Lauren rose to the top of her profession as a prima ballerina and enjoyed international acclaim during her 23 years of thrilling audiences around the world. But the career she had built through years of intense training and dedication were absolutely no match for the alcoholism and drug addiction she encountered along the way. Her early forays with alcohol and marijuana were not unlike the experiences of most of us. She found they provided physical relaxation, sociability, and soothing mental calm amidst her grueling schedule of training, traveling, and performing. But soon Lauren passed the invisible, though inevitable, line between casual use and addiction, and she found herself a hopeless alcoholic. Fortunately, her unmitigated talent, ceaseless training, and unmatched dedication somehow kept up with her disease. She was a highly functional alcoholic. And she continued to excel as a premier dancer, though her ability to hide her alcoholism began to wane. As her work-life began to suffer, the disease continued to pull Jenga pieces from the tower of success she had built. Her personal and professional lives began to teeter. Facing the completely disheartening collapse of all she had strived for, an unexpected run-in with the legal system turned into the divine nudge she needed. As the curtain was falling on a beautiful life nearly extinguished by alcoholism, Lauren found AA in 2009 and has been sober ever since. Though Lauren’s backstory as a ballet superstar has literally been the subject of many articles, as well as a theatre production and upcoming book, the most meaningful and impactful gifts in her life occurred after she found AA. Working the steps with a sponsor, attending regular meetings, spiritual practice, sponsoring other women, and indefatigable service work both within AA and the dance community, have enriched her life beyond compare. Lauren’s AA recovery story is sure to touch your heartstrings and I’m glad I can bring it to you in this podcast. So sit back and enjoy the next hour and ten minutes with my good friend and AA sister, Lauren A. [This is an encore of Episode 101 originally released December 21, 2022.] If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series, have a listen to “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered From Alcoholism”. This is the word-for-word, cover-to-cover reading of the First Edition of the Big Book, published in 1939. It’s a comfortable, meaningful, and engaging way to listen to the Big Book anytime, anyplace. Have a free listen at Audible, Apple Books, or Amazon. I also invite you to check out my latest audio book, Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testimonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and Apple Books. It’s also available as a Kindle book and in Paperback from Amazon if you’d like to read along with the audio. [Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. – Howard L.]
