🎧 RRP Episode 66 – Dontae Mathis: From Trauma to Triumph—A Father's Fight for Recovery

Presenters: Julie and PeterLength: Part One – 1:35:49 | Part Two – 50:49

💬 Summary

In this powerful two-part episode, Dontae Mathis joins Julie and Peter to share his remarkable journey of resilience, redemption, and service. In Part One, Dontae recounts being shot at sixteen—a traumatic turning point that led to years of addiction, incarceration, and personal struggle. He reflects on his time in a correctional boot camp and how hitting bottom ultimately brought clarity.

In Part Two, we pick up after Dontae’s release from boot camp. He shares the moment he chose to live, the impact of fatherhood on his recovery, and how peer support work at 4D Recovery gave him a voice and a purpose. Dontae’s story is one of real pain, real growth, and real recovery.

🕒 Key Points with Time Stamps

Part One

• [00:08:05 ] Shot at sixteen—Dontae shares the traumatic event that altered his life.
• [00:23:40 ] Twelve years of incarceration “in and out” while battling addiction.
• [00:29:15 ] Surrender moment in front of the mirror: “I don’t want to die like this.”
• [01:31:50 ] Reflecting on his time in a correctional boot camp program.

Part Two

• [01:35:49 ] Life after boot camp—transitioning out and choosing recovery.
• [01:38:00 ] The power of fatherhood in motivating change.
• [01:44:10 ] “I share my story not for me… but for the guy sitting in the back.”
• [01:52:38 ] Peer work and public speaking at 4D Youth Center.
• [02:25:14 ] Final reflections on service, gratitude, and hope.

💬 Quote

“I share my story not for me anymore… but for the guy sitting in the back who thinks he’s alone.”—Dontae Mathis

🔗 Links to Websites Discussed

• 4D Recovery – Peer Services & Support
• 4D Youth Center – 1206 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR
• Oregon Recovers – Advocacy for Recovery
• MHAAO – Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon
• Real Recovery Podcast

📲 Links to Listen and Read

• Listen to Part One: https://mdcr1.com/66
• Read the Blog (Part One): https://mdcr1.com/66b
• Listen to Part Two: https://mdcr1.com/66pt2
• Read the Blog (Part Two): https://mdcr1.com/66pt2b

📣 Hashtags and Mentions

#RealRecoveryPodcast #AddictionRecovery #TraumaToTriumph #FathersInRecovery #RedemptionStory #PeerSupport #ResilienceAndHope@4DRecovery @OregonRecovers @mhaoforegon