Have you ever come across a human with so much passion for a cause that they put their life on pause to pursue a grand adventure? Has the escapade found that person on a gas-powered scooter from Colorado to Alaska, or running 70-plus miles of high elevation rugged terrain in one fail swoop? Meet Rob Shearon, and his commitment to spreading awareness about addiction and recovery. Through these ventures, Rob has garnered over just over $500,000 to support people staying sober through genuine relationships, practical skills and healthy social connection opportunities and is leading the impactful new work of Reconnected.
Rob’s recovery story begins at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he experienced the dismal impacts of alcohol and drug addiction. Failing out of school and waking up in jail on his 21st birthday are hardly the milestones that any adolescent, or their family, aims for. It was a struggle for Rob to stay clean and focus on academic, familial and professional priorities. After attending community college and climbing his way back into CU Boulder, Rob found the CU Collegiate Recovery Center. The Center’s mission is to develop peer-to-peer connections among students and faculty, support resilience, and contribute to their overall well-being through a welcoming and supportive community. Finally, after 8 years on a roller coaster of mind and mood-altering substances, Rob found recovery at age 24 and got to enjoy a typical year of college without these distracting and harmful substances. Soon after, Rob began working for the Recovery Center to support his peers who may be experiencing life threatening struggles.
A man of big ideas and grand visions, Rob decided to raise awareness about and money for recovery by scootering to Alaska, camping along the way. He stopped to share his story at college campuses and high schools along the route. For three months, Rob persevered while maintaining updates for his growing supporter base. The grand adventure had so much hype as a pinnacle of Rob’s life path, yet en route Rob found himself in one of the lowest parts of his life, and alone without his support structures. The emotional and psychological overwhelm was compounded with the extra stress and pressure of his big recovery adventure, yet Rob’s big “ah ha” realization on the trip was that he can control his attitude. Rob made it to Alaska where he found himself at a recovery meeting with someone he connected with. This individual convinced him to stay in Haines and work the AA program, going through the steps for one week and reinvigorating hope and resilience.
Upon finishing the Alaska scooter adventure, Rob relocated back to Colorado to continue his work at the Recovery Center. Experiencing the life-changing foundation of like-minded peer connections when going through recovery, Rob developed an app to connect those in recovery with healthy activities like hiking, skiing and trail running.
Rob made his way back to his hometown of Vail, Colorado. In reflecting on his priorities and direction, Rob became clear that his values of honesty, open mindedness and being able to laugh during tough times could make a positive impact on others. In order to support peers in recovery, Rob hatched Reconnected to support those who may be recovering from various addictions. As Rob explains, “I believe showing up is more than half the battle.” Reconnected offers a multi-faceted approach including a peer model with folks in recovery supporting those who may be struggling, coupled with small group connection opportunities with values-based conversations and healthy activities. Building connections with like-minded folks is key! While Reconnected welcomes people of all ages, the young adult 18-25 is a demographic with particularly high need. Per the 2024 Mountain Youth Eagle County Young Adult assessment, more young adults (ages 18-25) experience mental health needs than any other age group and take longer to recover from stress, and their suicide attempt rate is 3-4 time higher than any other age group. Nearly half of Eagle County 18-25 year olds report weekly alcohol use and 40% report weekly marijuana use; keep in mind that it is illegal for half of that age group to purchase these products. Rob is motivated by watching people “get it” and recover. “When I see someone that was once hopeless now filled with excitement and showing up as a mom, a dad, a best friend, or other vital role, I believe that everyone has the chance to get better,” Rob shares.
Reconnected is growing each year as the demand continues. What is next for Rob as he continues to build the recovery community? Keep an eye out as Rob runs the Leadville 100 trail race and the 6-session pre-series to raise money and awareness with a 20 lb vest, hinting at the baggage one carries with substances and mental health struggles. To get involved, you can visit reconnected.org, learn more about Rob and his adventures HERE or keep an eye out for the downloadable Reconnected recovery networking app.
-Michelle Hartel, Executive Director
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