My Journey

From Darkness to Purpose

I’m Thomas Andrews — a Marine Corps veteran, peer support specialist, published author, and someone who knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom. For 15 years, I’ve been living proof that recovery isn’t just about stopping something; it’s about starting to love yourself again.

The Struggle

The only reason I’m still here today is because I couldn’t find a gun. That’s not hyperbole or dramatic effect — that’s the truth of where my addiction, mental illness, and pain took me.

I served in the United States Marine Corps, and that service meant everything to me. But when I left active duty, I struggled to find my footing. Drugs and alcohol became my way of coping with what I couldn’t face. The descent was gradual, then sudden. The isolation was complete.

At my lowest point, I was homeless. I was hopeless. I believed I had nothing to offer the world and that the world had nothing to offer me. I was wrong, but I couldn’t see it then.

The Turning Point

Something shifted. Maybe it was desperation. Maybe it was grace. Maybe it was just the smallest flicker of hope that refused to die. I made the decision to get sober.

The early days were brutal. Recovery is not a straight line. But slowly, through connection with others in recovery, through service to fellow veterans, and through rediscovering physical wellness, I began to understand something I’d never known before: self-love.

I didn’t even know what self-love was until I stopped drinking. I thought it was selfish or indulgent. But I learned that self-love is the foundation of everything — of recovery, of service, of showing up as the person you’re meant to be.

Exercise became my anchor. I started training on the beach in Los Angeles, and physical movement quite literally saved my life. It gave me purpose, structure, and a way to reconnect with my body and my strength. Eventually, I built a beach fitness business — not just as a livelihood, but as a way to share this healing practice
with others.

The Mission

Today, I serve as a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT #R1571490724) and peer support specialist. I work with veterans in recovery, homeless populations, and anyone struggling to find their way back
to themselves.

I’ve completed extensive training in peer support and addiction treatment. I volunteer doing street outreach with homeless veterans in Los Angeles. I speak to organizations, conferences, and treatment centers about recovery, self-love, veteran mental health, and the healing power of service.

And I’ve written a book — Return to Self-Love — because the message that saved my life needs to reach others who are where I was.

The Mission

Today, I serve as a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT #R1571490724) and peer support specialist. I work with veterans in recovery, homeless populations, and anyone struggling to find their way back to themselves.

I’ve completed extensive training in peer support and addiction treatment. I volunteer doing street outreach with homeless veterans in Los Angeles. I speak to organizations, conferences, and treatment centers about recovery, self-love, veteran mental health, and the healing power of service.

And I’ve written a book — Return to Self-Love — because the message that saved my life needs to reach others who are where I was.

Today

Recovery isn’t a destination; it’s a daily practice. Fifteen years sober, I wake up every day grateful for the second chance I’ve been given. My mission is simple: remove barriers to recovery, offer hope to those who feel hopeless, and help people discover that they are worthy of love — starting with loving themselves.

Whether I’m working one-on-one with someone in early recovery, speaking to a room full of people about Dry January, or leading a fitness session on the beach, my goal is the same: to show people that transformation is possible, that you are not your worst moments, and that self-love is the path home.

Credentials Section

Professional

  • Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT #R1571490724)
  • Certified Peer Support Specialist
  • Published Author: Return to Self-Love
  • 15+ Years in Recovery (personal lived experience)
  • 25+ Years Physical Health & Wellness Training

Military Service

  • United States Marine Corps Veteran

Experience

  • Peer Support Specialist working with veterans and homeless populations
  • Externship: Twin Town Treatment Center (outreach services)
  • Beach Fitness Coach & Wellness Trainer
  • Public Speaker on recovery, veteran mental health, and wellness