Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Scharlow And Lindsay Stone.
Hi Nick Scharlow and, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Life Align Recovery Ranch was born from a shared vision between my husband, Nick Scharlow and me: to create a safe, grounding space where healing feels accessible to everyone. While our roots are deep in the recovery community, we’ve always understood that the need for connection, purpose, and refuge extends far beyond addiction. Veterans, trauma and abuse survivors, kids, individuals seeking peace, and anyone needing a safe space. All deserve a place where they can simply breathe and belong.
A major part of our inspiration came from two places. First, the very beginning of Nick’s recovery journey at Dawn Farm, where he experienced firsthand the power of community, structure, purpose, and meaningful connection. Second, Nick’s work in Muskegon Heights through Life Align Inc, his Recovery Community Organization (RCO). RCOs are peer-led nonprofits dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by addiction through advocacy, connection, and community based recovery support. The work being done there: meeting people exactly where they are, offering hope without judgment, and creating community outside of clinical settings, helped shape our belief that healing must extend beyond four walls.
We carried those lessons with us as the Ranch evolved from an idea into a mission. We wanted to create a sanctuary where people could reconnect not only with themselves, but with nature and animals who meet them with unconditional acceptance.
Today, Life Align Recovery Ranch stands as a testament to hope, resilience, and belonging. A space built on compassion, community, and the belief that healing happens when people feel safe, supported, and connected.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any meaningful mission, the road to creating Life Align Recovery Ranch has been anything but smooth, but every challenge has shaped us into what we are today. When we first envisioned the Ranch, we saw it as a space specifically for people in recovery who were searching for purpose and connection. But as we got deeper into this journey, it became clear that the need for a safe, healing environment extended far beyond that. Our vision expanded quickly to include veterans, trauma and abuse survivors, kids, and anyone who simply needed a place to feel grounded and supported.
One of the biggest hurdles has been funding. Everything up to this point has been fully self funded. While we’ve been working tirelessly to secure grants, donations, and additional support, we’ve stayed committed to ensuring cost is never a barrier for participants. That commitment has required a lot of creative problem solving, sacrifice, and faith that the right support will come with time.
Things also moved incredibly fast. We closed on the Ranch in April of 2025, and in what felt like the blink of an eye, we were moving, combining two households, and welcoming well over 100 animals onto the property. We quickly learned the world of fencing, animal safety, feed schedules, enrichment, and the daily responsibilities of caring for so many lives. Building reliable routines, both for the animals and for the land itself, was a steep learning curve. There were plenty of days we were exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if we could keep up.
At the same time, we knew that if we wanted to truly support the people who come to the Ranch, we had to keep growing ourselves. That meant pursuing additional certifications, training, and education so we could meet participants and animals needs with intention, safety, and care. Balancing that with running the Ranch, running Life Align Inc, and managing our own family life has been a challenge all on its own.
But through every obstacle, financial, logistical, physical, and emotional, we’ve remained grounded in the “why.” The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been meaningful. Every struggle has strengthened the foundation of the Ranch and reaffirmed the impact it’s meant to have.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Life Align Recovery Ranch, our work centers on creating a space where people can feel safe, grounded, and connected no matter what they’ve been through. Together, Nick and I pour our hearts into building an environment where healing is accessible, authentic, and rooted in humanity.
What truly shapes the Ranch, and what sets us apart, is the lived experience we bring to this work. Nick’s journey through alcohol addiction led him to discover the power of community and purpose, starting with his time at Dawn Farm and continuing through his work at Life Align Inc. His recovery is the foundation of his passion: to show others that long term healing is possible and that there is always hope.
My background is different, but it meets his in a powerful way. Coming from a history of trauma and domestic violence, I understand what it feels like to need a safe space, to rebuild your sense of self, and to learn to trust again. That personal journey drives my commitment to ensuring the Ranch remains a place where people feel seen, supported, and unconditionally respected.
Together, we lead from the heart, and we lead as a team. We both know what it feels like to fight for your life in different ways, and that shared understanding guides every decision we make. Our strength comes from standing side by side, balancing each other, challenging each other, and showing up for this mission with unwavering dedication. We don’t just run the Ranch, we live it, breathe it, and believe in it with everything we have.
We specialize in creating connection, between people and animals, people and nature, and people and themselves. We are known for our hands on approach whether that means mucking stalls alongside participants, sitting with someone during a hard moment, or celebrating small victories that others might overlook. Our work blends peer support, trauma informed care, animal assisted connection, and the simple power of showing up with love.
What we’re most proud of is the impact we see every day. People finding hope again, rediscovering joy, building confidence, and realizing they are worthy of healing. Life Align Recovery Ranch is more than a program, it’s a community, a family, and a reflection of the idea that lived experience is one of the most powerful tools anyone can have.
And that is what truly sets us apart. We don’t just understand our participants’ journeys, we’ve lived our own. Our experiences fuel our compassion, sharpen our purpose, and keep us grounded in the belief that healing is not only possible, but something everyone deserves.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are so many meaningful ways for people to connect with and support Life Align Recovery Ranch. At the heart of everything we do is community, and we truly believe the Ranch thrives because people come together with a shared desire to help others heal.
For those who want to get involved directly, we welcome volunteers who are passionate about animals, nature, or simply showing up for people who need a safe space. Whether it’s helping with daily animal care, assisting with projects around the property, or spending time with participants, volunteers play an essential role in keeping the Ranch running smoothly.
We’re always open to collaborations, especially with organizations, practitioners, or community members who align with our mission. Whether you work in mental health, recovery support, veteran services, youth programs, or trauma informed care, we love building partnerships that strengthen the support we can offer our participants.
Because we are fully committed to ensuring cost is never a barrier, financial support makes a profound difference. Donations, sponsorships, grant partnerships, or contributions toward animal care and program supplies help us continue offering our services at no cost. Every gift, big or small, directly impacts the people and animals who call the Ranch home.
Another powerful way to support us is by spreading the word. Sharing our mission, attending our events, connecting us with potential supporters, or simply telling someone who may benefit from a safe space can make a lasting impact.
At the end of the day, anyone who believes in hope, healing, community, and compassion has a place at Life Align Recovery Ranch. Whether through time, resources, collaboration, or advocacy, people can stand with us in helping others feel seen, valued, and supported.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LifeAlignRecoveryRanch.org
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/lifealignrecoveryranch
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/lifealignrecoveryranch
- Other: TikTok @lifealignrecoveryranch
