This week on The Zac Clark Show, we sit down with Scott Strode — founder of The Phoenix, a free national sober active community that’s approaching one million members and nearly 90,000 events strong. But behind those staggering numbers is a deeply personal story.
Scott opens up about the childhood trauma that led him to substance use at age 11, the fractured worlds he navigated between his father’s instability and his mother’s high-powered career, and the early moments of sobriety that ultimately changed his life — not in a treatment center, but in a boxing gym.
What started as one man waiting outside the gym looking for a way to stay sober has become one of the most impactful movements in recovery today. Through rock climbing, cycling, CrossFit, yoga, art, and even sober music festivals, The Phoenix offers people 48 hours sober a place to show up, be seen, and belong — no shame, no cost, no strings attached.
Scott shares why inclusivity and accessibility are at the heart of The Phoenix’s ethos, how volunteering became the rocket fuel behind its growth, and why healing doesn’t have to look like sitting in a circle — sometimes it looks like 150 kettlebell swings and a high five.
We also explore:
Generational trauma and how to break the cycle
The launch of The Phoenix’s free New Form app and its vision to redefine digital recovery
The nonprofit’s challenges with funding innovation in behavioral health
And Scott’s new book, Rise, Recover, Thrive: How I Got Strong, Got Sober, and Built a Movement of Hope — a raw and inspiring look at the personal journey that sparked a national revolution in recovery
The word “community” has become a cultural buzzword — but at its core, it reflects the shared connection humans deeply need and seek. What truly defines community, and why does it matter so much — especially in recovery? Scott Strode has spent his life answering that question, building a movement rooted in belonging, empathy, and hope. What he has to say is illuminating, insightful — and profoundly simple.
Learn more at thephoenix.org, check out Rise, Recover, Thrive wherever books are sold, or download the New Form app to get involved.
For information about Scott’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Recover-Thrive-Strong-Movement/dp/B0DGV641P1
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