Ivan Fredette of Ironclad Brotherhood On How to Begin, Navigate, & Sustain Sobriety

Consistency is about showing up, no matter what. There will be days when you don’t feel like it, when you’re tired or unmotivated. But the key is doing it anyway. Happiness isn’t found in reaching the goal, it’s in the process of getting there. You might not see instant results, but if you keep putting in the work, accept delayed gratification, you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor. The days that mean the most are the ones when you don’t want to do it.

In a world where the journey towards sobriety is often challenging and deeply personal, understanding the pathways and strategies for achieving and maintaining sobriety is crucial. This series aims to provide insight, encouragement, and practical advice for those who are on the road to recovery, as well as for their loved ones and support networks. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Ivan Fredette

Ivan Fredette is a Men’s Transformation & Leadership Expert, Resilience Speaker, and 7-Figure Serial Entrepreneur. He is the founder of Ironclad Brotherhood, a coaching community helping men reclaim control of their lives through sobriety, self-mastery, and accountability.

Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?

My story is one of deep loss and unshakable grit. On January 26 2003, I lost my cousin and best friend, Tyler, to suicide. That moment changed the trajectory of my life and for the next 17 years, I numbed the pain with alcohol, drugs and sex, drifting through life without meaning or purpose. On December 26th, 2020, I hit the lowest point of my life, ashamed and disgusted with the type of man, father and husband I’d become. I was faced with two choices that day, I could either end my life or take full control of it. It was at that point that I chose life, I made a vow that I would no longer be a victim, get sober and become the man I knew I was meant to be.

But I didn’t take the traditional route. I rejected conventional recovery methods and carved my own path, one grounded in self-leadership, mindset mastery, and radical responsibility. My mission wasn’t just to get sober, I was determined to build mental fortitude so strong that I’d never fall back into the victim mentality that once ruled my life.

Then, on November 26th, 2023, I was tested again. I lost my sister, Jenieveve, to suicide. But things were different this time. The system I had created, the mindset, the tools, the internal armor, it held. I wasn’t just able to keep from spiraling back into the mindset of allowing external circumstances to dictate my life, I was able to find growth, opportunity and purpose. I knew then that what I built for myself could help other men too.

So I founded Ironclad Brotherhood, a coaching and mentorship community for men who are ready to stop hiding, take control of their lives, and become leaders in their own right. Through my signature A.R.M.O.R. Framework, aspirations, revenue, muscle, oneness, and relationships, I help men fortify their minds and rebuild their lives from the inside out.

I also created ‘The Warrior’s Journal’, a 90-day system for mastering habits and mental discipline, because change doesn’t happen without intention and structure.

Outside of coaching, I run Safe Tree, a 7-figure tree care company based in Niagara. Under our NS2 division, we became the first in the world to chemically profile mulch allowing us to set new trends and lead through example no matter the industry.

Today, I speak on stages, lead powerful brotherhoods, and work with men who are ready to break cycles, build legacies, and become Ironclad. I live in Niagara with my wife and our three amazing kids. At the end of the day, I’m not just building businesses, I’m building a movement. A movement of men who continuously improve their physical, mental and emotional hygiene.

Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?

Once I made the decision to live a life of sobriety and clarity, everything in my business began to align. Within a couple of months, we came across the perfect property in the perfect location to run our operations. Our team began to transform, people who didn’t fit the vision moved on, and the right people started showing up.

Although our revenue didn’t shift immediately, our company culture and customer experience soared within the year. I learned that leadership through action is far more powerful than any form of dictatorship or traditional management style. The ripple effects of leading by example are undeniable.

You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Courage — I’ve been able to push myself past comfort, take ownership and full responsibility for everything in my life and speak the truth at the risk of being criticized and not liked. I believe that truth is the only thing we can truly rely on and it takes incredible courage to say or tell someone truth when in reality, most of the population fears facing it.

Resilience — Everything happens for us rather than to us. Every adversity, every loss, every time we experience trauma, there is a lesson or an opportunity. The day I got the news that my sister had taken her life was the worst day of my life, followed by the worst year of my life business wise and financially, but I stayed disciplined. Losing my sister gave me a purpose and no matter what happened after that, I knew that there was nothing that could break me and I could use this to help thousands if not millions of other men. How can a man ever be beat if he refuses to quit?

Consistency — No matter how bad things get, no matter how I feel, no matter how uncomfortable things are, I show up, day in and day out. I believe the ability to stay consistent and except delayed gratification, is a true superpower. Any time I am moving towards a new standard or goal I picture an ice cube in a room that’s -30°C and every day you turn the thermostat up 1°. The ice cube doesn’t change until you hit 0° and turns into water. Eventually, as the temperature increases, that water will boil and turn into steam, and steam can power a locomotive.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?

Absolutely. Right now, my business partner and I are working on launching our first podcast called The Final Relapse. It’s a raw and real platform where we dive into the emotional, mental, and physical battles that lead to personal transformation, especially in the context of addiction, masculinity, and reclaiming purpose.

The goal is to help people understand that true change doesn’t start with external fixes, it starts with emotional shift and identity transformation. By sharing stories of men who have hit rock bottom but rose with intention, The Final Relapse aims to wake people up, challenge their limiting beliefs, and inspire sustainable change. I believe it can be a powerful tool for anyone seeking more from life, especially those ready to face themselves head-on.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview. How would you advise individuals who are contemplating the journey to sobriety but might be hesitant or unsure about taking the first step? Are there key considerations or strategies that can make this initial phase more manageable?

If someone’s thinking about sobriety but unsure where to start, like anything, it starts with a plan. In Ironclad, we start with the 4 C’s and our Freedom Formula.

Identity + Action = Freedom

Clarity comes first. You need to be brutally honest about where you’re at and what it’s costing you. Get crystal clear on what kind of man, father, husband and leader that you want to be. Set goals, targets and daily non-negotiables that will get us living congruently to the Man we want to become.

Stop lying to yourself and the people around you. Confidence is something that is built, we aren’t factory installed with it and it takes repetitions of small wins. Every day you follow through with what you say you’re going to do, you earn a little more self-respect.

Then comes Courage. Just like confidence takes reps of small wins, courage is built by seeking out small risks, facing the tough conversations, getting physically active and taking action even when you’re scared. You just have to move.

And finally, Consistency. Sobriety isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily commitment to becoming the person you know you’re meant to be. Show up, even on the days you don’t feel like it, especially on those days.

Sobriety often comes with its unique set of challenges. Can you share insights on how individuals can effectively navigate obstacles or triggers that may arise during their journey? Are there specific tools or support systems that you find particularly helpful in overcoming these challenges?

One of the most effective tools I’ve developed is values-based decision making, using a defined set of core values as the criteria for every decision I make. These values are non-negotiable standards that hold me accountable and keep me on the path, especially when emotions run high or temptation creeps in.

My personal core values are L.E.A.R.N

Leadership Through Action I lead myself first before expecting others to follow.

Evolve to Greatness I’m committed to constant self-improvement, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Accountability to Oneself I own every decision I make. No excuses.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity I look for the lesson and opportunity for growth in every adversity. Everything happens for me and not to me.

No Surrender I don’t retreat when things get uncomfortable. I lean in.

These values serve as a checkpoint. When faced with a difficult situation or a trigger, I ask myself “ Does this align with my values?” If not, it’s not an option.

Maintaining sobriety is a long-term commitment. From your experience, what are the essential factors that contribute to the sustained success of individuals on this journey? Are there lifestyle adjustments or mindset shifts that prove crucial for the ongoing pursuit of sobriety?

From my experience and from guiding others, sustained success comes not from fear of relapse, but from building a life so aligned, powerful, and purposeful that relapse becomes irrelevant. That’s where our signature ARMOR framework comes in. It’s the blueprint we use to build a fortified life by creating habitual, values-driven change across five key pillars:

Aspirations

We work to define clear goals, personal missions, and a vision for your future that keeps you moving forward, even on the hard days.

Revenue

Financial stress is a trigger. Not only building wealth but becoming a leader in your career or finding the career that gives you meaning.

Muscle

Your body reflects your discipline. We use physical training for mental toughness. Movement becomes medicine, and strength becomes a metaphor for resilience in every area of life.

Oneness

This is about spiritual, mental, and emotional alignment. Finding both your true identity and Purpose.

Relationships

You’re only as strong as your circle. We audit and rebuild connections, family, friends, partners, so they reflect the man you’re becoming, not the one you’re trying to forget. We also emphasize being the person you want to attract.

One of the biggest turning points in lasting sobriety is moving from a mindset of avoidance (“I need to stay away from drinking”) to a mindset of advancement (“I’m building something extraordinary with my life”). That’s what ARMOR helps accomplish.

Here is our main question. Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Begin, Navigate, & Sustain Sobriety”? (Please share a story or an example for each)

Clarity: You need to know exactly who you want to be and where you’re headed. Without a clear vision, you’re just moving through life like a rudderless ship. Set specific goals for yourself, both short-term and long-term. Break them down into small, daily tasks that create habitual change. These tasks will guide you through your day, ensuring that you’re always focused on your bigger picture. You don’t have to be perfect, it’s about having a direction so you know what to do every single day.

Confidence: Stop lying. Building confidence starts with trust. Trust in yourself to keep the promises you make. It’s that simple. If you say you’re going to do something, follow through. Every time. Don’t let excuses or feelings get in the way. When you act on your word, you build self-respect and trust. The more you do it, the more you prove to yourself that you are capable. Confidence doesn’t come factory installed, it’s something you create by honoring your commitments.

Courage: Courage is about facing your fears head-on, leaning into fear and doing what scares you anyway. Take risks. Speak your truth. Step outside your comfort zone. Courage grows with every action you take in the face of fear. Every time you push through, you expand your limits and strengthen your resolve. It doesn’t have to be big. Small actions, consistently taken, will get you where you want to go. Courage is built by showing up, even when it feels hard.

Consistency: Consistency is about showing up, no matter what. There will be days when you don’t feel like it, when you’re tired or unmotivated. But the key is doing it anyway. Happiness isn’t found in reaching the goal, it’s in the process of getting there. You might not see instant results, but if you keep putting in the work, accept delayed gratification, you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor. The days that mean the most are the ones when you don’t want to do it.

Core Values: Build a set of core values and make them non-negotiable. They define what’s important to you and give you a framework for making choices. When you’re faced with challenges or temptations, your core values will help you stay aligned with your true self. Having a set of values gives you a solid foundation to stand on when life gets tough. They help you make decisions that are in line with the person you want to become. Stick to them. They are non-negotiable.

Community support plays a vital role in the journey to sobriety. How can individuals find and engage with supportive communities or resources that align with their specific needs and goals? Are there online platforms, local groups, or initiatives that you recommend for fostering a sense of connection and understanding during this process?

With so much information and groups on the internet, I would suggest getting clarity on what your ideal life looks like and understand what your core values are and find a group that aligns with you. Ironclad Brotherhood is a group for men who want to reclaim their freedom, live life with purpose and continuously improve all aspects of their life.

What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?

ironcladbrotherhood.com

ivanfredette.com

@ivanfredette

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.