About Me

Hi there! Welcome to Strength…In Time. I’m Jarrod, the founder of this site, and I’ve been sober for 6 years and counting. I found this site as a safe place for individuals fighting depression and sobriety. My dream is for people to come here who are seeking support or willing to offer support to others, without judgment. In this space, members can share their stories, celebrate their accomplishments, seek advice, collaborate with each other, and voice struggles, SAFELY. We are family here. Let’s stay focused and take back our lives!

Throughout my teens and twenties, I dealt with serious depression and drug/alcohol addiction. I had no idea the profound sadness I felt as a teen was depression. I was also oblivious these feeling would mold such a large part of my life. I didn’t have the support of friends or family and, quite honestly, I didn’t know how to articulate what I was feeling. I began to party as a way to mask my feelings. I would surround myself with groups of people, but I still felt isolated. I used drugs and alcohol as a way to feel adequate and began to use more frequently and while I was alone. This is how drugs and alcohol become part of my daily life. Of course, this leads to run-ins with the law, jail time and a failed (thanks to my Higher Power) suicide attempt.

That suicide attempt saved my life! It was the first time my depression was addressed or acknowledged. I found clarity. This clarity gave me the energy and headspace to move forward. I was able to stop complaining about my life and start crushing it…In Time. I began to notice people around me and actually talked to them. Deeply and honestly… I found a lot of people felt the way that I had. They felt hopeless, worthless, depressed, inadequate, unmotivated and not heard.

There aren’t many safe places online that offer support and WE need this. We ALL NEED SUPPORT. I want to be there for everyone in their struggle. I want to remove the stigma that mental health holds and work toward change. I want us to be here for each other. The idea of Strength has been born.

After achieving my 5-year sobriety mark, I felt a calling.  I had an idea. A place that would serve as a space for people who felt like I did. I reached out to friends with some boggled thoughts. I had words but felt like I needed a symbol. A recognizable picture. I described my emotions and feelings to a good friend and he designed the lion with a crown. Initially, I didn’t fully know what it would become to mean, but as this journey progressed, it’s meaningfulness became apparent.

BOOM! STRENGTH! Not just a lion with a crown, but a symbol. This symbol represents YOU and any obstacle you face. You’re not alone. You’re family. You’re strong. You’re valued. YOU have STRENGTH. You Wear the symbol proudly and move forward with confidence, power, and STRENGTH. And In Time, you will know you’re the strength to overcome…

I plan on growing this community. I will work diligently to keep this space growing and safe. This is a place for everyone and I promise to maintain a positive and motivating atmosphere. Going forward, I see this as a movement. I want to hold outside events, meet-ups, and concerts as venues for us all to grow and network!

Proceeds of clothing items go right back to fueling the growth of the Strength brand and the Mental Health community.