Sometimes, the boldest movements begin with the smallest steps—a single decision, a painful turning point, or one person willing to believe there’s more on the other side of the mountain.
That’s the story behind The Phoenix, a national sober active community that has helped over 800,000 people rise out of addiction, reclaim their identity, and rewrite the trajectory of their lives. But The Phoenix didn’t start with buildings or boards or budgets—it started with one person, one bike, and one unwavering belief: that people are stronger than their circumstances.
From Rock Bottom to a National Movement
Scott Strode knows what it’s like to feel lost, broken, and buried under addiction. He also knows what it means to climb out—literally and figuratively. Through boxing, climbing, and other physically demanding activities, he found the tools to rebuild not just his health, but his self-worth.
And that’s when the vision clicked: what if community could be the bridge to recovery? What if movement, shared purpose, and mutual support could reach people where traditional models sometimes fell short? What if dignity and belief—offered freely—were the missing ingredients for lasting change?
So he started gathering people. At first, it was informal—bike rides, workouts, rock climbs. But soon, word spread. People were hungry not just for sobriety, but for connection, growth, and a new identity. And so, The Phoenix took flight.
The Power of Shared Struggle
What makes The Phoenix extraordinary isn’t just the activities—it’s the ethos. The only cost of admission is 48 hours of sobriety and a commitment to lift others up rather than tear them down. It’s a community built on shared struggle, unshakable hope, and the radical idea that your lowest moment doesn’t define you—what you do next does.
Recovery, in this model, doesn’t happen alone. It happens side by side. Whether it’s climbing a mountain, finishing a workout, or showing up to support someone else, The Phoenix gives people the courage to keep going when the old life calls them back.
And the beauty of it? Everyone gives, and everyone receives. Some days, you’re the one who needs help. Other days, you’re the one holding the door open for someone else walking their first step into healing.
Scaling Hope, One Leader at a Time
What started with a few meetups is now a movement stretching across the country, with over 60 nonprofit partners and a growing digital platform called New Form, designed to help people find healing resources in real time. The Phoenix is no longer just a program—it’s a blueprint for how bottom-up solutions, fueled by belief and community, can address one of the most urgent public health crises of our time.
And Scott Strode? He’s still dreaming bigger. The Phoenix aims to reach 10 million people in the coming years—and not as a fantasy, but as a plan already in motion.
Your Step Starts Now
Going Big doesn’t mean starting with millions. It starts with one step. One vision. One person who chooses to believe in something better.
Maybe that’s you.
Maybe your version of going big isn’t founding a national nonprofit—but it is taking a step, extending a hand, or saying yes to something bold and different.
As Scott says, “That’s how you do big things—one step at a time, without ever losing sight of the vision of what’s possible.”
