In Part Two of our series on addiction, host Sylvie Légère speaks with Scott Strode, founder of The Phoenix, a national sober active community that uses movement, activity, and peer connection to help people build strong, sustainable lives in recovery.

Scott shares his own powerful journey through addiction, the moment he first felt genuine belonging in a boxing gym, and how physical activity and community became the foundation for not just sobriety, but a bigger, more meaningful life.

This episode builds on Part One with leaders at the Haymarket Center by shifting the focus from understanding addiction to understanding recovery — the daily discipline, the healing power of belonging, and the belief that life without substances is richer, fuller, and more authentic.
💼 Scott Strode

Scott is the Founder and Executive Director of The Phoenix and Cofounder of NewForm, two groundbreaking initiatives fueling a movement that is fundamentally reshaping how society views addiction, recovery, and community well-being. With more than 28 years in recovery, Scott knows firsthand the power of connection to ignite change. He launched The Phoenix in 2006 to create free, sober active communities where people rise together through shared experiences — from climbing and CrossFit to music and meditation. In the 20 years since its founding, The Phoenix has empowered more than 1 million people and is on track to reach 10 million by 2030. Building on that momentum, in 2025, Scott and other key leaders from The Phoenix team co-founded NewForm, a revolutionary digital platform that connects hundreds of thousands of people to free recovery and mental health resources. Scott’s memoir, “RISE. RECOVER. THRIVE.,” chronicles his own journey and the spark behind this growing movement of hope.

Connect with Scott on

🔗 Links & Resources

NewForm App

Book: “Rise, Recover and Thrive” by Scott Strode

Documentary: “Sober”

Recovery, Identity, and the Power of Community