Trevor Shick on The Way Out Podcast: Recovery Means Truly Living
Trevor Shick, founder and CEO of KindHabitLabs, joins The Way Out podcast to discuss the difference between abstinence and emotional sobriety, the power of service, and how KindHabitLabs supports accountability in recovery.
We’re excited to share that Trevor Shick, founder and CEO of Kindhabit Labs, was recently featured on The Way Out | A Sobriety and Recovery Podcast for an in-depth 94-minute conversation about what it truly means to live in recovery. In Episode 475, titled “Recovery Means Truly Living with Trevor Shick,” Trevor explores the critical distinction between being abstinent and achieving emotional sobriety—and why that difference matters for sustainable recovery.
Listen to the Full Episode
The episode aired on November 9th, 2025, and offers valuable insights for anyone in recovery, working in behavioral health, or supporting someone on their sobriety journey.
More Than Just Being Dry
One of the central themes of Trevor’s conversation is the distinction between abstinence and emotional sobriety. It’s entirely possible to stop using substances but still be miserable, isolated, and stuck in the same patterns of thinking that led to addiction in the first place.
Being dry isn’t the same as being in recovery.
True recovery—what Trevor calls “emotional sobriety”—involves addressing the underlying mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that drive substance use. It means building a life where sobriety isn’t just the absence of substances but the presence of connection, purpose, and wellness.
The Power of Service and Community
Throughout the episode, Trevor emphasizes the transformative role of service commitments in recovery. Whether it’s setting up chairs at a meeting, sponsoring someone, or simply showing up for others, acts of service keep people engaged and connected to their recovery community.
This commitment to community isn’t just philosophical for Trevor—it’s deeply personal and directly informs the work at Kindhabit Labs. Service, accountability, and connection are the cornerstones of sustainable recovery, and they’re built into every feature of Roo Mi.
Vulnerability, Honesty, and Relationships
The conversation also dives deep into the importance of vulnerability in recovery. Trevor discusses how honesty—with oneself and others—is essential for building the authentic relationships that support long-term sobriety.
Recovery isn’t a solo journey. It’s built on:
- Daily routines that provide structure and stability
- Interpersonal connections that combat isolation
- Forgiveness that allows for growth and second chances
- Service that keeps focus outward and purpose-driven
When any of these elements slip, recovery becomes fragile. That’s why recognizing early warning signs—missed meetings, withdrawal from community, disrupted routines—is so critical.
How KindHabitLabs Supports Recovery
Trevor introduces Roo Mi, the digital accountability platform designed specifically for sober living homes and treatment facilities. Roo Mi isn’t about surveillance—it’s about creating transparency, building trust, and freeing up staff to focus on the human connections that drive recovery.
Key features include:
- Daily Check-ins: Residents log their wellness and engagement, giving staff real-time insights into progress and potential concerns.
- Location-Verified Accountability: GPS-based curfew check-ins that build trust without invasive monitoring.
- Chore and Household Management: Streamlined systems for assigning tasks and managing requests, reducing friction and improving house culture.
- Relapse-Risk Alerts: Clinician dashboards that flag patterns of disengagement or behavioral changes, allowing for early intervention.
The goal is to enhance—not replace—the therapeutic relationships that are essential to recovery. When staff spend less time on administrative tasks, they have more capacity to be present for the residents who need them most.
Relapses Don’t Define Your Recovery
Trevor speaks candidly about relapses and how they’re part of many recovery journeys. What matters isn’t perfection—it’s resilience, learning, and re-engagement with the process.
One relapse doesn’t erase years of growth. Recovery is a lifelong commitment, and setbacks are opportunities to deepen understanding and strengthen commitment.
Recommended Resource: Ego is the Enemy
During the episode, Trevor recommends Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday—a powerful book about the dangers of unchecked ego and the importance of humility in personal growth. It’s a fitting recommendation for anyone navigating the challenges of recovery and self-improvement.
About The Way Out Podcast
The Way Out | A Sobriety and Recovery Podcast features candid conversations with people in recovery, clinicians, and advocates working to support those affected by addiction. The podcast explores the nuances of sobriety, the challenges of treatment, and the pathways to long-term recovery.
Why This Conversation Matters
Trevor’s story isn’t just about building a successful company—it’s about translating lived experience into tools that help others. Kindhabit Labs exists because Trevor has been in treatment centers, experienced relapses, and knows firsthand what works and what doesn’t.
This episode is a reminder that recovery is possible, that emotional sobriety is the goal, and that technology—when designed with care and lived experience—can support the human connections that make lasting recovery achievable.
Listen to the full episode and hear Trevor’s insights on building a life truly worth living in recovery.
About Kindhabit Labs: Learn more about our mission to design tools for better living and improve behavioral health outcomes with Roo Mi. Contact us to see how we can support your facility.