Meet Seth Harris: Recovery Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Seth Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Seth, what inspires you?
We are all designed for connection, and I feel that most fulfillment in life comes from being a part of each other’s stories. In my experience, this inspiration can come in a one-minute conversation or through years of walking with someone. The truth is that none of us have it all figured out, and so it is our relationships that ultimately define us. If we can honor those relationships, then we are able to speak understanding, appreciation, and kindness into each other, and that process permits us to positively contribute to the chapters that we are writing. I so often see stories get enhanced because of what presents itself when we come together, fellowship, and discover growth.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work in recovery because I’m in recovery. It really wasn’t until I surrendered my path that my path became clear and the opportunity to serve others for a living presented itself. I had worked in the hospitality industry for about a dozen years, and when I got sober and started my recovery journey, I felt called into something different. As I walked my recovery path, I found I was able to honor new relationships that were being formed and that led me to working with others on their recovery journeys. I have done service work since a young age, mainly in the context of community service and mission work through churches, but my concept of doing for others has evolved. There is a difference between helping someone and giving of yourself, and it is one of motives and selflessness and truly putting others first. In my experience, I have nested in the concept of neighboring, and I think that’s were recovery coaching really has its strength – the notion that we can walk beside each other, honoring the story of each individual who seeks guidance, realizing there are a myriad of pathways and honoring how they envision a life of change, and then eventually, we find we are walking behind the peers that we serve, as they learn to carry their own journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Eat local. Buy local. Support small business. Anything outdoors lifts me up, so I like off-the-beaten path adventures.
Waterfalls, mountains, thrift stores, farm-to-table.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am grateful for anyone who has dared to do recovery from substance or mental health struggles. These are my people, and they are courageous.

Instagram: @seth_recovers

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sethrecovers

Other: hopequestgroup.org www.therecoverycoachatl.com betherocc.org