New York City brings people together in unexpected ways. In this episode of The Zac Clark Show, Zac sits down with KJ Dillard -- an influencer, model, and skater just days away from running the 2025 Berlin Marathon to raise money for the Release Recovery Foundation -- and Soo-Hwan ‘Soo’ Saxton, an accomplished skater and Release Recovery team member whose recovery story is deeply rooted in skateboarding and mental health advocacy.
They share how skateboarding became a lifeline during struggles with addiction, anxiety, depression, and ADHD, why the skate community still carries stigma around mental health, and how a powerful moment of reclaiming identity helped Soo take his life back. KJ opens up about being a Black skateboarder growing up in Kansas City, finding brotherhood through skating, and why he’s running to support kids who can’t afford treatment.
This conversation is about skate culture, recovery, resilience, and the power of friendship – a reminder that it’s not just about talking about mental health, it’s about doing something about it.
Learn more about the Release Recovery Foundation, which provides scholarships to help individuals struggling with substance use disorders access treatment: https://www.releaserecoveryfoundation.org/
Connect with Zac
https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/
https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclark
https://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery:
(914) 588-6564
@releaserecovery