What if the bravest step isn’t “getting it together”… but simply not doing it alone?

Written By John Steakley

If something in your life is harming your relationships with friends and family, what keeps you from reaching out for help?

If you discover a lump in your body, what do you do? Hope it goes away, or call a Doctor? 

And if it’s someone you love who’s struggling, what’s behind your hesitation to seek support? Fear of exposure? Shame? Not wanting to “make it a big deal”? Worry that nothing will change? Here’s the hard truth most of us learn the long way: you can’t control another person’s choices. But you can take steps toward help, clarity, and strength for yourself, and that often becomes a surprising turning point for the whole family.

I’ve lived this “backwards” path.

My recovery didn’t begin with me deciding to get healthy—it began when my wife, Heidi, reached out for help herself. She invited our loved ones into the story and gently encouraged me out of hiding. As she stopped isolating and stepped into honest connection, something shifted. Healing started to take root, not just in me, but in our marriage, and it rippled outward from there. (If you’d like to hear the full story, you can watch my video here: https://youtu.be/gmpQ-kvyRJ0?si=YEk6z5-I3BSI_Yf6&t=270).

Why groups matter (especially when you’re tired, stuck, or unsure)

Heidi was done struggling alone. She brought in a gracious, loving group of my friends, and they loved me out of despair. This love involved hard conversations and uncomfortable confrontations.

Isolation is where shame gets loud, and where coping patterns quietly deepen. But connection changes people. By God's grace, community with others saved me. They helped me see that: 

  • “I’m not the only one.”

  • “I’m not crazy for feeling this.”

  • “There is hope, and there is a next step.”

Unbound Grace Groups are designed to be inviting, safe, and pressure-free. They are a place where you can bring your real story and be met with compassion, wisdom, and steady encouragement toward freedom. 

And just to be clear: these groups are for everyone. Whether you’re the one struggling, supporting someone who is, or simply realizing that something in your life is producing relational fallout—you are welcome here.

You can show up with zero pressure

No commitment required.
No expectation to talk.
You can come once, sit quietly, listen, and leave.

Sometimes the first step is simply letting your nervous system exhale in a room where you don’t have to pretend.

Current Support Group Opportunities

Each group listed below is facilitated in partnership with Unbound Grace and led by a UGM staff member or a trained partner leader.

Men’s Groups

  • Men’s Group at UGM — Weekly on Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. (Unbound Grace Office, 1841 Montclaire Lane, Vestavia)

  • Men’s Group at The Center — Weekly (The Center for Executive Leadership, Homewood)

  • Men’s Group at The Foundry — Weekly (The Foundry, Bessemer)
    For more information about these groups, contact John@unboundgrace.life

Women’s Groups

For more information about women-only groups, contact admin@unboundgrace.life.

Men and Women (Co-ed)

Loved One’s Groups (for spouses, parents, friends, and family)

  • Loved One’s Group at UGM — Every other Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. (UGM Conference Room, 1841 Montclaire Ln, Vestavia)
    Contact: Jeremy@unboundgrace.life

  • Loved One’s Group at Asbury — Weekly on Mondays, 6:30 p.m. (Asbury United Methodist Church, Birmingham)
    Contact: Tyler@unboundgrace.life

  • Unbound Grace @Shades Mt. Baptist — Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm through April. Contact Mark Garnett for more info: Mark@unboundgrace.life

  • Unbound Grace @Vestavia Methodist — Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. (Vestavia Hills Methodist Church, Vestavia)
    For more information, contact John@unboundgrace.life or sstrammell@vhmc.org

…A simple invitation

If you’re ready to take one small step toward honesty, support, and hope, start with a room where you don’t have to carry it alone. If you don’t see a group that fits your schedule or situation, contact us; we can share a more extensive list of active support groups.

Come as you are. Listen if you want. Speak if you’re ready. No pressure - just connection.

Find a Support Group
John Steakley https://www.unboundgrace.life
Next

Behind the mask… remembering who you are.