7: Never Alone Threads with Alex and Zule

Octavio Cifuentes of FTX Wellness

Summary of Sober Ventures Podcast Episode with Octavio Cifuentes Quick Overview: This podcast episode features Octavio Cifuentes, founder of FTX Wellbeing and Performance in Boca Raton, who shares his journey from addiction to creating a wellness-focused business that specifically serves the recovery community. His story demonstrates how fitness and sobriety can work together to create lasting positive change. Key Points: - Octavio transformed from an addict to a successful gym owner and wellness entrepreneur - FTX Wellbeing combines fitness training with recovery support services - The business serves 10-15 rehab centers in South Florida - 40% of staff members are in recovery - The facility offers scholarships for certification programs to people in recovery Detailed Breakdown: Personal Journey: - Started recovery journey in Delray Beach after moving from Nicaragua - Began as a front desk employee at a gym - Transitioned to personal training through employer sponsorship - Eventually founded FTX Wellbeing, growing from mobile services to an 8,000 sq ft facility Business Model & Philosophy: - Integrates fitness, recovery, and community support - Offers comprehensive services including chiropractic care, physical therapy, and acupuncture - Maintains strict ethical standards in billing and client relationships - Creates a safe, judgment-free environment for all clients - Emphasizes gradual progress and sustainable fitness goals Community Impact: - Provides free classes for people in recovery - Offers certification scholarships to individuals with 1+ years of sobriety - Has helped over 50 people obtain professional certifications - Creates employment opportunities for people in recovery - Builds a supportive community beyond just fitness Important Details & Evidence: - Survived COVID-19 and competition from 9 new nearby gyms - Facility includes modern amenities like running tracks and cold plunges - Focuses on customized approaches for each client - Emphasizes both physical fitness and recovery principles - Maintains strong connections with local recovery centers Final Takeaways: 1. Recovery and fitness can create powerful positive transformation 2. Building a supportive community is essential for long-term success 3. Gradual, sustainable progress is more important than quick results 4. Giving back to the recovery community strengthens both individual and collective growth 5. Creating safe spaces for people in recovery helps facilitate healing and personal development The episode showcases how combining fitness with recovery principles can create meaningful change while building a successful business model that prioritizes community impact over pure profit.

2023 Update and Invite

Still here, still sober, still venturing! Today's show from the road is an update on what's new in life over the past 6 years since the last episode released! As I'm checking back in on the show, I'd love to have some more conversations with sober entrepreneurs and continue to give back to this great community that was there for me in my early sobriety and business journey.

9: Update with Will

Episode Summary It’s been a busy few months, and haven’t been able to get any new episodes recorded, but I at least wanted to reach out and touch base about what’s been happening, and see how we can keep this podcast going to bring value to you. One thought is to share about the projects I’m working on in hopes that it inspires you to either create a project of your own, or want to share about what you have going on. In this episode, I talk about my ongoing learning process and how I’m not engaged in building Messenger Bots, and how it seems like a pretty good side hustle since the technology is so new, and is really fun to work with, and could be a good boost for small business owners. If you want to check out this pet project of mine, you can get started at m.me/soberventures Let me know what you think of this episode, and what would make for good content for future shows until I can get more guests on the line. :) And of course, if you’d like to be on the show, jump over to soberventures.org/schedule Thanks!

8: Sober Divas Movement

Episode Summary Shiba P. is the founder and curator for the Sober Divas Movement, a project built to highlight and foster SELF-ACTUALIZATION in artistic & gifted women in recovery. She shares her story of being a well-off IT professional and the journey alcohol took her on, dropping her in a homeless shelter. By starting to pursue her personal passions instead of a profession, she has regained and restarted her life, now focused on helping others in recovery rediscover their passions. Her story is definitely inspirational and you’ll be sure to enjoy it as much as I enjoyed recording it with her. Her personality shines through our conversation, and will inspire you to look inside yourself and see what else you can do when you stop letting fear stand in your way and just go out and try something new or pursue an old passion again.

7: Never Alone Threads with Alex and Zule

Alex and Zule are fellow Miami natives with a passion for fashion and creating exciting sober events to bring the community together. Check them out at neveralonethreads.com!