Check Out Vince Huseman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vince Huseman.

Hi Vince, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Denver native and have been sober for nine years. In the early days of my recovery, I found The Phoenix, and it quickly became a lifeline for me. What started as a place to stay active and connected became something much deeper — a community where I felt seen, supported, and empowered.

Being part of The Phoenix during early sobriety showed me that recovery doesn’t have to be isolating. It can be joyful, active, and rooted in connection. That experience changed my life.

Today, I use my passion and lived experience to help others find recovery and community the same way I did. It’s incredibly meaningful to now serve in a role where I can create spaces that help people rediscover their strength, build connection, and realize they’re not alone.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Along the way, recovery was not a straight line for me. I faced real challenges accessing treatment, especially when it came to limited resources and navigating systems that can feel overwhelming and out of reach. There were times when I wanted help but didn’t know how to get it, or whether I could afford it. That uncertainty made an already vulnerable season even harder.

I also experienced relapse, along with the self-doubt and shame that can follow. There were moments when I questioned whether lasting recovery was possible for me. But those struggles ultimately deepened my empathy and strengthened my commitment to this work. They remind me that recovery is not about perfection — it’s about persistence, support, and staying connected, especially when it feels hardest.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I serve as the Community Center Manager for The Phoenix in Denver, where I oversee all programs and operations at our flagship facility and across Denver County. Our mission is simple but powerful: we offer free programming to anyone with at least two days sober. That includes fitness classes, art and creative workshops, outdoor adventures, social events, and community gatherings — all designed to foster connection and belonging.

What sets The Phoenix apart is our ethos. We lead with the belief that everyone deserves access to joy, community, and support, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. By removing cost as a barrier and focusing on connection first, we create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where people can rediscover their strength and build meaningful relationships.

Over the past eight years, I’m most proud of the thousands of individuals we’ve served in the Denver community. Watching people walk through our doors uncertain and leave feeling empowered, connected, and hopeful never gets old. Being able to combine my lived experience with professional leadership to expand access to recovery-centered community is both an honor and a responsibility I carry deeply.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Empathy rooted in lived experience

Resilience

Commitment to service and community impact

Ability to build safe, inclusive environments

Authentic leadership

Persistence and long-term vision

Passion for expanding access to recovery support

Pricing:

• Free

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thephoenix.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riserecoverlive/?hl=en