CLEARWATER, Fla. — Forty-nine-year-old Sharon Fekete got sober at age 21.

She only recently started sharing her story of recovery. The entrepreneur says she was taught early on, especially as a boss, not to disclose issues.

"For me to ever share that I was a recovering drug addict, an alcoholic and that at one time I was suicidal would just be not par for the course when you’re the boss," said Fekete.

After decades, Sharon says she decided to listen to something inside her telling her to share.

"I was listening to this whisper riding my bike every day, like you have to tell your story because there were too many people that were in my life, in business, that were losing a loved one to suicide and addiction and overdose," said Fekete.

They didn't know what she was going through and she thought she could help. So, in 2019 at 25 years sober, Fekete wrote a book, "The Broken Road to Mental Health."

She is open about her recovery and shares a chapter in her book dedicated to the counselor she credits with saving her life.

"I had already been to two rehabs a halfway house, detox, a mental institution, suffered horribly from depression but he was somebody that actually understood what it was like to struggle w addiction," Sharon read from the book, getting emotional.

Along with writing about it, she's also speaking about her story of recovery.

Sharon is one of three speakers to share Thursday to a sold-out crowd at the Working Women of Tampa Bay Power Lunch: Breaking the Stigma. The organization gathers to support and motivate each other and talks about tough topics. Sharon hopes by continuing to share her story, she will raise awareness about mental health issues and help break the stigma of mental health issues.

"If I continue to share my story and show somebody else hope that you can actually make it," she said..

Sharon continues sharing and surrounding herself with supportive organizations. She also finds satisfaction in running her two businesses; one as a consultant to physicians, the other a boutique social media practice.

If you need help, call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211.