Author: Megan Wright

Hiya Mrs. Wright! I’ve got family visiting soon, and I am in a dilemma. My sister-in-law, whom I’m not close with, will stay at my house with her husband for a few days. It is known in the family that she has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. While I no longer drink alcohol, my husband does, so we have a balance of NA and full-proof options in the house. I am anxious about my sister-in-law drinking too much at my home or when we’re out to dinner. Is it acceptable to approach this topic with her? Or should I stay out…

Greetings, MRS. (W)RIGHT! Hey, my name is Jordan. I read your column on The Sober Curator and had a question that I’d love your feedback on. Since becoming sober 12 years ago, even to this day, I still find it hard to meet fellow sober folks that I have literally anything in common with. I’ve met plenty of nice people at most of the groups I attend, but when it all comes down to it, although they all mean well, I don’t have much in common with them.   Most people are older than me; I’m 42. Most of the folks…

Hey there, Sobriety Superstars! Welcome to ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT, the most authentic corner of the web where you can find a little inspiration, a little laughter, and a whole lot of love for this incredible, wild ride we call sobriety. Whether you’re freshly off the booze, a couple of years in, or just toying with the idea of kicking that old habit to the curb, MRS. (W)RIGHT is here to guide you through the good, the bad, and the gloriously messy moments of life without substances. If you’re wondering, “Why should I listen to this newfangled advice column?” Well, let…

When I entered the realm of the ‘chronically ill’ one year ago, I felt unprepared for all the changes and emotions I would encounter along my journey. The medical world is fraught with minefields like broken expectations, grief, loss, insecurity, fear…all the danger zones for a person in recovery like me. However, as time passed and my perspective grew, I realized that my situation felt familiar. This was precisely what I had experienced in early recovery. Since my loved ones have learned more about my disease (likely in way too much detail), I have been told numerous times how brave…

Fifteen years of sobriety. A lot of changes can be made in fifteen years. Amends can be offered, responsibility can be rebuilt, relationships can be renewed, structure can be woven into life, and blessings can multiply each year. I was absolutely on top of the world. I earned degrees and financial stability, learned to be a reliable mother, married an astounding man, and won the lottery of dream jobs, bringing adventure-laden recovery to others. And then… BAM! Just as I felt I had reached the peak, the rug was yanked from beneath me with as much force as those jail…

Welcome to my latest blog post for Recovery Beyond, where I’m thrilled to spotlight an event – the North Bend Trail-fest! This exhilarating festival, expertly directed by Scott Sowle, a stalwart volunteer and supporter of Recovery Beyond, is set to showcase the breathtaking outdoor adventure opportunities nestled within Snoqualmie Valley. From thrilling 8k and 30k trail run races to mountain adventure clinics, a climbing wall, and even kid’s activities, there’s something to get everyone’s adrenaline pumping. And when it’s time to refuel, there’s plenty of food and music to keep the festive spirit high. The best part? A generous portion…

Since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated by sharks. I remember visiting the home of our family’s dear friends on the south side of Chicago (go White Sox!) as a young kiddo. This family’s kids were like siblings to me and my sister, and I considered the eldest boy my BFF. I thought it was sooooo cool that he had a fish tank that hosted a little mini shark (bear in mind that freshwater aquarium sharks are pretty much little catfish that look like sharks because of their dorsal fins and forked tails – but to an 8-year-old,…

Recovery Beyond is hosting a very new and exciting event. We’ve put together a Women’s Empowerment Retreat, co-facilitated by me, Sober Curator Megan Wright, Executive Director of Beyond Recovery and a powerhouse in the recovery industry, Margo Talbot. If you attended the 2023 Fundraising Event in April, you saw Margo speak about her story and her connection to nature as a healing pathway. This October, 10 fortunate ladies will be able to attend a 4 day retreat in the Canadian wilderness. We will live in a peaceful yurt community, indulge in activities like yoga, hiking, wood chopping, fire-making, cold plunges,…

Join Recovery Beyond while we honor those we have lost. Anyone joining our journey to Kendall Katwalk is welcome to bring a bubbles to release at the peak of the hike. At the peak of the hike, we will take a moment to reflect on the lives lost during our national overdose epidemic and remember those personally significant to us on our recovery paths. During this time, we will blow eco-bubbles into the mountain air as a symbolic gesture of lives lived and lost to overdose. What to know about the hike: Find more details about this hike:https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/kendall-katwalk Directions:From Seattle, drive east on I-90…

This week’s episode is a Community Spotlight on an organization out of Washington state called ‘Recovery Beyond’. Recovery Beyond uses the outdoors to help addicts achieve a life of sobriety and thrive in an outdoor setting while nurturing important connections and relationships necessary in recovery. The program started as ‘Climbing Out of Homelessness’ in Seattle. Climbing Out of Homelessness took people in addiction recovery and put them on a training program to summit Mount Rainier. Now, Recovery Beyond has taken that mission and incorporated a variety of other outdoor adventures to help members of the community in their recovery journey.…

The Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota are a pristine snow outdoor territory with over 1 million acres of untouched wilderness, and one of North America’s most beautiful and remote places. Explore this special area by dog sled and cross-country skis as part of the Recovery Beyond Expedition Team. You will learn the necessary skills to dog sled and cross-country ski, as well as care for the dogs, snow camp, pack, chop wood, cook, tie knots, and safety survival skills in cold temperatures. Recovery Beyond is committed to financial accessibility. The large majority of travel and expedition expenses are paid for,…

Scavenger Hunt meets Amazing Race in this spirited team adventure! Starting and finishing at beautiful Confluence Park in old town Issaquah, you’ll strategize and hustle your way around town on foot as a team of 4 to 5 people using a printed map with clues and tasks. Fun and feisty, plan to huff and puff and laugh as you explore this historic and charming Pacific Northwest town rain or shine. Everyone is welcome to sign up as an individual or a team and there is a prize for the winners! But wait, there’s more! You’re also invited to attend a BBQ Potluck Community…

I was in a new job, a new town, and a new recovery community. My tried-and-true gym, Anytime Fitness, had a local franchise, which offered some comfort in its purple familiarity (despite being a relatively rundown and neglected club). While pumping away one morning before work, I noticed a sign by the office door advertising the opportunity to join an ATF team at an upcoming Tough Mudder. I had heard of mud runs, and they always sounded pretty fun (especially since the concept reminded me of caving). I’m a hopelessly impulsive person, so I signed up on the spot. I…

Are you sober in the greater Seattle area? Recovery Beyond is launching their Spring Pickleball Season and YOU are invited! Come learn and play as we kick off the new season. Meet ups will rotate around the area both indoors and outdoors! Here’s what you need to know: Recovery Beyond Mission: WE ARE a community known for its spirit of adventure, where ‘health and wholeness’ is valued and discovered, lived and breathed! Recovery Beyond Vision: Cultivating community which inspires recovery pathways for healing, hopeful living. SOBER IN SEATTLE: Recovery Beyond Fundraising Dinner 2023 SOBER IN SEATTLE: Sober living in the…

We believe recovery is an active, spirited way of living that is rooted in the joy and freedom of genuine health and wholeness. Our community grew to 100 participants strong in 2022 as we connected with those on their recovery journeys through physical activity, outdoor exploration, and relationship building. Recovery Beyond is hosting the Go Beyond Fundraising Dinner to keep our programming at no cost to participants – ensuring that everyone in recovery has access to a healthy, thriving community of peers. By supporting Recovery Beyond, you not only help us champion our mission, you also become part of our community of incredible people. You keep…

What’s better than one person doing something for the first time? Nine people that are doing something for the first time together! One year ago, a seedling of an idea began germinating in my brain. I had accepted the offer to become the new Executive Director of Recovery Beyond, learned a bit more about the organization’s history and vision, and started considering ways I could bring their aspirations to life (typically with mind dumps excitedly flung at my fiancé during morning gym sessions). What if (I asked Rob for the thousandth time with constantly shifting endings to the question) we…

Sober October is here! It’s always the perfect day for a perfect sober day. The opposite of addiction is connection and what better way to get connected this Fall than with events from Recovery Beyond? About Recovery Beyond The mission of Recovery Beyond is to empower individuals to achieve long term recovery through a supportive community that enables goal setting, lifelong learning and healthy lifestyles. Recovery Beyond was created in 2016 as a non-profit organization with the purpose of multiplying the impact discovered on Mt. Rainier. Recovery Beyond’s peer-driven model works in partnership with treatment programs and community partners to…

September is National Recovery Month! In celebration, Recovery Beyond put together a fun way to meet others in recovery, share your skills, and put your knowledge to the test in our Recovery Month Bingo. Everyone must register on the Community Calendar to receive their bingo card. You will receive your bingo card on September 1st, depending on your registration date. For example, if you register on September 7th, you will receive your bingo card on the next business day. The rules are simple. Complete a winning combination on your bingo card. You can play through the month to find your…

GOING THE DISTANCE…Did you ever start training for a marathon just over two weeks after your last cigarette? Yeah…that’s not easy. But let’s back it up a bit… After abstaining from alcohol, marijuana, and any other substance that might take my mind on a road trip, it started to bother me that I was still a smoker. And let’s be clear, I wasn’t just a smoker…I was a hard-core, chain-smoking, can’t make it 30 minutes, everyone is waiting outside the front door because I’m having a smoke before we go inside this building, kind of smoker. Indeed, it was incredible…

ADVENTURE!! A few years ago, my kiddo was super into the revamped version of She-Ra. There is a pirate character named Seahawk who tends to set his own ship on fire (this is an aside, but an amusing one) and whenever the team of friends sets off to fight the evil enemy, he yells “Adventure!” with a bombastic tone. I loved this character and now, whenever my family and I hit the road for something new and interesting, one of us comes out with our best Sea Hawk impersonation. I absolutely thrive on adventure and new experiences. There are those…