#292 Therapy for Chefs: Blaine Bailey's Nonprofit Revolution

We step into the world of our next guest, Blaine Bailey, right in the heart of downtown Durango, at a vibrant coworking space known as The Hive.Blaine's story begins in the quiet landscape of small-town Arkansas, where he spent his childhood with his sister and their engineer father. As he grew, his perspectives on spirituality took an agnostic turn. With two years of college under his belt, he set his sights on a ski bum's dream, an aspiration that led him to the mountains until an unfortunate shoulder injury put an end to that chapter.Returning to Arkansas, Blaine found his calling in culinary school, embracing the art of food and flavors. His journey eventually led him to Wisconsin, where he contributed to the management of a small restaurant, honing his skills and exploring his passion.A fateful call from a friend in Durango, Colorado, opened a new door for Blaine. What seemed like a gentle offer of work in a kitchen evolved into a pivotal moment—he was thrust into the bustling heart of the culinary world. As he navigated the pressures of the industry, he was not immune to its vices—late nights, substances, and stress.While the exhilaration of the culinary world was undeniable, Blaine felt a growing desire to step away. The turning point came with a tragedy—an encounter with the impact of addiction firsthand when a fellow chef succumbed to heroin in 2015. This heart-wrenching experience ignited Blaine's determination to channel his energy into something meaningful.Drawing from his own mental health journey, Blaine transformed his pain into purpose. He founded "Therapy for Chefs," a nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness within the food service industry. Today, Blaine is fully immersed in managing "In the Weeds," working to create a healthier environment for culinary professionals, where their well-being is valued as much as their craft.Blaine's story is a testament to the power of turning adversity into change, of taking one's own struggles and weaving them into a greater purpose. With The Jar as our guide, we embark on a journey alongside Blaine, exploring the highs, lows, and the transformative impact of pursuing one's calling. For more of The Jar, visit:Website: https://www.thejar.live/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaTqB1dhDvl0Oh505ysdxTgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcast.thejarInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejar_podcast/Disclaimer: The views stated in this episode are our guest's opinions and do not represent the views, beliefs or opinions of The Jar Podcast. Our goal is to provide a platform for everyone no matter what they believe, and we would like to continue to do that while making it clear our guests are not a representation of The Jar Podcast.