Sam Divine on Sobriety & Starting Over | EF EP 135
When success starts destroying you, do you walk away or do you rebuild on your own terms?
Sam Divine spent 25 years grinding her way to the top—from handing out flyers on Ibiza streets to becoming the Queen of Defected. But the journey nearly broke her. Depression, addiction, relentless touring, and the loss of her mother pushed her to a breaking point where the music that once saved her started hurting her.
In January 2025, she checked herself into rehab. Not just for the drugs and alcohol, but for exhaustion. For being a workaholic who couldn't remember the last time she just breathed. What she found there changed everything.
If you've ever felt like giving up, like the industry is too much, like you're losing yourself in the chaos—this conversation is for you. Because on the other side of rock bottom, Sam found something unexpected: a new era, a new label (555), and a profound new energy that's redefining what success means.
Key Takeaways:
- Why being a workaholic is just as dangerous as being an alcoholic
- How Sam went from hating her first sober gig to thriving in sobriety
- The real cost of 25 years on the road and how burnout compounds over time
- How rehab unlocked her creativity and led to writing "Scars" about addiction and faith
- What it means to rebuild your career when you can't even listen to music anymore
- The art of the 5-hour set and why going back to grassroots venues matters
- How losing her mother became the catalyst for finding herself
- Why the industry needs more female producers, not just more female DJs
- How to maintain your standards while the industry evolves around you
Sam's journey proves that hitting rock bottom doesn't mean it's over—it means you finally have solid ground to rebuild from.
Want personalized guidance on building a sustainable career in dance music? Book a consulting call with me on GreenRoom and let's map out your next move.
Connect with me: @oliviamancuso__
Video Editor/Audio Engineer: James Fixx
