability to make anyone feel comfortable. Keep reading to learn more about Jose’s story.
Read more from our conversation with Jose
What motivates you?
Breaking chains is my motivation!
Teaching people to break those cycles and free themselves from the captivity and suffering of substance abuse. Growing up I lived in a household where drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence were very “normal”.
My motivation is to completely shatter and obliterate the notion that that is a normal way of life. To show by example and to teach my kids and others that it is in fact not normal and that there is so much more in life to truly live for and strive for. To provide that safe place where they can actually be kids and allow themselves to truly live out their childhood and nurture all that comes with that.
Breaking those cycles is my motivation!
Anything you’d like to share about your recovery story or yourself?
Too much to write here! I’ll try and keep it short. It’s been quite the journey, humbling, challenging, heartbreaking and so uplifting.
A true roller coaster of emotions to say the least BUT I stand behind this saying, the best gift I have ever given myself in my journey through recovery is the ability to feel.
The raw emotion of every moment as it comes, to live in those moments as hard or as beautiful as they may be, that right there is the sweet spot. Honoring them for what they are and growing with those moments. Life on life’s terms.
How do you balance your busy personal life?
LOTS AND LOTS of prayer!
No joke, being centered in my Higher Power, my Savior; Yeshua has kept me grounded and balanced through it all. I cannot begin to tell you the many ways God has shown up in my life and there are many times that I reach a breaking point.
I have to stay connected to Him because I’ve tried to live life without Him and well, we know how that turned out!
What have been your favorite Recovery Beyond activities?
It’s hard to choose one event, the hikes have always been the center of the deepest conversations and connections I’ve experienced with Recovery Beyond, the bike rides were so much fun too because I LOVE biking, the river float for Scott’s birthday! That one was so much fun too!
Every time I attend an event there is excitement to see my people and after every event there is so much contentment and satisfaction, reflection and perspective from others’ points of view too.
I am so blessed to be a part of this group!!
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Jose is part of our Peer Advisory Board. You can read more about him on our Team page.
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Peer Lead Spotlight: Kamaria
My name is Kamaria Benge and I am happy to be a Peer Lead because I get to help others learn how to live life again.
In my recovery, I did all the right things. I managed a Recovery House, went to meetings, saw my counselor regularly, met with a peer counselor, and even became a peer counselor myself.
I loved the empowerment I got from being responsible again and was enthralled to have my daughter back in my life and have my family start to trust me again, but I was still missing something.
Then my coworker invited me to Recovery Beyond event. All of a sudden I knew what I was missing – experiencing life while connecting with others!
I got to go kayaking for the first time, and it was amazing! I tried boxing, and it was a blast. Just recently I tried bouldering. I thought I wouldn’t be able to climb the walls or wouldn’t like it, but it was so much fun!
Having someone there to support you when you get scared or self-doubt yourself makes it better and having someone to share in the experience is priceless!
I want to share the experience with the world, especially those who are familiar with the negatives in this world, like me.
I have overcome homelessness, substance use, and having no faith or hope. And now I have my own place, a car, my daughter, and best of all, hope, faith, and love 🙂
About the image: Myself, my daughter, and my husband on the Recovery Day at the Mariners. This was the day I got to watch my daughter go from hating going to the game and being grumpy, to smiling, having fun, and begging to go back again. That right there is why I joined RB.. to see that memorable moment reach more people.
Archive for 2023
Recovery Beyond > 2023