If you had told me four years ago that I’d be traveling the world – sharing my story, connecting with others in recovery, and helping bring clean water to a village in Honduras, I would’ve laughed through the tears. Not because I didn’t want it to be true, but because I couldn’t even imagine that kind of life for myself.
Back then, I was stuck. Caught in the chaos of my gambling harm, my world had shrunk to survival. I was broke in every sense of the word; financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Every day felt like trying to outrun shame, like I was disappearing behind a smile that didn’t match the pain inside.
But recovery cracked that world wide open.
It has taken me to places, both literal and deeply personal, that gambling never could. One of the most transformational experiences was traveling to a remote village in Honduras to help bring access to safe drinking water. I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with people committed to change, to healing, to hope. I even had the rare honor of participating in a top-secret project; something that required the clarity, courage, and presence I’ve only found through recovery.
I’ve also had the privilege of attending conferences and projects that uplift lived experience, especially for women like me. I’ve shared my story, not because it’s easy, but because I know the power of breaking silence. Shame thrives in isolation. So I speak to help create safe spaces; spaces where women feel seen, heard, and supported. Spaces I once desperately needed.
And recently, I traveled to the Philippines, where I met others who are also working to reduce stigma and highlight the many different paths to recovery from gambling harm. Despite our cultural differences, we spoke the same language of healing, connection, and hope.
Every flight, every conversation, every door that’s opened; none of it happened by accident. It’s the result of choosing recovery, day after day.
Recovery didn’t just stop me from gambling, it helped me rebuild a life I no longer want to escape from. A life rooted in purpose, connection, and curiosity. Travel used to be something I didn’t believe I deserved. Now, every journey feels like a celebration of the strength it took to reclaim my life.
One of the most beautiful surprises in recovery has been connecting with people all over the world through The Broke Girl Society Podcast and our growing Facebook community. By sharing stories, mine and others’, we’ve built a space where women can show up as they are, speak their truth without shame, and find strength in one another. Storytelling has become a bridge, linking us across distance, background, and experience. It reminds us that we are never alone in this journey.
From Surviving to Living: 5 Tips to Begin Your Journey of Recovery
If you’re still early in your recovery, or even just starting to wonder if change is possible, here are some practices that helped me move from just surviving to living with intention:
*Start small and safe.
You don’t need all the answers. Focus on one choice at a time. Maybe it’s reaching out for support, joining a recovery group, or simply not gambling today. Small steps build momentum.
*Replace shame with curiosity.
When you feel overwhelmed, try asking: “What’s happening within me?” instead of “What’s wrong with me?” Recovery begins when we respond with curiosity instead of criticism.
*Find your people.
We heal in community, not in isolation. Whether it’s a peer group, a therapist, or an online meeting, find people who will hold space for your mess and your growth.
*Regulate your body.
Survival mode keeps the nervous system on edge. Deep breathing, movement, and rest are not luxuries, they’re lifelines. Create calm where you can.
*Believe in more.
Even if you can’t see the whole path, believe that more is possible. More joy. More connection. More peace. It’s okay to want a life that feels good, and it’s absolutely possible.
***You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the next right step.
And maybe one day, you’ll look back, like I have, and realize just how far you’ve come. From surviving… to truly living. From gambling… to growing. From shame… to freedom.
Recovery took me places I never thought I’d go.
Maybe it will for you, too.
Your sister in recovery,
Christina
Copyright: Christina Cook, The Broke Girl Society / BGS Media, LLC