At Leaving Mayhem, we’re honored to share stories of transformation, resilience, and hope from those who’ve fought their way out of the chaos of addiction and found peace in recovery.
Today, we bring you the incredible journey of Kori Leigh—a woman who went from hitting rock bottom to becoming a beacon of hope, faith, and success.
Kori is 8 years sober, a devoted mother, and the host of The Kori Leigh Show, a globally ranked podcast that inspires countless listeners.
Her life today is a testament to the power of sobriety, faith, and discipline.
But before this chapter of success, she lived through years of darkness, struggling with alcoholism that left her anxious, lonely, and completely disconnected from herself and God.
“When I start drinking, I don’t know when I’ll stop,” Kori shares.
“Every time I’ve done something stupid or gotten into trouble, I’ve been drunk. Alcohol made me a shell of a human—dark, anxious, depressed, and empty. It stole my peace, my sanity, and my ability to connect with God.”
Her drinking spiraled into a cycle of destruction: one drink led to five, five led to more, and the more led to using drugs, runaway weekends, and life-altering mistakes.
She found herself hitting rock bottom, overcome with depression, shame, and regret.
Her life was consumed by chaos, with no clear way out.
But then, Kori made a choice: to go all in on sobriety and turn her life over to God.
“Eight years ago, I hated the sound of the word God,” she admits.
“But now, knowing God through sobriety has become my life’s purpose.”
Sobriety didn’t just save her life—it gave her a second one.
She became the healthiest version of herself, building a thriving half-a-million-dollar business and an incredibly successful podcast.
Most importantly, Kori became the mother her daughter deserved—a child who had never seen her drink.
Kori’s faith is at the center of her recovery.
“No matter how bad you’ve messed up, God still loves you,” she says.
“He can turn it all around for you. Just because you’re carrying guilt doesn’t mean God is holding it against you. Sobriety gave me peace in my soul, and it’s the foundation of everything I’ve built. Without it, I have nothing.”
She emphasizes that recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.
“Sometimes the biggest milestones for us in recovery are the simplest: one more step, one more 24 hours, and just not running away. God will take care of the rest.”
Kori credits discipline as the key to her success in both recovery and life.
“The key to success is discipline, and the key to discipline is showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. Motivation isn’t something you start with—it’s what you get as a result of doing the hard things.”
She also stresses the importance of knowing when to let go.
“One of the hardest yet most powerful skills you can learn is knowing when to walk away. Usually, we know for a long time that something isn’t working, but fear keeps us stuck. The second you admit defeat and recognize your personal will can only take you so far, you open yourself up to a power greater than yourself. That’s where the real transformation begins.”
Today, Kori wakes up sober, free of regret, shame, or remorse.
Her life is one of intention, purpose, and trust in God’s plan.
She’s proof that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise again.
“Not all things are meant to last forever,” she reflects.
“When endings hover and uncertainty feels heavy, trust that God always has a better plan. Don’t cling to the door that won’t open. Let Him open the one meant for you.”
Kori’s story is not just about survival—it’s about thriving.
She’s a woman who overcame addiction and built an intentionally beautiful life centered on faith, family, and discipline.
Her message to anyone struggling with addiction is simple but profound: “You can get there, too. Trust God, suit up, show up, and take it one day at a time.”
At Leaving Mayhem, we believe in the power of stories like Kori’s.
They remind us that recovery is possible and that a life of purpose, peace, and beauty can replace the chaos of addiction.
Sobriety doesn’t just give you your life back—it gives you the tools to create the life you were always meant to live.
Let Kori’s story be a reminder that no matter where you are in your journey, it’s never too late to leave mayhem behind.
Kori Instagram here
