Meet Yianni Tsatas

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

Yianni , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience isn’t random. I get it from real places inside me and from my lived experience.

1. From the pain I’ve survived
I’ve gone through addiction, recovery, rebuilding my life. Those experiences force me to develop emotional muscle. When I’ve walked through hell and made it back, everyday challenges don’t break me as easily.

2. From taking action
I don’t just think about change—I move. Every time I take action, I build self-trust: “I can handle what comes.” Each step is a rep in the gym strengthening my resilience.

3. From my Stoic mindset
I practice accepting what I can’t control and focusing on what I can. I keep moving when life hits hard. That mindset gives me inner stability.

4. From my purpose
I coach others and help them recover. My mission is bigger than me. When setbacks hit, they don’t stop me—they sharpen me.

5. From the decision I made
I decided: “I’m going to make it.”
That decision anchors me in tough moments and I return to it every time life pushes back.

So where do I get my resilience from?

From pain turned into meaning.
From disciplined action.
From a purpose bigger than myself.
From the identity I choose every single day.

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

I am a sober coach, addiction counsellor, and interventionist. What I do is simple at its core: I help people find their way back to themselves. I guide individuals and families through some of the hardest chapters of their lives, and I walk beside them as they reclaim their power, identity, and freedom from addiction.

What’s most exciting for me is witnessing transformation in real time—seeing someone go from hopeless and disconnected to grounded, honest, and alive again. I love being part of that moment when a person realizes they’re worth fighting for. That’s the heartbeat of my work.

My brand, Raw in Recovery, is exactly that—raw, honest, direct. No sugarcoating. I believe recovery isn’t clean or polished. It’s messy, painful, and real. And when people face it head-on with support, honesty, and action, they grow stronger than they ever imagined.

Right now, I am expanding my coaching services and building programs that reach more people who need support but may not know where to turn. I am also growing my online presence, sharing messages that break stigma and show the truth about recovery.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: recovery isn’t something you want—it’s something you do. And I’m here to help people act, heal, and rise.

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, I recognize three qualities that have the biggest impact on my journey and the work I do today.

The first is self-honesty.
I face truth head-on—my past, my patterns, and my responsibility for change. Without honesty, nothing shifts. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to start by telling yourself the truth, even when it hurts. That’s where real growth begins.

The second is discipline.
I take action even when I don’t feel motivated. I show up for myself daily—through routines, boundaries, and commitments. For someone starting out, focus on one small disciplined act each day. Momentum builds resilience.

The third is emotional awareness.
I learn to sit with discomfort instead of running from it. I pay attention to my triggers, beliefs, and reactions. For those early in their process, I suggest slowing down enough to listen to what you’re feeling. Awareness gives you choice.

If you’re at the beginning of your journey, remember:
• Be honest with yourself.
• Take consistent action, even small steps.
• Learn to feel instead of escape.

These qualities shape me into who I am today, and they’re available to anyone willing to commit to the work.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I slow everything down. My first instinct used to be to push harder, avoid the feelings, or distract myself. Now, I choose presence. I pause, take a breath, and check in with what’s really driving the overwhelm.

I usually ask myself three questions:
1. What am I feeling right now?
2. What triggered it?
3. What’s actually in my control?

This grounds me and brings clarity.

I also come back to basics: sleep, food, movement, connection. When my nervous system settles, everything feels more manageable.

Another strategy I use is breaking things down into single steps. Instead of trying to solve everything at once, I focus on the next action right in front of me. Just one. That builds momentum and reduces anxiety.

Finally, I remind myself that asking for support isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Reaching out to someone I trust helps prevent isolation and brings perspective.

So when overwhelm hits, I pause, breathe, reflect, simplify, and connect. These practices bring me back to myself and keep me grounded in action rather than panic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rawinrecovery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raw__in_recovery?igsh=ZzdsZjJod3k0YXZ3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18NEfFrXSK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yianni-tsatas-7ba531199?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/raw_in_recovery?s=21&t=PNPZxI88wJYPeAE-SNzH5w

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