Danny Shannon: recovery advocate, mentor and speaker
17 years addicted
17 years sober
Clean since15September 2009
I'm Danny. I lost 17 years to addiction, and I've been clean and sober since 15 September 2009. Today I bring people together to support each other in recovery, and my community is free for anyone ready to start again, and for the people who love them.
Free to join. No subscription needed.
My free community
My community is where people in recovery, and the people who love them, come together to share, reflect and keep each other going. It's online, it's free, and you can join from anywhere.
Connect with people at every stage, whether you're just starting out, coming back after a relapse or ready to grow.
Real stories, honest conversations and encouragement, with zero judgement about where you've been.
Check in, celebrate milestones and lean on each other through the hard days. Nobody has to do this alone.
When you want more structure, join one of my groups or programs. The community itself is always free.
We're growing toward 10,000 members. Come and be part of it.
Join my free community (opens in a new tab)Free to join. No subscription needed.
Prefer Facebook? There's also the SoberSquad community group (opens in a new tab).
My groups
Alongside the free community, I run two regular groups for people who want more connection and structure in their week.
A small, growing community offering motivation, inspiration and connection in the morning. In around half an hour, we check in, share a reflection reading and set our intention for the day.
A$7per month, founding premium membership
This is a paid group, separate from my free community. You don't need this subscription to join the community.
My Wednesday-night group, which I've been running for five years. We work through around 30 rotating topics across the year, combining connection, reflection and recovery-focused discussion.
New here? Start with my free community (opens in a new tab). You can join a group any time.
My story
For 17 years, I lived in the grips of addiction to heroin, methamphetamine, alcohol and just about anything I could get my hands on. I left school young, and my life became a cycle of broken relationships, homelessness, prison, rehabilitation centres and countless attempts to get clean.
After 49 attempts through detoxes, rehabs and treatment services across Sydney, something finally changed. On 15 September 2009, I decided to do something different.
I changed my mind, and ultimately, I changed my life.
I went from being a client in rehabilitation to spending 10 years working at that very same organisation, eventually becoming a senior case manager. I supported people experiencing addiction, trauma, homelessness and complex life challenges, facilitated recovery groups and helped people find their own way forward. Along the way I completed a Certificate IV and a Diploma in Community Services.
Today I speak, mentor, run recovery groups, host the A Colourful Past podcast and build communities where people feel safe, welcomed and supported. Above all, I'm a proud dad to Joshua and Amalia. My recovery has given me the chance to be present, to love, and to build the relationships addiction once made almost impossible.
I spent 17 years in addiction, and now 17 years in recovery. I don't believe my past needs to define my future, and I want you to know that yours doesn't have to either.
Clean and sober since 15 September 2009
17 years, 1 month and 25 days
That's 6,264 days, and counting.
I don't believe anyone should feel judged or excluded because of their past.
For organisations
Recovery and Beyond is Danny Shannon's in-depth, facilitator-led recovery program, bringing together lived experience, clinical knowledge and evidence-informed practices. Offered to organisations, the program uses structured modules and is continually evaluated and refined.
Work with me
I bring the lived experience of someone who has been there, and the training of someone who spent a decade helping others find their way. Here's how people and organisations work with me.
Honest talks in schools, prisons, rehabilitation centres and community organisations about addiction, recovery and the road back.
One-on-one support from someone with lived experience. I walk alongside you with kindness, honesty and compassion. It's coaching and guided reflection, not clinical therapy.
Recovery groups, workshops and motivational sessions where people feel safe enough to open up, reflect and take ownership of their recovery.
Training for teams and services that support people affected by addiction, drawing on my lived experience and 10 years as a senior case manager.
Media
My journey has been featured across Australian television, newspapers, magazines and podcasts. Here are a few places to start.
The video plays right here and loads from YouTube when you press play. Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
The podcast I host: raw, honest conversations with people who have lived a colourful past and are now building meaningful, fulfilling futures.
Follow along
Almost one million people follow my journey. Pick your favourite place to join them.
Get in touch
For speaking, mentoring, workshops, training, Recovery and Beyond or media, send me a message and I'll get back to you.
Looking for support and connection? The quickest way in is my free community.
Join my free community (opens in a new tab)I read every message and will get back to you as soon as I can. In the meantime, come and say g'day in my free community.
