Recovering Boldly with Quest Center

In this powerful episode, we follow Lawrence, a man whose life has been marked by courage and the search for authenticity. After growing up Mormon in Utah and spending 25 years in Los Angeles, where he was able to come out and embrace his identity, Lawrence moved to Portland seeking a fresh start. What he didn’t expect was how deeply he would need community, and how profoundly he would find it.Lawrence shares the painful experience of contracting HIV through an assault, the years of navigating fragmented care, and the emotional toll of starting over again and again. When he arrived in Portland, he was introduced to Quest Center for Integrative Health.From therapy and nutrition support to the transformative HIV Men’s Group and one-on-one peer services, Lawrence found stability, healing, and belonging under one roof.This episode is a testament to the power of holistic care, chosen family, and the communities that carry us through.If you or someone you know is living with HIV, Quest Center offers integrated, affirming care including medical services, therapy, support groups, nutrition, acupuncture, and peer support. Consider supporting Quest Center’s work to provide compassionate and affirming integrative care with a donation to our Give!Guide campaign at giveguide.org/nonprofits/quest

In this episode of Recovering Boldly, Nichole speaks candidly about rebuilding trust with her children, surviving gang-related gun violence, navigating the complexities of sex work, and reclaiming her identity after addiction.Now a certified peer support specialist, Nichole uses her lived experience to guide others through their own recovery journeys. This episode is honest, unexpectedly funny at times, and full of hope.#AddictionRecovery #PeerSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #SurvivorStory #PodcastEpisodeContent Warning:This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, suicide, and substance use. Please take care while listening, and know it's okay to pause or step away if needed.Resources:National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 | 988lifeline.orgSAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | samhsa.govYou are not alone. Help is available.Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying. Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options.If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.orgThank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for more, leave us a rating and review, and consider supporting our efforts with a donation at www.Quest-Center.org/contribute

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Daniella (she/her/ellas), a Peer Support Specialist in recovery, who shares her remarkable journey of healing and self-discovery. From growing up in a traditional Mexican/Puerto Rican household to navigating addiction and profound betrayal, Toni opens up about the pain and strength of transformation. She also reflects on her gender transition and what it means to reclaim your truth in a world that often misunderstands it. This is a story of resilience, reclamation, and the courage it takes to truly become yourself.Content Warning:This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, suicide, and substance use. Please take care while listening, and know it's okay to pause or step away if needed.Resources:National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | rainn.org988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 | 988lifeline.orgSAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Abuse): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | samhsa.govTrans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 | translifeline.orgYou are not alone. Help is available.Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying.Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options.If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.orgThank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for more, leave us a rating and review, and consider supporting our efforts with a donation at www.Quest-Center.org/contribute#recovery #trans #lgbtq #lgbtqia #lgbtqia2s+ #addiction #community #mentalhealth

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and prioritize your well-being. In this episode, I sit down with Ronda as she shares her powerful journey — from surviving sexual assault and pursuing a career as a rapper, to battling methamphetamine addiction later in life. Ronda opens up about the pain she endured, the path that led her to addiction, and her choice and determination to break the cycles of generational trauma and fight for her healing. Today, Ronda is a passionate advocate and drug and alcohol counselor at Quest Center, using her lived experience to help others find their way to recovery. Listen to Ronda's music here:    • Ain't No Room  Learn more about Quest Center Here: https://quest-center.org/If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, here are some trusted resources that offer immediate support:United States:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)https://988lifeline.org(For anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.)RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.org(24/7 support for survivors of sexual assault.)If You're Outside the U.S.:International Suicide Prevention Directoryhttps://www.opencounseling.com/suicid...(Find suicide prevention hotlines by country.)

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and prioritize your well-being. In this episode, I sit down with Ronda as she shares her powerful journey — from surviving sexual assault and pursuing a career as a rapper, to battling methamphetamine addiction later in life. Ronda opens up about the pain she endured, the path that led her to addiction, and her choice and determination to break the cycles of generational trauma and fight for her healing. Today, Ronda is a passionate advocate and drug and alcohol counselor at Quest Center, using her lived experience to help others find their way to recovery. Listen to Ronda's music here:    • Ain't No Room  Learn more about Quest Center Here: https://quest-center.org/If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, here are some trusted resources that offer immediate support:United States:988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)https://988lifeline.org(For anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.)RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)https://www.rainn.org(24/7 support for survivors of sexual assault.)If You're Outside the U.S.:International Suicide Prevention Directoryhttps://www.opencounseling.com/suicid...(Find suicide prevention hotlines by country.)

This week on the podcast, we sit down with Eloise Hoatlin: a mother in recovery, small business owner, and powerful advocate for accessible wellness spaces. From her journey as a client in Quest Center’s substance use treatment program to becoming a provider herself, Eloise shares candid reflections on healing, motherhood, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces—like her community-focused gym—for those often left out of the fitness world. It’s a story of full-circle growth, grounded in care and lived experience.To learn more about Eloise's Gym Eastside Kettlebell Collective, visit www.EastsideKettlebellCollective.comQuest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying.Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Non-Opiate Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options.If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.orgThank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for more, leave us a rating and review, and consider supporting our efforts with a donation at www.Quest-Center.org/contribute

Recovering Boldly with Quest Center is a space where we celebrate real stories of resilience, healing, and transformation. Each episode, we’ll talk with inspiring guests who share their journeys navigating mental health challenges, addiction, chronic pain, and more—offering honest insight, and celebrating the courage it takes to reclaim hope and live boldly as your authentic self.In our first episode, we catch up with Quest Center’s own Katie Borofka, MPH, LCSW, CST. Katie is a Certified Sex Therapist and Certified Body Trust® Provider. We chat through common questions and misconceptions around kink, non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships, exploring your mind/body connection, anti-diet culture, and prioritizing self-care. Quest is a nonprofit health center in Portland, OR with a mission to provide integrative healthcare services, community, and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living and dying. Our programs in HIV Services, Substance Use Recovery, Non-Opiate Chronic Pain Management, Mental Health, Acupuncture, and Holistic Medical Care recognize that each person has a unique journey to healing. In addition to offerings like individual and group therapy, our programs take an integrative approach to wellness, including elements such as peer support, wellness movement, nutrition, and at the heart of it all community. Our three primary service communities are low-income, people living with HIV, and LGBTQIA2S+. We proudly accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as well as many other commercial insurance options.If you’d like to learn more about any of our services, please visit our website at www.Quest-Center.orgThank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for more, leave us a rating and review, and consider supporting our efforts with a donation at www.Quest-Center.org/contribute