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What happens when a homeless alcoholic who had resigned himself to "drinking and drugging to death" finds recovery and transforms his life completely? Paul  story answers this question with raw honesty and profound hope.

Paul takes us through his journey from a childhood of constant relocations to his early drinking at age 13, through failed suicide attempts, living in his car, and abandoning his family—to eventually finding recovery in 1988. With unflinching candor, he describes the moment he experienced clinical death during a suicide attempt while in the Navy, floating above his body as medical personnel performed CPR, declaring "he's not breathing and his heart's not beating."

The transformation that followed his surrender to recovery is nothing short of remarkable. Never having graduated high school, Paul returned to education, eventually earning advanced degrees in nursing with a specialization in psychiatric and mental health care. Today, with 37 years of continuous sobriety, he serves as a Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health for a major healthcare system with over 150 hospitals.

What makes Paul's perspective particularly valuable is his unique combination of lived experience, professional education, and administrative expertise. As he works to improve mental health and addiction treatment systems at state and national levels, he carries with him the powerful awareness that "I almost got thrown away." This drives his compassion for those still suffering, particularly people experiencing homelessness and mental illness.

Throughout the conversation, Paul reminds us that recovery isn't just about stopping drinking—it's about building a life of purpose and service. His story demonstrates that no matter how far someone has fallen, recovery remains possible when that moment of clarity finally arrives and we're ready to accept help.

Whether you're struggling yourself or love someone caught in addiction, this episode offers both practical wisdom and the gift of hope. Listen, share, and remember: your past doesn't determine your potential.

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