It was 2002, and Elliot just moved to Nassau County from Philadelphia. After years of drugs, drinking and hospitalizations for suicide attempts, he made the decision to stop drinking. His first AA meeting was in a building across the street from Sutton Place (now Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare) and that is where he met Katrina Robinson-Wheeler, Starting Point’s Community Liaison and Trainer.

“I was in my late 20s just coming off drinking and drugs. I had been hospitalized for drugs and suicide attempts, even on respirators. I think it was five total suicide attempts. I was burnt out. Whatever she [Katrina] said, it just planted the seed."

Today, Elliot is a small business owner, a yoga instructor, life coach and a drummer. He is working toward becoming a professional speaker because he wants to share his life lessons with those who might be struggling with similar issues.

“I want to do something that is going to help somebody, I’ve come a long way. Schizoaffective disorder is my diagnosis. My doctor reminds me that most people with this disorder are very limited, and not doing as much as I am.

I re-learn over and over again that nothing outside of myself is going to make me happy. I’ve got to create my own contentment and focus more on what’s going on in the moment.

Of course, there are still times of challenge. I still have to force myself to get out of the bed early in the morning, I have to force myself to practice my drumming. But I do the best I can, and I’m ok with that.”

His first public speaking engagement is scheduled in the near future and his subject will be 'finding the beauty in the ordinary.'

“I want to talk about things that motivate and inspire people. As my business grows, I can talk about going from nothing to having a prosperous life. I am not there yet, but I am in a much better place because of recovery and I have a lot of tools that other people don’t have. I want to talk about that.

Not everybody has the capacity to start a business or do yoga, but these things can help. Not everybody has to be a super success, but everybody has the ability to do the best they can.”