Episode 57: Leonard Murphy’s Path to Healing Generational Trauma and Finding Purpose
Certified Sober and Life Coach Leonard Murphy shares his powerful journey through alcohol use, addiction, multiple relapses, and, eventually, recovery. Growing up with an alcoholic father, Leonard witnessed the damage alcohol can cause. He began drinking in college for confidence but soon spiraled into heavy use, impacting his marriage, children, and relationships. When his wife left with their children, Leonard realized the toll alcohol had taken on his life. After relapsing post-divorce, the death of his aunt from alcohol-related issues became his turning point. He entered rehab, embraced trauma therapy, and uncovered the root of his addiction, ultimately learning to forgive his father. Now, Leonard helps others in early sobriety find purpose and create a plan for their lives through his organization Empowered Through Sobriety. He emphasizes not just surviving but thriving in sobriety, focusing on spirituality, physical health, emotions, and finances. Leonard also shares strategies for supporting those in relapse and highlights the importance of community, particularly for men of color. Through prayer, meditation, and structure, Leonard leads a fulfilling life in recovery while inspiring others to do the same
Leonard’s Toolkit:
Ask for help – don’t suffer in silence
Understand where your trauma comes from
Speak to a therapist
Forgive yourself and others
Address spirituality, physical health, emotions, and finances in early sobriety
Have a schedule and develop consistency
Relapse is not failure
Prayer and meditation in the morning and at night
Workout
Reach out to old friends who will support your sobriety
Strong sober community in person and online
Breaking The Silence: Black Men and Trauma
Leonard Murphy opens up about the tough road many men of color, especially Black men, navigate when dealing with personal challenges like alcohol dependency. He shares how the weight of cultural expectations—having to appear strong, emotionless, and invulnerable—often stops these men from reaching out for help when they really need it. He can remember how hard it was for him to admit his own struggles with alcohol, largely because of the stigma around vulnerability in Black communities. Therapy was crucial for him to understand his “why” – the root cause of his addiction – something he’d never even considered.
“This is where I realized the trauma I had from growing up with an alcoholic dad,” Leonard realized in rehab. “I realized I hated him. I resented my father so much and I learned I had to forgive him. And my father was an alcoholic and he did the best he could as an alcoholic man to raise me and my sister. He did what an alcoholic can do. He did the best he could. I realized I resented him to the point where I even turned into him.”
This turning point motivated him to leave his finance career and become a coach, dedicated to helping other men of color tackle their own battles.Ray echoes this sentiment, stressing the need to normalize these conversations and viewing vulnerability as a brave step forward, not a sign of weakness. It’s vitally important to have open dialogue and strong support networks to change the way people see these issues and encourage men of color to seek the help they truly deserve.
Why Early Sobriety is So Important
Early sobriety is a pivotal time in the recovery journey, often filled with vulnerability and uncertainty. Leonard Murphy, a sobriety coach and founder of Empowered Through Sobriety, knows this all too well. After navigating his own struggles and relapses, he’s now dedicated to helping others during this fragile phase.
“Early sobriety is the time to plan your life out, to take a deep breath, and reclaim what you lost. You don’t just have to survive; you can live and thrive,” Leonard says.
Leonard believes that early sobriety isn’t just about staying away from substances; it’s about reclaiming your life and finding your purpose. He works with individuals to address their emotional, physical, and spiritual health while encouraging them to set meaningful goals. “This is the time to dream big,” he says, emphasizing that many people in recovery are incredibly intelligent and creative. He encourages clients to embrace their creativity and ambition, reminding them that they don’t have to merely survive in sobriety; they can thrive.
Relapse Is Not Failure, It’s Just a Checkpoint
It’s so easy for those in recovery to think that they’ve failed on their sobriety journey because of a relapse. Relapse can feel like a heavy burden for anyone on the path to sobriety, but Leonard offers a hopeful perspective based on his own experiences. As someone who has faced numerous relapses on his journey, he now serves as a sobriety and life coach, particularly focusing on those in early sobriety—the most vulnerable moments in recovery. Leonard emphasizes that it’s crucial to approach early sobriety with intention and purpose. Instead of merely surviving day by day, he encourages individuals to embrace this time to map out their lives, rediscover their passions, and set meaningful goals.
For anyone grappling with the emotional fallout of relapse, Leonard shares some essential tips. First, he stresses the importance of self-awareness and honesty: “Are you really ready to put down the bottle?” Recognizing the difference between wanting to stop and being ready to commit to sobriety is vital. Leonard also highlights the power of resilience—feeling anger or shame after a relapse can indicate a desire for change. Instead of lingering in those negative feelings, he encourages people to get back on track quickly. “Relapse is not failure; it’s just a checkpoint. Keep trying and focus on what keeps you sober,” he advises. For Leonard, daily practices like prayer and exercise have become crucial in maintaining his sobriety, and he encourages others to find what works for them. Ultimately, it’s about reclaiming control and living fully, one day at a time.
Leonard’s details
Instagram: @empoweredthroughsobriety
TikTok: @empoweredthroughsobreity
Facebook: Empowered Through Sobriety
YouTube: @EmpoweredThroughSobriety