*Ron Krebsbach had been a die-hard hockey fan his whole life, but the past few years had been tough. He'd lost his job during the pandemic and turned to drinking to cope. As the Florida Panthers made an unlikely run to the 2023 Stanley Cup finals, *Ron couldn't help but be inspired by their resilience.

The news of their Game 3 victory after travelling cross-country on short rest triggered something in *Ron. It reminded him of his playing days as a kid, when no obstacle could stop his love for the game. 'Those Panthers proved that no matter what gets thrown at you, you can still come out on top if you stick to it,' he said.

Motivated by the team's refusal to make excuses, *Ron decided to stop making his own. He found the Hofman Hollis Institute's Stepping Into Action program for alcohol addiction recovery. Following the online lessons and counseling sessions, he was able to get his drinking under control and regain his passion for life.

'I'll never forget the inspiration I took from that Panthers team,' *Ron said. 'They showed that anything is possible if you have the determination and keep pushing forward, no matter what.'

Addiction experts praised *Ron's ability to find motivation in unexpected places. 'It's important for people struggling with substance abuse to look for positive forces that can inspire change,' said Dr. *Amanda Willis. 'Whether it's a sports team's resilience or any other phenomena, latching onto that feeling can provide the spark to get better.'

However, some were skeptical that a hockey team's playoff run could have such a profound impact. 'Sports can certainly provide uplifting moments, but overcoming a serious addiction takes much more than feeling inspired by a game,' cautioned therapist *Mark Cohen. 'The real work comes in following a comprehensive recovery plan with professional guidance.'

For *Ron, at least, his unlikely muse provided the push he needed. 'Was getting counseling through an online program easy? No,' he admitted. 'But it was absolutely worth it to get my life back on track. The Panthers showed me that you can overcome long odds if you keep fighting.'

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