From Pastor to Recovery Mentor — A Journey of Awakening

Don Phelps is a recovery mentor, writer, and facilitator who speaks and writes about addiction, identity, and the quiet work of learning how to stay present in ordinary life.

Before entering recovery, Don spent ten years in Christian ministry after studying in seminary. His ministry ended abruptly when his struggle with alcoholism could no longer be hidden. What followed was a period of deep personal reckoning and transformation.

Through recovery, Don experienced a profound spiritual shift and no longer identifies within the Christian tradition that once defined his life. Today his work is informed by mindfulness, honesty, and principles drawn from Buddhist-inspired recovery.

Don now shares his story to help others who find themselves navigating addiction, spiritual transition, or the difficult work of beginning again. He is a Recovery Dharma facilitator and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) candidate.

“I left the church, lost myself, and finally found the path that set me free.”

Today Don shares his story through writing, speaking, and conversations that encourage honesty, presence, and the courage to begin again.