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

Hi Tami, what do you attribute your success to?
It’s so difficult to dial it into one single factor, especially in the midst of Covid. We have had to restructure and resync systems while embracing so much change this year. But perhaps it’s most important to note that Community, showing up, & giving of self drives what happens behind the walls of FREE, a Spiritual Community for Addicts, Loved Ones of Addicts, and Spiritual Refugees. Our community knows to their core that being of service to others = sobriety.

What should our readers know about your business?
FREE is a 501c3 non-profit for Addicts, Loved Ones of Addicts & Spiritual Refugees. Ryan and Tami started FREE in their backyard 2 years ago and it has grown into not just an in person community in Colorado but it has spread virtually to 30 countries and our Saturday service is being translated into 45 languages online. People need recovery. But more importantly, people need community—even if that means virtual community. Ryan has been sober for 8 years and identifies as the Addict. Tami, however, identifies as the Loved One of an Addict. FREE is attractive and intriguing to so many people because it brings various experiences, stories, & backgrounds together in one single space. And in this space (even with checkered pasts and presents) we share openly, freely, we don’t sugar coat, and we don’t do shame. A big part of that is because our community resonates and can say “me too”; I’ve been there or I’m also there right now. Our mission is to create space for healing, recovery, and spiritual connection. We do this weekly on Saturday nights and have also expanded online and created an App to keep people plugged in and connected through the pandemic. It’s no secret that addiction and relapse statistics are only increasing and the community knows their work is cut out for them…Covid hasn’t helped—addiction is on the rise, while isolation, disconnection, & declining mental health stats are too. In response to these increasing and alarming stats, Tami launched Wagon Coffee [a local coffee roastery], which provides women in recovery with jobs, structure, and skills. “Wagon Coffee operates within the walls of FREE—a spiritual community for Addicts, loved ones of Addicts, and spiritual Refugees. We are ‘being the wagon’ together”, explains Tami. “For me, being the wagon is simple: It’s about second chances. It’s about giving back. It’s about the fullest kind of grace. It’s about not doing shame. It’s about love and pulling each other back up onto the wagon when we ‘fall off.’ Wagon Coffee is all about coffee for addiction recovery and whole beans that inspire wholeness—in individuals, in communities, in the world.”  The work FREE & Wagon Coffee does, of course, extends well beyond our walls: Together we are committed to making a positive and lasting impact on Addicts, Loved Ones of Addicts, and Spiritual Refugees. Being in a healthy environment is central to recovery.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of our favorite places is Breckenridge—we actually love it so much we named one of our boys after Breck!! But aside from it being our favorite mountain to board…we love the town, the people, the local restaurants and our 4 kids love the candy shops. When we are popping around the Denver area you will see Ryan at Vasa Fitness working out or White Lotus Tattoo getting some fresh ink. And when Tami isn’t roasting her own coffee, she can be found at various coffee shops, sharing and learning with like minded people, and checking our innovative products, marketing, and ideas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Danny Colella is our behind the scenes man. He has helped catapult FREE & Wagon Coffee forward in new innovative/creative ways especially as we shift and readjust from 2020 and expand our online presence.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Danny Colella is our behind the scenes man. He has helped catapult FREE & Wagon Coffee forward in new innovative/creative ways especially as we shift and readjust from 2020 and expand our online presence.

Website: FreeSpiritualCommunity.com & WagonCoffeeRoasters.com

Instagram: @freespiritualcommunity & @wagoncoffeeroasters

Facebook: @bethewagon @wagoncoffee

Youtube: Free Spiritual Community

Other: Free Spiritual Community App available in the app Store

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.