Grit Won’t Quit: Alesha Donohue on Recovery, Purpose, and Serving the Shore Community
Guest: Alesha Donohue, Seeds of Service
Host: Tom Mirabella
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt conversation, Alesha Donohue shares how seven years of sobriety reshaped her life and work. Inspired by a close friend who chose recovery first, supported daily by her dog Dupree, and guided by mentors who lead from the front, Alesha found purpose serving others at Seeds of Service, Ocean County’s largest food pantry. Together with local partners like the Wingman Foundation, she is helping neighbors find hope, resources, and community.
From “Day One” to Year Seven
Alesha describes twenty years of relying on alcohol to cope and the moment she decided to stop. Early recovery felt unfamiliar and lonely, yet small wins stacked up. Morning walks with Dupree. Clearer thoughts. New routines. Books and podcasts by women in recovery. Most importantly, people who “got it” and picked up the phone.
“It has been the most rewarding thing that has ever happened for me. Recovery gave me my life back.”
The Friend Who Went First
A childhood friend with three years of sobriety became Alesha’s proof that life could be different. Their lives moved in parallel, offering accountability, honesty, and encouragement. That example planted the seed that eventually became Alesha’s own commitment to change.
Finding the Work That Fits
Alesha’s career journey ran through food and beverage, then Weight Watchers coaching, and finally into treatment-center roles as a tech, intake coordinator, and counselor intern. When she felt burnout, she listened. A connection led her to Seeds of Service, where service is daily, practical, and community-powered.
“Everybody is there because they want to be. You feel the impact the moment a truck pulls in and everyone jumps in to unload.”
Seeds of Service: Feeding Families, Building Dignity
Scale of impact: Approximately 1,500 families a month receive food support in Ocean County.
Hands-on leadership: Executive Director Christie models “in the trenches” service and quick problem solving.
Better giving through listening: A casual insight from Christie reshaped the Wingman Foundation’s Thanksgiving bundles to include dessert, honoring what feels like home to the families receiving support.
Community That Shows Up
This episode highlights how the Wingman Foundation mobilizes barrels, food drives, toys, and volunteers with the Brick Morning Rotary and dozens of local businesses. The network keeps growing, from in-office toy sorting days to off-road Jeep meetups that fill cars with food and gifts. Small offers of help add up to big impact when everyone pitches in.
Want to help? Visit WingmanFoundationNJ.org to volunteer, host a collection barrel, or donate.
The Dog Who Stayed
Dupree, Alesha’s loyal companion, arrived near the end of her drinking and became a quiet anchor during those early sober mornings. He reminds her to slow down, walk, breathe, and notice that life can feel good again.
Early Recovery, Practically
Replace old coping with community and routine
Learn from books, meetings, podcasts, and peers who understand
Choose environments and mentors that align with your values
Celebrate small wins and keep stacking them
Shout-Outs and Local Resources
Seeds of Service in Ocean County provides food assistance and connection.
The Phoenix in Belmar offers a sober active community with yoga, tai chi, sound healing, game nights, and more. The only prerequisite to join is 48 hours sober. Community makes the difference.
Why This Story Matters
Alesha’s path shows that grit is not just for boardrooms or business plans. It lives in the decision to try again tomorrow, to call a friend, to load the next box off the truck, to ask for help, and to show up for someone else. Recovery is deeply personal, and it is also communal. When one person heals, whole neighborhoods feel it.
Key Moments
Choosing recovery: The moment Alesha decided she was done and what the first months felt like
Mentorship and modeling: How Christie and other strong women leaders shaped Alesha’s approach to service
From burnout to fit: Leaving counseling work to find a role that sustains recovery and impact
Holiday giving with dignity: Adding dessert to Thanksgiving bundles because celebration matters
Networks that care: The Wingman Foundation’s barrels, toy drives, and rapid-response volunteer network
Listen, Share, and Get Involved
Listen to the episode: Grit Won’t Quit with guest Alesha Donohue
Support Seeds of Service: Donate food, funds, or time
Volunteer locally: WingmanFoundationNJ.org has simple ways to jump in
Try a sober community event: Check out The Phoenix in Belmar for movement, mindfulness, and connection
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar.
