Bravo reality star Captain Sandy Yawn has been reflected on her life as she celebrates an extraordinary milestone. The “Below Deck” figure has now reached 37 years of sobriety.
The 61-year-old recently marked the anniversary of when she went sober. This followed a period when drugs and alcohol abuse dominated her life, long before she began sailing yachts. In an Instagram post to mark the occasion, she looked back at what her life could have been. At one point, she even noted how lucky she was to be alive and to get the chance to make something of her life.
Yawn is a renowned superyacht captain with more than three decades of sailing experience. She rose to prominence with her appearances on “Below Deck Mediterranean,” becoming the first female captain in the franchise. She has since become one of Bravo’s best known personalities.
Captain Sandy Celebrates 37 Years of Sobriety
Alongside an image of herself at a Bravo event, Yawn revealed that she has been sober for 37 years. However, she also opened up about her early life and how she believed it was a miracle she had lived this long. The captain began abusing drugs and alcohol as a teenager and has previously described the effect it had on her.
“From the age of 13 to 25, I was in and out of jails, institutions, and close to death more times than I can count,” Yawn wrote. “When I look back, I know one thing for sure: it is a miracle that I am alive.”
In prior interviews, Yawn has explained that she was involved in a number of accidents and motor vehicle crashes. Each of these events had the potential to be deadly but she fortunately survived.
She added in the social media post, “I thank God every single day for giving me another chance, not just to live, but to truly live. Thirty-seven years, one day at a time. If you are struggling today, please know this: there is hope. Your life can change, mine did. Never give up.”
Captain Sandy Receives Support From Bravo Stars
The impressive milestone prompted an outpouring of support from her fellow Bravo stars. Aesha Scott of “Below Deck” commented that she was “so so so so so proud of you,” while “Summer House” star Carl Radke called her achievement “inspiring and incredible.
Andy Cohen posted his own message in the form of several clapping emoji. Meanwhile, Kyle Richards added, “👏👏👏👏👏.” Her “Below Deck” colleague Joe Bradley wrote, “what an inspiring leader.” Additionally, her previous deckhand Colin Macy-O’Toole said, “Get it Cap,”
Yawn has also helped other members of the wider Bravo family with their own sobriety journeys. Braunwyn Windham-Burke has previously explained that Yawn supported her when she became sober. She also offered advice about Windham-Burke speaking publicly about her sobriety.
