Zac Clark’s childhood was stable. Good parents. Sports. School. No obvious “reason” for what came next — which is exactly why his story matters.

In his mid-20s, Zac had brain surgery. The surgery worked. But he left the hospital with a raging opioid addiction — and it escalated fast. Pills turned into powder. Powder turned into a needle. And eventually, a missing person report, an arrest, and one moment inside a bank that forced everything into the light.

Zac got sober on August 30, 2011. He stayed in treatment for four and a half months, moved to New York City, and started over from the bottom of the behavioral health world — one day at a time. Years later, he built Release Recovery, a sober living and treatment operation that now spans multiple locations and helps people who feel out of options.

We also talk about the unexpected curveball: The Bachelorette, sudden visibility, and why the real work starts after the camera turns off. And how running became a tool for discipline, community, and staying alive.

Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard 

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Rho Nutrition: https:/rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT"

Athletic Brewing: ⁠ https://athleticbrewing.com Code "RIDEOUT"

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome

(00:57) Childhood and Early Influences

(02:43) High School and Early Drug Use

(03:33) College Years and Escalation

(11:43) Post-College Life and Brain Surgery

(15:08) Descent into Addiction

(18:55) First Rehab Experience

(26:52) Rock Bottom and Turning Point

(34:15) Starting Release Recovery

(39:59) The Bachelorette Experience

(41:07) No Time for Dating

(41:36) Unexpected Call from a Producer

(41:57) Journey to Palm Springs

(42:56) The Bachelorette Experience

(43:50) Sharing Vulnerabilities

(44:34) Cast Dynamics

(45:22) Post-Show Reflections

(48:45) Building a Recovery Business

(51:40) Challenges and Successes

(57:42) Running and Sobriety

(01:01:31) The Joy of Running

(01:06:47) Sports and Personal Growth

(01:09:44) Release Recovery Run Club

(01:15:40) Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices