Jay Chase exists to lead with generosity and unconditional love and to follow with care and understanding. He is a speaker, podcaster, and coach. Jay has been sober since February 5th, 2017. He now helps individuals integrate their minds and hearts to navigate this human experience and everything that comes with it.
Jay believes life is 100% Mindset and about how we respond to situations. His podcast is designed to uplift, inspire, and motivate but, most importantly, share tools to help you protect that mindset. He’s not a doctor or guru, but he is a loving soul navigating this human experience, just like you. Jay is based in Columbia, MO.
Sober Spotlight Q&A with Jay Chase
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Watch this full video to hear the complete conversation, or skim below to read about the highlights of this Sober Spotlight interview with Jay Chase.
What’s your Sobriety Date?
February 5th, 2017
Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beverage of Choice?
The new Budweiser ZERO and coffee, coffee, coffee. Actually, my diet is 80% liquid. (Coffee and protein shakes). Cream soda is my “guilty pleasure” beverage of choice.
What’s your favorite #QUITLIT Book?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
In The Four Agreements, bestselling author Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives into a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.
This book helped me see myself, to see what is mine, and to release what is not. It helped me push to a better tomorrow, day by day.
What advice do you have for someone new to recovery?
First things first. Realize the hope of forever and release the fear of losing something. Drop into right now and know that you have a choice. Letting go of the expectations will bring you peace.
How does your recovery benefit your career?
Hugely. I was decent in my career when drinking because I was working for my next bottle. But working towards my future adds drive, determination, and tenacity. Recovery for me is the recovery of my life. It’s not just about drinking and now not drinking. It’s the life I was giving away because addiction won over, and getting that life back.
How has recovery impacted your family life?
Elevated, elevated, elevated. I had to tap into forgiveness with my family. In my addiction, I would have never thought I needed to forgive anyone. I thought I was the victim. Recovery has elevated relationships when it comes to my family life with my mom and my sisters. With my father, I invited him to walk this new life with me, and he declined. He passed away shortly after that.
Let’s talk selfie-care. What do you do to take time for yourself?
On the outside, it might look like I don’t have any time to take for myself. However, the time I spend working on my website and podcast is personal development. Early mornings at 4:15 a.m., I have time to myself. If you want more time to yourself, create it. Being a morning person does take discipline. I have a cap at midnight, and all screens must be closed by midnight.
Going public with your recovery can be intimidating. What tips or benefits do you have to share?
Honestly, the people close to me knew that I’d quit drinking. But I didn’t really start being public, like on my podcast and stuff, until October 2021. I stand strong in my recovery. People know that Jay is sober-minded, clear-headed, and has pure intentions. Standing on my boundaries allows people around me to get it.
What would it be if you could go backward and give your newly sober self some advice?
This shit is like walking on a tightrope. Stay focused. Don’t let the internet influence you. Inspire the internet.
I’m an addict. This is life or death for me. There is no “Eh, it didn’t work out” for me. The piece of advice I would go back and tell myself at six months sober would be, “These people are here to help you, Jay.” When I was six months sober, I was getting released from prison. When I got released from prison, I was on probation. I had to do drug court, drug tests, counseling, etc. I’m defensive and skeptical. And being black and completely trusting of a group of white people was scary.
Let’s talk BIPOC in recovery.
Basic principles need to be at play. I can’t want it for someone else. They need to want it for themselves. That said, we need more exposure. More programs and support systems. When you go to the projects, you don’t see AA meetings. You see drug dealers and crack houses. I hosted a bible study in my home; it takes leaders like us to share our stories. With me being a black man, it’s critical that I share my stories. With my public speaking, I strive to speak at churches, public schools, and anywhere open to receiving my message. Even putting out video content will show others, specifically black men, when I share my story that recovery is possible. If I’d had a role model to look up to when I was 18, I think I would have been in a different place.
Is there a nonprofit you support?
Not right now, but I’m looking for places where I can serve to elevate and escalate the movement of recovery and healing. Giving it away is the secret sauce. Self-love is service when you break it down. Think about how good you feel when you help someone else out. Lead with love. You can do no wrong if you lead with love. You can be of service just by showing up. Everything you want in the world, you have to give it. Give it away. Give what you want. Be the change that you want to see.
SOBER POP Culture Lightning Round!
Favorite Sober Celeb or Sober Musician?
Samual L. Jackson
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Samuel L. Jackson Docuseries “The Fix” Debunks Common Misunderstandings About Drugs & Addiction in the United States
Favorite Pop Culture Moment in Time
The Half-Time Superbowl Show with Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson
Favorite Movie or TV Series that has addiction as part of the storyline?
The Departed will show you what addiction can do to you. And with Scarface, everyone dies from the addiction to power.
Ok, let’s get spiritual. What’s your practice?
Prayer, prayer, and more prayer. Having a relationship with God. I can only speak to my own beliefs, and I believe that God wants us to be in a relationship with him. You do that by prayer. Those first six months in sobriety, in prison, I just read my bible and talked to God. Focusing on what I wanted to be free of when it came to my addiction. But also looking at what caused it and the root causes. Let my higher power, which I call God, work through me. Looking back at those first six months in prison, I’m so grateful now. God had to sit me down to save my life. If it weren’t for prison, I’d be dead right now. That’s not because of prison. I don’t want the system to get the credit for that. It’s because of my willingness to turn things over to a God of my own understanding.
It takes a certain level of defeat for any human to recognize and accept and then change their flaws.
Do you have a favorite place to travel or vacation sober?
I went to Florida and stayed for my birthday week (26 years) in a cottage on the beach with my girlfriend. It was my first time visiting the beach, and it was a big moment because I’d been in prison when I turned 24.
SOBER SPOTLIGHT: This section of our site highlights extraordinary people in recovery. Sober small business owners doin’ their thing gives us all the feels. Who is making a difference in your recovery community? If you know someone we should spotlight, please contact us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on social media.
Resources Are Available
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