Today we’d like to introduce you to Stan Archie.
Hi Stan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story begins in a context of adversity. I grew up in an abusive and unstable environment that shaped how I viewed myself, relationships, and the world around me. Like many who come from similar circumstances, I learned early how to survive, but not necessarily how to heal. Those early wounds eventually led me down a path of substance use and involvement in the sale of drugs, choices that were less about rebellion and more about coping, control, and survival.
Over time, that path revealed its limitations and consequences. What began as a way to manage pain and uncertainty ultimately deepened them. Hitting those realities forced me to confront not only my behaviors, but the unresolved trauma, distorted beliefs, and unmet needs driving them. That confrontation marked the beginning of a profound turning point in my life.
Recovery, education, and faith became central to my transformation. I committed myself to personal healing, spiritual growth, and academic development, recognizing that change required both internal work and external accountability. This journey led me into pastoral ministry, where I could walk alongside others seeking meaning, restoration, and direction. It also led me into the field of mental and behavioral health, where I pursued licensure and advanced training to better understand human behavior through a clinical and research-informed lens.
Today, I serve as a pastor, a licensed mental health professional, and a behavioral health researcher. My work sits at the intersection of lived experience, clinical practice, and community leadership. I draw from my past not as a point of shame, but as a source of insight and credibility, particularly when working with individuals and families navigating trauma, addiction, and systemic barriers.
My story is ultimately one of transformation, not perfection. It reflects the belief that where a person starts does not have to determine where they end, and that healing, growth, and purpose are possible when truth, responsibility, and support come together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road. The journey has included both significant progress and meaningful setbacks. There were seasons of advancement where growth felt tangible, and other moments where old patterns, external pressures, or unexpected losses forced me to slow down, reassess, and recalibrate. Each phase brought its own challenges, whether emotional, relational, spiritual, or professional.
What I have come to understand is that those setbacks were not detours; they were developmental. Struggle became the very mechanism through which resilience and tenacity were formed. Each challenge required me to strengthen my self-awareness, refine my coping strategies, and deepen my commitment to personal responsibility and growth. Over time, adversity stopped being something to avoid and became something to learn from.
This perspective directly informs how I work with clients and communities today. I do not promise smooth paths or quick solutions. Instead, I emphasize the importance of learning how to endure, adapt, and grow through difficulty. Progress is rarely linear, but persistence, reflection, and accountability transform obstacles into tools for long-term change.
In that sense, the challenges were not just part of my story; they became the training ground for the work I now do with others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Defining Moments?
My work spans both nonprofit and professional practice, unified by a single focus: advancing mental wellness through evidence-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally grounded approaches. I currently serve in leadership and clinical roles through organizations such as Defining Moments Inc. and Footprints Inc., while also operating as a consultant, educator, and licensed mental health professional.
What we do is often misunderstood as traditional counseling or recovery work, but it is more accurately described as mental wellness and behavioral development. Our focus is not limited to symptom reduction or crisis intervention. We specialize in identifying root causes of distress, particularly trauma, unmet developmental needs, distorted belief systems, and environmental pressures, and then building practical, skill-based pathways toward long-term stability and growth. This work spans individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
What sets our work apart is our integration of lived experience, clinical science, and applied frameworks. We use researched, evidence-based interventions, but they are never applied in a one-size-fits-all manner. Every approach is tailored to the population being served and guided by an asset-based philosophy rather than a deficit-based or pathology-focused model. We do not ask, “What is wrong with you?” We ask, “What happened, what is missing, and what skills need to be developed now?”
Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is clarity and integrity. Our brand is known for telling the truth about human behavior, addiction, trauma, and recovery without stigma, sensationalism, or oversimplification. We emphasize responsibility without blame, compassion without enabling, and growth without unrealistic expectations. That balance has earned trust across clinical, faith-based, academic, and community settings.
Readers should know that our offerings go beyond services; they provide frameworks for understanding life, behavior, and change. Whether through counseling, training, curriculum development, community initiatives, or leadership consulting, the goal is the same: to equip people with insight, structure, and tools that allow them to move forward with confidence and purpose. Our work is grounded, practical, and transformational by design, and it is built to last beyond any single program or moment.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I do not view myself as a reckless risk-taker, but I do believe that meaningful growth always requires intentional risk. In my view, risk is not about impulse or bravado; it is about informed movement in the presence of uncertainty. Most people are not afraid of failure itself; they are afraid of exposure, loss of identity, or the possibility that their effort will not produce the outcome they hoped for. Understanding that distinction has shaped how I think about risk.
I have taken several major risks throughout my life. Leaving destructive environments, walking away from illegal income, and committing to a life of integrity carried real and immediate consequences, including financial instability, strained relationships, and uncertainty about the future. Later, pursuing advanced education, licensure, and leadership roles meant investing time, money, and reputation without guarantees. Building organizations, stepping into public leadership, and aligning faith, clinical practice, and community work also carried risk, particularly in spaces that prefer clear categories rather than integrated approaches.
What made those risks manageable was not confidence in outcomes, but clarity of values. I learned to assess risk by asking whether a decision aligned with truth, responsibility, and long-term purpose, rather than short-term comfort. From a behavioral standpoint, risk becomes dangerous when it is unexamined or emotionally driven. It becomes productive when it is deliberate, supported, and connected to growth.
This perspective informs how I work with clients and leaders today. I encourage people to distinguish between avoidable risk and necessary risk. Avoidable risk is rooted in impulse, denial, or escape. Necessary risk is the cost of change. You cannot heal without risk, you cannot lead without risk, and you cannot grow without stepping beyond what feels controllable.
Ultimately, I believe the greatest risk is not taking risks at all, especially when staying the same slowly erodes purpose, integrity, and potential. Risk, when approached wisely, is not something to fear; it is a tool for transformation.
Pricing:
- Consulting Varies
- Therapy Services $150 Hr.
- Books and Material Varies
- Speaking Varies
