Ronald Tannebaum: Person of the week

Ronald (RT) Tannebaum – InTheRooms.com Co-Founder RT is the Co-Founder of InTheRooms.com the Largest FREE Online Social Network for the Global Recovery Community for those already in Recovery, Seeking Recovery and their Family, Friends, and Allies from any addiction. InTheRooms.com has over 1,175,000 members in 136 countries and celebrated its 16th Anniversary online on October 6, 2024. RT has 41 years of long-term recovery and has dedicated his life to helping make the recovery movement a positive, mainstream force in the world today. RT has been married to Phyllis for 37 years and she has over 40 years of long-term recovery. They have two adult children; Taylor and Jake, who have reaped the benefits of their parents’ long-term recovery and have never seen either of them pick up a drink or a drug in their entire lives.

IN THE ROOMS

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Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. Heroin / 9/20/1983.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. The people.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. A combination of all.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Robert Downey Jr.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. On a mountain top overlooking the ocean.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. Sense of humor.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. On my insides.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Hard butter.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. My local food bank.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. My two older brothers.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. My Sponsor.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. Miami, Florida / Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be?

A. Daniel Silva, James Clavell, Robert Ludlam.

Q. What is your Astrological sign?

A. Virgo.

Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?

A. How I feel inside.

Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?

A. Living Clean.

Q. Which film have you watched the most?

A. The Godfather.

Q. Who is your favorite film director?

A. Steven Spielberg.

A. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. That I could stay clean for 41 years.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. Be Grateful.

Q. What books are you reading now?

A. The Covenant of Water.

Q. What is your favorite App?

A. InTheRooms.com.

Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?

A. The Agency.

Q. What book would you most like to see turned into a movie or TV show that hasn’t already been adapted?

A. The Gabriel Alon Book Series by Daniel Silva.

Q. What is your favorite play or musical?

A. Phantom of the Opera.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Robert De Niro.

Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?

A. Bob Dylan.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Kind.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. Florence, Italy

Q. What is your favorite hotel?

A. The Ritz / Naples Beach.

Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Football.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. Casa D’Angelo.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Indian.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?

A. Yes!

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. Anniversary night at my Home Group.

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. The birth of my children.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. My Spirit.

Q. What are five things you always carry with you?

A. Self-esteem, a sense of humor, gratitude.

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Our current government.

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. In my head.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Picking up a white chip.

Q. What is the hardest amends you’ve ever had to make?

A. To myself.

Q. How important is human connection?

A. Very important.