56-year-old model Rae Richmond, a former addict with a history of drug and alcohol abuse and an eating disorder, has transformed her life. She experienced a tumultuous journey, using alcohol to combat boredom in her teens and to cope with an unhappy marriage and divorce in her twenties. A second marriage to an alcoholic exacerbated her problems. When the issues in her second marriage escalated, she made the life-changing decision to quit drinking.

Rae shared, “For more years than I would like to admit, alcohol – and to a certain extent, drugs – controlled my life.” She began drinking at 16 and struggled with bulimia for 17 years.

Heavy drinking and unhealthy habits led to weight gain. Rae also faced a battle with cocaine but managed to move away from her triggers. Despite appearing healthy and productive on the surface, she battled anxiety and depression, worsened by alcohol.

In 2022, Rae found solace in a 12-step recovery program, embracing community support and sobriety. She hasn’t looked back since. She emphasized, “Getting sober seemed like something that I absolutely could not accomplish.”

Rae, now a content creator and model, is open about her journey to inspire others. She is transitioning to a full-time content creator as her career gains momentum. She encourages others to take the first step towards a better life, saying, “I could have jumped off that hamster wheel anytime I wanted to.”