What is your recovery story?
Struggling with pornography addiction was one of the hardest battles of my life. But through that struggle, I discovered what truly matters to me, what I want from life, and what I refuse to let control me.
I share my story and 4 years of wisdom in this video I created a few months ago: https://youtu.be/bMrvcLhHpaQ
Recovery gave me back my life. Now I want to pay that forward.
What does recovery mean to you?
Freedom. I’m a strong believer that true freedom comes from discipline. Specifically the kind of discipline where you don’t allow any external substance or habit to control your actions, your thoughts, or your identity. Addiction, in any form, quietly takes away your freedom by convincing you that you need something outside yourself to function, to cope, or to feel okay. Recovery is the process of taking that power back. It’s about waking up every day and choosing not to be ruled by something that doesn’t serve you. That’s what real freedom looks like to me.
The second part of recovery is learning about yourself. When you’re no longer numbing or escaping through substances, you’re forced to face your emotions, patterns, and thoughts head-on. That process is uncomfortable but necessary. It teaches you what you’re running from, what you value, what triggers you, and who you are without that addiction. For me, recovery isn’t just about quitting something harmful. Recovery is the process of becoming someone emotionally stronger, more self-aware, and more in control of the life I want to live.
Why do you think the Recovery on Campus is important at your post secondary institution?
This is the first step to break the stigma of substance addiction and make people feel they are not battling their addictions all by themselves. Sense of belonging was something that I seldom felt back in my time in high-school. As a result, I struggled to battle my Pornography addiction. In my first year of university, I started joining online communities and that was the differentiator. It made me feel like I was part of a global effort, where every single one of us mattered. Knowing that others were fighting too gave me strength. It wasn’t just about quitting a habit anymore; it was about reclaiming control, together. That sense of shared purpose helped me stay accountable and reminded me that healing doesn’t have to be solitary. As the saying goes, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” That’s why I believe Recovery on Campus is so important. It creates a space where students don’t have to hide their struggles. It replaces shame with solidarity, and isolation with support. For many, that can be the difference between staying stuck and finally beginning to heal.
What is your current involvement with ROC or recovery related activities at your campus, if at all?
I only recently discovered Recovery on Campus (ROC) about two months ago while registering for next year’s housing. While I haven’t been involved in official activities yet, I’ve been engaging in recovery-related work in my own way for some time. I’ve created and shared several videos on my personal journey of overcoming pornography addiction where I speak openly about the challenges and breakthroughs I’ve experienced and lessons I’ve learned on taking back control of your life. You can find all the videos I have published to this date in here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL31PgFrDdJlyDzCzKInmjFBZQtO95_wiF . I have several more videos lined up that I plan to release towards the end of the summer. These videos are my way of reaching others who may be silently struggling—people who, like me, are trying to take back control of their lives.
What service commitment(s) tied to this award are you most excited about and why?
I am looking forward to outreach and shed a light on this community in my day-to-day. I see this as a chance to normalize recovery and let students know they’re not alone.
I’m also excited to contribute my voice and lessons to the ROC programs and events. Having shared parts of my recovery story online, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone speaks up first—it often gives others permission to do the same. I want to bring that same openness to this community.
Most of all, I’m looking forward to simply being part of a group of people who care about solving a deeply personal and widespread issue.