The Fight That Saved Him

The Sobriety Daily Newsletter
May 16, 2025 | Stay Connected, Stay Sober

Discipline And Purpose

For years, Josh Smith struggled with alcohol. What started as a way to cope with depression, military trauma, and the challenges of civilian life turned into a daily battle. Drinking was his escape—until it became his prison.

Josh joined the military young and served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. When he left the service, adjusting to civilian life was hard. Alcohol seemed like the only thing that helped—until it didn’t. He tried rehab and meetings, but nothing stuck. He learned to "manage" his drinking, but binge episodes still led to blackouts, broken relationships, and dangerous choices.

During the pandemic, things got worse. Without his usual outlets—fitness and Jiu Jitsu—his drinking spiraled. He gained weight, became irritable, and pushed his loved ones away. Then, an old coach reached out, inviting him back to training. That call changed everything.

Returning to Jiu Jitsu gave Josh purpose. He started competing, traveling to tournaments, and even earning a bronze medal in Paris. But alcohol was still holding him back. After a traumatic incident at work (he’s a paramedic), he hit rock bottom. Therapy helped him face his past, but it was Jiu Jitsu that gave him a reason to stay sober.

Before a major tournament, he decided to stop drinking, just for two weeks. The difference was immediate. He felt stronger, sharper. So he kept going. Six months later, he stepped onto the mat at the IBJJF World Championships—30 pounds lighter, completely sober, and ready to fight. He didn’t win gold, but he won something bigger: his life back.

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Today’s Mantra

I trade temporary escapes for lasting strength. Every sober choice is a step toward the life I’m meant to live.

Sobriety News

1. Grace Prosper’s sober living homes in Corpus Christi and San Antonio provide critical housing and family reunification support for recovering addicts, with leaders like Grant Grisham—a former addict himself—ensuring no one is turned away. As overdose rates persist, the organization offers hope, proving recovery is possible with community and compassion.

2. Law enforcement in Mesa County is ramping up DUI patrols this Memorial Day weekend—a peak time for impaired driving crashes—urging people to plan sober rides or face severe fines/jail time. With 433 DUI arrests in 2024 already, officials warn: "A DUI isn’t just risky—it’s a selfish choice that devastates entire communities."

3. Jaron Kohari found unexpected healing through Stable Recovery, a Kentucky program pairing addiction recovery with horsemanship, learning to care for horses while rebuilding self-worth. Founder Frank Taylor, sober for five years, created the program after recognizing how alcohol culture in racing affected his own life and family.

4. Former NCAA Division I pitching coach Elliott Cribby, now two years sober, has found renewed purpose leading Eastlake High School’s baseball team—guiding them to a district title with a focus on accountability and small-ball execution. His journey from alcohol-related career struggles to mentoring young athletes marks a powerful full-circle moment in his life and coaching career.

5. Aleesha Allen's sentencing for felony child abuse was delayed after her attorney requested time to complete a sobriety program, despite prosecution objections. The judge granted the postponement, and Allen remains out on supervised release with alcohol and contact restrictions until her June 25 court date.

Tip of the Day

"Change Your Playground, Change Your Game"

If bars or drinking buddies trigger you, switch up your scenery. Try:

• A coffee shop instead of happy hour

• A park walk instead of your usual liquor store route

• A gym/Jiu-Jitsu class (bonus: natural endorphins!)

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Stay Strong, Stay Inspired.
The Sobriety Daily Team