Meet Ellen (elly) Staas

We were lucky to catch up with Ellen (elly) Staas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellen (Elly), really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

In the depths of my struggle with alcoholism, I often felt lost and alone, trapped in a cycle that seemed unbreakable. However, as I began to find my way out, I discovered a new sense of purpose—one rooted in helping others who faced similar challenges. Through outreach and mentorship, I’ve committed myself to empowering other’s, sharing my story, and guiding them toward positive change and growth. Each connection I make reinforces my belief that transformation is possible.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Working in the recovery community for a nonprofit has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career. As I pursue my CADC, I am filled with excitement about the impact I can make in the lives of those searching for their own path to recovery. It’s incredibly special to use my lived experience to connect with individuals on similar journeys, offering support and guidance as they navigate their challenges. Additionally, being involved with the houseless community allows me to advocate for those who often feel invisible, helping them find stability and hope. Each day is a reminder of the power of resilience and the transformative potential of compassion.
I work for an amazing nonprofit called the Fourth Dimension that helps young people find their own pathways to recovery. The organization is currently expanding into greater services so they can help with the medical aspect of recovery as well. I wake up every day, proud and in awe that I get to help give back what I have been given, working for and with people who believed in me long before I believed in myself.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

If my younger self could see me now she would be astonished. The first thing she would say is holy s*** you have so many tattoos! She would never have imagined that she was able to conquer (while still working on) her depression, anxiety, and later stage alcoholism. Creating an entire life and career for herself that were beyond dreams she even thought to have.
Empathy has been a superpower within my personal life and career.
Self-awareness and the ability to admit when I am wrong and need to change certain thoughts or behaviors.
Knowledge that there is always more to learn, and I want to learn it all.
The best advice I would have for anyone wanting to better themselves in whatever way that looks like is don’t give up until you find what works for you. There’s not one way to do recovery, sometimes you have to travel many paths before you stop tripping (literally and figuratively)

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

In my journey through recovery, I’ve learned that while it’s essential to invest in our strengths, it’s equally important to acknowledge and improve upon our weaknesses. My family and parents never gave up on me, providing unwavering support that helped me realize the value of resilience and growth. I’ve discovered that leaning into my strengths, like empathy and communication, has been incredibly empowering, especially as I connect with others on similar paths.

However, I also recognize the importance of addressing areas where I’m less confident. For instance, navigating my emotions and coping mechanisms required me to invest time in therapy and seek support from friends and my support group. This well-rounded approach has been crucial in fostering my overall growth.

Perfection doesn’t exist; striving for it often leads to disappointment. Instead, I believe that progress comes from taking small, consistent steps in various areas of our lives. My amazing son reminds me daily that growth is a journey, not a destination. By embracing both my strengths and areas for improvement, I’ve cultivated a more balanced and fulfilling life, allowing me to better support others in their recovery journeys.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ellyztaaz