Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Pool.
Hi Nathan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My recovery journey began when I moved from Dallas, TX to Nashville, TN in March 2024 to attend in-patient rehabilitation at Integrative Life Center (ILC). I had a relatively great and normal childhood, growing up in Waco, TX. I then graduated from Texas Tech University with a dual-bachelor’s degree, and I moved to Dallas, TX to start a career in the Staffing/Recruiting industry.
I lived in Dallas for 10 years, and I grew a very successful career, but my alcohol and drug use exponentially worsened over time. I refused to accept that I had a problem, and I considered myself a “functional” addict, if an addict at all. Similar to most addiction stories, it worked until it didn’t. Everything came crashing down in 2023. By the beginning of 2024, I was newly divorced, had lost my job, had cut off every friend and family member that cared about me, had completely run out of money, and I found myself homeless living under a bridge in Dallas. By then, it was pretty obvious to me that I had a problem, and I finally stopped running and asked for help.
As I already mentioned, I ended up in Nashville for a 90-day rehab program at ILC. I thought the rehab would “fix” me and get me right back on my feet, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Rehab was simply laying the foundation for my new life in recovery – one that requires daily attention and growth to sustain. After rehab wrapped up, I was lucky enough to land in a recovery home that was certified by the Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR). I largely credit that home and the people in it for saving my life and teaching me how to truly live a life in recovery. I tried working in the Staffing industry for a while, with the intention of making some “quick money” and getting out of the debt I had put myself in, but I simply could not find purpose in that job anymore. It wasn’t until I started taking on more responsibilities around the recovery home and giving back to the recovery community that I truly found my purpose again. I was appointed as House Manager of that home after about 6 months of residency, then we abruptly had to move out at the end of 2024.
Through a lot of good fortune, God’s timing, and hard work, I helped open up a new recovery home in West Nashville called Mountain Pass Recovery (MPR). We were up and running in January 2025, and I was named the organization’s Housing Director. Around the same time, I accepted an opportunity to start working in an administrative role with TN-ARR, and I decided that I would build a new career in the Recovery industry.
Fast-forward to present day, I am the Director of Operations for the Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences, and I am still Housing Director for Mountain Pass Recovery. Both businesses have been growing and changing exponentially, and I feel a greater sense of purpose than I ever could have imagined. Being such an integral part of two organizations that are saving lives on a daily basis has been the most fulfilling job I could ever dream of, In just two short years of recovery, my life is back on track in the best way, and I thank God every day for the opportunities I’ve been and continue to be given.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road started out extremely bumpy, with a few pretty large potholes thrown in there, but it has started smoothing out over time. Some of the more prominent struggles include:
-Learning to meet people and develop relationships without the help of substances. I had been drinking and using since I was 13, so navigating these waters was a completely new experience for me. Living a life with true morals and integrity has been something I will always have to work on moving forward.
-Searching for and discovering a new self-identity and purpose in life. My purpose in life before recovery came from work, financial, and social status. Starting fresh in all of those areas was not an easy process. By taking suggestions from those who have experienced it and continuing to do the next right thing, I’ve been able to re-establish purpose in much more healthy and fulfilling ways.
-Getting back on my feet financially. By the end of my run, I had put myself in a significant amount of financial debt. I could have easily let that hinder my progress in recovery, but I decided to put my head down and focus on myself, while trusting that the financial troubles would start taking care of themselves. This has proven to work thus far.
-Navigating through the ambiguity and volatility of working in the Recovery industry. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is an ever-growing problem that shows no sign of slowing down. While there is a lot of research and experience I can draw from, it is still a very emotionally-draining and challenging industry to work in. I’ve experienced more death in my community than I could have imagined, and I’m often working with individuals that just simply aren’t ready to give up that way of life. I continue to learn everything I can and support my community to the best of my ability, no matter the challenges that surface.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mountain Pass Recovery is a Nashville-based men’s recovery residence dedicated to helping individuals build a strong foundation for long-term recovery through community, accountability, and connection. We provide abstinence-based sober living in a structured, supportive environment designed specifically for men navigating early recovery from substance use disorders.
What sets Mountain Pass Recovery apart is our combination of nationally recognized recovery housing standards, individualized support, and an intentionally elevated living experience. We operate in alignment with National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and focus heavily on the social model of recovery — meaning healing happens through peer connection, healthy relationships, shared accountability, and purpose-driven living.
We specialize in creating a recovery environment that feels both structured and genuinely supportive. Residents have access to recovery coaching, mindfulness practices, peer support, life-skills development, and community engagement opportunities, all within a high-quality home environment designed to promote dignity and stability. We believe environment matters in recovery, which is why we’ve intentionally created a residence that feels welcoming, comfortable, and inspiring rather than institutional.
One of the things we’re most known for is the strong sense of brotherhood and community that develops within the home. Recovery can often feel isolating, and we work hard to cultivate a culture where residents feel connected, supported, and encouraged as they rebuild their lives.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the trust we’ve built within Tennessee’s recovery community and our commitment to raising the standard for recovery housing. We want people to know that recovery residences can be both ethical and deeply compassionate while still maintaining structure and accountability. Our goal is not simply to provide housing — it’s to provide a pathway toward sustainable recovery, personal growth, and renewed purpose.
Above all, we want readers to know that Mountain Pass Recovery is a place where men can safely begin again. We are passionate about helping individuals rediscover hope, build meaningful lives in recovery, and realize that long-term recovery is possible with the right environment and support system.
The Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR):
The Tennessee Alliance of Recovery Residences (TN-ARR) is Tennessee’s official affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) and serves as the statewide leader for recovery residence standards, certification, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of recovery housing across Tennessee by supporting recovery residences that prioritize ethics, accountability, peer support, and long-term recovery outcomes.
At its core, TN-ARR specializes in certifying and supporting recovery residences that operate according to nationally recognized best practices. We work closely with recovery housing operators, treatment providers, community stakeholders, and state agencies to ensure individuals in recovery have access to safe, supportive, and recovery-focused living environments. Our work includes recovery residence certification, operator training, technical assistance, quality assurance, advocacy, and education around the social model of recovery.
What TN-ARR is most known for is helping raise the standard for recovery housing throughout Tennessee. Recovery housing plays a critical role in long-term recovery, and we believe these environments should be more than just substance-free places to live. They should foster connection, accountability, dignity, community, and personal growth. Through the NARR framework, we help create housing environments that are ethical, person-centered, and recovery-oriented.
What sets TN-ARR apart is our commitment to collaboration and community. We don’t simply regulate or inspect homes — we work alongside operators to help them build sustainable, high-quality recovery programs that truly support residents. Our approach emphasizes education, mentorship, continuous improvement, and peer-driven support rather than punitive oversight. We are deeply invested in helping operators succeed because stronger recovery residences create stronger recovery communities.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the credibility and trust TN-ARR has built throughout Tennessee’s behavioral health and recovery ecosystem. We are proud to be recognized as a trusted voice for ethical recovery housing and a resource for individuals, families, providers, courts, and agencies seeking quality recovery support services. We are also proud of the role TN-ARR has played in helping expand awareness of the importance of recovery housing in the continuum of care.
We want readers to know that recovery residences save lives when they are operated with integrity, compassion, and accountability. TN-ARR exists to ensure that people in recovery have access to environments where they can heal, rebuild relationships, develop life skills, and pursue meaningful long-term recovery. Our organization is passionate about creating recovery communities where individuals are treated with dignity and empowered to thrive.
Ultimately, TN-ARR is about more than certification standards — it is about strengthening recovery across Tennessee by building communities of hope, connection, and sustainable recovery support.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Books and podcasts have been a great resource for me, both personally and professionally.
A few of my favorite books include:
-“The Four Agreements” – by Don Miguel Ruiz
-“Radical Acceptance” – by Tara Brach
-“Fear” – by Thich Nhat Hanh
-“The Power of Now” – Eckhart Tolle
A few of my favorite podcasts include:
-“Rise Above with Kevin Lanning”
-“The Mel Robbins Podcast”
-“Nonprofit Leadership Podcast”
-“The Shawn Ryan Show”
-“The Diary of A CEO with Steven Bartlett”
Contact Info:
- Website: mountainpassrecovery.com and tnarr.org
