In his “memoir with a mission,” Scott Strode shares his extraordinary journey from addiction to founding The Phoenix, a national sober active community that has empowered more than half a million people to thrive in sobriety.

Scott Strode drank his first beer at 11 years old. By 15, he was using cocaine. By his early 20s, he had spiraled into the bleakest nights of his addiction—alone in a dark alley, too drunk to light a crack pipe.

Then came a series of life-changing outdoor adventures—including competing in Ironman triathlons and climbing in the Himalayas—leading to a decade of profound personal growth. By the summer of 2006, Scott had nearly ten years of sobriety and a vision for revolutionizing addiction recovery.

What inspired his dramatic self-transformation?

It began with a mindset shift. Instead of defining himself first by his addiction, he began embracing his inherent strength and potential.

He also employed practical principles like his 5:00 a.m. rule: instead of staying out partying until 5:00 a.m., he worked to surround himself with people who regularly got up at 5:00 a.m. to share in meaningful adventures, exercise, and get stronger.

These practices and principles formed the heart of The Phoenix’s empowerment approach to recovery and led Scott to lasting sobriety, marriage, fatherhood, and a long-term purpose.

While Scott may have started The Phoenix as “just a guy with a bike,” he has grown it into a national movement, driven by members who bond over who they want to become. In the process, they turn shame in addiction into pride in sobriety.

More than a memoir, Rise. Recover. Thrive. is a pathway to hope for millions of people—and their loved ones—who are struggling with addiction.