The people who make Sober Outdoors what it is. Profiles, events, and stories from our growing community across the country.
Some of the deepest bonds form not over drinks but over shared labor on a mountainside. Discover how trail crew volunteering builds authentic sober community that no bar scene can match.
Trail crews composed of people in recovery are transforming public lands and their own lives. Discover how volunteer trail work builds authentic sober community.
I stood in the Sun & Ski Sports store in Salt Lake City last Tuesday, staring at a pair of Cobra ice tools. They were beautiful—carbon fiber shafts, aggressive curve, lethal and elegant all at once.They were also $400 a piece.I ran the numbers. My monthly "entertainment" budget used to be roughly $1,200. Those ice tools I just denied myself? That was three weeks of drinking. Wow. #Priorities
Hey, I’m Mike. I’m 34 years old, three years into my ice climbing obsession, and almost six years sober. If you met me at a party before I got sober, you probably thought one of two things: “This guy’s hilarious!” or “Wow, this guy needs to chill.” I was always the loudest one in the room, the guy cracking jokes, challenging people to arm wrestle for no reason, and somehow always ending up wearing a lampshade on my head by the end of the night.
Hey, I’m Mike. I’m 34 years old, three years into my ice climbing obsession, and almost six years sober. If you met me at a party before I got sober, you probably thought one of two things: “This guy’s hilarious!” or “Wow, this guy needs to chill.” I was always the loudest one in the room, the guy cracking jokes, challenging people to arm wrestle for no reason, and somehow always ending up wearing a lampshade on my head by the end of the night.
Four years ago, I was drowning. Not literally, but that’s the best way to describe the weight of my addiction. It felt like I was treading water in the middle of a storm, getting pulled under again and again. I couldn’t imagine a way out. But then, unexpectedly, I found one. It came in the form of a fishing rod, a pair of oversized waders, and a small rainbow trout that changed my life.
Over time, climbing became more than just a hobby—it became my therapy. Every ascent was a metaphor for recovery: progress was slow, the route was unpredictable, and sometimes I fell. But I always got back up.
When I left the East Coast and decided to set up life in Denver, I imagined hikes, new friends, endless sunshine. But what no one tells you is that Denver, for all its “outdoorsy” charm, can be hard to break into, especially when you’re not hitting the breweries. I found myself scrolling through “sober events in Denver” like a lost soul looking for a crew—one that wasn’t meeting up for pints or posting #SundayFunday beer flights. Spoiler alert: it’s slim pickings… very slim.
When I left the East Coast and decided to set up life in Denver, I imagined hikes, new friends, endless sunshine. But what no one tells you is that Denver, for all its “outdoorsy” charm, can be hard to break into, especially when you’re not hitting the breweries. I found myself scrolling through “sober events in Denver” like a lost soul looking for a crew—one that wasn’t meeting up for pints or posting #SundayFunday beer flights. Spoiler alert: it’s slim pickings… very slim.
“Trust the process, trust the people involved, and above all, trust Mother Nature.”
“Trust the process, trust the people involved, and above all, trust Mother Nature.”
In the realm of alcohol addiction treatment, the Sinclair Method stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking a softer, more flexible path to recovery. Developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair, this evidence-based approach diverges from the traditional notion of complete abstinence and offers a unique solution: continue drinking while undergoing treatment.
In the realm of alcohol addiction treatment, the Sinclair Method stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking a softer, more flexible path to recovery. Developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair, this evidence-based approach diverges from the traditional notion of complete abstinence and offers a unique solution: continue drinking while undergoing treatment.
Life is a journey, a collection of moments that weave a tapestry of experiences. Sometimes, these moments are filled with joy, love, and success, while at other times, they are shadowed by challenges that seem insurmountable.
Life is a journey, a collection of moments that weave a tapestry of experiences. Sometimes, these moments are filled with joy, love, and success, while at other times, they are shadowed by challenges that seem insurmountable.
Recovery Dharma is a non-profit organization that offers support and resources to people seeking recovery from addiction. The program is based on Buddhist principles, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and mindfulness meditation. Recovery Dharma aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive community that offers a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their recovery journey.
Recovery Dharma is a non-profit organization that offers support and resources to people seeking recovery from addiction. The program is based on Buddhist principles, including the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and mindfulness meditation. Recovery Dharma aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive community that offers a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore their recovery journey.
Addiction recovery can be a difficult and challenging journey, and individuals in recovery often need support and resources to help them stay on track. Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can support individuals in addiction recovery, helping them to manage cravings, reduce stress and anxiety, and build a deeper sense of self-awareness. Mindfulness in Recovery® https://www.mindfulnessinrecovery.com/ is dedicated to exploring the intersection of mindfulness and addiction recovery, providing resources and support for individuals on their recovery journey. In this blog post, we will explore in-depth the offerings of this website and how they can support individuals in addiction recovery.
Addiction recovery can be a difficult and challenging journey, and individuals in recovery often need support and resources to help them stay on track. Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can support individuals in addiction recovery, helping them to manage cravings, reduce stress and anxiety, and build a deeper sense of self-awareness. Mindfulness in Recovery® https://www.mindfulnessinrecovery.com/ is dedicated to exploring the intersection of mindfulness and addiction recovery, providing resources and support for individuals on their recovery journey. In this blog post, we will explore in-depth the offerings of this website and how they can support individuals in addiction recovery.