Meet Michael Hornbuckle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hornbuckle.

Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Music and recovery are my life. It used to be music and using drugs and alcohol suicidal. I’ve been playing blues and rock since I was a kid. My father, Bobby Hornbuckle, was a legendary bluesman in Denver and put me to work when I was 12 playing drums in his band. He passed away when I was 17. He suffered from substance use disorder and it ultimately contributed to his early passing. I switched to guitar and singing around that time and have been carrying the torch ever since along with my older brother Brian. My own personal substance use started very early on, around eight or nine yrs old. I began seeking treatment as a teen. After spending two decades in active IV drug use and chronic alcoholism, in and out of rehabs and jails, I was granted what I can only label as Mercy & Grace.

I surrendered, did the work, and continue to do the work required of me to live a comfortable life free of active addiction. I ran a sober living in Los Angeles during my first real experience with true recovery for a few years and relapsed in 2014. As a result of all but discontinuing the work. On June 9, 2015 I woke up in the hospital where I’d remain for 30 days. This would be the last time I’d “get straight” This is where I met my friend Thomas, he is the one who helped me early on, and with whom I’d co-found the Hornbuckle Fountain along side. We began the 501 (c) 3 in 2015. We raised money and got our own Sober Living to begin helping people. In the last few years, I’ve been feeling called away from being involved in running and maintaining Sober Livings so I could refocus on my music and family but without losing the vision of the HF. We now raise money to provide scholarships to individuals needing assistance to get into Sober Living. Our annual Hornbuckle Foundation Poker Run Fundraiser/Concert has become one of the most anticipated recovery events of the year. I obtained my CCAR Sober Coaching certificate through PCA (Peer Coaching Academy) in Denver in 2015 and have since obtained national certification. This is now the capacity I work with individuals that we have placed in Sober Livings.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been as equally blessed as it had been challenging. The sad fact about living in active addiction is that if you don’t die, you will experience the loss of lots of people. The sad fact about living and working in recovery is you will also experience the loss of a lot of people. It’s tough to accept that I’m not in control of people’s success and ultimately have little power over the matter. I can, however, provide an avenue for them to take advantage of when they want to recover. I have support from a huge portion of the community in that endeavor. I have respect. Respect from the people I love and that love me because I walk in integrity now and I try to live my life as altruistic as possible. If there are “haters’ that’s none of my business. My biggest obstacle these days is myself. Same old story. My reality is just more tolerable. Physical pain throws me off at times. I suffer from chronic pain from years of abuse to my body. Is what it is. My life is rich with meaning and purpose. That’s more important than being “happy” to me. Life is tough. I cherish the moments when I do experience happiness but it’s no goal. I’m not afraid to suffer. They say suffering is inevitable but misery is optional.

We’d love to hear more about your organization.
By the time most people get to the point that they are ready to pay for Sober Living, they’ve already spent everything they have on their addiction, medical costs, legal fees and drug and alcohol rehab. It’s really difficult to find creative sources of income to funnel into paying a sober living bill. This is why our mission centers on helping individuals that have already begun the recovery process and are seeking financial assistance for continued recovery support.

At the Hornbuckle Foundation, we understand the importance of setting people up for success. Where an individual is placed can play a big role in regards to their longevity in recovery. We work only with the most reputable Sober Living companies in the region that over time have maintained integrity and standard of recovery second to none.

There aren’t many resources for people in this part of the recovery process that is at a crossroads financially. We seem to be one of few, or the one, who is providing the support in this area.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
As a kid, I was happiest when I was competing. I was athletic and really into sports. My Mom worked a lot and couldn’t attend most of the games. There was one out of state tournament however that she took me to in Omaha. I’m a mommas boy and I was happy at that time to be able to spend with her and her see me compete. She’s seen life knock the hell out of me repeatedly and it always pained me to see it pain her. During the moments that I “win” there’s no look that comes close to the pride in her eyes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hornbucklefoundation.org
• Phone: 720-6345779
• Email: michael@hornbucklefoundation.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulrepocrew/

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