Over the past few weeks, we’ve introduced the organizers of TEDxDuluth and the core philosophy of Igniting Personal Development. Now, we are thrilled to introduce one of our speakers: Mazz Marry, Chair of the School of Science at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Mazz is a brilliant plant biologist and academic leader, but our conversation quickly moved beyond his professional titles to the most pivotal, personal event of his life. His talk is a story of achieving professional success while facing a private struggle.

Mazz’s talk is a powerful exploration of how the tools used for survival in addiction recovery are, in fact, the most essential tools for authentic, honest, and effective leadership in any field.

Part I: The Road to the Awakening

When asked what motivated him to apply for a TEDxDuluth talk, Mazz was candid. It wasn’t about seeking recognition for his academic field; it was about the profound, life-saving story he now had a duty to share:

“I have a story, I hope I have a story you want to listen to, and my story can help you.”

Mazz shared his chilling, “blind luck” journey to sobriety. His rock bottom wasn’t a slow realization; it was a physical emergency resulting from alcohol dependence, but a dramatic turn of events that led to a medically induced coma.

“I fell on the ice one day and got taken to the ER… I went into withdrawal, and they had to put me in a medically induced coma for six days. When I woke up and was sober, I had my first thought of, ‘I might have a problem.’”

Mazz was no longer able to live in denial; this experience forced him into Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He revealed a sobering truth about his path: he is in the very small percent of people who went once, got sober, and stayed sober. This statistic underscores his belief that you must learn the lessons of recovery before fate forces your hand.

Part II: The Power of Silence and Co-Creation

Following years of denial, where he refused to listen to loved ones, Mazz committed to a long period of silence in recovery.

“I spent so many years not listening to people telling me, ‘Hey dude, you have a drinking problem.’ I needed to listen to people. So I listened to everything.“

This period of forced silence lasted a year; Mazz realized this radical act of taking space was the secret to true co-creation in leadership. By stepping back and listening, you allow others to contribute their knowledge and ideas, rather than micromanaging or pretending to have all the answers.

“We don’t know. We’re just trying to make something better. You think about it and say, ‘Let’s give it a go.’ We don’t know. We’re trying to fix. There’s no answers at this point. We’re just trying to make something better.”

The power of this collaborative approach is embracing uncertainty and moving forward by combining different knowledge sets; a direct lesson from his recovery journey.

Part III: Leadership from the Recovery Manual

For Mazz, recovery and leadership became intertwined. After getting sober, he realized he could be a leader because the principles he learned in recovery were directly transferable to managing people, challenges, and organizations.

He plans to strip away the academic jargon often found in leadership training:

“Some leadership books are just… you get lost in the weeds… I just thought, well, let’s just break it down to stuff that I know that works that’s helped me.”

The Rule of Honesty: No More “But”

One piece of advice from his time in treatment has become a cornerstone of his talk: the prohibition against using the word “but” when discussing his mistakes or intentions.

“She said, I never want to hear the word ‘but’ out of your mouth ever again… In here, you’re going to listen, and you’re never going to say the word ‘but’ in a sentence again, and give me some excuse. And, you know what? Almost nine years later, I’ve never done it.”

The challenge is simple: what you say after “but” is the only thing that matters. True honesty requires eliminating the excuses and accepting the core truth.

Part IV: Braving It Until You Make It

Mazz strongly rejects the philosophy of “fake it ’til you make it,” viewing it as inauthentic and damaging. Instead, he advocates for “brave it ’til you make it” which is coming at every challenge with courage, honesty, and a willingness to collaborate.

He argues that great leaders and individuals must admit when they don’t have the answer:

“The most helpful, honest and scariest thing you can do as a leader is just to say, ‘I don’t know.’ Let’s work on this together and see if we can work it out.”

This is the vulnerability that transforms. It breaks the cycle of denial and creates space for shared success.

“You are not a leader until you’re lost.”

Don’t be afraid to make a decision. The worst thing you can do is nothing. If you make a mistake, pivot.

Ticket Launch is 12/19: Don’t Miss This Talk!

Mazz Marry’s message is a masterclass in self-discovery, leadership, and the relentless courage required to face your true self. The insights he shares could be the moment that compounds into a lifetime of personal and professional growth for you.

As Mazz reminds us, “Every saint has a past, and every sinner deserves a second chance.”

Listen to the Full Interview

Hear the full, uncensored conversation with Mazz Marry: [Full Zoom Interview]