Marcus Smith II is a former first-round NFL draft pick, devoted father and husband, and the founder of The Circle of M Foundation. Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, Marcus built a standout football career as an All-American at the University of Louisville before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Behind the success, Marcus was quietly battling anxiety and depression, struggles that became the toughest opponents of his life. While living out his dream on the field, he was fighting a much deeper battle off of it, one that ultimately reshaped his purpose.

Grounded in faith and driven by a commitment to help others, Marcus has continued evolving beyond football. He is currently pursuing a path in social work and has recently completed his journey to become a minister, further deepening his ability to serve and support others.

Today, Marcus is a powerful voice for mental health awareness, particularly within professional sports. Through The Circle of M Foundation, he is dedicated to breaking stigma, encouraging vulnerability, and creating pathways for individuals to prioritize their mental well-being.

Marcus’s mission is simple but urgent. He uses his platform to reach those who are struggling, remind them they are not alone, and be the lifeline that once saved him.

This podcast is sponsored by *Refine Recovery*

-If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, give them a call at 424-392-6424!

RJ Elizarraz is the Founder and CEO of Oak Forest Recovery, a Southern California recovery community built around structure, accountability, and long-term sobriety. After experiencing addiction and periods of homelessness himself, RJ found recovery through the 12-step process and committed to rebuilding his life with discipline, fitness, and community at the center.

Drawing from his own experiences navigating treatment and early sobriety, RJ went on to create Oak Forest Recovery with the goal of giving others the structure and support that helped change his life. Today he works directly with people in recovery, helping them build routines, develop accountability, and establish the foundation for sustainable sobriety.

RJ is also a co-host of the Against All Odds podcast, a show centered on stories of resilience and strength that prove transformation is possible even when life feels impossible.

This podcast is sponsored by *Refine Recovery*-If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, give them a call at 424-392-6424!

Chris Howard is the founder and owner of Ethos Sober Living in Los Angeles. Sober since 2009 after more than a decade of addiction, Chris rebuilt his life and committed it to helping others do the same. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III (CADC-III) and a Master Certified Case Manager Interventionist (CCMI-M) who has assisted families in crisis for over a decade.

His work focuses on what is happening in the here and now, helping individuals and families confront disruptive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that undermine relationships and quality of life. Known for being direct and action-oriented, Chris works to identify root issues, challenge a lack of coping skills or personal responsibility, and develop practical plans for sustainable change. His philosophy is simple: the problem and the long-term solution often lie within you.

*This podcast is sponsored by Refine Recovery*

-If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues give us a call at 424-392-6424!

Yeshaia Blakeney is an addiction and mental health leader, entrepreneur, spiritual counselor, and rapper with over 20 years of experience in the treatment field. Sober since his early twenties, he brings both professional expertise and lived experience to helping others build meaningful, lasting recovery. Happily married with four children, his life today reflects the stability and purpose he encourages in the people he serves.

As co-founder and CEO of Recover Integrity and the Antedote wholeness initiative, Yeshaia is known for blending psychology, trauma-informed care, and spirituality into innovative approaches to healing. A speaker and thought leader, he continues to challenge traditional recovery models while guiding people toward deeper connection, growth, and purpose.

This episode of Recovery Refined features Skinny Vinny, a Connecticut native known for keeping it raw and unfiltered. John and Vinny break down where he came from, how his addiction spiraled, and how it eventually landed him on Skid Row before a moment of grace led him into sober living and recovery. They get into how getting sober let Vinny tap back into what lit him up as a kid, chasing adrenaline, doing crazy shit with his friends, and turning that chaos into something creative. The episode also covers his jump into the creator space, including hosting the Wild Ride podcast with Steve-O, plus his passion project, The Forest, where he gives people the same shot at sober living that helped pull him out of the gutter.

Our host John Nettles talks with Chris Kirby about getting sober, grinding through sober living, and building a life as a recovery consultant and father.

John talks with Glynis Franz, founder of Peak Path Health, about her path to sobriety and how rebuilding her own life sparked a mission to help others.