Episode 48: How To Build Recovery: Nurturing Creativity and Connection with Mei McIntoshEpisode 48: How To Build Recovery: Nurturing Creativity and Connection with Mei McIntosh
Recovery Plus Podcast: F*ck Yesterday, Focus on Today
Please join podcast host Dr. Mei-Li Hennen of Recovery Plus as she talks with Mei McIntosh, founder of the sober community, The Creative Sober, where creatives have an opportunity to connect with other like-minded people who are navigating sobriety, health, and spiritual awareness through highlighted stories, art, music, and creative expression. Mei's recovery journey consists of being sober for four years and ten months and relapsing for 2 1/2 years before getting sober again on July 1, 2019. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She learned early on that life meant survival in environments of domestic violence, alcoholism, mental and emotional instability, abuse, poverty, and stepping in as a caretaker as the oldest of five siblings. Mei also learned that using drugs and alcohol took away the pain, which became a way to cope for most of her adult life. With a background in technology, design, and the service industry, she always wanted to be an artist. Mei found this through curating music as a DJ later in life. It didn't take long to establish a name for herself and submerged into the party life. That all came to a halt when she decided to become clean and sober right before performing at her last show in San Francisco. She stayed sober for almost five years. She relapsed the year she lost her best friend to a sudden car accident. She, too, experienced two car accidents that year, diagnosed with having severe anxiety and depression and cancer cells. Mei's life now is dedicated to healing past trauma in her life, spiritual growth, and creating a safe space for community and connection through conscious intention guided by intuition and heart. You can find her podcasting on The Creative Sober, content creating for the sober community, doing event photography, DJing when it feels good, and making being a good human, wife, stepmom, and dog mom a priority. She finds safety in service and is open to anyone who needs to reach out. She believes that the opposite of addiction is connection. More information about Mei McIntosh: Website: https://thecreativesober.com Instagram: @thecreativesober Apple Podcasts: The Creative Sober
47:07•31 May 2023
Creative Paths to Sobriety: Mei McIntosh’s Story of Healing and Connection
Episode Overview
- Mei shares her inspiring recovery journey, shedding light on the challenges and rewards of the recovery process.
- The episode highlights the importance of embracing feelings, finding motivation, and building a supportive community.
- Mei's dedication to nurturing creativity and connection reflects the transformative nature of her experiences.
- The conversation delves into vulnerability, self-trust, and the power of connection in navigating life's challenges.
- Mei's commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for individuals navigating sobriety, health, and spiritual awareness is truly inspiring.
“Recovery is a good foundation to help you kind of bridge back to the life that you've always wanted and that you've deserved. I don't believe it to be the end place, but a start.”
What happens when you blend creativity with the journey to sobriety? In this episode of Recovery Plus Podcast, Dr. Mei-Li Hennen chats with Mei McIntosh, the visionary behind The Creative Sober community. Mei's story is a tapestry of resilience, artistry, and the quest for connection. Growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mei faced a childhood marked by domestic violence, alcoholism, and the heavy burden of being the eldest caretaker among her siblings.
These early experiences led her to seek solace in drugs and alcohol, a coping mechanism that followed her into adulthood. Despite her struggles, Mei’s passion for art and music never waned. With a background in technology and design, she eventually found her calling as a DJ, curating music and making a name for herself in the party scene. But the high life came crashing down, leading Mei to a pivotal decision: to embrace sobriety once again on July 1, 2019.
In this heartfelt conversation, Mei opens up about her four years and ten months of sobriety, her relapse, and her ultimate return to a sober life. She discusses the founding of The Creative Sober, a vibrant community where creatives can connect and support each other through shared stories, art, and music. Mei’s journey is not just about quitting substances; it’s about healing past traumas, fostering spiritual growth, and building meaningful connections. Dr.
Hennen and Mei delve into the power of vulnerability and self-trust, highlighting how embracing these elements can lead to profound personal transformation. They explore the importance of community in recovery, showing that no one has to walk this path alone. Whether you're on your own recovery journey or supporting someone who is, Mei’s story offers hope, motivation, and a reminder that creativity can be a powerful ally in healing.
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