In her 20s, Jo Weatherford was a drug-and alcohol-addicted model, partying with celebrities in Hollywood. After an arrest and failed suicide attempt, she knew it was time to get clean.

She went back to school to get her master’s degree in Human Development, and spent the next 12 years teaching courses on addiction at the University of Nevada.

She’s now a renowned TedX speaker, addressing the root causes of addiction through non-traditional approaches to recovery.

Jo has been a professional motivational speaker for over a decade. As the keynote speaker at numerous Universities and High Schools across the nation, she has also lead addiction related training programs for Court Officials, Higher Education Professionals, County Offices, Fitness and Wellness CEO’s and various Non-Profits.

www.recoveryremix.com

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. I went alcohol free on June 5, 2012!

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. Gratitude and manifestation. I write down what I’m grateful for and what I’m manifesting every day, twice a day!

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. I believe it is an opportunity to dive straight into hell and rise from the ashes the most purified version of ourselves.

I’m actually thankful my alcoholism was so bad I had no choice but o stop drinking. So many people are just “sick enough” to keep going but not actually quit.

I think it’s genes, environment plus chemistry. The first time I drank I puked and kept going- I finally felt home. My brain was definitely wired for addiction to alcohol.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. I grew up in Arizona but now I live in Mexico! I lived during Covid and fulfilled a life-long dream of living abroad. I’m about to lives to Nevada City to be with my partner but I will always keep a place on the beach.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Grit.

Q. Describe how you came to your “rock bottom” point.

A. Which time haha. I found out numerous times that hell has a basement.

My lowest moments always ended with me suicidal and desperate enough I’d go to rehab.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. I thrive by the ocean. It’s my happy place.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. How many people are better off because of xyz.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Chewing with your mouth open.

Just stop it haha.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to.

A. I would use it to reopen Schick Shadel Hospital and make counter-conditioning therapy available.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. For better or worse, my mother. She was a badass and the first Mexican, female commercial airline pilot. She is stubborn and eccentric and I’m just like her.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. Keep going little one — life is about to get so freaking good!

Q. Who made you feel seen growing up?

A. A softball coach who treated me with respect and gave me his time. He had me pitching 63mph at 12 years old.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. Wayne Dyer. He’s the goat.

Q. What do you love most about living sober?

A. Opening my eyes and feeling thankful to be alive. I hold my precious dog and kiss my partner and give thanks for another beautiful day.

Q. Which part of your treatment and recovery do you feel was the most interesting or unexpected?

A. Iboga. I was 12 years sober when I went to Nicaragua and did this medicine. It was the most intense shadow work I’ve ever done. It changed my life.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. My god loves me unconditionally and is wicked funny. I feel seen and heard and appreciated and the sarcasm is off the page.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Libra.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Bradley Cooper. After seeing him act, direct and sing in A Star Is Born there is no competition.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. Eat Pray Love.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. Braveheart.

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. Anything by Taylor Sheridan…

Yellowstone.

Lioness.

1883.

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. ChatGPT.

Yeah, I know…

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Dave Chappell.

Q. What is the best concert/performance/play you’ve ever attended?

A. Book of Mormon.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. They all already have. Everything’s a remix.

Q. What is the best and or worse piece of advice someone has given you?

A. The best and worst is “nothing stays the same.”

That’s great when life sucks but awful when it’s great.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. Whatever I’m doing in that moment. Life is full of reasons to smile.

Q. What do you value most in a friendship?

A. Loyalty. I’m a ride-or-die friend and have an incredible inner-circle.

Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

A. Sobriety. Now anything is possible!

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Selling a business and moving to a foreign country.

Q. When did you realize you were a grown-up?

A. The moment I found myself unexpectedly pregnant at 43. Greatest most terrifying moment of my life.

Q. How important are your pets to you?

A. My dog Rumi is my lil buddy and brings me so much joy. He is family.

Q. What is your motto?

A. “The same or better.”

I never go backwards. With men, cars, jobs, friends etc.

I also like “it’s all figuroutable” because it is.