Michael J. Fowler, MA

Grew up in a single parent household fueled by alcohol, arguments, and sometimes domestic violence. Was thrusted into public housing at 10 years old. Lived in poverty. Went to multiple public schools. Father lived a few blocks up the street, had nothing to do with me. I started drinking at 12 and by age 14 I was struggling with alcohol use disorder. Spent almost a year and a half between rehab, and two juvenile facilities. My mother died when I was 26. I'm an only child and have almost virtually no family left. As my mother was dying, I was pursuing my B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies. My career was on hold for a year because I took care of my mother until she passed away. Started out working crappy low paying jobs. I failed at my first attempt at a Masters from Youngstown State University. This was due to partying and spending student loan money faster than a paycheck on the 1st and 15th. I kept this virtually a secret. A special person planted the seed in my head that I should attempt to pursue it again. I did and graduated with a 3.4. 18 years in the field of drug and alcohol treatment. Been through major obstacles in my life, one after another. With no family, I keep pressing on and try to spread the message of Believe to Succeed! I believe that this is my purpose, or that motivational speaking is what I should do. I've lived in impoverished neighborhoods that were outright dangerous if you didn't know how to navigate them. I heard gunshots outside my windows, saw police chase a guy that ran past my window. I saw a car on fire and the building behind the projects I lived in was set on fire by an arsonist. The heat was so intense it cracked my bedroom window and when I woke up at 3am it looked like the sun was out due to the brightness of the flames. I had drug dealers stop by my apartment at night if they had something to unload. I've overdosed x2 by accident and once intentionally. I'm still standing after all these years. I had no idea I would live this long. Let me share my strength and hope to maybe get you motivated and develop the ability to see there is a way out. Change is good. Do you want to change? All I know is I don't want to be the same Mike 5 years from now. I want to be better. I don't want to be remembered for what I have taken, I want to be remembered for what I have given back.