My recovery comes from a place of mental health struggle. I battled depression through most of my adolescence and especially deep during college. It was through my family's addiction struggles that I really found the light and the dark in recovery, but it was my mom's wisdom, mentors, and the community I discovered in recreation that allowed me to see more of the light in my own darkness. This is the gift–my Quest in Recovery–that I hope I can give to others, no matter where their story begins or what challenges they face. We all need help, and sometimes asking is the hardest part. I believe suffering is our strongest common bond, but without the love and light found in recovery, we will miss the meaning to be found in our misfortunes and the relationships that make this life a true gift.

My involvement with the Quest for Recovery foundation and desire to work within my community comes from profound loss and pain. My hope is that I can dispel misconceptions and support an ongoing, evolving, and impactful community-based program for young people and adults, especially for those who are at risk or may be struggling with addiction or mental illness. I believe our most vulnerable populations suffer quietly and I think Quest will provide change, growth, and inspiration in our community for our youth and for each other.

My first 16 years on the planet were nothing more than a rollercoaster of trauma. Seeing your parents divorce at a young age, being molested by a family member, and then losing your father to a heart attack at 13 years old, was devastating. Turning to substance abuse at a young age, and delinquent behavior, with suicidal tendencies, it took a lot to emotionally get out of the hole. I managed to turn it around with the right roadmap and wellness being at the forefront of my healing journey. My journey is my why, as I get to share and help other human beings re-create their roadmap, and it always starts with our emotional capacity for healing. I coach on eight universal pillars of health and the daily reservation of these to deserve health. Our specie is in the greatest crisis it has ever been and it is self-induced. We have to find our tribe and change the operational behavior system for future generations to come.

I’m super excited to be part of this team and it’s mission!  Providing community for those seeking an alternative outlet, apart from the typical party scene is something that hits home for me.

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Alcoholism runs in my family, and after years of falling into the redundancy of the pressures of drinking associated with a lot of the recreational activities in Charleston, I found myself binge drinking almost everyday of the week. 

I reconnected with my passion for fitness and running, and found freedom from the grip that I felt like partying had on me. With this came a new community of like minded people that support and encourage me to be my best, which I truly believe is one of the most important things along this journey. I’m honored to be a part of this program and hope to pay it forward the way my community has for me.

I want to mentor young adults in recovery because addiction has affected an enormous part of my life. As a young teen, I watched the dramatic effect that addiction had on my family, and as I grew, I watched the effect spread to my siblings and other close friends. I've watched those I love go into recovery and relapse, and I've watched some in consistent recovery over the years. I hope to offer the support and encouragement to others that they need to help them in their recovery. There is a unique strength in community and in partnership, and without individuals to cheer us on in whatever capacity we may be living in, it’s easy to quit. I hope to pursue the relationship that someone else may need to have the strength to persevere in their recovery.

I worked in mental health as a Certified Recreational Therapist for 8 years. Without a doubt it is my passion and calling. Being a Quest Mentor allows me to again give my time and attention to something so much bigger. I hope to help bridge the gap between mental health and the community. Begin to remove the stigma and understand that we all experience and battle traumas throughout life. Asking for help and having a guiding hand is sometimes all we need to keep our head above water. Things do not always have to hit rock bottom and nobody is alone. I hope I can be that guiding and healing hand for as many people in the community that need it and someone in their corner telling them that they can do it and they will do it, reminding them how far they have already come. I used to say in a group that I ran, the first step is already completed, you are here, listening and trying and that alone is progress. We often forget to celebrate the simple steps and progress made.

 My name is DeNoris (Deno) Mickle. I am the owner/operator of Fit Culture By Deno LLC. My goal is to help those seeking wellness through physical and mental health exercises. I am currently working with Quest In Recovery as a mentor. I joined forces with them help provide guidance to young men and women who are trying to create a better way of life. I think it’s important to help create support through community. Quest has created an avenue for a collective group of wellness/health professionals to help change the lives of others for the better.