Navigating Life’s Storms: Insights from a Men’s Recovery Coach
By Zan Gallant
“Inside every man is a broken boy that needs to be healed.” — Zan Gallant
Life doesn’t move in straight lines. It twists, crashes, and sometimes drags us into storms we never saw coming. Divorce, addiction, depression. For many men, those storms feel like the end of the road. For recovery coach Zan Gallant, they became the turning point.
His story is one of collapse and resurrection. A descent into addiction, loss, and despair, followed by the hard climb back toward resilience, meaning, and purpose. Today, he devotes his life to guiding men through their darkest seas.
From Rock Bottom to Renewal
Zan grew up in Sparwood, BC, before life carried him to London, England. For five years, he partied hard, drank heavily, and spiraled into drug use. He married there, became a father, and eventually returned to Canada only to watch his marriage dissolve.
The custody battle that followed was brutal. His ex-wife wanted to take their young son to England. Zan, determined not to repeat his own father’s absence, fought fiercely. He won, but the scars ran deep.
From there, his life spun out. Reckless dating, a second marriage consumed by alcohol and drugs, and what he calls his “year of hell.” Depression, blackout drinking, prescription abuse, cocaine, and nights he barely survived.
Then came December 1, 2014. Another blackout weekend. Another moment of truth.
“You’ll find your rock bottom or hit it when you stop digging.”
That day, Zan put down the shovel.
The Shift: From Engineering to Coaching
Nine years sober, Zan knows recovery is more than quitting. It is about uncovering the wounds and patterns beneath.
For years, he worked in engineering. It paid well but left him hollow. With encouragement from his girlfriend, he left the security of his career to pursue recovery coaching. The early days were lean, with little to no income, but the work gave him meaning.
Today, he works with men in midlife facing addiction, divorce, and hidden battles. He has built safe spaces where men can speak the truths they have buried for decades.
“Men are hugely underrepresented in mental health. Women often have strong support networks. Men don’t. That silence is killing us.”
The Sailboat Metaphor
One of Zan’s most powerful tools is the Sailboat Metaphor, inspired by positive psychology.
Captain (You): You steer your ship.
Water (Life domains): Family, work, health. All interconnected.
Compass (Emotions): Signals pointing you toward healing or warning of danger.
Steering Wheel (Values): When you live against your values, unhappiness follows.
Leaks (Weaknesses): Left unchecked, they sink progress.
Sails (Strengths): The winds that carry you forward.
Weather (Challenges): Uncontrollable, but you can choose your response.
Other Boats (People): The company you keep will lift or sink you.
Destinations (Goals): The map and direction for your journey.
The metaphor helps men decide when to take action and when to surrender, a balance Zan says is crucial for survival.
The Work of Healing
Zan describes his coaching as recovery mixed with men’s work. It is a space to face addictions, emotions, and unspoken wounds.
“I’ve watched men cry for the first time in years. It’s not weakness. It’s healing. Crying is the release of stress hormones. It is survival.”
He challenges the myth that strength means silence. Instead, he practices what he calls “recovering out loud,” sharing his story to break stigma and inspire others.
A Message of Hope
For those who feel stuck or ashamed, Zan offers a reminder:
You are not alone.
Recovery is possible.
Your best life is still ahead of you.
As he tells clients:
“The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best time is right now.”
Recovery is not about giving up fun. It is about building a life you do not want to escape from. A life of authenticity, resilience, and meaning.
The storms of life never fully vanish, but with courage, ownership, and connection, every man can take the wheel again and steer toward calmer seas.
No matter where you are in your journey, healing and transformation are always possible. Zan Gallant’s story is proof that even the darkest chapters can lead to powerful new beginnings. If you’re ready to gain insights, strength, and hope, listen to the two powerful podcast episodes with Zan Gallant on the Life Changes Channel Podcast.
Meet the Author - Zan Gallant
Zan Gallant is a dedicated Recovery Advocate, author, and speaker, committed to helping individuals navigate the challenges of addiction and personal growth.
He also shares his insights as a podcast guest, reaching broader audiences with messages of resilience, accountability, and empowerment.
As an author, Zan draws on his professional experience and personal understanding to inspire readers to embrace recovery and live meaningful, purpose-driven lives..
Website: https://gallantcoaching.wixsite.com/
Certified Personal
Recovery Coach &
Workshop/Group Facilitator
Note: The author, compiler and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party due to these words coming from the author’s own opinion based on their experiences. This account is based on the author’s own personal experience. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in these articles.
