On this powerful episode of Work, Time, and Effort, host Chris Markowski welcomes Dr. Scott Anderson of the Addiction Recovery Care Center of Tampa—a man whose extraordinary life story defies every defeatist narrative about the American dream.

Dr. Anderson’s journey begins in poverty on the south side of Chicago and unfolds through years of domestic violence, instability, hunger, and abandonment. As a teenager, he endured juvenile lockup, chronic depression, and academic failure. By his early 20s, he was homeless in Tampa—sleeping in his car, eating out of garbage bins, and moments away from ending his life.

But everything changed the night he paused before pulling the trigger.

That moment sparked an epiphany—one that pushed him to rebuild from nothing. With no support, no money, and no guidance, Dr. Anderson clawed his way back: returning to school, discovering undiagnosed learning disabilities, earning degrees all the way up to a PhD in psychology, and becoming a licensed mental health professional. Today, he runs one of Florida’s leading outpatient addiction and mental-health clinics, dedicating his life to helping others escape the same darkness he once lived in.

This episode is a raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring look at resilience, faith, personal responsibility, and the power of human potential. If you've ever doubted your ability to move forward, Dr. Anderson’s story is a reminder that adversity can be a launching pad—not a life sentence.