I Didn’t Choose Recovery—It Found Me

Recovery Matters Podcast Episode 167 | Tajay's story begins with a life-changing arrest, leading him to outpatient treatment and, ultimately, to CCAR. He didn’t initially seek recovery—it found him. While in IOP, he struggled with staying sober, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism. However, deep down, he knew he wanted more for himself. His commitment to trying something differentled him to school, where a conversation about psychology unexpectedly introduced him to the idea of becoming a recovery coach. This opened the door to a new world, and through CCAR, Tajay found the support, structure, and inspiration to rebuild his life.

One of the most significant changes in his recovery journey was reevaluating friendships and relationships. He realized that many of his past connections were built around substance use, and changing his circle was necessary. He now values friendships based on mutual respect and personal growth rather than peer pressure or partying. Relationships, particularly romantic ones, remain tricky, especially when dating someone who isn’t in recovery. However, he emphasizes the importance of healthy communication and setting boundaries.

Education played a crucial role in his transformation. What started as a simple way to stay busy turned into a passion. Tajay became deeply involved on campus, founding the Legacy Club to help students network, connect, and take their careers seriously from day one. His belief that “it’s not just what you know, but who you know” helped him secure opportunities, despite not yet having a degree. He encourages students to build relationships, take advantage of resources, and stay open to new possibilities.

Beyond education, Tajay found purpose in entrepreneurship and music. His first venture, a clothing brand focused on positive affirmations, gave him his first taste of running a business. While it was a learning experience, it laid the foundation for his current passion—creating and promoting music. Initially hesitant, he pushed past self-doubt and began sharing his music on social media, even shooting a music video for one of his songs, Love Life. His new goal is to combine music, merch, and motivation, using his platform to inspire others.

Throughout the conversation, Tajay emphasizes that recovery is not easy, but it’s worth it. He describes recovery as "armor"—something that protects him from life’s hardships. He acknowledges that early recovery is overwhelming, especially when emotions come rushing back after years of numbing pain with substances. However, he encourages anyone on the fence about recovery to stick with it. His biggest message? "Don’t quit before the miracle happens."Tajay’s life is proof that even when things seem impossible, recovery can open doors you never imagined.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro & Tajay’s background
02:00 – Getting arrested & his first steps into recovery
06:00 – How addiction shaped his friendships & how he had to change his circle
10:00 – Finding education as a new path & becoming a leader on campus
14:00 – The "Get Out of Here" mindset vs. realizing it’s about changing yourself
18:00 – Entrepreneurship, music, and using creativity in recovery
23:00 – The moment he knew he had to go all in on sobriety
28:00 – What he’d say to someone struggling: “Don’t quit before the miracle happens.”

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