By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Addiction Recovery – Finding Hope.

Steve Weatherford stood on the edge of a sprawling field that once echoed with the thundering hooves of polo horses. The sunrise painted the 75‑acre Oklahoma City property in gold. “That night was probably the most depressing, darkest night of my life,” he told host Amy LaRue, recalling how victory didn’t fill the emptiness inside.

The Vision Behind Finding Hope Residential Recovery Center

Weatherford and his wife, Allie, have turned the former Oklahoma City Polo Club into a sanctuary for men seeking to break free from addiction. The campus now includes a main lodge with 14 beds, a gym, a sauna, and a meditation space they call “Prayer Island.” Every morning at 6:30 a.m., residents gather for a brief devotional, soak in sunlight, and write down a personal revelation they call their “manna” for the day. “If they don’t use it, they lose it,” Weatherford explained, emphasizing the immediacy of spiritual insight.

Since opening in early January, the facility has housed ten men in its inaugural residential program. The approach blends rigorous physical training—”they’re jacked, they’re jumping on big boxes”—with daily scripture study, reflecting Weatherford’s belief that “overcoming your flesh is first making your flesh obedient.” He likens the process to a football player reviewing game film: athletes look for strengths and weaknesses, and the same discipline applies to spiritual growth.

Faith as the Foundation of Recovery

At the heart of the center is a clear biblical framework. Residents begin each day on “Prayer Island,” where they write a short card describing what God has spoken to them. These cards become discussion points in the first group meeting, allowing each man to share his revelation and receive accountability. Weatherford cited Romans 5:3‑5 as a personal mantra: “We rejoice in our suffering knowing that our suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character gives hope to other men.”

He also shared a poignant memory of his own recovery: “When I was in rehab my mom wrote me a letter every day for 90 days. Every day I’d go to the mailbox and get the letter and that just instantly reminded me of the power of kind of grabbing onto somebody else’s belief until you can believe yourself.” This practice of daily encouragement now informs the center’s emphasis on written testimony and peer support.

Physical Discipline Meets Spiritual Renewal

The campus’s gym is more than a place to lift weights; it serves as a tangible reminder that the body can be trained to obey. Weatherford described how men who arrived barely able to walk now perform demanding workouts, a transformation he sees as a “manifestation of a lot of good choices.” He also mentioned upcoming amenities such as red‑light therapy, a sauna, and a cold plunge, underscoring a holistic view of health that integrates modern wellness tools with faith‑based practices.

Beyond the equipment, the environment itself is designed to convey God’s love. Local artists painted murals across the walls, and the property’s historic polo field has been repurposed into a space where residents can experience both beauty and purpose. “The facilities alone show God’s love,” Weatherford said, noting that the aesthetic quality of the campus helps residents feel worthy of recovery.

Community Impact and Future Growth

Finding Hope is part of a broader network that includes 27 homes across 12 cities in six states. Weatherford explained that the new Oklahoma City campus is a response to a perceived gap in the organization’s “second base” services—places where men and women are mixed together. By creating a gender‑specific residential setting, the center aims to address unique challenges faced by men in recovery.

Early indicators suggest the model is resonating. Residents report increased confidence, stronger spiritual habits, and improved physical health. Weatherford highlighted a recent moment when a participant sent him a video showing dramatic progress in mobility, prompting Weatherford to remark, “By the time they get out, you’ll see some of them… jumping on big boxes, doing all the tough stuff. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Balancing Legacy, Fitness, and Service

When asked how he balances his former athletic fame with his current mission, Weatherford answered that his former idols—”my physique, my finances, my reputation”—have become tools for service rather than sources of competition. He now uses his knowledge to mentor others, inviting people to his home for workouts that double as discipleship sessions. “I use my time, talents, and treasures to complete,” he said, emphasizing that every effort now glorifies Christ.

His commitment to mentorship extends beyond the gym. Weatherford recounted a recent three‑hour drive with a friend named Jordan, during which they discussed spiritual growth and practical recovery steps. Even in moments of fatigue, Weatherford expressed joy in being a conduit for God’s love, stating, “When you think about what Jesus did for us, having a little less personal, lone time is a very small price to pay to be used of the Lord.”

Weatherford’s story illustrates how a former champion can channel personal pain into communal hope. By pairing disciplined fitness with daily spiritual revelation, the Finding Hope campus offers a template for faith‑based recovery that could inspire similar initiatives nationwide.

As the sun set over the former polo grounds, the laughter of men in prayer echoed across the field—a reminder that victory isn’t measured in trophies, but in lives reclaimed.

The full episode of Addiction Recovery – Finding Hope is available on OBBM Network TV.