On this week’s Sober Life Rocks Podcast, we sat down with sober leadership speaker Jake White—an entrepreneur and advocate who’s transforming college culture through substance-free leadership. From a failed Kool-Aid party to a national movement, Jake’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, pivots, and empowering others.

From Observer to Advocate

Jake’s decision to live sober started early, shaped by the painful loss of his uncle to addiction. In college, he quickly realized that a sober lifestyle was rare on campus—and often misunderstood.

College Culture Shock

Surrounded by binge drinking and drug use, Jake attended parties to fit in but found them chaotic and unfulfilling. This disconnect inspired him to ask: What if we could have fun without substances?

The First Sober Party—And a Hard Lesson

Jake surveyed his peers, and 190 students said they’d attend a sober party. He stocked Kool-Aid, set up a DJ, and packed 190 people into a one-bedroom apartment. Within an hour, most had left, calling it a flop. Instead of quitting, Jake treated it as a lesson and made each event better until sober parties became a campus hit.

Scaling the Vision: The 518 Movement

After college, Jake launched the 518 movement, traveling the country to host sober events on campuses. The results were mixed, but the journey led to a pivotal realization—he could have a greater impact by teaching student leaders to create their own events.

From Events to Empowerment

Jake shifted from running parties to providing leadership training, toolkits, and mentorship, equipping students to lead their own sober social movements. Sponsors, media, and schools began to notice.

Leading Through Service

What began as a personal mission evolved into a service-driven leadership model. “When I stopped making it about me and started lifting others up, everything changed,” Jake shared.

Excitement for Amplify

Jake is eager to join the Amplify conference for sober leaders nationwide. “The networking alone is worth it,” he said, emphasizing the power of collaboration in creating impact.

Final Thoughts: The Power of the Pivot

Jake White’s story is proof that leadership is about more than personal success—it’s about empowering others to lead. His journey from a failed Kool-Aid party to a national leadership platform shows the power of persistence, humility, and purpose-driven action.

Resources:

• Website: vive18.com
• Instagram: @vive18_
• LinkedIn: Jake White
• Podcast: The Drug Prevention Power Hour
• Facebook: Vive18

The post Episode 62: Sober Leadership Speaker Jake White: From Kool-Aid Party to National Movement first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.