From Bars to Jars: Joe Gallagher Jr. on Redemption, Real Food & Starting Over
Aug 04, 2025
I don’t usually share rock bottom stories.
Because here’s the truth: you don’t have to crash and burn to change your life or your relationship with alcohol.
You don’t need a disaster to get better.
But when Joe Gallagher Jr. sent me a copy of his memoir From Bars to Jars, along with a jar of his homemade sauce, I knew I needed to share this one.
What happens when your life doesn’t just fall apart once, but over and over again?
Joe Gallagher Jr. knows.
He was a rising rock musician with Grammy buzz when a horrific car accident sent his already unstable world into a deeper spiral: addiction, legal battles, and years of chaos.
But over a year ago, something shifted. Joe got sober.
And he did something unexpected: he started making tomato sauce.
Using his Italian grandmother’s handwritten recipe, Joe turned one small batch into Apastioli Specialty Foods, now in over 15 Piggly Wiggly stores across South Carolina.
But this isn’t just about red sauce. Joe’s building a movement; creating jobs for people in recovery and veterans, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and developing a 1,700-acre farm rooted in healing and purpose.
In this inspiring episode, Joe and I talk about:
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His long battle with addiction and why this time sobriety stuck
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How chasing fame nearly broke him
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The slow-cooked story behind Apastioli
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Supporting victims of domestic violence and breaking cycles
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His memoir From Bars to Jars, and the potential TV series
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What it means to stay Sober Fit while leading something bigger than yourself
This is more than a comeback.
It’s about faith, food, forgiveness—and how redemption tastes a lot like eggplant parm with homemade sauce.
Listen to Sober Fit Life here 🎧
🔗 Connect with Joe:
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📸 Instagram: @joegallagherjr
- From Bars to Jars
- Get your sauce
💬 Want to learn more about the tools I offer? 👇
