Episode 8 — Your Past isn’t a Barrier to Your Future —with Nico Doorn - a podcast by Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC

from 2020-03-31T16:00

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Whether you're a high school dropout, in addiction recovery, a single dad...whatever it may be. The past doesn’t take away the value and potential of your life. Don’t count yourself out just because you might’ve slipped up. Be open to a different path. From high school dropout, to doing really well in school. That’s something that anybody can do. Whatever your past is, is not a barrier to be able to achieve what you want in life.

Nico Doorn, Executive Director of Alpha 180 transitional program, had a fixed mindset in his early young adult years that there wasn’t much of a future for himself, which made it difficult to experience the growth that was possible. Nico’s journey started out as having a 9th grader education with no hope for himself and heavy mental health struggles. He went on to go to many treatment centers for mental health and substance abuse, but it wasn’t until he had his son when he decided to make a complete change and start a new life. After getting clean, Nico found a vision spark when he discovered the collegiate recovery program at Texas Tech and the fact that there was actually a chance for him there. After a lot of hard work and dedication, Nico made it into the Texas Tech program and later found himself graduating from grad school. The layout of Nico’s journey wasn’t preferred, but he made it work out in the end for him and his son.

Nico now helps run a transitional program for students that are leaving treatment, to bridge them back into college to be academically ready, providing a community and a platform to help navigate them to not be alone.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Nico joins Joanna to share his journey going from a highschool dropout, to graduating from grad school. Nico finds himself in a life that he never dreamed he’d ever find himself in. Listen in for insight on Nico’s inspiring story and how he has helped start and run a transitional platform for students where young men can find the support they need and deserve.

What You Will Learn

Dropping out of high school in 9th grade

The start of Nico’s mental health struggles

How Nico’s son was the motivation he needed to get better

The unexpected opportunity that never seemed possible at Texas Tech

The benefits Nico experienced in the collegiate recovery program

What life was like going to school, working at a treatment center, and having a 4 year old as a single dad

Connect with Nico Doorn

Alpha 180

Call 833-257-4218

Email nico@alpha180.com

References