Meet Nick Pearson | Executive Director & Founder – Sober Outdoors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Pearson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick Pearson, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting Sober Outdoors was deeply personal for me. I had worked in the outdoor industry for years and loved everything about being outside—but when I got sober, I realized there weren’t many spaces that combined recovery with outdoor adventure. I craved a community that supported sobriety without relying on traditional recovery settings, which often didn’t feel like the right fit for me.

At first, I thought about creating a group for sober professionals or something more niche like sober LGBTQ+ folks, but those ideas felt a bit too limiting. What I really wanted was a space where anyone on a sober or sober-curious path could come together through the healing power of nature.

Even though I wasn’t sure at first if the idea would resonate with others, I decided to go for it—and the response blew me away. Within just a few months, almost 800 people joined the community. That was a huge sign that this was something people were really looking for.

So the thought process was simple in a way: I wanted to create what I wish I had when I first got sober. I wanted to help others heal the way nature helped me. That’s what Sober Outdoors is all about.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in the outdoor industry with some truly incredible brands—Spyder, Sea to Summit, Locally, Slope Threads, Hydrolight Outdoors, and a laundry list of consulting gigs that kept things interesting (and occasionally chaotic). My focus has been primarily in sales, working with major retailers like REI, Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and a ton of specialty gear shops across the U.S. and internationally.

Now, don’t let the laid-back fleece-and-trail-shoes vibe fool you—the outdoor industry is fiercely competitive. Everyone and their mother wants to work in it, so you’ve got to be sharp, adaptable, and constantly on your A-game. It’s not all mountain views and gear demos (though there’s a fair share of that, too). My path through the industry has been equal parts grit, hustle, and learning to find joy in the grind.

But my professional life hasn’t existed in a vacuum. I lost my mom to a tragic car defect accident, and that loss lit a match under an already blazing struggle with addiction. It was one of the darkest, most defining chapters of my life. But what pushed me to keep going was the desire to live a life I could be proud of—a life that honored her memory, and one that left as few regrets as possible in its wake.

That personal evolution ultimately led to the creation of Sober Outdoors (SO). What sets SO apart from other sober communities is our focus on what’s ahead, not what’s behind. We’re not about rehashing past mistakes or drowning in shame. We’re about removing the stigma around addiction and recovery, and proving—day in, day out—that sobriety isn’t the end of the party, it’s the start of the best damn adventure of your life. We make space for fun, connection, and purpose. And yeah, we still laugh… a lot.

There’s a lot I’m proud of, but nothing tops seeing someone new to sobriety come on a hike or a trip, thinking this is going to be awkward or serious—and then watching them light up, laugh, connect, and realize, “Oh… this is what joy feels like again.” That never gets old.

Right now, SO is cooking up some exciting partnerships with outdoor brands (I can’t say who just yet, but it rhymes with “badass gear”). We’re also heading into our busy season, which means more hiking, climbing, camping—basically, I get to work and play all at once. Yes, it’s for the cause. Yes, it’s for the paycheck. And yes, it’s for the trail snacks.

At the end of the day, what I want the world to know is this: You can rebuild your life. You can find joy again. And sobriety doesn’t have to be about what you’re giving up—it can be about everything you stand to gain.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Love this question—and I’ve got you covered with a week-long, mountain magic meets sober adventure itinerary that’s got a little bit of everything Colorado does best. Think of this as the ultimate “Live Your Best Life” week in the high country—with fresh powder, backcountry trails, local eats, and all the soul-filling moments you can handle (without the hangovers).

Day 1: Welcome to Colorado

Pick-up in Denver, quick breakfast at Devil’s Food (trust me, the breakfast burritos are next level).

Hit the road for Beaver Creek, my all-time favorite mountain. Settle into a cozy cabin or slopeside condo.

Light afternoon leg-stretch hike—Beaver Lake Trail is perfect.

Dinner at Hooked in Beaver Creek Village—killer seafood, beautiful setting, and great for a mellow first night.

Day 2: Beaver Creek Ski Day

Fuel up with Avon Bakery & Deli breakfast burritos (local secret).

Full day of skiing Beaver Creek—tree runs, steep terrain, and those famous cookies handed out by ski staff at the bottom lifts.

Post-mountain chill: Fire pit, hot tub, zero proof mocktails (brought by me, obviously).

Dinner at Vin48 in Avon—modern mountain food, killer vibes.

Day 3: Backcountry Tour + Sober Outdoors Meetup

Early morning backcountry ski tour with a guide (we respect avalanche safety around here).

Afternoon Sober Outdoors event—maybe a snowshoe and campfire hangout with hot cocoa and storytelling. These events always hit deep—connection, laughter, nature, and shared sobriety.

Dinner at the cabin—keep it low-key and cozy with a homemade chili night.

Day 4: Road Trip to Telluride

Scenic drive to Telluride—arguably the most beautiful box canyon in the country.

Stop in Ouray for lunch and a quick soak at the Ouray Hot Springs.

Evening arrival in Telluride—grab a bite at The Butcher & The Baker, then walk the charming main street lit up like a snow globe.

Day 5: Telluride Powder & Vibes

Ski Telluride—gorgeous, varied terrain, and that jaw-dropping scenery. Don’t skip Revelation Bowl or Palmyra Peak if you’re feeling brave.

Afternoon ride on the free gondola from town to Mountain Village—sunset views for days.

Dinner at 221 South Oak—refined mountain cuisine in a historic home.

Day 6: Backcountry Adventure (Season Dependent)

Winter:

Splitboard/ski or snowmobile tour in the San Juans.

Summer/Fall: Hiking to Ice Lake Basin or backpacking the Sneffels Wilderness.

Meet up with a local sober crew or do a journaling session lakeside—Sober Outdoors style.

Camp under the stars if it’s warm enough—or cabin glamp with good food and music.

Day 7: Wrap-Up and Reflect

Sunrise coffee on the deck or at Ghost Town Coffee Roasters.

Reflective hike or yoga in the canyon. Let it all sink in.

Hit the road back to Denver with one more scenic stop in Crested Butte or Gunnison if time allows.

Bonus Fun + Local Legends:

Fly fishing, climbing, paddleboarding, mountain biking—we’ve done it all at Sober Outdoors events depending on the season.

Colorado’s sober community is thriving and real. Our trips aren’t just about nature—they’re about building friendships and finding freedom outside the noise.

Every day out here is proof that sobriety doesn’t have to be small. It can be epic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, this shoutout goes to my late mother. She was my number one cheerleader from day one—the kind of person who could find a silver lining in just about anything, even if it was wrapped in chaos. Her dry, sarcastic humor had a way of slicing through tension and making me laugh when I needed it most. She was brilliant in that way—funny, sharp, and endlessly supportive.

She also struggled with Substance Use Disorder, and sadly, she didn’t get the chance to find sobriety before she passed. That reality sits with me every day and is a huge part of what fuels my work. In many ways, Sober Outdoors is a tribute to her—to the strength she had, to the battles she fought, and to the joy and love she gave so freely despite her own pain.

She always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. And if she were here today, she’d probably roll her eyes at the attention and say something hilarious to downplay it—but I know she’d be proud. I carry her with me in everything I do, especially in this mission to create a space where people can find healing, connection, and hope. So this is for her—for all the love, laughter, and lessons she left me with.

Website: https://www.soberoutdoors.org

Instagram: @soberoutdoors_org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasrpearson/