April 28, 2020
Q&A is a new weekly feature of the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin. We send our participants forty questions and ask them to choose twenty they would like to answer. It includes a short profile and a link to their website. We hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Addiction/Recovery eBulletin or its staff.
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PROFILE
Jennifer Gimenez, Recovery Advocate
As one of the nation’s leading advocates on addiction recovery, Jennifer Gimenez has become a regular fixture on numerous television networks and across multiple social media platforms. Named one of Maxim’s “Hot 100” and Esquire’s “Women We Love,” After landing roles on The Young and The Restless and Bold and The Beautiful, Jennifer scored her first major film role in Ted Demme’s Blow, starring alongside Johnny Depp. She followed that up with blockbusters Vanilla Sky, Corky Romano, Charlie’s Angels as well as appearances in the Oscar nominated documentary, “Let’s Get Lost.”, where she had the opportunity to meet and work with jazz great, Chet Baker.
Surrounded by a fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle and unprepared for the trappings of fame, Gimenez eventually found herself at the mercy of her own drug & alcohol demons. Ultimately, Jennifer found the courage to reclaim her life. Now over 14 years sober, Gimenez has used the story of her recovery to help others, starring on VH1’s hit Sober House Seasons 1 and 2, Celebrity Rehab Season 5, and Season 6 of Rehab With Dr. Drew. She’s also appeared on The O’Neal’s Show on OWN, as a judge on Model Latina for SiTV, Celebrity Wife Swap and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, as well as an expert on top tier media including The View, CNN, HLN, Today Show and ENews and other all press outlets.
Jennifer Gimenez is passionate about helping others battling addiction, eating disorders, mental illness, or any of life’s other challenges. In 2013, Jennifer launched SoberBook, a site that allows everyone to be the writer by sharing their stories anonymously. Through these efforts and by sharing her story so openly, Jennifer has become a leading advocate in the substance abuse recovery world. Gimenez and her husband Tim Ryan speak across the U.S and abroad, determined to keep spreading her message of hope and recovery as well as fighting to break the stigma surrounding the horrible epidemic of addiction.
@Tim&Jennifer
The Dark Side of Beauty – TED Talk
Q. If you are in recovery, what was your DOC and when did you discontinue its use?
A. January 15, 2006 is my sobriety date
Q. At which of the schools you attended did you learn the most?
A. The world taught me
Q. Do you believe leaders are made or born?
A. Born
Q. Which film have you watched the most?
A. Goodfellas
Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?
A. Tim Ryan
Q.If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, or mountaintop, or penthouse?
A. Ocean
Q. What is your favorite hotel or resort?
A. The Four Seasons
Q. Where do you go to “get away”?
A. Florida or Hawaii
Q. What is your biggest or littlest pet peeve?
A. People saying one thing then doing the other, a liar
Q. How do you measure success?
A. Joy
Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?
A. A Man In Recovery Foundation
Q. Who was your biggest influence throughout your life?
A. My mom #MamaG
Q. What is your current hobby?
A. Vacuuming lately, I have OCD
Q. What prominent fe/male figure would you most like to date?
A. I married him, Tim Ryan
Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, Living or dead, who would they be? (Choose 4 if you think one might be too drunk or stoned to attend.)
A. Abraham Hicks, Tony Robbins, Joel Olsteen, Oprah
Q. What is your FAVORITE Radio show, news show?
A. That’s questionable
Q. What is your FAVORITE APP, or Podcast?
A. None
Q. What is your FAVORITE TV/cable/digital series?
A. Sons of Anarchy
Q. Who is your FAVORITE Director?
A. Ted Demme
Q. What is your FAVORITE Museum?
A. MOCA
Q. What is your FAVORITE Band/composer/musical artist?
A. Way to many to pick one
Q. What is your FAVORITE Broadway musical/play?
A. Rent
Q. What is your FAVORITE Sport to watch? To play?
A. Soccer/ I don’t play
Q. What is your FAVORITE Snack?
A. Nuts
Q. What is your FAVORITE Cuisine?
A. Anything Argentian
Q. What is your FAVORITE Restaurant?
A. Nobu
Q. What is your FAVORITE City?
A. Buenos Aires
Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?
A. No I haven’t
Q. Do you have any children?
A. No
Q. Do you think the U.S. should adopt the Portuguese Decriminalization Model?
A. Yes
Q. What books are you reading now?
A. From Dope To Hope written by my husband Tim Ryan. I’m rereading it.
Q. Do you take work home with you?
A. Yes
Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. To believe and trust my intuition
Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given?
A. That feelings aren’t facts.
Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, a disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?
A. Disease
Q. What are five things you always carry with you?
A. Gum, epi pen, lip gloss, credit card , phone
Q. What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
A. Doing this thing called life
Q. What is the proudest moment in your life?
A. Doing my TEDx TED Talk in Naperville
Q. Is there a favorite “Quote” you would like to share?
A. There better you feel , the more you allow.
Q. What is your favorite Weekly News Bulletin?
A. Addiction Recovery eBulletin
