RCVR Stories
RCVR Stories — Real People. Real Recovery. Real Hope.
RCVR Stories is the evolution of what began as The Begin Again Podcast.
Same mission. Same heart. Bigger purpose.
Hosted by Gary Menkes — sober since 2006, founder of the recovery lifestyle brand RCVR, and believer that every comeback story deserves to be heard — this podcast shares unfiltered conversations with people who have rebuilt their lives through recovery.
Each week, we explore stories of addiction, transformation, resilience, mental health, and the powerful truth that you are not alone.
From athletes and artists to entrepreneurs, creators, and everyday heroes, RCVR Stories shines a light on the voices that prove recovery is not just possible — it’s extraordinary.
This is more than a podcast.
This is a movement.
A tribe of a million comebacks.
Welcome to RCVR Stories.
RCVR Stories
🌟EP68- Jo Weatherford: Sobriety, Self-Love, and Trauma Recovery
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Description:
In this powerful episode of The Begin Again Podcast, host Gary Menkes speaks with Jo Weatherford, a former Playboy model turned professor, TEDx speaker, and addiction expert. Jo shares her personal journey from Hollywood’s party scene to rock bottom, struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. After a life-altering arrest and failed suicide attempt, she made the courageous decision to turn her life around.
Jo discusses how she embraced recovery through non-traditional approaches, including inner child work, therapy, and aversion therapy, leading to 12 years of sobriety. She earned a master’s degree in Human Development and spent over a decade teaching addiction courses at the University of Nevada, guiding others toward healing. Now, as a mindset coach, she helps high performers tackle addiction, intimacy, and personal growth.
Throughout this conversation, Jo and Gary explore the importance of self-love, resilience, and overcoming shame and guilt. Jo shares her insights on trauma recovery, the challenges of working in the recovery field, and her passion for helping others reclaim their lives.
About Jo Weatherford:
Jo Weatherford is a living example of joy in recovery. In her 20s, Jo was a drug- and alcohol-addicted model, partying with Hollywood celebrities. After an arrest and a failed suicide attempt, she realized it was time to change. Determined to rebuild her life, Jo earned a master’s degree in Human Development and spent 12 years teaching addiction courses at the University of Nevada, while also leading prevention and intervention efforts for the Office of Student Conduct.
Today, Jo is a TEDx speaker, mindset coach, and addiction expert, focusing on non-traditional approaches to recovery. With 12 years of sobriety, Jo continues to inspire others, showing that radical transformation is possible through self-love, resilience, and connection.
Follow Jo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo.weatherford/
Explore her work: https://recoveryremix.com/
Watch her TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJY4GkpRc7U
â–º Visit our website here: WeAreRCVR.com
🔥 Check Out RCVR Brand! 🔥
Beyond the podcast, Gary is also the founder of We Are RCVR, a movement dedicated to celebrating recovery and resilience through empowering apparel. RCVR is all about breaking the stigma, building community, and wearing your sobriety with pride. Explore the collection and join the movement!
🔗 Shop Now: https://WeAreRCVR.com
🌟 Become a Voice for Recovery – Earn While Inspiring Others
Join the RCVR Affiliate Program and share the message of hope, healing, and living your best life.
★ Let's connect:
Twitter - https://x.com/wearercvr
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wearercvr/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wearercvr
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/wearercvr/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rcvrtribe