Barry Monda grew up in a middle-class family and excelled in sports until he lost a full football scholarship in his second year at Austin Peay State University. After flunking out at nineteen, he got a job working construction and continued a downward spiral. By twenty-three, he was smoking crack, in and out of rehabs, spiritual growth centers, half-way houses, and jail for the next two decades. In 2003, a miraculous transformation took place and he has been standing strong ever since; giving hope to others struggling with addiction as a youth pastor/ elder, successful business owner, and a published author.