Why We Celebrate Every Step. A 20-Year Journey in Recovery

The Power of One Brave Choice

Every journey of transformation begins with a single decision. An intention to do things differently. To heal. To grow. To choose a new path.

Twenty years ago, Heather made that choice.
She chose sobriety—and she’s honored that decision every single day since. That’s 7,300 days of courage. Of showing up. Of doing the work no matter what life threw her way.

7,300 Days of Sobriety and Self-Work

Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It happens day by day, season by season. Through grief, challenge and joy, through letting go and becoming. Heather’s path has called her to shift, stretch, and grow through every chapter of life. Honing in. Getting one step closer to uncovering her inner strength and wisdom.

From Survival Mode to Sacred Shift

But almost two years ago, our paths crossed at a powerful moment in her journey. She was experiencing storm and her nervous system was shot. After her first breathwork session with me, Heather dove all in. It was the first time I’d had a student come to every single class—week after week. At that point, my regular breathers were experiencing huge transformations coming once or twice a month. I knew what happened when I did regular breathwork. I wondered what changes we would see in her.

The Fast Track to Transformation

The transformation was drastic. The first time I met her she seemed sad and scared. As if she was waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Constantly on guard and exhausted from it. With each consecutive session it was like watching an egg get cracked open. I could see the light shining out. She said she experienced the same thing. She loved how she felt for the first few days after breathwork and she wanted to feel that way EVERY DAY. She was going through a trial that required she be at her best. She knew breathwork was helping her be that. She was doing tons of personal work and was seeing the benefits but breathwork made it all…click.

We began one-on-one work, it was like watching transformation in motion. She didn’t just dip her toe in—she jumped. Letting me challenge her ideas and beliefs about the world. When I assigned journaling or breathwork, she did it gladly. Filling journals as she gain clarity about herself and all her relationships. Her willingness to look honestly and take accountability was inspiring. When I added Breathwork Mastery Series’s to the line up, she jumped in and not only did the work, but inspired growth in every person that she was in a small group with. People could see what it looked like to do the work and they were all in WITH her.

Healing That Inspires Everyone Around Her

I knew our work wasn’t done. I asked her to become a facilitator. I could see it so clearly—her heart was ready. Her life had prepared her to hold space in a way that only lived experience can teach. She said no for what felt like a LONG time. But eventually, she said yes. And you're welcome. I was was right!! She is so good at this work.

Today, we get to witness the woman who’s emerged from two decades of choosing truth. And we’re so lucky to have her holding space in our community. You can find all her classes on our class calendar or complete this form to request coaching from Heather.

Celebrating Heather: A Legacy of Resilience

Heather, we celebrate you. All versions of you.

The you that celebrates 20 years and the one who faced her first day of sobriety. Here’s to the healed parts, the sad parts and the parts that are still growing.

We see your strength, your devotion, your 20 years of choosing to begin again…and again… and again…every single day.

Here’s to the past 7,300 days—and all the powerful ones still to come.

To Everyone Walking the Road of Sobriety

For those on their own recovery journey—this is your reminder that every step counts. Not just the moments that are full of joy. The ones taken in the dark will lead you out.

Whether it’s day one or year twenty, your commitment is sacred. Keep going. You’re not alone. Please let us know if you need any resources or additional support on your journey.

-Stephanie Zamora

Rising Phoenix Breathwork