Sober, Connected, and Thriving:

I didn’t set out to start something revolutionary. I set out to build something real.
When I got sober—two and a half years ago now—I heard something that stuck with me: if you want your life to change, everything must change. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the weight of that. But as I began rebuilding my life, piece by piece, I realized how true it was. My routines changed. My relationships deepened. My priorities sharpened. And eventually, my vision for what was possible expanded in ways I never expected.
I’ve always believed in the power of networking. Years ago, I helped start other referral groups and served on community boards. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when professionals come together with intention—to grow their businesses, support one another, and create real opportunity.
In sobriety, you can find out who your true friends are, and Alex Coons was a woman who made a special impact on me and who continued to lift me up. I soon met Chris Gonzaga and Crystal Bayley, people who achieved sobriety in a big way and they had a significant impact on me. And then a spark, an idea that felt too compelling to ignore, and we thought, what if we built a referral network specifically for people in sobriety? That’s how the Clear Connections Network was born.

A Different Kind of Network
At our core, we are exactly what our name suggests—a referral network. We meet weekly, we exchange business, and we support each other’s professional and personal growth. We run structured, efficient meetings, and we hold a high standard for accountability and results.

But what makes us different is our foundation.
Our mission says it best:
To empower and connect professionals by building a trusted referral network that supports sober entrepreneurs, fosters meaningful referrals, and champions personal growth in a substance-free environment.

Sobriety is not just a checkbox for us—it’s a shared way of life. It’s a hard line. Every member of our group is sober, and that boundary is intentional. We are exclusive because we’re protective of something deeply meaningful.
There’s a unique bond that exists between people in sobriety. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it. It’s built on honesty, resilience, and a level of self-awareness that often comes from walking through some very difficult moments. When you bring that kind of energy into a professional setting, something powerful happens.
You don’t just get a business network.
You get a support system.

You get an extended family.

More Than Business
If you sat in on one of our meetings, you might not immediately notice what makes us different. We’re focused. We’re professional. We’re talking about business, not sobriety.

And that’s by design.
Sobriety isn’t the topic of conversation—it’s the foundation. 

What you would notice, though, is the energy in the room. The trust. The way people genuinely show up for each other—not just in business, but in life.
Recently, one of our members lost his mother. Several of us attended the service—not because we’ve known his family for years, but because that’s what we do. We show up and support each other. That’s the kind of group this is.
We celebrate wins together. We navigate challenges together. We refer business to each other, yes—but we also check in, lift each other up, and hold space when it matters most.
That’s the difference. 

The Courage to Be Different
We live in a world where alcohol is everywhere. It’s woven into celebrations, business events, social gatherings—even coping mechanisms.
Promotion? Celebrate with a drink.
Bad day? Have a drink.
Birthday? Wedding? First date? You already know.
Choosing not to drink in that kind of environment can feel like swimming upstream. I’ve experienced it firsthand. Before I got sober, I took breaks—six months here, eight months there. And the question I got over and over again was: “Why? When are you going to start drinking again?”
No one questions when you give up sugar.
No one questions when you quit smoking.
But when you say, “I’m not drinking,” suddenly it’s a conversation.
That’s part of why this group matters so much to me.
We’re creating a space where sobriety isn’t questioned—it’s understood. Where it’s not seen as limiting, but empowering. Where people can build successful businesses without feeling like they have to fit into a mold that doesn’t align with who they are or who they used to be. 
And let me be clear—we are not disconnected from the world. Most of our clients are not sober. We actively support and do business with people from all walks of life. This isn’t about separation—it’s about alignment within our core group. 

A Personal Transformation
Before I got sober, I thought I had a good life. And in many ways, I did.

But what I have now doesn’t even compare.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how much alcohol was quietly impacting everything—my clarity, my connections, my ability to fully show up. It wasn’t always obvious. I didn’t have some of the consequences others have experienced but that didn't mean I didn't have my own wake-up call.  And when I decided things needed to change I committed to it fully.

And what I found on the other side was something I never expected: depth.
Depth in my relationships.
Depth in my self-awareness.
Depth in my ability to feel, connect, and grow.

Sobriety didn’t take anything away from my life—it gave me everything back, and more.
That doesn’t mean it was easy. In the beginning, I had to face something I had avoided for years: I didn’t know how to cope with life without alcohol. My coping mechanisms weren’t where they needed to be.

When something good happened—drink.
When something hard happened—drink.
When I felt uncomfortable—drink.

Take that away, and suddenly you’re left asking, “Now what?”
For me, the answer became growth. I leaned into fitness, reading, and learning to process emotions rather than numb them. And over time, it got easier. Not only easier—better.
Today, I have a level of peace and happiness that I didn’t know was possible. And I’ve never met a single person in sobriety who genuinely wishes they could go back.

A New Kind of Community
One of the most exciting things we’re seeing right now is a shift—especially among younger generations. More people are becoming “sober curious.” They’re questioning the role alcohol plays in their lives. They’re exploring abstinence.

And I think that’s powerful.
We welcome that curiosity. While full membership in our group requires sobriety, we’re always open to people coming to learn more, attend events, and get to know us. If it sparks something in them—even better.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about business.
It’s about creating a new kind of community. One where people feel empowered, not pressured. Where they can succeed professionally and live in alignment with their values. Where they can belong without compromise. 

Looking Ahead
Right now, we’re a small group—about eleven members. But we’re intentional about growth. It’s not about becoming the biggest group overnight. It’s about building the right group.
We meet every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. in Brentwood, and we’re actively expanding our presence in East County. We’re also working on community outreach and hosting events to bring people together in new ways.
Our vision? To grow this model beyond our local community. To inspire similar groups across our community, the state and the country. To show people that this path—not just sobriety, but connection and success within it—is not only possible, but powerful.

The Invitation
If you're sober and looking for a community that supports both your life and your business, we would love to connect with you.
If you’re sober curious, come see what we’re about.
And if you’re simply someone who has ever wondered what life might look like without alcohol, I’ll leave you with this:

It’s not smaller.
It’s not less fun.
It’s not limiting.

It’s fuller.
It’s clearer.
And it’s more beautiful than I ever imagined.
And that’s exactly why we built this.

Our first membership drive, mixer, and 1-year anniversary celebration will take place on June 17 from 5:00–7:00 PM at 141 Sand Creek Rd, Suite C in Brentwood.
You can find us on Instagram and Facebook under Clear Connections Network.