We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrienne van der Valk and Erin Ranta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrienne and Erin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Basically, that choice was made for us when we met. We started talking about our stories and what had worked and not worked for us, and REVA Recovery Support just appeared out of thin air. Neither of us was looking to start a business, but we knew we couldn’t not start this one.

We each took a very different path to recovery. Erin went to treatment and attended AA. Adrienne quit on her own by employing various methods she learned through her research, the most influential of which was meditation. For both of us, mindful movement was also key, as we had become very disconnected from our bodies while using. When we designed our recovery support program, we knew embodiment and mindfulness had to be at the center, rather than treated like a bonus or an add-on.

What should our readers know about your business?
REVA means “rebuilding strength” in Latin. What sets us apart is that we believe each person has the power and strength to recover within them already–they just need support to grow and access it. We do not require anyone to label themselves as an addict to join our eight-week program. Many of our students are grey-area drinkers or users who don’t meet the threshold for requiring treatment but have found themselves stuck in an exhausting cycle of overuse. We teach them the tools to sustainably break that cycle by leveraging neuroscience, embodiment practices, nutrition, and cultivating self-love, self-trust, and self-leadership.

Another thing that sets us apart is that we are an explicitly feminist and antiracist program. We draw connections between trauma, privilege, and substance use, and we talk about how recovery spaces can both advance and impede social justice. We are all connected whether we acknowledge it or not. Our program both acknowledges that connection and celebrates it.

Building our business has not been easy, but at every stage, we have received confirmation that our actions are in alignment with our values and with what the world needs right now. We feel incredibly fortunate to be doing what we love: helping people create the beautiful sober lives they want and deserve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We both live in New York now, but Adrienne used to live in Alabama and spent a lot of time in Atlanta. Her favorite restaurants to take friends are The Gun Show and Poor Calvin’s. After stuffing our faces, we’d go wander, drink coffee, and window shop in her favorite neighborhood, Little Five Points, or maybe get some spontaneous ink at Southern Star tattoo. At night, we’d catch some music at Terminal West.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Adrienne would like to shout out Sarah Hepola, whose writing significantly impacted her at a critical time in her recovery (she read the book “Blackout” probably four times while trying to get sober).

Erin is shouting out to her husband, Maro. He was there for her when he had recently obtained sobriety, but she had not. For six months after he quit using, Maro witnessed Erin relapse and be hospitalized several times. He was supportive then and remains supportive now, including backing her ideas to move to New York, start REVA, and have a baby in their 40’s!

Website: https://revarecovery.com/

Instagram: @revarecovery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/revarecovery

Image Credits
Photos by Russell Estes of Square Lightning Communications & Design

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