Chancy, 42

As a recovery coach in Midland, Michigan, Chancy is a loyal friend and a vibrant light. But his path to recovery came with many challenges that shaped the person he is today.

For more than 20 years, Chancy was caught in a cycle of substance use. “My life was a tragic endeavor over and over,” he recalls. “I compromised my morals so often that I didn't have many anymore.”

Things finally shifted when Chancy was offered a path to treatment in jail. He spent 82 days in a rehabilitation program, but the real test came after he left. “I got out of rehab and still struggled,” he recalls. “I didn't understand why I couldn't stop using, even though I wanted to quit.”

At first, Chancy simply went through the motions by attending recovery meetings without real intention to change. But one encounter cut through that facade. “I went to a recovery meeting one day where a man was running a resource center to help people during COVID,” he recalls. “He saw what I was doing and confronted me directly, and told me: ‘I'm trying to save people's lives.’ God pierced my heart right then and there. That man was so dedicated to serving other people in this community, and that deeply affected me.”

“Show up. No matter what, start to show up. Find a community that supports you, encourages you, and calls for the best part of you, and show up to that place.”

Chancy kept showing up to meetings almost every day for nine months, often overwhelmed. But he kept going. Slowly, things began to change — and today, Chancy is celebrating six years sober. “I went from a 20-year client of my recovery center to working as a coach for them,” he says. “When they gave me a key to their building, that was really cool.” He’s also rebuilt trust with many family members along the way.

Despite the challenges, Chancy says life in recovery today is “pretty amazing.” His faith and church community play a major role. “Sometimes life is heavy. But if I just pay attention, I can see beauty around me all the time,” he shares. “Life is so joyous if I just stay present in the moment. There are always ugly things going on in the world; I can become obsessed with that, or I can watch the beauty unfolding in front of me. I’m going to choose beauty.” That perspective has reshaped how Chancy defines joy: not as something fleeting but, instead, grounded in steady progress.

Looking ahead, Chancy’s goal is to continue serving his community. “My dream is to utilize properties for people in recovery,” he explains. He’s begun investing in real estate that he hopes to turn into safe, stable housing for people in the next chapter — especially those who face barriers to access. “We need affordable places where people can step from outside accountability to internal accountability.”

Chancy has a simple piece of advice for those struggling with substance use: “Show up. No matter what, start to show up. Find a spot that supports you, encourages you, and calls for the best part of you, and show up to that place. My community is my strength.”