Tate Whitlinger was 37 years old when his life took a dramatic turn. Now 47, the certified tennis teaching professional and proud father of two daughters, Rosie and Nomie, is celebrating more than eight years of recovery and a life transformed through connection, movement, and purpose.

Before sobriety, Tate’s life was spiraling. “There were a lot of good things,” he admits, “but addiction progressed quickly. I was drinking around the clock, and pills became unmanageable.” Eventually, Tate’s behavior became unsafe, and his wife made the courageous decision to leave with their daughters. That was the wake-up call. “I’m grateful a friend encouraged me to go to treatment,” Tate says. “It saved my life.”

Tate arrived at Apricity’s Mooring House on January 20, 2016. Just days later, he suffered a withdrawal seizure and was placed in a coma to survive. After stabilizing, he returned to Apricity and never looked back. “That’s where my recovery began,” Tate recalls. “I learned how to live one day at a time.”

In the early months, Tate faced major life changes: divorce, a loved one’s cancer diagnosis, and the emotional weight of healing. But the support group meetings in the basement of Mooring House, the spiritual transformation he experienced, and the belief that he could change kept him grounded.

Today, recovery is woven into every part of his daily life. He begins each day at 5 a.m. with prayer and meditation, shares gratitude messages, runs, and remains deeply involved in supporting others. In November 2016, he created a running group for residents at Mooring House called Grateful Runners, blending movement, community, and support in a uniquely powerful way.

“Running is my prayer, my meditation,” Tate shares. “It reminds me I can do hard things.” As a recovery coach and mentor, Tate meets people where they are, just as others did for him. “It’s a beautiful process,” he says. “Recovery is possible for anyone. You just need hope.”

His hope for the future is clear: more access to care, more sober living options like Apricity’s, and more spaces for connection. And one day? Turning Grateful Runners into a nonprofit to help others find the path he’s so grateful to walk — and run — today.