You Don't Have to Eat Carrot Sticks Every Day

You Don't Have to Eat Carrot Sticks Every Day

Mercy Bell's journey with alcohol began in college, where it served as a coping mechanism for her inner turmoil. This eventually led her to a critical point where recovery became a necessity. In this episode of the SMART Recovery® Podcast, Mercy shares her multifaceted path to sobriety, which included various recovery methods and serendipitous encounters.

Today, she co-owns Sober Voices and Sourcing Voices with Alyssa Hart, aiming to amplify and celebrate diverse experiences in recovery and mental health, especially for college students, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities. Mercy talks about her 'high bottom' that was invisible to many and how she embraced multiple recovery paths. A chance meeting with Alyssa Hart, who was organizing an online sober event called FLOW, inspired Mercy to get involved.

She was impressed by the technology and grassroots approach Alyssa used during the pandemic, which eventually led them to create Sober Voices for online recovery events and Sourcing Voices, a platform for recovery content. Throughout the episode, Mercy challenges the stereotype that sober living is dull and devoid of joy. She emphasizes the importance of pleasure and connection in the recovery process.

By sharing her story, Mercy aims to transform how we perceive addiction and recovery, highlighting it as an exaggerated version of the human experience rather than an isolated issue. She believes that a diversity of voices and stories is crucial for people to relate and connect, making the recovery journey more inclusive and supportive.

Tune in to hear Mercy Bell's inspiring story and learn how she is creating a safe space for young adults, college students, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC individuals to share their experiences and find support in their recovery journey.