From Addiction to Purpose: Recovery, Mental Health, and Healing with Derek Palosaari (Ep. 53)

In this powerful episode of Rise, Heal, and Grow, Leah M. Hill sits down with author, speaker, and recovery advocate Derek Palosaari to explore a raw and inspiring journey from addiction to lasting transformation. Derek opens up about his early struggles with drugs and alcohol, hitting rock bottom at 31, and the humbling path of rebuilding his life through sobriety, faith, and radical honesty. Together, they dive into the realities of mental health, the pressure men face to suppress emotion, and why vulnerability is actually a gateway to strength and healing. With hard-earned wisdom and real-life perspective, Derek shares how desperation became a turning point, why we can’t heal alone, and how everyday choices—rooted in integrity and service—can lead to lasting peace and purpose. This conversation is a reminder that no matter how far you’ve fallen, change is possible, and you are never alone.