I am an entrepreneur, an addiction recovery advocate, and a fitness fanatic. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA to a hard-working and loving family. I have always had a passion for hard work and self-improvement.
I’ll be the first to admit, that I make a terrible employee. My family would tell you that since a young age, I’ve always done things my way. When I was growing up, this kind of thinking got me into some trouble (more on that later) but it has helped me be a successful entrepreneur, a leader, and writer.
I am by no means perfect, but I try hard every day to be the best version of myself possible.
How Did I Become an Entrepreneur?
As I said, I come from a very hard-working family. My father was a union rep at the Philadelphia airport and my mother was an inner-city ER nurse. My family worked so hard and eventually, we were able to earn enough to where it felt like we had some comfort… or so it seemed.
After 9/11 my father was let go from his job (a lot of changes were happening at airports at the time) and my mother was also let go from her job because they were tearing down the hospital. Just when it seemed like we were getting ahead, it all came crashing down again.
That was the moment when I decided I would never let that happen to me. I would never let some “boss” dictate my income or flexibility in life.
It has been a long journey. In 2010 I started my first blog called “The 4th Dimension.” Over time, that site taught me how to use content to grow a business. Although that site no longer exists, I still consider it a huge success because it reaffirmed the idea that I didn’t need to have a job to make a living.
Eventually, I took the knowledge I had learned from blogging and started my own online marketing agency. My best friend and I teamed up and Stodzy has been a leading marketing agency in the healthcare field for 10 straight years.
Stodzy Inc. has been a groundbreaking media company that is bringing digital marketing and networking into industries that have traditionally been left behind.
I am flattered and blessed to lead a team of such intelligent and passionate young men and women. We are shaping the future.
Addiction, Sobriety, and the Recovery Revolution
I never intended on becoming a public figure in the sobriety community.
It’s strange enough being so open about the fact that I struggled with addiction. It’s not something that people like to parade around but over time, I became more comfortable with it. Addiction affects us all in one way or another.
On March 3rd, 2010 I took my last drink. Read more about my story with addiction and how I got involved with recovery.
Remember that first blog I created? Eventually, that blog turned into Sober Nation. What started off as a simple blog has now has become a worldwide community and resource center for people struggling with addiction. It is an honor of my life to be involved with such important work and to be in a position to help people.
Sober Nation has expanded into a directory, a podcast network, and even a sober-inspired clothing line. I am extremely proud of the work I have done and as the recovery movement continues to grow, as will the Sober Nation brand and message.
More Press and Work on Addiction and Recovery
- Forbes listed Sober Nation as a leader in the national recovery movement
- More about my personal journey on LifeHack
- Delray Recovery Center did a write up on me and the website
- Veronica Valli and localdlish my Recovery Rocks statement
- Life of Purpose interviewed me on my thought on why sobriety is more fun than drinking. How could that be?
What’s Next?? – There is Opportunity Everywhere
Our digital world has truly leveled the playing field.
If you have a laptop, a passion, a work ethic, and an internet connection, you can build a business or organization, or company and live life on your own terms.
I’m not the guy to tell you to quit your job and chase your dream.
Instead, I am the guy to tell you that there truly is an opportunity for everyone. You can build a full-time business or even a side hustle around what it is that you love to do.
I believe the saddest thing of all is hating your job. Almost everyone spends most of their lives working, so why would anyone want to spend most of their lives doing something that they hate?
There is a better way. I would love to show you how.