About the owner/dreamer JJ,
Jeffrey John Holley, JJ for short, is a dreamer. He is a dreamer of a better life, of a sober life, of a life where he can help others live better lives. This five-year sober, recovering alcoholic, has created Ripple Retreat, a safe space for events to be held that are free from the influences of alcohol and illegal drugs. He created Ripple Retreat to not only help the guests of the retreat but its neighbors, and the community. He gives 75% of its profit away to local charities and to support the town of West Paris, Maine.
JJ retired from the Air Force in October 2015. He honorably served 27 years completing his service at the rank of Major, which was quite the accomplishment considering he barely graduated High School, in Twin Falls, Idaho. He started his Air Force career at the lowest rank, E-1, and after ten years of service to his country, JJ graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mt. Olive College N.C. with his undergraduate degree in business. A few years later he went on to Officer Training School, and shortly after receiving his commission, JJ went back to night school, doubled up his course load, and in one year, graduated top of his class from Websters University with his MBA.
JJ’s career took him and his family all over the world, serving tours in many states and foreign countries, and six times our country called upon him to serve in combat. Three of those combat tours were in Iraq, where he had the honor and privilege of serving side by side with hero’s, too many of which gave their lives in their service. JJ returned home each time physically whole, but emotionally scarred.
All of his career JJ served and lived the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All You Do. He achieved everything he strove for in the Air Force, to include the honor of serving as a Commander, all the while hiding to most, except his wife and kids, his depression and anxiety fueled by living as a functional alcoholic. During his time in the Air Force, JJ’s greatest love was getting to raise his two children.
After JJ retired in 2015, he continued to move around the world gaining experience and taking on jobs to support the troops, working for the Army as a civilian for a year in Afghanistan and eight months in Kuwait. All the while drinking when he could, abusing his body while seeking the bottom of the bottles.
JJ has lived in 34 places in this beautiful world, he even experienced being a nomad backpacking the world for eight months, living the dream and the nightmare. Hitting rock bottom, completely alone and on the brink of suicide in Australia, JJ finally learned that he too could be a hero, a hero to himself.
He truly knows what it means to hurt and to get stuck in a cycle of beating yourself up over and over…
Five years ago, when JJ turned 50, he finally made the change for himself and stopped drinking and began to heal. He says that being sober and staying sober, is an everyday battle that is so very hard, however, he found the first step is in loving yourself enough to help yourself, to be your own hero.
In doing so, the universe led him and his Siberian husky Koda to West Paris, Maine where he purchased this amazing property known as ‘The Benson Place’. JJ bought this large home and property with no idea at the time why, but he knew in his soul there was a reason.
He is dedicated to building the dream that one day Ripple Retreat will be making a profit and giving 75% of that profit to the town of West Paris and to local charities. He has also vowed that one day Ripple Retreat will help one homeless family help themselves off the street a year.
JJ has found he is not alone in this dream, in this beautiful journey of life he has fallen in love, connecting with Monique Bouffard of Healing Pathway Pros, a Reiki Master and now a partner in enhancing Ripple Retreats vision of helping others
JJ & Monique dream that one day you and your friends will be hosting sober events, celebrations, retreats and recovery meetings at Ripple Retreat. As hosts and attendees enjoy the beauty of the space, they will know they are also supporting the community, fulfilling the dream of improving lives.
We ask that you please pause, love yourself, and be aware of your Ripple!
