Why I Share My Story
My story is proof that no life is too far gone, no darkness too deep, and no beginning too broken for God to redeem.
For 18 years, addiction owned my life. It led me into the walls of Colorado State Prison — a place where I spent the first 20 years of my recovery. It was there, in the middle of my deepest shame and struggle, that God met me with mercy, grace, and purpose.
For over 38 years now, I’ve walked the long road of sobriety — learning what it means to rebuild a life from the ashes, restore broken relationships, and discover hope again.
I speak because people need to know that real change is possible. Healing is possible. Freedom is possible.
And hope still lives here.
My mission is simple:
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To share truth.
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To offer connection.
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To bring hope.
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And to remind others that their story is not over.
Who I Speak To
My message resonates with individuals, families, and organizations seeking healing, transformation, and strength through a faith-based and recovery-centered lens. I speak to:
• Recovery Centers & Treatment Facilities
Helping individuals find hope, connection, and courage during the most vulnerable stages of their healing journey.
• Churches & Faith-Based Communities
Sharing a powerful testimony of God’s grace, forgiveness, and redemption — inspiring believers to grow in faith, perseverance, and purpose.
• Correctional Facilities & Reentry Programs
Reminding men and women that no story is beyond saving, and that faith and resilience can rebuild even the hardest chapters.
• Community Organizations & Outreach Groups
Supporting efforts to strengthen communities through hope, education, resilience, and recovery-centered conversations.
A Message With Impact
Those who hear me speak walk away with:
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renewed hope,
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practical insight,
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emotional courage,
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spiritual encouragement, and
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a belief that change is possible — no matter where they are starting.
My goal is not just to speak to people, but to speak into their lives.
A Message of Hope, Redemption, and Renewal
A Message of Hope, Redemption, and Renewal
For many years, I lived without hope, lost in addiction and isolation. But through grace, courage, and faith, I discovered that brokenness can become the foundation for transformation. Today, my mission is to help others see that no matter where they are, healing is possible. My story isn’t just about recovery—it’s about redemption, resilience, and the power of human connection. Whether speaking to individuals, families, or organizations, my message is simple: there’s always a way to rise from the ashes.
“True freedom begins with seeing yourself—and your story—through the lens of truth.”
The Power of Perspective
When early traumas remain unresolved, they distort how we see ourselves and the world around us. For many of us, alcohol and drugs became ways to cope with the pain—but they also deepened the illusion. In recovery, healing begins by facing truth. Our perspectives—or core beliefs—shape every choice we make. And until we confront those false beliefs, we remain trapped in the same cycle of pain and addiction.
“For years, I believed I wasn’t lovable—and that single belief shaped my entire life. Until I faced that truth, I couldn’t form healthy relationships. Healing began the moment I saw myself through the eyes of grace instead of shame.”
“Surrender isn’t the end of your story — it’s the beginning of your healing.”
Finding Strength in Surrender
When life feels unmanageable, surrender isn’t giving up — it’s letting go of the illusion of control. True strength begins when we stop fighting ourselves and accept that healing requires honesty, humility, and help.
In my journey, surrender wasn’t weakness — it was the key that unlocked freedom. When I finally stopped running from my pain, I discovered peace, purpose, and a power greater than myself.
“The moment I stopped fighting what was — I finally discovered who I truly am.”
“We heal in the presence of others — not in the shadow of our isolation.”
Redemption Through Connection
When we’ve spent years trapped in shame, our instinct is to hide — to protect ourselves from being hurt again. But isolation only deepens the wound.
Healing begins when we risk connection — when we allow ourselves to be seen, known, and loved just as we are.
In my journey, redemption didn’t come through perfection or performance. It came through people. Through the honest conversations, the shared tears, and the simple truth that none of us were meant to do this alone.
Connection is where grace becomes tangible — where our stories intertwine, and hope becomes contagious.
“Redemption is born the moment we choose to be seen — and to see others with compassion instead of judgment.”
“Our greatest pain can become the birthplace of our greatest purpose.”
From Brokenness to Breakthrough
For years, I believed my brokenness disqualified me — that my past made me unworthy of a future filled with hope. But I’ve learned that what breaks us doesn’t have to define us. It can refine us.
Breakthrough happens the moment we stop seeing our pain as punishment and begin to see it as preparation. Every wound, every failure, every loss can become a doorway to deeper purpose — if we’re willing to face it with faith and honesty.
My story isn’t about avoiding brokenness; it’s about learning to rise through it. Healing didn’t come overnight — it came one surrendered moment, one honest step, one divine encounter at a time.
When we allow God to transform our broken places, we don’t just survive — we become the evidence that redemption is real.
“You are not what broke you — you are what you chose to become through it.”
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s the decision to move forward in spite of it.”
The Courage to Change
Change asks us to let go of the familiar — even when it’s painful — and step into the unknown. It takes courage to rewrite the story we’ve been living in and faith to believe that something new can emerge.
In recovery, courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about being willing. Willing to take the next right step. Willing to face the truth. Willing to grow, even when it hurts.
Every act of courage, no matter how small, builds the foundation for transformation.
“True courage is not found in perfection — but in persistence.”
The real issue isn’t the substance — it’s the story underneath. Healing begins when you stop fighting the symptom and start understanding the pain driving it.
Alcohol & Drugs Are Not Your Problem
We often believe that alcohol or drugs are the problem — when in reality, they’re symptoms of something much deeper. In this talk, Daniel shares how healing begins when we stop fighting the substance and start understanding the pain, shame, or disconnection that fuels the need to escape. He helps audiences see beyond addiction and discover a path toward real, sustainable freedom — one built on self-awareness, compassion, and courage.
Behind every urge to numb is a wound waiting to be healed. When you face what’s underneath, true peace can finally begin.
What Lies Underneath Your Need to Medicate?
Behind every urge to numb lies a story — of stress, trauma, fear, or unmet emotional needs. This talk explores the human tendency to medicate pain rather than face it, and how uncovering the “why” beneath that urge can lead to genuine healing. Daniel invites listeners to look within, challenging them to trade avoidance for awareness and begin a journey toward peace and authenticity.
“Pain loses its power the moment it’s brought into the light.”