They belonged together. Now they work together.

Jennifer Gimenez is a supermodel, actress, and prominent recovery advocate. Rising to fame with roles in films like “Blow”, “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle”, and TV shows such as “The Bold and the Beautiful”, Jennifer also appeared in reality series like “Sober House,” “Celebrity Rehab” and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” However, her most impactful work lies in her journey of sobriety. After battling addiction from a young age, Jennifer turned her life around and now devotes her time to raising awareness about substance abuse and mental health. She frequently speaks on overcoming addiction, drawing from her own struggles and her work as a subject matter expert. Jennifer’s advocacy, alongside her professional experience, provides an inspiring message of resilience and hope.

Tim Ryan, often known as “The Hope Dealer,” is an acclaimed recovery advocate, interventionist and speaker. Featured in A&E’s documentary “Dope Man”, Tim has shared his personal experience as a recovering heroin addict who lost his son to addiction. His mission is to spread awareness and help others find a path to recovery, focusing on the opioid crisis and his own battle with substance abuse. Tim is also the founder of the “A Man in Recovery Foundation” and author of the book “From Dope to Hope”, through which he offers support to addicts and their families.

Together, Jennifer and Tim are a powerful team, speaking across the globe about addiction recovery and mental health. As a married couple, their shared personal and professional experiences have made them a dynamic force in the recovery community. They offer a unique, compassionate perspective, blending Jennifer’s Hollywood background with Tim’s grassroots advocacy, encouraging individuals to overcome their own battles with addiction. Their joint speaking engagements focus on the importance of resilience, the challenges of sobriety, and the steps necessary to foster lasting recovery.

www.dopetohope.com

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

Jenn A:  The Blacklist.

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

Jenn A: The world taught me.

Q. Who made you feel seen growing up?

Jenn A: My parents.
Tim A: My parents.

Q. What books are you reading now?

Tim A: From Under the Truck — Josh Brolin.

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

Jenn A: You are enough.
Tim A: Don’t follow the pack.

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

Both A: Dope To Hope.

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

Jenn A: My Mom.
Tim A: My father.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

Jenn A: My integrity.
Tim A: That I can help others.

Q. What is your favorite hotel?

Jenn A: The Four Seasons.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

Tim A: Jennifer Gimenez.
Jenn A: Tim Ryan.

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

Jenn A: Abused Women.
Tim A: Rock To Recovery.

Q. What is your favorite city?

Jenn A: Rome.
Tim A: Key West.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

Jenn A: Aries.
Tim A: Virgo.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Jenn A: People not walking their talk.
Tim A: People who are late, my time is valuable.

Q. What are some of the most memorable songs in your life?

Tim A: Kick Start My Heart — Motley Crew.
Jenn A: California Love — Tupac.

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

Jenn A: God is everything or nothing.

Q. How do you measure success?

Jenn A: Being true to myself.
Tim A: Staying sober is success.

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

Jenn A: Sofia Loren.

Q. What is something you swore you would never do, but did anyway, in recovery?

Jenn A: I said yes when I meant NO.
Tim A: Sponsor a friend.

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

Both A: OCEAN.

Q. What do you love most about living sober?

Jenn A: Doing life with my husband.
Tim A: The big life I get to live.

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

Jenn A: Booze and coke. 1.15.06
Tim A: Booze, coke, heroin. 11.1.12

Q. What book would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show that hasn’t already been adapted?

Both A: Dope to Hope.

Q. What major event or realization shaped who you are?

Jenn A: Being discovered at 13 by Bruce Weber.
Tim A: My waterskiing career.

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

Jenn A: How to tell on myself, and no secrets.
Tim A: Keep recovery number one over everything.

Q. Who is your favorite film director?

Both A: Ted Demme.

Q. What is a phrase that has kept you afloat during hard times?

Jenn A: Hang on no matter what.
Tim A: Just one more day.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

Both A: BLOW.

Q. Where did you go right?

Both A: Getting sober.

Q. What is the hardest amends you’ve ever had to make?

Tim A: To my son Nick.
Jenn A: To myself.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

Jenn A: Never.
Tim A: Many DWIs, driving on revoked 5 times, twice to prison.

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

Jenn A: Getting sober.

Q. What is your biggest regret?

Tim A: Not being able to help my son Nick who died at age 20 from this disease.
Jenn A: Letting drugs get in the middle of my dreams and career.

Q. Where do you go when you’re seeking solitude?

Both A: Ocean.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

Both A: NONE.

Q. What is your favorite compliment to receive, and why?

Tim A: Hearing “thank you.”
Jenn A: “You made an impact on my life.”

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

Jenn A: Getting discovered at 13, at the Santa Monica Pier.
Tim A: Guest of the 2016 State Of The Union Address and my documentary DOPE MAN on A&E 2017.

Q. Is there anything you do that seems mundane on the surface but has turned out to be sacred for you?

Both A: NO.

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

Both A: Mackenzie our daughter, and our family.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

Jenn A: That they matter and their story is not over.
Tim A: Go big — you only live once.

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

Jenn A: You are enough.
Tim A: Stay in your lane.

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

Tim A: The 80s.
Jenn A: The 90s.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

Both A: Argentine food.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

Jenn A: The Polo Lounge
Tim A: Dan Tana’s.

Q. How important are your pets to you?

Both A: THEY ARE OUR WORLD.

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

Jenn A: When I got married to Tim.
Tim A: I never have and never will.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

Jenn A: The magic when you walk into the rooms.
Tim A: The men in my life today.

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

Jenn A: Born in LA, raised in Argentina, back to LA.
Tim A: Crystal Lake, Illinois.

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

Jenn A: Disease.
Tim A: Choice to the disease, we all had a choice.

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

Jenn A: Resilient.
Tim A: Powerhouse.