452- Andrew L - Sober Founders452- Andrew L - Sober Founders
Sober Speak- Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Interviews
Andrew L recounts his path from blackout drinking and a brutal DUI to long-term sobriety, a tech-business exit, and founding Sober Founders. The conversation focuses on how AA principles support entrepreneurs facing both serious consequences and so-called ‘good problems’ in recovery.
1:26:06•12 Jun 2026
From Fireball Blackouts to Sober Founders: Andrew L’s AA and Entrepreneurship Story
Episode Overview
- Taking rehab seriously, even if it starts as a way to avoid jail, can open the door to genuine honesty and change.
- A flexible idea of God, such as “group of drunks”, can make the spiritual side of AA more approachable for sceptics.
- Thoroughly working the 12 steps can support not just sobriety but also career growth and complex business decisions.
- Sober entrepreneurs can feel isolated with ‘good problems’, so dedicated peer support can be crucial.
- Applying AA principles like Step Three and daily inventory to business helps balance ambition with integrity and sanity.
“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. I was thoroughly following it… to prove it doesn't work.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation with Andrew L from South Florida brings together raw AA recovery and the messy, funny reality of being an alcoholic entrepreneur. Andrew opens with a jaw-dropping dui story: coming out of a blackout on the highway, being actively pulled over, and chugging a half-empty bottle of Fireball so he wouldn’t get an open-container charge. He jokes, “So I blow a .24… .15 is you're in a lot of trouble.
So I was in a lot of trouble.” That moment leads to the classic ultimatum: jail or rehab. He chooses rehab, fully intending to prove AA doesn’t work by “thoroughly following” the programme. You’ll hear how this self-described “raging alcoholic” who loved blackout drinking at 16 goes from bar manager and serial job-loser to sober tech founder with a cybersecurity company for accounting firms, then a major business exit. Along the way he wrestles with God, starting with G.O.D.
as “group of drunks” and sarcastic prayers like, “God, this is me praying. Okay, I checked your box,” before slowly recognising that the “crazy stuff” happening in his life might not be coincidence. The heart of the episode is Sober Founders, the non-profit community Andrew built for sober business owners who feel isolated with “good problems” like layoffs, growth, and pressure to succeed.
He explains how meetings focus on real business dilemmas and apply AA steps – especially Step Three – rather than pretending entrepreneurs don’t struggle just because their lives look good on paper. John M keeps things light, asking sharp questions, laughing at Andrew’s cheese-themed kids’ names, and reflecting on his own tendency to chase shiny objects. Together they give hope that you can stay close to AA, grow a business, and still be honest about fear, ego, and imposter syndrome.
If you’ve ever thought, “My situation is different,” this one might make you think twice about how connected you really are.
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