A Practical Idealist

WE ARE BACK, BABY! Thank you for being patient with me while I took care of my life. I am super excited about this episode with my friend, Lela Graham. Please check out her bio below to learn a little more about her. She is an AMAZING woman who ran for office in the state of Montana and she was completely open about her recovery (a politician being open and honest? WEIRD, I KNOW). We talk about PTSD, bipolar disorder (BPD), substance use, and so much more.  Hope you enjoy our conversation.

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Lela Graham was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana, although her family served in the military and traveled overseas she has always considered Great Falls her hometown. Lela attended public schools in Great Falls and DODDS schools overseas. After graduating high school, Lela joined the US Army and served in the Military Intelligence Corps. After serving in the military, she moved to Virginia to attend the University of Virginia. Lela graduated the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. During Lela’s time at UVA, she met the first political candidate whom she would work with. Lela worked as a political consultant for 14 years before she decided to move back home to Montana to help her family while they dealt with her Dad ’s Alzheimer’s. Since moving back to Montana, along with helping her family, Lela has been focusing on her own health and wellness. For the last 3 years, Lela has been the Montana State Lead for the Recovery Advocacy Project. Lela is a person in long-term recovery and is dedicated to bringing awareness and decrease the stigma for those in recovery from substance use disorder. Lela ran for the Montana Legislature in 2022 making recovery from substance use disorder the foundation of her campaign. After the campaign Lela is spearheading her nonprofit, Independence Rock Coalition: Center for Ethics, Recovery and Social Justice.

https://independencerock.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceRockCoalition/