We were lucky to catch up with Michelle ‘Mich’ Fernandez, RCP, CRPS-A, CEI recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle ‘Mich’, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

I chose this topic because it is so relative to my recovery and recovery as a whole. Community. I have personally experienced so many moments of kindness from others and have witnessed so many acts of kindness as well. Too many to share. The level and depth of support that individuals give to others throughout the recovery community on any given day is truly humbling. Many of whom we don’t hear about or see. The ones that come to mind for me are from two friends. Our relationship started from a professional capacity. And with what I do as a recovery coach/peer specialist, friendships develop over time after the professional aspect and role has been fulfilled. One individual, in particular (I was given permission to share this), has experienced their own struggles throughout their recovery journey and somehow finds the time to send me daily spiritual readings. Sometimes those messages don’t come, and I worry. So, when I do receive them, it brings me a sense of peace and comfort. It tells me that they’re back in the fight and beyond that, amidst their moments of struggle, they find the time to send me these beautiful readings. Acts of selflessness. The other, also sends me good mornings and what they are grateful for. Whenever I have a chance to speak to them, I always express my gratitude for these kind gestures because they help me out so much as well. You see, I have also had my moments of struggles in sobriety and somehow, I receive the right message at the right time. Reminders that bring me back to center. We never know how much impact it can have to take a minute, one second out of one’s day to say a kind word or send a message of encouragement. Paying it forward.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

We often hear or read about ‘finding’ our purpose. But my purpose found me. As previously shared, I was inspired to become a Certified Recovery Coach after a friend had passed away from Substance Use Disorder. Her passing had impacted me enough to ask, what more could I do. I reached out to a friend and colleague in the field, someone who I admire tremendously, and she asked if I had ever heard of sober companionship, recovery coaching. Wrote down some information on a napkin over breakfast and I went home and did some research. When I read about the coaching role, I said to myself, this is it! I would say that my own personal journey in recovery is what inspired me but it took for another soul, gone too soon, to ignite that fire. I embarked on my trainings, hung up my hospitality hat. That was my previous career for 18 years and took a leap of faith. Wasn’t sure where the road may lead but had the courage to move forward despite the uncertainty. After I completed my trainings and received my Recovery Coach Professional designation, the inspiration for Renewed Recovery Coaching LLC materialized. RRC is in memory of her and what keeps me motivated and pushing forward every day. I realized that I needed the experience and reached out to another colleague in the field. This was for volunteer work primarily but ended up being asked to work for their organization. They asked if I had heard of Peer Specialists and provided me with the information. I embarked on my second series of trainings in becoming a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist for the State of Florida. Working for this organization provided me with the experience that I was in need of and many amazing experiences in between. In addition to Renewed Recovery Coaching LLC,, I’m still working in the recovery field. I’m currently working for another wonderful organization as a Peer Specialist as part of their Mobile Response Team. I’m surrounded by a group of individuals that are excellent at what they do and bring nothing but passion and dedication in serving others in need. Gaining more knowledge and experience, making connections, developing and refining my craft.

Both roles, Recovery Coaching and Recovery Peer Specialist, require for the person to have ‘lived experience’ whether it be with Substance Use Disorder and/or Mental Health. We undergo a series of trainings to develop a specific skill set and serve as a mentor in the recovery process. We provide non-clinical, strength-based support and are ‘experientially credentialed’ by our own recovery journey. The essence of both roles is that ‘lived experience’ that ‘experiential piece’ that just brings things to a deeper level when mentoring another on their journey. It hits different when you look at another soul and say ‘I can relate’ and/or ‘I’ve been there.’ The coach/peer specialist role is to support people with finding and following their own recovery paths, without judgment or expectation. We work together with the recoveree in developing a Wellness Plan identifying their goals, hopes, and dreams in creating a roadmap for getting there. Recovery coaches/ Recovery Peer Specialists provide hope and advocate for the individuals they serve. Our approach is with compassion and person centered, meeting the individual where they are at on their journey.
Renewed Recovery Coaching, LLC offers different recovery support services such as sober transportation, sober companionship, recovery coaching, resource linkage, crisis management, professional intervention, and recovery support consulting services for those struggling from substance use and/or mental health issues. RRC may also provide consulting services to families in the specific area of focus. RRC will tailor these services respective to the client’s needs. RRC brings a diverse range of Recovery Coaches/ Peer Specialists that are properly trained in their respective roles so that experiential piece becomes the highlight in making that connection with our clients.
I believe what sets me apart, and I know that I’m not alone, is staying authentic and having an honest and transparent approach with my clients. Respecting and treating them like human beings that deserve to be heard and what they have to say has value. Face to face interactions, whether it be with individuals, loved ones or group settings. My own journey in recovery is what sets the tone. To date, I have a little over 5 and a half years in recovery from Substance Use Disorder. I would never go beyond the scope of my lived experience. Each and every day what I apply to my own recovery is what serves as that example for the individuals that I serve. Adversities that I have faced and still face, as so many of us do, serve as my allies. My approach is real and raw. To me, this is a life and death matter and to be able to share with others that they are ‘worthy’ as it was told to me, is priceless. Anyone can call themselves a coach but when you’ve personally walked through that fire and have come out on the other side, well, that will set anyone apart. There are many of us in recovery and the message is that recovery is possible, and it is real. These are the steps that I took that helped me and these are the steps that you can take that can help you too. I am here to walk alongside you and figure it out together. Renewed Recovery is an experience and that imprint that we want to make with another human being is RRC’s signature quality.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I would have to say Renewed Recovery’s inception. I’ve experienced so many turning points. The hard work that I’ve put into my own personal recovery has played such an integral part into starting my own company and maintain the belief in my heart that it will thrive. Without my own recovery, the other cannot exist. Moments where I’ve had to stand firm with what inspired me to begin with and at the same time feeling unsure and lacking clarity and direction. Moments where I’ve felt motivated and seen movement and then experienced the tiniest little set back that cut through what little momentum I had built. Moments where the pieces weren’t falling into place quickly enough and having to practice patience and faith. Moments where I’ve compared myself to others and having those self-defeating thoughts that I could never achieve what they have. Then flipping the script and using their achievements as a source of growth and learning. I heard someone say in a podcast once, so I can’t take credit for this, that there’s a phenomenon in sports called a ‘second wind.’ When you get to a point where you feel like you can’t go on anymore and suddenly you just get a burst of energy and you’re able to finish the race even though you were about to give up. Renewed Recovery has stayed strong on the foundation of those ‘second winds.’ And that’s recovery right there! Not only do substance use or mental health challenges impact a person in physical ways, but it also has psychological effects. Recovery is recognizing one’s inner strength and how important it is to rediscover it. Focusing on the positives and celebrating the small wins. No matter how small, they add up. Reaffirming who you are, why you do what you do and what you need to function best. Continuing to build one’s confidence but also recognizing one’s weaknesses. Taking responsibility and stopping the excuses. Recognizing the struggles to get a handle on whatever that struggle may be. Building an environment for success and aligning oneself with the proper support system. Not being afraid or ashamed to ask questions and tapping on the shoulder of someone who’s done it before you and asking how they did it. Renewed Recovery has been built on the very concepts that I’ve learned and incorporated into my own personal journey.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Without a doubt! Words cannot explain how profoundly grateful and humbled I am to do what I do. I would have never thought in a million years that my struggles with substance use would be a job requirement and recognized at a professional capacity. That concept of everything happens for a reason. My past struggles and overcoming them, one day at a time, is what has helped shape me into the woman that I am today. And today I am alive and present to offer all of it to someone else that is struggling. Hope.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mich_renewedrecovery
• Facebook: Mich Fernandez
• Linkedin: Michelle (Mich) Fernandez, RCP, CRPS-A, CEI
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Prizma Photo