Clayton grew up in San Diego, CA, in an environment where substance use was prevalent within his family. With little supervision, he struggled to find stability, ultimately leading to his involvement with the juvenile justice system. By the age of 18, he was sentenced to prison, which significantly shaped the course of his early adulthood.

In 2020, he relocated to Grand Junction, CO, but continued to face legal challenges, accumulating additional felony charges. Fortunately, he was given the opportunity to participate in the Summit View Recovery Program (IRT). After successfully completing the program, he transitioned to community corrections, where he spent 11 months. This experience provided him with the structure and support necessary to continue my recovery journey. From there, he secured a place at an Oxford Recovery House, where he remained committed to his sobriety and personal growth.

During this time, he was introduced to Peer 180, initially as a volunteer. Recognizing his passion for supporting others in recovery, he enrolled in the Peer 180 Coaching Academy to become a certified peer coach. With the support of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Peer 180, he secured an internship, which ultimately led to his hiring as a Peer Recovery Coach.

Clayton feels as if it is a privilege to work as an one-on-one with participants, facilitate All Recovery Meetings, and serve as the Community Service Coordinator. Additionally, he co-facilitates the Parents in Recovery program and contributes to the Recovery Through Fitness initiative. These programs allow him to support individuals as they navigate their own paths to healing and self-improvement.