Tim Zimbro

Background

About Tim Zimbro

I not only survived, I am thriving. I always thought my dream was to play football for the NFL, on defense, protecting and supporting my team to victory. It seemed plausible given my tenacity, born out of hardships early in my life, and a passion to be a part of family, a team, filled with grit, determination and a shared vision. But those childhood traumas that once fueled and propelled me forward began to weigh me down and suffocate me. Without me realizing it, it seeped into every aspect of my life. Soon I was doing everything I could to escape my pain, the memories and the toxic, self deprecating thoughts that flooded my mind. I spiraled out of control, losing myself in addiction, homelessness and mental illness. No one could save me, not even myself. My family stopped enabling me, refusing to help me anymore, I had no where to sleep, and no one I could turn to for help. Like many other people who walked the path of recovery before me it was out of pure desperation that I sought treatment: the need for a warm bed, food in my belly and time to figure out how to get my next fix. But at each spot, rehab was talked about and suggested; one day I realized I couldn't live the life I wanted to live and continue to be in active addiction.