Joel Teron’s journey from addiction to recovery is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of harm reduction. After struggling with substance use disorder for 20 years, a heart failure diagnosis in 2021 became his wake-up call. Through recovery, he discovered running—not just as exercise but as a metaphor for persistence and self-discovery. Each step forward mirrored his healing process, proving that progress isn’t about speed but about showing up and moving forward. Now a harm reduction project manager and public health advocate, Joel is dedicated to changing the conversation around addiction and recovery. In his TEDx talk, he challenges stigma, highlights the impact of harm reduction, and envisions a future where public health policies support people at every stage of their journey. His story is a powerful reminder that recovery, like a marathon, is not about perfection—it’s about taking one step at a time. Joel Teron is a passionate public health professional and student dedicated to enhancing community health. With over three years in recovery, his journey fuels his commitment to public health advocacy and harm reduction. Balancing full-time work and studies, Joel is the harm reduction project manager at the Alliance for Positive Change and serves as President of the Health and Wellness Club at BMCC. He is pursuing an associate degree in public health and is expected to graduate in Spring 2025. His dedication extends to education and peer mentoring, having supported students as a supplemental instructor in BMCC’s Learning Resource Center. With aspirations to obtain a PhD in public health, Joel’s academic interests focus on health disparities affecting marginalized communities. An avid runner, he enjoys running through NYC’s streets and, in 2024, completed two half-marathons and his first full marathon at the TCS NYC Marathon. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx