Alumnus Visits and Chats After 13 Years!

What Happens When a Teen Returns 13 Years Later?

In this heartfelt episode of the Turning Winds Podcast, host Kevin Zundl sits down with Justin, an alumnus who returns to the campus that helped shape his life. From a struggling teen to a confident leader and tennis coach, Justin reflects on how Turning Winds created the foundation for growth, resilience, and lasting success.

He opens up about the challenges of reintegrating into life after treatment, the support systems that helped him stay grounded, and the impact of feeling truly seen and supported by both peers and mentors. His story is a powerful reminder that real transformation doesn’t end at discharge—it continues through connection, purpose, and belief in what’s possible.

If this story resonates with you or someone you care about, call Turning Winds at 800-845-1380 or visit turningwinds.com to learn more.

For more teen parenting tips and treatment information | turningwinds.com | 800-845-1380.

Transcript

This is what happens when you have a moment of breakthrough with a teen, when they begin to believe in themselves.

Kevin Zundl:
Welcome to the Turning Winds Podcast. My name is Kevin Zundl. Turning Winds offers a full continuum of care for teens who benefit from additional clinical and academic support, a place where they can focus on growth and healing.

Today is special because I’m joined by Justin, an alumnus who attended Turning Winds more than a decade ago. Justin, it’s great to have you. Tell us a little about your story.

Justin:
This program completely changed my life for the better. I was going down a bad path, and who knows where that would have taken me.

When I first arrived at Turning Winds, it was a lot of hard work and self-reflection. I spent time figuring out what was really going on mentally and how I could change it. Around my third or fourth week, I decided that I wanted to take what I learned here and carry it with me for life.

The staff was incredible. Enoch was amazing. The best part was being away from all the distractions and just surrounded by forty other kids like me who were trying to find their footing.

I was lucky. During my time here I met some great athletes who became close friends. We helped each other navigate the program and grow into who we wanted to become.

Kevin:
You recently reached out to come back to campus. What made you want to do that?

Justin:
I wanted to give back to the kids and to the school that changed my life. Turning Winds helped me gain confidence and become a leader. When I first arrived, I was a skinny kid from New York. I still am a skinny kid, but now I’m confident.

Being here taught me how to use my voice and lead others. Today I teach tennis for a living. I get to lead and mentor kids every day. Coming back lets me reconnect with the place that gave me that foundation.

Looking back 13 years later, I realize how much I learned. If I could have taken ten more seconds to listen more closely to Enoch or others, maybe I would have learned even more, but that is part of growing up. I’m proud of who I’ve become, and I owe a lot of that to Turning Winds.

Kevin:
What was it like transitioning home afterward?

Justin:
It was a little hard at first, but my parents did a great job keeping me active and focused. I finished high school while I was here, which was huge because I didn’t have to return to my old environment.

I started working right away at a supermarket, then at a gym, and even through college I kept a job. That sense of responsibility and structure was huge for me. My dad really helped me build that work ethic.

Having the right tools, the right mindset, and the right people around me kept me on track. After Turning Winds, I went on to the University of Florida, earned a degree in Sports Management, and I’ve been teaching tennis ever since.

Kevin:
Thirteen years later, what keeps you grounded?

Justin:
Honestly, the people. Enoch was a huge mentor, but the other students gave me confidence too. They believed in me. When I led a group or spoke up, they followed, and that made me realize I had a voice.

If kids from all over the country could trust me enough to listen, I could trust myself. That belief started right here at Turning Winds.

Kevin:
That is powerful. Seeing that trajectory, from a teen finding his footing to an adult mentoring others, that is what this work is all about.

If Justin’s story inspires you, I encourage you to reach out to Turning Winds at 800-845-1380 or visit turningwinds.com
to learn more.