Introduction
We’re often told that our bodies are temples. But after years of addiction, my temple lay in ruins. I had quit drinking, expecting freedom, but found myself in a new prison—one of anger, exhaustion, and hopelessness. Sobriety hadn’t fixed me; it had just removed the numbing agent and forced me to stare at the damage.

This is the story of how I moved beyond just quitting and began the real work of building. It’s a journey that hinged on three core pillars: rebuilding my physical health, reclaiming my mental clarity, and rediscovering my spiritual strength. This is the story of my body of evidence.

The Wreckage and the Turning Point
The first few months of sobriety were a fraud. I was sober, but I was a shell of a man—consumed by a rage I didn’t understand, trapped in a body I despised, and facing consequences I had long delayed. The chaos of addiction was gone, but the silence was deafening.

My true turning point came around 90 days in. Staring at myself in the mirror, I heard a clear, internal voice cut through the noise: “You have to stop this horrible downward progression.” In that moment, I realized I couldn’t just not drink. I had to actively, intentionally build something new. I had to become the architect of my own recovery.

Pillar 1: Rebuild Your Body, Reclaim Your Power
I started with the most visible evidence of my self-destruction: my body. At 254 pounds, I felt ashamed and defeated. My solution was simple but relentless: I committed to a home workout program with one non-negotiable rule—show up every single day.

For 90 days, I showed up. I wasn’t just sweating out toxins; I was sweating out shame, regret, and self-doubt. The physical transformation was tangible—I lost over 20 pounds—but the real victory was the shift within. For the first time in a decade, I felt strong. I felt in control. Rebuilding my body was the first brick in my new foundation, proof that I was no longer defined by destruction.

Pillar 2: Rewire Your Brain, Master Your Mind
With my body back in the fight, I had to confront the battlefield in my mind. Years of alcohol abuse had left my brain scrambled, my emotions raw, and my reactions volatile.

I sought therapy, which provided a space to untangle the chaos. But the most transformative tool was mindfulness—learning to create a pause between an urge and an action. This practice taught me that I am not my thoughts; I am the observer of my thoughts. That small space became the birthplace of my freedom, allowing me to respond with intention instead of reacting in anger.

Pillar 3: Restore Your Soul, Find Your Anchor
The final pillar was about filling the void that addiction had left behind. For me, this meant a dedicated, daily walk with Jesus Christ. A moment of desperate prayer in rehab became a profound encounter—a physical sensation of warmth and a clear, internal assurance that I was not alone.

This spiritual connection became my anchor, providing a “why” that fueled everything else. But this journey isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your anchor might be found in service, in community, or in nature. The critical thing is to connect with something greater than yourself, filling the emptiness with purpose and meaning.

Conclusion: You Are the Architect
These three pillars—Body, Mind, and Spirit—are not separate paths; they are interwoven strands of a single rope. Each reinforces the others, creating a positive feedback loop of strength and resilience.

My life today is a testament to this process. The wreckage has been replaced with evidence—proof that we are not defined by our past, but by the choices we make to rebuild. Your new life isn’t just something you hope for; it’s something you build, one brick at a time. You are the architect. Start building.

Enjoy this video bringing words to life:

Chris Mosser

Author of Grateful Truce and The AGI Dilemma