Telling Your Heroine's Story Writing Contest: First Place Winner Carolyn Delaney

We Are The Heroines Of Our Own Stories

In September, we launched a writing contest to remind us all, that our lives are amazing stories in which we have the leading role.  

Margaret, Kim, Kathy, and Phyllis were our four distinguished judges who had a month to read the entries and score them. They were evaluated according to the contest criteria, and their scores were remarkably similar, which made it easy to decide on the First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention winners.

We couldn’t have done the contest without the four of them. Here’s a shout-out to what these talented women do – heroines in their own right.

We've linked their names above to their sites. Take some time to check them out. You'll be glad you did!

Meet Carolyn Delaney

We are proud to begin celebrating with our first-place winner, Carolyn Delaney, whose compelling story of perseverance and empowerment truly embodies the essence of a modern-day heroine. 

Carolyn Delaney started coming to our Heroine’s Gatherings early on. We have watched her receive accolade after accolade. She has been such an inspiration to all of us who meet regularly to share our stories of growth and transformation. Carolyn is the founder and publisher of Journey Magazine, a publication dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals in recovery. Its mission is to change the narrative around addiction and recovery. Her passion for creating a community of support and encouragement has made Journey Magazine a trusted resource for those on their recovery journey, as well as their families and allies.

In addition to her work with the magazine, Carolyn is a dedicated advocate for breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and fostering open conversations about healing and growth. She has just launched a free online course providing basic recovery education.  Carolyn and  Journey Magazine continue to shine a light on the possibilities of life in recovery.

A Heroine’s “Journey”  By Carolyn Delaney

My Ordinary Life

Before starting Journey magazine, I spent over 20 years working in technology, leading teams and managing large projects. Although my career was thriving, I kept a crucial part of my life hidden—my recovery from addiction since 1993. I called it my “bonus life,” but I didn’t share my story, fearing judgment from friends and coworkers.

The Call!

In 2017, I had a vivid dream about Journey, a New England newsletter I used to help with that shared recovery resources. After finding old copies through friends on Facebook, the spark to build something similar reignited. I realized people still needed access to recovery stories and resources—and sharing them could save lives.

Threshold Guardians

I was scared to launch the magazine. I had no experience in publishing, and I worried about failing. Friends questioned if leaving a stable career was a good idea. But I knew recovery stories needed to reach people who were struggling, so I took small steps to see where it would lead.

The Leap

Starting Journey wasn’t a sudden decision—it was a series of small, brave actions. I talked with people in recovery, researched publishing, and planned the magazine’s future. I reached out to recovery communities and potential partners, slowly building a plan for printing and distribution. Though I often considered going back to my old career, each step felt right.

Mentors at Work!

Heather Chandler, a seasoned publisher, became a crucial mentor, offering guidance and encouragement along the way. Volunteers also stepped up, distributing magazines at coffee shops, recovery centers, and community spaces. Their enthusiasm gave me the strength to continue when things got tough.

Adventure Road (Into the Unknown)

Building Journey wasn’t easy. I had to learn how to design pages, print issues, find advertisers, and set up distribution. Mistakes and setbacks happened, but each small success reminded me how meaningful this work was. Seeing the magazine in people’s hands confirmed it was worth the effort.

Belly of the Whale

At one point, the pressure felt overwhelming. Sharing my recovery story after years of keeping it private was frightening. I also doubted whether I could keep the magazine going. But I realized Journey didn’t need to be perfect—it just needed to be real. Letting go of perfection allowed me to focus on spreading hope.

Adventure Road (continued)

Even after finding clarity, challenges persisted. Some partnerships didn’t work out, and fear still lingered. But I kept going, knowing each issue could inspire someone, reduce stigma, or connect them to resources. With every step, new doors opened, and Journey started to grow beyond my expectations.

I Find a Dragon

One of the most important lessons I learned was that I didn’t need to do everything alone. I had always believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness. But like my recovery, creating Journey showed me that teamwork makes everything better. Volunteers, partners, and supporters were essential to this mission.

I Receive Gifts

Building Journey gave me gifts I never expected. I found a renewed sense of purpose and formed meaningful connections with others. I also experienced the joy of creating something with lasting impact. Most importantly, I saw how sharing recovery stories brings hope, fights stigma, and connects people to life-saving resources.

Return Threshold

Leaving my old career wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of a new mission. Journey has become a platform that transforms lives. Sharing recovery stories helps people feel less isolated and gives them the courage to seek help.

Free to Live!

Today, Journey is more than a magazine—it’s a movement spreading hope and making recovery visible. My dream is to grow it into a national media company, with local editions sharing community-specific stories. I also want to create opportunities for people in early recovery to develop media and storytelling skills.

Winning the 2023 Small Business Person of the Year award in Maine was an honor, but the real reward has been the lives we’ve touched and the connections we’ve built.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth every step. Journey magazine proves that when we follow our hearts, ask for help, and face our fears, we can create something meaningful. And I believe this is only the beginning.