KC Gooding of New Method Wellness: “I would love to inspire a movement to get others to be more selfless”

I would love to inspire a movement to get others to be more selfless. As I have matured, I find my greatest joy in life to be my ability to connect with others through service work. I regularly find ways to volunteer my time towards missions I am passionate about. Unfortunately, it seems we live in a society today that glorifies selfishness and self-centered behavior. What I would love to see is a way to influence our young adults to get involved. My idea would be that every college in the country required their students to have a community service opportunity and gave them college credits for their time they offered in assistance to the community that they serve.
I had the pleasure of interviewing KC Gooding. KC is the National Director of Business Development at New Method Wellness. He brings a passion for helping families find reputable treatment options for their loved ones, providing his personal experience to those in need. He represents the program at New Method Wellness to addiction professionals, labor unions and tribal counsels on a national level at the industries conferences and events
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
To be honest, I really didn’t picture myself doing the work I do today. When I got sober in 2012, I had no idea that positions of this nature existed in treatment. I just completed a treatment program, got a sponsor and worked the 12 steps to the best of my ability. Something along the way told me that if I could be the best at AA that I could be, someday someone would notice and give me an opportunity. That opportunity came and I accepted an offer at a local outpatient provider where I learned a lot about the role I have today. They told me to be my most authentic self, believe in the program you represent and share that with others in a passionate way. I traveled the country working with other providers, understanding their programs and working together to assist those in need of our services. I became knowledgeable of some of the best resources locally and nationally in our field.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
That none of us are ever too broken or beyond help. Recently, my wife of many years struggled with severe depression, so debilitating that it had intruded every aspect of her personal life. While I assist multiple people daily in my professional role, I was fighting a losing battle at home in my private life with a woman I love more than anything. It was heartbreaking. We were lucky enough to know that there was help available and when she stated she was ready to receive it, we got into action. Thank God I do this for a living and know what to look for in quality facilities, especially one that I would trust with my wife. We identified a program within our financial means, she applied herself and got the help she so desperately needed. Today I couldn’t be more proud of the strides she has made individually and the steps we have taken to strengthen our marriage. I am eternally grateful for the experience and have valued in multiple ways as a result of the work we have started.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
While it may not be funny, it certainly puts a smile on my face. I was assisting a former client planning to leave the state of Florida for a new opportunity here in California at New Method Wellness. He made the trip cross country and arrived at our program extremely grateful for our assistance. A week after his arrival, it became evident that I had made a mistake reviewing his insurance information and learned that he wasn’t qualified for our program. I am very lucky to work for a provider that values people over finances. Long story short, the ownership team decided to scholarship the client and continue his care free of charge. This client is now over two years sober; he attends many of my home groups, helps other people and gives me a giant hug every time he sees me.
Can you describe how your organization is making a significant social impact?
Where do I start? The ownership at New Method Wellness is committed to leading the way in social impact. We have several nonprofit organizations we support; we hold events regularly to educate the community and provide space for support groups in our local environs. Recently I was invited to serve as the lead delegate for the state of California at the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers National Hill Day event. I will be flying to Washington, D.C. to attend NAATP’s national conference and have made appointments to speak with our senators’ legislative assistants to discuss prevention, treatment and recovery related policies. Specifically, we have concerns about enforcement of the federal parity law and the need to address our nation’s opiate crisis.
Wow! Can you tell me a story about a particular individual who was impacted this cause?
The impact of the work we are prepared to do with our Senate will affect our whole nation, we want to continue to discuss ways that we can assist those in need of treatment for substance abuse and mental health in our country. This effort is of the utmost importance not only for continued success of our program at New Method Wellness but the treatment industry as a whole. We will be working with our politicians to develop legislature to improve policy relative to addiction and mental health treatment.
What are three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
There are a few issues that we are looking to address in our discussions with the politicians in Washington DC and here in California.
1) need for enhanced enforcement of the parity law that was passed in 2008;
2) the quality assurance measures NAATP has taken to address the unethical conduct of some treatment providers, to include patient brokering
3) overall issue of addiction that cannot be ignored amid all the attention on opioids.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
My definition of leadership would have to be to “Guide others by your example.”
I’ve never been one who enjoyed being managed by an iron fist. I feel that most of my mentors have shown me how to accomplish goals by their example. It’s much easier to learn the task from an individual who is willing to show you exactly how they were able to manage the task from their direct experience. Many of the qualities I want others to see in me are directly related to the principles I have acquired through the twelve steps. I try to accept others as they are, to be kind and sympathetic, and to treat others with respect and dignity. After all, we are only as good as the quality of people we have working for our organizations. If we take care of them, they will take care of those we help.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Be your most authentic self — it’s too much work portraying something you’re not
2. Be passionate about your work — if you’re not, you’re not in the right job
3. Take personal time to keep fit spiritually — if I’m not fit myself, I don’t have much use for my employer
4. Make yourself valuable by the quality of work — this is great for your job security
5. Take care of your employees — they will take care of your clients
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would love to inspire a movement to get others to be more selfless. As I have matured, I find my greatest joy in life to be my ability to connect with others through service work. I regularly find ways to volunteer my time towards missions I am passionate about. Unfortunately, it seems we live in a society today that glorifies selfishness and self-centered behavior. What I would love to see is a way to influence our young adults to get involved. My idea would be that every college in the country required their students to have a community service opportunity and gave them college credits for their time they offered in assistance to the community that they serve. They could gather information on service opportunities from their career counselors at their campus. At the end of the semester, they could complete a writing assignment to include the value in the experience they had while volunteering to receive their credits. There are many organizations throughout our country that could use the help, but the greatest benefit would be a change in the perspective of our culture in my belief. Could you even imagine the good that could do?
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Rule 62: “Don’t take yourself too darn seriously.”
Being an avid twelve-stepper, this is one quote I need to remember. Life seems to be filled with so many rules and regulations. When I first got sober, I thought I was doomed to a life of boringness. I couldn’t imagine a life where I could find enjoyment without the use of substances. Having the opportunity to look back at it couldn’t have been more wrong, some of the best experiences in my life have come in sobriety. I need to remember to have some fun now and then so I’m constantly planning my next weekend or adventure. They have a saying in the rooms: “If you’re not having any fun in sobriety, that’s your fault”.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
If you were to ask me this when I was a five-year-old boy in Lansing, Michigan, I would give you the exact same answer as I will today. The person I have absolutely admired my whole life is Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Growing up, Magic was easily the most famous person from my area, he played basketball for my beloved Michigan State Spartans (so beloved in fact that my dogs name is Sparty). I instantly became a LA Lakers fan when he was drafted, I have a basketball from the showtime Lakers in my office right now. Not only is Magic a hero locally but he is a national leader in business and advocacy. I would cherish an opportunity to meet with my lifelong hero, share stories about our former home and learn more about his charitable work.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
https://www.newmethodwellness.com/
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/new.method.wellness/
Twitter — https://twitter.com/NMWTweets
Personally, I’m very easy to find; I’m almost one of a kind:
Facebook — KC Gooding
Instagram — Calisparty
LinkedIn — KC Gooding
This was very meaningful, thank you so much!

