In the fast-paced and often tumultuous landscape of modern life, finding a balance between personal well-being and professional success can be a daunting challenge. However, for Greg Johnson, The Sober Success Specialist and Owner at Sober Heart, this delicate equilibrium is not just a possibility—it’s a purpose. As we delve into the unique and inspiring story of Greg Johnson, we uncover the powerful intersection of sobriety and success, discovering the profound impact he’s had on countless lives. In a world where the pursuit of success is frequently accompanied by a myriad of pressures and temptations, Greg stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. His journey from the depths of addiction to becoming a dedicated advocate for sobriety is both compelling and transformative. Join Mystic Mag on this exploration of triumph over adversity, as we unravel the layers of Greg Johnson’s life and learn how he has become a guiding light for those seeking not only professional achievement but also a fulfilling, sober existence.
As the Sober Success Specialist, you focus on helping individuals achieve success in their sobriety journey. What inspired you to combine entrepreneurship with a commitment to sobriety, and how has this fusion shaped your approach to helping others?
I have firsthand experience with sobriety and drug addiction. Unbeknownst to me, I grew up in a household where my father was an active drug addict, specifically addicted to methamphetamine. During high school, I was completely unaware of his addiction, although I did notice his peculiar behavior. I couldn’t understand why he acted the way he did.
Later in life, at the age of 25, I left home. My father continued to decline mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, displaying very erratic behavior. Even at that point, I had no idea what was going on with him. At 25, I relocated to Miami, FL, where I was attending school. I received a call from my family, informing me that our father had died of a drug overdose. It was heartbreaking. Two months later, my uncle, a chronic alcoholic, shot and killed himself. Unable to cope with my father’s death, he went on an alcoholic bender and committed suicide.
At that point, I felt shattered, fearing I would end up like them. While attending school and working in Miami, I went down an 8-year path of drug addiction, mirroring my father’s journey due to the fear of becoming like them. Eventually, I got sober in 2005.
Upon reflection, I realized I wanted to understand what my father had gone through in his life. It wasn’t a conscious decision; it was a soul calling, a consciousness that led me down that path of using drugs, specifically methamphetamine, even though I knew nothing about it at the time of his death.
As I got sober, I realized I had turned into my father. Going through my own struggle brought healing, forgiveness, empathy, and compassion. I was angry at him for his drug addiction, but my own experience allowed me to understand his pain.
I knew I had to get sober to save my life, and doing so has been the greatest gift. I believe that everything we go through in life is meant to fulfill our destiny, and there’s a soul calling within us imprinted in our DNA. My experiences paved the way for the work I do today, work I hadn’t envisioned back then. The universe, God, or a higher power knew my purpose, and I kept showing up, taking care of myself, and healing.
Now, I can see it all as a blessing and a sacrificial, selfless act by my father and uncle. I know they were watching over me, giving their lives so I could have one. Though I miss them dearly, I feel their presence in the spiritual form, breathing life into me.
The work I do today feels like their legacy is living through me. When I work with clients, it’s as if I’m speaking to my father or my uncle, making the work powerful and meaningful. I am passionate about it because I believe that if they had access to this information, they would be alive in the physical form. Yet, I know they’re with me in the spiritual form.
Running a business like Sober Heart requires a unique perspective. How do you create an environment that fosters both professional growth and personal recovery for your clients?
I approach it from a very spiritual inclination. I am a licensed spiritual practitioner. When I got sober, I went through the 12-step program, and I was able to find a spiritual community. It found me and drew me in. The spiritual community is in Los Angeles, known as Agape International Spiritual Center. When I arrived, they announced in their service that they have a university and a program to become licensed as a spiritual practitioner. I knew nothing about it, but I felt it was meant for me. So, I immersed myself in this four-year study program and became licensed as a spiritual practitioner.
In the work that I do with clients, when we are working together, I do not see them through the lens of the circumstances of their lives. I don’t perceive them as broken or hurt, despite clients often expressing feelings of brokenness or inadequacy. That is not true. I see them from the perspective of their spiritual wellness and wholeness. In essence, everyone is perfect, whole, and complete, just as they have been created and designed by the beautiful, amazing intelligence of the universe, or God, if you will. I view them from that space, and the work is generated from there. I hold that space for our clients, allowing them to grow into the vision that already exists for their lives. It is a powerful, powerful, powerful process.
What type of services do you offer?
I work with clients individually in one-on-one sessions. Additionally, I conduct group sessions and workshops. I also provide consultations to various facilities throughout Los Angeles, including Malibu, Calabasas, detox, and residential facilities. In this capacity, I can collaborate with organizations that serve the population. I am available to work with individuals through private mentoring, offering multiple avenues for assistance.
In the realm of sober coaching, what role do you see community and peer support playing in the success of individuals striving to maintain sobriety, and how does Sober Heart contribute to building such a supportive network?
We go about that in many ways, and one significant approach is through our partnership with the nonprofit organization here in Los Angeles, called Love Foundation. The website for Love Foundation is lovefoundation.net, and this organization focuses on assisting homeless, disenfranchised youth, adolescents, and young adults who may find themselves incarcerated or temporarily homeless on the streets. We collaborate with them, providing services to empower these disenfranchised youth towards self-empowerment and sobriety. The 12-step program emphasizes giving back, with the 12th step centered around service. Therefore, we strongly prioritize service and work with individuals in the settings I outlined.
Furthermore, we take the opportunity to give back by tithing to the nonprofit. Sober Heart tithes to the nonprofit and also offers workshops and individual mentoring to the individuals served by the nonprofit. It’s all about giving back, service, and tithing. We encourage individuals who have gone through treatment to give back as well. For instance, we have a significant Thanksgiving dinner planned for the American holiday on Thursday. We will be serving the homeless and disenfranchised population in need of a Thanksgiving dinner in Hollywood. Many clients who have gone through our programming will return to serve on Thanksgiving Day, contributing to the spirit of giving back and being of service. Our focus is on service, giving back, and tithing.
What strategies do you employ to stay attuned to the evolving needs and concerns of the sober community, and how does Sober Heart adapt to address these changing dynamics?
Working firsthand with individuals suffering from addiction, we truly have a great understanding of what’s happening with our clients. It’s all about meeting the client right where they are and comprehending what they’re going through—the dynamics of their lives, the relationships in their lives. The programming is highly individualized to meet the client exactly where they are, addressing the specific issues they are facing. This approach allows them to heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, recovering from traumas, abuse, neglect, and toxicity.
While there are certain common themes, we tailor the approach to each client to meet their specific needs and desired outcomes.
As the owner of Sober Heart, how do you envision the future of your organization and the impact it can have on individuals seeking a path to sustained sobriety and success?
Certainly. So, our big vision is in our workshop setting to bring together disenfranchised adolescents and young adults with those who have gone through treatment and are now sober. The goal is to place them in the same setting during our weekend workshops, allowing those who are now sober and have experienced trauma and heartache to give back in real time. They can work with individuals who are still suffering, possibly on the streets and disenfranchised.
By bringing these two populations together in the same setting, we aim to create a community and connection. Many of the homeless individuals we work with in the nonprofit Love Foundation often feel unheard, misunderstood, lacking empathy, and kindness. By uniting them in a workshop setting with others who have gone through abuse and neglect, we bridge these two communities, creating a sense of community connection that can transform the issue of homelessness, a significant problem in the United States.
Our goal is to bring healing to all areas and promote unity within the community. You can contact us through our website, soberheart.org, or by emailing me at [email protected]. We also have a US phone number, 818-793-7641. These are the ways to reach out if anyone is interested in individual counseling, group counseling, or if organizations would like to bring us in—whether nonprofit or for-profit.
