Ep 89. The Journey from Lawyer to Drug Dealer to Recovery Advocate, with Nicole Obrigavitch

In this week’s episode, I sat down with recovery and social justice warrior, Nicole Obrigavitch.

Nicole went from being a practicing lawyer, wife and mother, to dealing drugs and having a price on her head. A police operation led to her eventual arrest and conviction which saw her spend three years in prison.

Since getting clean and sober in 2018, Nicole has fought to rebuild her life and give back.

Today, as the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatoon, Nicole works tirelessly to support women and gender diverse people that have come into conflict with the justice system

Nicole is living proof of the power in recovery and emphasises the importance of transparency, accountability, and resilience in her journey to redemption.

In this conversation we covered a range of topics including:

• Childhood and Early Exposure to Alcohol - 04:34

• Relapse and the Impact on Her Life - 08:44

• Progression from Alcohol Abuse to Drug Trafficking - 15:11

• Incarceration and Rehabilitation - 37:05

• The Struggle with Intimate Partner Violence - 43:10

• The Fight Against Systemic Racism - 45:51

• Second Chances - 52:54

• Non-Negotiables - 59:11

You can follow Ash and Behind The Smile on IG here: ⁠⁠⁠@ashbutterss⁠ You can find Nicole Obrigavitch using the links below: Instagram: @not_anonymous_nic

If you or someone you know if struggling with mental health or addiction, please reach out for support. Some support options include:

• A healthcare professional

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Lifeline or Beyond Blue (Australia)

• CheckPoint (global)

If you'd like to support the show you can "Buy Me A Coffee" by following the link below:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YES I'D LOVE TO SUPPORT BEHIND THE SMILE PODCAST ⁠⁠