On this episode of the Grit Daily Startup Show, host Leonard Kim sat down with Nicholas Mathews, who shared his remarkable journey from addiction to becoming the founder of Stillwater Behavioral Health, an acclaimed treatment facility in Southern California. His story is one of personal triumph and an inspiring testament to the power of transformation through recovery and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Mathews’s journey began with a difficult upbringing in a small Oregon town. A turbulent childhood marked by his father’s departure and physical abuse left him feeling isolated at a young age. Seeking solace from his trauma, Mathews turned to substance abuse early in life.
“I started self-medicating to kind of deal with some of the trauma and the anxiety that I was struggling with,” he explained, describing how his addiction quickly escalated from marijuana and alcohol to harder drugs like heroin and crystal meth by his mid-teens.
By the age of 19, Mathews was a convicted felon, homeless, and struggling with intravenous drug use. Despite his circumstances, Mathews described an ongoing inner struggle: “I knew that this wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing, and I knew that I had guilt and shame for my actions, but it felt like I was so powerless.”
It wasn’t until he reached his “rock bottom” that he made the life-altering decision to seek treatment. In December 2013, at 20 years old, he got on a plane to Southern California to enter a rehabilitation center. “I’ve been sober ever since,” he said, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter in his life.
Recovery was not just about overcoming addiction for Mathews. It was about finding a deeper purpose. “Recovery is a very interesting thing in that it can teach you what you’re passionate about,” he said.
Within months of completing treatment, Mathews found himself gravitating toward the idea of helping others who were in the same position he once was. Inspired by the staff at the treatment center he attended — many of whom were also in recovery — Mathews set his sights on building a career in the field.
Over the years, he steadily climbed the ranks in the behavioral health industry, educating himself and seeking out opportunities to make an impact. Mathews explained how this incremental approach, taking “the next logical step,” eventually led him to launch Stillwater Behavioral Health. He attributes his success not to any sudden stroke of luck but to a combination of perseverance and passion.
As his business grew, Mathews faced the challenge of balancing expansion with maintaining the quality of care he believes in. To avoid compromising the integrity of his treatment centers, Mathews decided to cap the growth of Stillwater Behavioral Health. At the time, he believed anything more than that would be “greedy and negligent.”
This decision didn’t stop his entrepreneurial momentum, however. Mathews has since launched several other companies, including a pharmaceutical distribution company and a firm focused on TMS therapy for treating anxiety, depression, and other conditions. For Mathews, the key to his success has been staying true to his core mission while exploring new avenues to help others.
Mathews’ story serves as a powerful reminder that true success often comes from pursuing a passion larger than oneself. He cautions against being motivated solely by financial gain, pointing out that real fulfillment comes from making a positive impact.
Mathews offered a message of encouragement to those who may be struggling with addiction or feeling lost in their careers. “If you’re struggling, reach out. You can always get help. If it’s not me, there’s going to be somebody who’s willing to answer the phone and help.”
