John Nettles hosts Recovery Refined, but this time he's on the other side of the mic telling his own story.
Raised in St. Louis, John was adopted at birth and always sensed there was more to his story. Addiction took hold at 14, long before he understood what it would cost him.
In his mid twenties, he found and met his birth mother. That moment brought clarity, but it also added new complexity to a life already moving fast.
Music was his first real outlet. He got deep into the EDM scene as a DJ, and with a few close friends started a promotion company called Unknown Frequency. It turned into more than throwing shows. It gave him identity, community, and purpose.
That path took him to Chico, CA, chasing a fresh start, a new business, and a plan to grow weed. But addiction came with him. What began as ambition and escape spiraled into legal trouble, instability, and a cycle he couldn't break.
He cycled through multiple treatment programs over the years. Each one got him closer, but nothing fully stuck.
At 29, everything changed. John came to Refine Recovery and for the first time, something clicked. It wasn't just about getting sober, it was about learning how to actually live. That became the foundation for everything after.
Now closing in on three years sober, he's the Director of Alumni Relations at Refine Recovery, where he built the alumni program from scratch. His focus: connection, accountability, and a community that shows up for people long after treatment ends, which is where the real work begins.
On Recovery Refined, John brings honesty, humor, and lived experience to conversations about recovery, identity, and what change actually takes. His story isn't about getting it right the first time. It's about refusing to stay stuck.
Today's episode is brought to you by Seasons in Malibu. For over 18 years, Seasons has been a sanctuary for individuals seeking to reclaim their lives from addiction and mental health challenges. Our story began with a simple but profound vision: To create a luxurious sanctuary for individuals struggling with addiction or mental health issues, where they can receive the finest, evidence-based treatment in the world.
Built on Compassion, Driven by Excellence
What started as a small number of compassionate professionals has grown into one of the nation’s most respected luxury treatment centers. But growth has never meant losing sight of what matters most—the individual engaging with our therapists, one-on-one, taking the courageous first step toward healing.From the beginning, we understood that truly transformative treatment requires more than clinical protocols. It demands a personalized approach, led by the most qualified professionals, in an environment that nurtures the whole person. That’s why we’ve assembled a team where every primary therapist holds a Doctorate in Psychology - a distinction virtually unmatched in our field.Check out Seasons Malibu online or call 1-866-314-5160 for more information.
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