12/13/2025
I was born in Orlando, Florida, in 1982. I grew up in the church, my mom played the organ and
piano, and faith was a big part of our family. I knew Jesus as a child, but I didn’t truly walk with
Him. After my parents divorced, I started running, from my family, from pain, from myself, and
from God.
My grandfather, Nels Frid, was one of the biggest influences in my life. He tried to guide me,
sending me to a boys’ ranch to learn discipline and responsibility. I did well while I was there,
earning awards and recognition for following authority. But while I was at the ranch, my
grandfather passed away. His death was devastating for me. When I left the program, I felt lost,
alone, and the weight of grief compounded my struggles. I fell right back into the same
destructive patterns I had been running from.
Later, I moved to Seattle to live with my aunt and uncle’s family, graduated high school, and
even went to college in California. But alcohol had already taken root. Bartending, attention,
money, I thought I had it all, but I was far from God. Two DUIs later, I joined the Navy, thinking
discipline would fix me. I excelled, but an injury led to a pill addiction, and eventually, I was
discharged. I returned to California, fell back into drinking, and my life felt completely out of
control.
In 2015, my family intervened and sent me to Bridges of Hope, where I completed a full year
program and worked there afterward. That was my first experience with true sobriety, but even
then, I wasn’t fully walking with Jesus, I was relying on my own strength.
I returned to Orlando, married a woman I knew from high school, and became a husband and
stepfather. Life seemed stable, I had sobriety, work, and family, but things weren’t perfect.
Later, my wife had an affair. Even though I forgave her and wanted to make our marriage work,
she rejected me. That rejection crushed me, and I relapsed into alcohol for the first time in
years.
After losing control again, I moved to Tennessee, thinking maybe helping my dad and finding
purpose there could fix everything. But I was still broken, still running. Then I met Mia, who
became a mirror for my life, showing me the brokenness I had been avoiding and leading me to
finally confront it.
Shortly after that, I ran into some men from Recovery Soldiers Ministries at a gas station. They
gave me information about the program, and God opened the doors for both Mia and me.
Walking through those doors changed everything.
At RSM, I stopped running. I came back to Jesus. I learned to face my wounds, let go of shame,
and allow God to heal my life completely. Today, I walk with Him every day. Mia and I are
centered in Christ, and our lives reflect His restoration.
I’ve been healed from addiction, guilt, and shame. I now live for Jesus, serve others, and aim to
show His love and grace to everyone who comes through RSM. What I thought was loss
became restoration, and what I thought was empty has been filled with purpose, joy, and the
desires of my heart, all because I returned to Jesus.
My name is Bryan Nels Lindvig, and I’m living proof that no one is too far from God’s grace. I
knew Him once, walked away, and now I walk fully with Him, never turning back!
