Richard Gallardo Ozuna has one of those looks that stops you dead in your tracks. There is an element of mystery yet warmth behind his eyes. Leading to a person to contemplate if is he the scariest person in the room or the most welcoming? The latter is quickly evident after a few moments with Ozuna. His booming voice is inviting and full of hope. Its immediately evident he is comfortable in his own skin and aims to put you at ease. When we talked on the phone a few weeks back he cut right to the chase. As a big-time recovery advocate, he said “No matter how you get sober, 12- step work, counseling, medication, it doesn’t matter as long as you recover and stay sober.” Holding firm to these convictions he was eager to open up to me about his past.
Having been sober since 2003, Ozuna is like the Farmers Insurance commercial, he knows a thing or two because he has seen a thing or two. “I have lived decades of the hard knock life,” he recalled. “Amid active addiction, I found myself in parked cars, open alleys, and behind trees doing unbelievable things to my body. I had caused so much hell in my life that I just knew I couldn’t live like that anymore.” Ozuna recounts struggling with suicidality and multiple relapses before he was able to finally get clean. And for him, there seems to be nothing that can stop him now.
After 19 years of continuous sobriety, he has taken his god-given gifts to the next level. Sustaining himself with a career in home improvement, he was discovered a few years ago in one of those stories where a person is plucked out of the crowd for their movie-star looks. Based in the California bay area, Ozuna has been doing print modeling, film, music, and motivational speaking as a side hustle. He doesn’t seem to be contemplating major success as he is traveling this road. “When you start to love yourself or work on yourself, the possibilities are endless,” Ozuna told me. This leads me to believe he is open to wide open to his 20 seconds of fame, yet at the same time holding no expectations. He is just doing what he loves.
Labor of Love In The Second Act
Having been discovered for his personal style and charisma, Ozuna has begun the second act of his life. He is currently working on the set of the movie Trimmer directed by Christopher Holland. It appears the namesake character “Lee Trimmer” may be Ozuna typecast as himself. A character who is at war with the local area drug lords as well as his own inner own demons. Sound familiar? The thing about people in recovery is that we know how to play both the villain and the hero because we have walked both paths.
As Ozuna demonstrates, there is something unique and magical about people in recovery. Their resilience and zest for life are palpable. It’s not just cliché words of a life coach or guru. It’s been demonstrated time and time again. A second chance at life means full court press. Fear seems to fly out the window after kicking a nasty habit that wants to kill you. And the tools learned in recovery will save your life every damn time.
Ironically, Ozuna wears an actual tool belt in his day job and carries a proverbial recovery-centered toolbox in his psyche. He credits the practice of meditation with keeping his mind and body clear of negative thoughts. Ozuna also lists passion projects as a helpful means of recovery. He said “after getting sober it was important to me return to the things I loved as a child. Things I was passionate about. I wanted to fully love my life again.” For sociable types like Ozuna, this means stepping into the spotlight albeit with music, acting, or standing on stage giving a motivational speech. He has a message of hope that he is determined to get out into the world. And he is not shy about it.
On Fashion & Style
Ozuna was recently featured in The Style Researcher @thestyleresearchermagazine. An Italian magazine that is both online and in print. The spread highlights the best of art, travel & high fashion. Its glossy pages are splashed with images of the most intriguing people from backstage to the catwalk. Ozuna is photographed in stunning black and white by the international creative Daniela G. @thedgphoto.
His style is a mix of steampunk and classic meets average badass joe. You can usually find him in some black jeans, boots, and a white tee. Yet I noticed that he also wears a lot of accent pieces and jewelry. This seems to move his aesthetic from basic streetwear to a look that sets him apart. It’s like Ralph Lauren meets Vivienne Westwood.
“I am always on the lookout for new jewelry,” Ozuna said candidly. “I hit up thrift stores and find some cool original pieces. I wear ceramic, stainless steel, jade & turquoise. I try to stick with mostly organic materials.” When asked if this has always been his style, he said “I have worn this jewelry my whole life.” Ozuna recalled “As a kid my uncle was making jewelry out of coins, rounding them off and stamping them. I was fascinated by this. One day I found myself looking for jewelry in the Spiegel catalog.” Ozuna told me that jewelry is just another statement about who he is, and he is unapologetic about it. “Accent pieces don’t have to be just for women,” he said. And rightly so.
It’s all about confidence and attitude in the modeling and film world. And authenticity will take you more places than not. I found it refreshing that Ozuna was confident in who he was and seemed proud of his accomplishments. I would venture to say that 19 years of sober living is heroic enough. Yet Ozuna has an ambition for greatness that is palpable. It may be the second act of his life, but he is just getting started. Let’s support him on this incredible journey @richard_gallardo_ozuna. His movie Trimmer premiers soon! This is definitely a dude who “walks the talk” and I am here for it.
P.S. After seeing these photos I will be doing some jewelry shopping for my husband.
Grace & Glam,
Kate
WALK YOUR TALK: Sober Fashionista Kate Vitela curates our section of the site that celebrates fashion and the role it plays in our recovery. Getting ready for life can be just as fun if not more fun, now that we’re sober…because drunk never looks good.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
