Meet Sherry Hoppen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Hoppen. 

Hi Sherry, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story begins with a descent into a secret life of addiction to alcohol. I tried for years to overcome the shame of being a Christian woman entangled in the nightmarish secrecy of addiction. When I finally found freedom from the bondage of alcoholism in November of 2013 by surrendering my life to God and telling him, “I will do whatever you want me to.” It wasn’t long before it was made very clear that He had no intention of keeping my addiction a secret that I could bury in my past. He called me to speak and write about my journey and share how I overcame the bondage of this secret sin and found freedom in this life that no longer relied on alcohol to get through the day. That as a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and recovering alcoholic, I had a story to share and inspire others to live a life independent of a substance. 

I am the founder of She Surrenders, a ministry to help women confront and surrender the secrets they shamefully hold close. I aspire to help women find freedom from alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviors through this ministry. I am the author of Sober Cycle-Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time. It is my story of trying everything in my power to escape addiction, including riding a bike from Michigan to Texas. There are much easier ways, and it didn’t work anyway! Sober Cycle chronicles my addiction to alcohol as a woman of faith and all the crazy things I tried to escape the grip of alcohol before I discovered the power of surrender. I tell my story with honesty and humor and love sharing it to inspire others to find out what happens when you put down the bottle (or any stronghold) and pick up a whole new life. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, when you are trying to overcome addiction alone, without community, a plan, in secret, and without a community, the obstacle is even larger to get over. That’s what we try to do, “just get over it.” when in reality we can’t go over it or around it. We have to go through it, there is no other way. When you do this with a community of support, God, and a really good plan that puts your faith at work, that is when the magic happens. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an author, speaker, blogger, and podcast host, about anything and everything recovery-related. I have a special place in my heart for women of faith that have isolated themselves in the shame and guilt of addiction. I started the ministry of She Surrenders because when I was caught up in addiction and then sobriety, I craved a community of women who knew how I felt and could share what they did to recover and find their joy back. Today I lead a private group called Joyful Surrender and share all I can on my website to encourage women to reach out and find that community that I was looking for. Through my website shesurrenders.com I share my heart through blog posts, resources, and many other tools for recovery. My favorite thing will always be to talk to women every day and encourage them to seek recovery. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I can honestly say that it was just my husband and me for a long time. Together and using our faith as a guide, we found our way back to each other. He never gave up on me, and while it was ugly at times, I thank God every day for this man I have been married to for 37 years. I tried different programs but none of them stuck and I continued to drink. The day I truly surrendered was the day I was free. 

Contact Info:

• Email: sherry@shesurrenders.com
• Website: shesurrenders.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/shesurrenders_sherry
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/shesurrenderssherry
• Twitter: @SheSurrenders
• Other: https://www.shesurrenders.com/podcast