ELM TR offers our country’s heroes—primarily veterans and first responders, the opportunity to retreat from the mad pace of this world, (re)-discover (or perhaps discovering for the first time) their true identity, purpose and value, re-connecting w/themselves, creation as well as their Creator and others, re-emerging to return to their home renewed and restored, empowered with a plan, not just for surviving, but THRIVING. ELM TR will not be about changing a behavior, but about transformation—changing the way we think.
ELM TR is not designed to treat primary addiction, and does not serve as a rehab or recovery center.
Rather, it is a program for self-improvement and self-worth.
Mike Holliday – Founder/Director
After a 10+ year struggle with drugs, alcohol, violence, and crime, accumulating 17 arrests, and narrowly escaping that many more, at 22 years old, Mike made the most important decision of his life, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Mike’s life was hugely transformed, as he left his Maryland-Washington DC home and hitch-hiked ½ way across the country to Ft Worth, TX. He was immediately immersed in a great church, soon began attending a Christian college, met a wonderful/beautiful Christian girl, got married and thought they’d live happily ever after. He obtained 2 degrees, several certifications, had a precious daughter, bought a farm, built a home and successful business, served his country for 11 years in both the Army and the Navy, achieving most of his goals.
However, while things appeared great on the outside, Mike hadn’t learned about “surrender” and hadn’t really dealt with the demons of alcoholism stemming from deeper roots of pride, insecurity, childhood sexual abuse, fear (of abandonment, rejection and failure). Mike managed to dig a deeper pit and accumulated a 3rd and 4th DUI and lost his family of nearly 20 years. God used this landing in a deep, slimy pit to cause Mike to finally choose to quit digging and look up, truly surrendering to the Only Higher Power, the Only One Who could save him from his bondage.
God has helped Mike to, not just stay clean and sober, one day at a time, but to truly learn to enjoy one moment at a time. Mike has been active in his recovery, staying completely sober since DUI #4 on April 22, 2004. Holliday served 6 years in the Army, including Field Artillery combat duty, attached to the 18th Airborne Corps in Operation Desert Storm, and 5 years as a commissioned officer in the Navy, as Bethesda Naval Hospital Reserve Command Fitness Leader. It breaks Mike’s heart to read the staggering statistics of 22 suicides per day for vets, and an 86% divorce rate and extremely high substance abuse rate for combat vets, as he’s a statistic of 2, and almost all 3! It’s also heartbreaking to learn that his state, West Virginia, is among the nation’s leaders in opioid addictions and deaths, as well as numerous poor health stats. Mike took Celebrate Recovery inside jails and prisons for the over 10 years, sharing his story of God’s transforming his messes into His message of freedom; he now goes inside a local prison weekly to share his church’s message. He is now a national coach for Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered 12 step program, and has linked RA with Reboot Recovery, another Christ-centered program aimed at overcoming trauma together.
Mike has operated a small physical therapy clinic and gym since 2000. Recently, Mike built a brand-new, state of the art clinic on his beautiful serene 16-acre farm.
