Meet Cori Smoker

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cori Smoker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cori , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I got my resilience from every storm I’ve walked through and every time I refused to give up.
Recovery taught me how to fight for myself and believe in new beginnings.

Being a mom to Makayla gave me strength I didn’t know I had —
she’s been my reason to keep going even on the hardest days.

My community, from 217 Recovery to Habitat for Humanity,
showed me the power of connection and hope.

The pain I’ve lived through shaped me,
but it didn’t define me.

I got my resilience from rising, healing,
and choosing to keep my heart open no matter what.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Cori Smoker, a Peer Recovery Coach and Recovery Friendly Workplace Advisor and Trainer with 217 Recovery in Traverse City, Michigan. 217 Recovery is a non-profit Recovery Community Organization. I’m passionate about helping people on their recovery journeys and supporting businesses to create recovery-friendly environments.
What excites me most is seeing transformation happen — when someone takes a small step and it grows into lasting change. I love creating spaces where recovery is celebrated, hope is shared, and people feel empowered.

One of my dreams is to open a sober cafe. There’s a real need for post-treatment support for all, and I hope to create a safe, structured space where they can rebuild their lives, access job opportunities and support services, and gain stability and confidence. To establish connections with others and have fun in recovery.

I’m also focused on 217 Recovery Rides, which provides safe transportation to treatment. While funding has slowed rides recently, I’m finding creative ways to support this essential service — including selling 217 Recovery hats to help fund trips to treatment. So if you would like to buy a hat to help support an individual get to treatment, check out our website or stop into the community center.

Through these efforts and the 217 Recovery Community Center, which hosts meetings, events, and peer support, my goal is simple: help people feel supported, inspired, and capable of continuing their journey.

I believe that with hope, connection, and a little support, anyone can rise, heal, and create the life they deserve.

To learn more about the Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, go to www.recoveryfriendlymi.com
To learn more about 217 Recovery, go check out our website at www.217Recovery.com

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my recovery journey, I’ve realized that three qualities have been most impactful in shaping who I am today: resilience, connection, and self-awareness.

Resilience has taught me to keep going even when things feel impossible. Life will challenge you, but every time you get back up, you grow stronger. My advice to anyone early in their journey is to start small — celebrate each victory, no matter how tiny, because each step forward builds your resilience.

Connection has shown me the power of community. Having peers, mentors, and supportive networks has made all the difference. I encourage anyone starting out to surround themselves with people who understand and uplift them, whether through meetings, peer groups, or supportive friends.

Self-awareness and honesty have allowed me to understand my triggers and patterns, giving me the power to make intentional choices. I recommend journaling, reflecting, or working with a coach to gain insight and strengthen self-understanding.

The most important lesson I can share is this: growth in recovery is a process. Be patient with yourself, lean on your community, and trust that every small step forward is progress.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

If I knew I only had a decade left, I would spend it living with purpose, connection, and love. I would keep giving back to the recovery community that helped save my life — helping others see that they’re never too far gone to start over.

I would focus on building my dream of sober living homes in Traverse City, creating a safe space where people can heal, grow, and rebuild their lives. I’d pour my heart into leaving something that continues to help people long after I’m gone.

I’d also make sure to spend every possible moment with my family — with Jesse, Makayla, and the people I love — making memories, laughing, and enjoying the little things.

Most of all, I’d keep sharing hope. If my time was limited, I’d want to leave behind more light than I found — to show that no matter where you come from, your story can still inspire someone else to keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.217Recovery.com/cori