MICHAEL MILLIN | Break the Cycle of Trauma and Addiction

Michael Millen’s journey from a life defined by generational trauma, addiction, and instability to 17 years of sobriety is a raw testament to the power of hitting rock bottom and choosing to rebuild. Growing up with a father who cycled in and out of his life—eventually relapsing after 15 years sober—Michael watched firsthand how addiction destroys families. At 24, facing homelessness and the collapse of his marriage, he found salvation not in a grand revelation, but in a single sober friend who invited him to a 12-step meeting. What he calls 'opposing forces'—self-destruction versus redemption—became the central theme of his life. He challenges the myth that identity must be wrapped in victimhood, arguing instead that true strength lies in embracing your story, not hiding from it. Now a Christian, author, and advocate, Michael’s mission is to create a 'surf club' as a spiritual and emotional sanctuary for young men who, like him, were raised in chaos. His story reveals a deeper truth: the wounds we carry can become the very tools we use to heal others. The conversation cuts through the noise of self-help platitudes with hard-won wisdom. Michael exposes the damage of enablers—families who shield loved ones from true consequences, preventing them from hitting bottom. He argues that only when a man has nowhere left to go does he truly have a chance to change.