SOBER ASANA - My Journey to Sobriety
Sobriety. A word that brings meaning and hope to many in our league. It can mean being sober from drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping and more. Sobriety is a lifestyle, a daily choice for those who have walked a darker path, choosing instead a path of light, hope and growth. I have had the distinct honor of walking this path for exactly 462 days, from May 16, 2023, to the start of the World Series on August 20, 2024. But sobriety is more than just the number of days without alcohol; it is about the changes I've made to become a better version of myself.
When I chose to become sober, I also started my journey with ASANA, becoming Seattle’s Delegate and the DEI Co-Chair. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have found my way into these roles if I were still as self-destructive as I was before. I was unreliable and struggled with the desire to be a leader without the substance to back it up.
Alcohol was my outward way of dealing with issues, but I needed to work on myself internally. After one particularly bad night of drinking, I knew I had to make a change. I stopped drinking the next day and began taking tentative steps toward the brighter future I knew was waiting for me.
While attending the San Diego World Series, I found fellowship in the “Dial A Friend” program and the “Friends of Bill Meetings.” Previously feeling isolated, I discovered a larger community around me. I found friendships and support that I continue to rely on through the ups and downs of my journey. I have found people who champion me, even when I feel like it's a losing battle.
What does being sober in ASANA mean to me? It means community, friendship, and bringing the lessons others have taught me into my world. It means embracing the Sober ASANA experience to become a better version of myself, so that one day, I can be a champion for another ASANA player.