April 24, 2025 • 8 mins
🔥 “I Was Fresh Out of Jail” — Ashley’s 1-Year Sober Story 🔥
This time last year, Ashley was newly released from jail, unsure of what came next.
Today? She’s one year clean. She's earning her high school diploma. And she’s walking in purpose with a goal of becoming a recovery coach.
“The community is the base of it… the love that’s given with it… it just keeps showing itself more and more.”
Ashley didn’t just get sober—she found peace. She found purpose. And she found a place where people believed in her before she believed in herself.
“Sometimes it feels like your stairway isn’t growing at all… but really, it is—it just takes time to climb it.”
🎥 Watch her tell it in her own words. You’ll feel it. 🧡 This is what recovery looks like at Outreach 419.
#outreach419, #oneyearsober, #ashleysjourney, #faithinrecovery, #sobercommunity, #recoveryispossible, #realrecovery, #soberhope, #fromjaillife, #419day, #recoverycoachinthemaking, #addictionrecovery
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Oh, there's no spotlight here.
Oh, there is kind of, isn't there?
No spotlights at all.
This is just hanging out.
Yeah, this is just hanging out.
It's the best way to do it.
It's just hanging out.
It is the best way to do it.
Yeah.
Ashley, so good to see you.
Thank you for being herefor part of our 419 day and.
It's your one year sober day.
Like how fricking cool is that?
(00:21):
Did we plan this or what?
Well, I don't know if it wasour planning, but it definitely
was a planned one for sure.
Yeah, it's super exciting.
I mean, I just, the thrill of being ableto celebrate such an amazing thing in
my life with an amazing group that'shelped support my structure throughout.
Mm-hmm.
My journey and recoveryhas just been amazing.
(00:41):
I remember meeting you when wefirst started, uh, so this is
back probably May, June, July.
Yeah.
And, uh, you were still living itat, in a sober living house Yes.
And still trying to get some thingstogether and fresh out of jail.
Fresh out of jail.
Yes.
And um, I remember one of the mostimpactful moments for Heidi and
I was when you were up sharingyour testimony at, in Belding at
(01:05):
the church that we were at there.
Mm-hmm.
And, um.
And a sheriff stopped by and he just satthere listening to you up there speaking.
And I remember him saying toHeidi, " I've arrested her before.
Yes.
I've had to chase her down.
She's fought with me." Yes.
And it's like, now you're on thiswhole other side and he got to see
(01:27):
this side of you that I'm sure henever thought he was gonna see.
And here you are now evenfurther away from that and
you're just doing it and Yeah.
It's through the community though.
Mm-hmm.
Like the support of the communitygroups and the things that I find
more valuable than anything isthe love that's given with it.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, it just, the connectionthere is un revealing.
(01:51):
I mean, it just keeps showing itself moreand more, which holds it together and.
Keeps me on that positive float andin that positive stream of life.
So wonderful.
If you were out talking tosomebody and they're like, man,
I'm looking for connection.
I heard about this place, Outreach419, and you're like, yeah, I go there.
What would you tell them?
I would definitely tell them totake a try at it, step out and
(02:12):
see what they think about it.
Because once they're out here, Iknow that they're gonna love it.
Yeah.
And they'll just keep coming back.
So it's definitely one of those things.
I mean.
It's a great community and great food,great environment, and just a lot of
love, and that's the inspiration to it.
And like our meetings aren'tnecessarily any different than like
a traditional AA or NA meeting.
(02:34):
We don't do some of the readings andstuff, but really, I, I feel like the
difference from what we do comparativelyis, uh, just this community aspect of it.
Yeah.
People just hanging out andgetting to know each other.
I believe a lot of it'swithin the faith base.
Mm-hmm.
Um, I feel, you know, going tosome of the AA and NA meetings,
you're not so much allowed to.
Speak on your faith base.
Okay.
(02:54):
As much as you are here.
Sure.
Um, and it's like All Recovery is welcome.
And I mean, that is the motto toit, and it definitely stands for
that because you can share openlyabout any part of your journey.
Yeah.
And it's welcomed.
Yeah.
And that makes the difference.
I truly feel.
What is one thing that you love about,Outreach 419 or the sober events that
(03:18):
we've done or, so, for Outreach 419, thething that I love the most is the people.
Um, we're all growing at different rates.
Mm. And to be able to be ashoulder for somebody else that
has gone through or going throughsome travel path that you've.
Experienced in your life to be ableto be there for that individual.
(03:39):
I mean, the community of it isthe base of it, and I feel that
this community's just growing.
Yeah.
And it's growing huge in life of recovery.
Talk about the recent, like you had apretty big thing with, uh, schooling.
Uh, so Yeah.
Yeah.
You've got a lot of big things happening.
I do.
Yeah.
So throughout my life.
But like I've gone through a lotof traumas and have been a witness
(04:01):
to a lot of things, even death.
And, um, it went from living minuteto minute, you know, feeding my life
of addiction to minute to minute,living it in a recovery path.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, I've been able to overcomethe life of addiction, um, every
day that's growing stronger andstronger, my faith with Christ.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and then I'm graduating thisyear, so that's super exciting.
(04:23):
And, and not just a GED,you're getting the diploma.
Yeah.
So I, I tried sneaking around that basethough, and trying to take that GED route.
Sure.
But I figured, you know, the workthat I'm putting into it means so much
more so the diploma is well worth it.
Yep.
So I jumped on that base andcontinuing with my faith and helping
the community around me as much aspossible in any way, shape, or form.
(04:46):
That's my goal, isbecome a recovery coach.
I mean, you guys have been aninspiration to me to be able to
put forth the footwork and know.
That recovery is a lifeor death situation.
Sure.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Think about that person that's justgetting out, just getting into it.
Maybe sober living, maybejust getting outta jail.
(05:08):
From your experience, what kind ofhope can you give somebody today?
To hang on to faith.
Mm. Um, you know, that was one of mybiggest struggles was understanding the
patience and the love and tolerance and
all the good things thatare the fruit of the tree.
I mean, um, when I first got out, itwas, I thought I could hit the roads
(05:29):
and just take off running again, and Ihad to really hold onto the structure of
faith to be able to find my foundation.
And it seems to be very hard at first.
But you know, in thelong run it all pays off.
So definitely sometimes it canfeel like the progress you're
making is like inches, right?
Yes.
Yes.
It feels like your stairwayis not growing at all.
(05:52):
Yeah.
And really it truly is.
It's just taking timeto be able to climb it.
Yeah.
But yeah, definitely hang ontothat faith because it's possible.
And I love what you and Mike aredoing with, uh, ounces of Hope.
I love that you've jumpedon to help with that.
I mean, that's just a meaningful project.
So yeah, it definitely has alot of meaning and to be able
(06:13):
to relive that life mm-hmm.
You know, be able to get back out on thestreets and be like, I was this individual
at one point in time in my life.
I mean, just, I think it helpsendure my recovery so much more
because it's showing me the life
that I was living beforeand how hard it was.
Sure.
And how much, you know,hope was there, you know?
(06:35):
Yeah.
And that's the one thing youknow, is they're just hoping
for that next meal or mm-hmm.
Praying for, you know, somebodyto come and just even have a short
conversation with them and it, yeah.
It touches home when you're out there.
Yeah.
You guys are doing good workand we're happy to support that
effort, here however we can.
it's fun to see it grow.
(06:55):
Well.
I'm super excited to be apart of the community here.
Outreach 419.
Yeah, it definitely bringsa lot of light into my day.
Mm. That's.
One of the things I share witheverybody, I'm like, I can just go
there and hang out and it's so peaceful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's the, that's the vibe wetry real hard to have, so, yes.
Yeah.
And that's what we need.
Sometimes it's just that peace and quiet.
One of the biggest compliments thatI get from people are when, like
(07:20):
during the week, sometimes it'snot that busy during the afternoon.
Mm-hmm.
And I'll catch somebody overeither in the beanbag chair
or over in the bed over there.
Just taking a nap.
Yeah.
You know?
And for an addict to trusttheir environment enough to say,
I'm going to just sleep here.
Yeah.
Is a big deal.
(07:40):
Oh yeah.
It's a big deal.
Huge deal.
Yeah.
Because we, because you'revulnerable when you're sleeping.
Yeah.
Yes, we are.
We're very vulnerable.
So yeah, it's a huge compliment to us whenwe see that happening so Well, I enjoy it
and I appreciate everything you guys do.
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for beinghere today for the 419 day.
Thank you.
And we're excited to celebrate not onlythis day with you, but we know next
(08:01):
year we're for our second anniversary,we get to celebrate right with you.
Yes.
That was exciting.
High five.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Good job.
Oh, there's no spotlight here.
Oh, there is kind of, isn't there?
No spotlights at all.
This is just hanging out.
Yeah, this is just hanging out.
It's the best way to do it.
It's just hanging out.
It is the best way to do it.
Yeah.
Ashley, so good to see you.
Thank you for being herefor part of our 419 day and.
It's your one year sober day.
Like how fricking cool is that?
(00:21):
Did we plan this or what?
Well, I don't know if it wasour planning, but it definitely
was a planned one for sure.
Yeah, it's super exciting.
I mean, I just, the thrill of being ableto celebrate such an amazing thing in
my life with an amazing group that'shelped support my structure throughout.
Mm-hmm.
My journey and recoveryhas just been amazing.
(00:41):
I remember meeting you when wefirst started, uh, so this is
back probably May, June, July.
Yeah.
And, uh, you were still living itat, in a sober living house Yes.
And still trying to get some thingstogether and fresh out of jail.
Fresh out of jail.
Yes.
And um, I remember one of the mostimpactful moments for Heidi and
I was when you were up sharingyour testimony at, in Belding at
(01:05):
the church that we were at there.
Mm-hmm.
And, um.
And a sheriff stopped by and he just satthere listening to you up there speaking.
And I remember him saying toHeidi, " I've arrested her before.
Yes.
I've had to chase her down.
She's fought with me." Yes.
And it's like, now you're on thiswhole other side and he got to see
(01:27):
this side of you that I'm sure henever thought he was gonna see.
And here you are now evenfurther away from that and
you're just doing it and Yeah.
It's through the community though.
Mm-hmm.
Like the support of the communitygroups and the things that I find
more valuable than anything isthe love that's given with it.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, it just, the connectionthere is un revealing.
(01:51):
I mean, it just keeps showing itself moreand more, which holds it together and.
Keeps me on that positive float andin that positive stream of life.
So wonderful.
If you were out talking tosomebody and they're like, man,
I'm looking for connection.
I heard about this place, Outreach419, and you're like, yeah, I go there.
What would you tell them?
I would definitely tell them totake a try at it, step out and
(02:12):
see what they think about it.
Because once they're out here, Iknow that they're gonna love it.
Yeah.
And they'll just keep coming back.
So it's definitely one of those things.
I mean.
It's a great community and great food,great environment, and just a lot of
love, and that's the inspiration to it.
And like our meetings aren'tnecessarily any different than like
a traditional AA or NA meeting.
(02:34):
We don't do some of the readings andstuff, but really, I, I feel like the
difference from what we do comparativelyis, uh, just this community aspect of it.
Yeah.
People just hanging out andgetting to know each other.
I believe a lot of it'swithin the faith base.
Mm-hmm.
Um, I feel, you know, going tosome of the AA and NA meetings,
you're not so much allowed to.
Speak on your faith base.
Okay.
(02:54):
As much as you are here.
Sure.
Um, and it's like All Recovery is welcome.
And I mean, that is the motto toit, and it definitely stands for
that because you can share openlyabout any part of your journey.
Yeah.
And it's welcomed.
Yeah.
And that makes the difference.
I truly feel.
What is one thing that you love about,Outreach 419 or the sober events that
(03:18):
we've done or, so, for Outreach 419, thething that I love the most is the people.
Um, we're all growing at different rates.
Mm. And to be able to be ashoulder for somebody else that
has gone through or going throughsome travel path that you've.
Experienced in your life to be ableto be there for that individual.
(03:39):
I mean, the community of it isthe base of it, and I feel that
this community's just growing.
Yeah.
And it's growing huge in life of recovery.
Talk about the recent, like you had apretty big thing with, uh, schooling.
Uh, so Yeah.
Yeah.
You've got a lot of big things happening.
I do.
Yeah.
So throughout my life.
But like I've gone through a lotof traumas and have been a witness
(04:01):
to a lot of things, even death.
And, um, it went from living minuteto minute, you know, feeding my life
of addiction to minute to minute,living it in a recovery path.
Mm-hmm.
I mean, I've been able to overcomethe life of addiction, um, every
day that's growing stronger andstronger, my faith with Christ.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and then I'm graduating thisyear, so that's super exciting.
(04:23):
And, and not just a GED,you're getting the diploma.
Yeah.
So I, I tried sneaking around that basethough, and trying to take that GED route.
Sure.
But I figured, you know, the workthat I'm putting into it means so much
more so the diploma is well worth it.
Yep.
So I jumped on that base andcontinuing with my faith and helping
the community around me as much aspossible in any way, shape, or form.
(04:46):
That's my goal, isbecome a recovery coach.
I mean, you guys have been aninspiration to me to be able to
put forth the footwork and know.
That recovery is a lifeor death situation.
Sure.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Think about that person that's justgetting out, just getting into it.
Maybe sober living, maybejust getting outta jail.
(05:08):
From your experience, what kind ofhope can you give somebody today?
To hang on to faith.
Mm. Um, you know, that was one of mybiggest struggles was understanding the
patience and the love and tolerance and
all the good things thatare the fruit of the tree.
I mean, um, when I first got out, itwas, I thought I could hit the roads
(05:29):
and just take off running again, and Ihad to really hold onto the structure of
faith to be able to find my foundation.
And it seems to be very hard at first.
But you know, in thelong run it all pays off.
So definitely sometimes it canfeel like the progress you're
making is like inches, right?
Yes.
Yes.
It feels like your stairwayis not growing at all.
(05:52):
Yeah.
And really it truly is.
It's just taking timeto be able to climb it.
Yeah.
But yeah, definitely hang ontothat faith because it's possible.
And I love what you and Mike aredoing with, uh, ounces of Hope.
I love that you've jumpedon to help with that.
I mean, that's just a meaningful project.
So yeah, it definitely has alot of meaning and to be able
(06:13):
to relive that life mm-hmm.
You know, be able to get back out on thestreets and be like, I was this individual
at one point in time in my life.
I mean, just, I think it helpsendure my recovery so much more
because it's showing me the life
that I was living beforeand how hard it was.
Sure.
And how much, you know,hope was there, you know?
(06:35):
Yeah.
And that's the one thing youknow, is they're just hoping
for that next meal or mm-hmm.
Praying for, you know, somebodyto come and just even have a short
conversation with them and it, yeah.
It touches home when you're out there.
Yeah.
You guys are doing good workand we're happy to support that
effort, here however we can.
it's fun to see it grow.
(06:55):
Well.
I'm super excited to be apart of the community here.
Outreach 419.
Yeah, it definitely bringsa lot of light into my day.
Mm. That's.
One of the things I share witheverybody, I'm like, I can just go
there and hang out and it's so peaceful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That's the, that's the vibe wetry real hard to have, so, yes.
Yeah.
And that's what we need.
Sometimes it's just that peace and quiet.
One of the biggest compliments thatI get from people are when, like
(07:20):
during the week, sometimes it'snot that busy during the afternoon.
Mm-hmm.
And I'll catch somebody overeither in the beanbag chair
or over in the bed over there.
Just taking a nap.
Yeah.
You know?
And for an addict to trusttheir environment enough to say,
I'm going to just sleep here.
Yeah.
Is a big deal.
(07:40):
Oh yeah.
It's a big deal.
Huge deal.
Yeah.
Because we, because you'revulnerable when you're sleeping.
Yeah.
Yes, we are.
We're very vulnerable.
So yeah, it's a huge compliment to us whenwe see that happening so Well, I enjoy it
and I appreciate everything you guys do.
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for beinghere today for the 419 day.
Thank you.
And we're excited to celebrate not onlythis day with you, but we know next
(08:01):
year we're for our second anniversary,we get to celebrate right with you.
Yes.
That was exciting.
High five.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Good job.
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