Team

Ryan Buccola is a dedicated father and a dynamic leader with a passion for the outdoors. Since beginning his sober journey in 2012, Ryan has been actively engaged in Alcoholics Anonymous and found support through the Betty Ford Center. He thrives in nature, whether snowboarding, guiding fly fishing trips, or mountain biking.

Josh Lazie is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the treatment industry and the co-founder of Bend Recovery Collective. He has also served as the Founder/CEO of Sea Change Recovery in Santa Monica, California, and the CEO of Executive Outcomes Recovery Services.

 Josh’s diverse background in horsemanship, jiu jitsu, music, and outdoor activities uniquely positions him to offer a holistic and empathetic approach to recovery. Having been sober for almost two decades, he brings a personal understanding and deep commitment to his work. His dedication to integrating these varied disciplines into his work at BRC has helped create comprehensive, personalized treatment programs that support clients in their journey toward lasting recovery. His multifaceted expertise and passion for helping others are at the heart of his success in the field.

Dr. Howard Samuels has worked in the field of addiction for over 30 years. he has run and operated three world renowned treatment centers while maintaining a successful private practice in the los angeles area. dr. samuels treats patients, both adult and adolescent, who suffer from a variety of issues other than drug and alcohol addiction, including: depression, family therapy, co-parenting after divorce, and anxiety disorders. this broad range of expertise has made Dr. Samuels one of the most sought after addiction professionals in the nation.

The biography of Dr. Rodney Collins, MD reads like a fairy tale – from the tough streets of South Central Los Angeles, to Stanford University and beyond. Dr. Collins became the valedictorian of his class at Dorsey High School and later received his Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology at Stanford, and then matriculated Howard University’s College of Medicine in Washington D.C. He finished his medical training at UCLA/Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, CA in 1999.

 Dr. Rodney Collins has a Board-Certified Addiction Medicine/ Psychiatrist in Beverly Hills for the past 15 years. Prior to, Dr. Collins practiced psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente, Bellflower and Exodus Medical Groups, and Brotman Hospital in Culver City, California. At the start of his medical career, Dr. Collins served four years as a primary care physician in the US Army as a Captain in the 1980’s. As an addiction specialist, Dr. Collins also evaluates nurses and other professionals currently monitored by the California Nursing Board and other state licensing agencies. With such an extensive background, it was only destined that Dr. Rodney Collins would eventually create his own medical practice New Visions Medical Group in Beverly Hills, CA.

Brian Milosavljevic is an accomplished life coach specializing in Men’s Health and Wellness, with formal training from the Hudson Institute of Coaching in Santa Barbara. However, it’s his personal battle with alcoholism that has profoundly shaped his journey. Since embracing sobriety in 2013, he has actively engaged with Alcoholics Anonymous, leveraging the 12-step program to catalyze transformative change in his life. Transitioning into fatherhood sparked a new focus for Brian, driving him to explore the realm of longevity and optimize both life and health span. Over the years, he has seamlessly integrated these experiences to empower others in cultivating consistent, healthy habits. 

 

Brian’s dedication extends beyond coaching; he recently completed a program at the University of San Diego’s School of Bone Densitometry and co-founded a wellness brand with locations in Santa Barbara, CA, and Las Vegas, NV. Despite his busy schedule, he cherishes moments with his young family in Santa Barbara and indulges in hobbies like golfing, snowboarding, hitting the gym, and restoring classic Ford and Shelby automobiles in his garage.

Professor Dennis Asche, a 4th Degree Gordo Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt from Bend, Oregon, founded Connection Rio BJJ Academy. With over twelve years of training in Rio de Janeiro, Asche has built a unique style influenced by various masters. His journey began in 1984 with karate in Bend, transitioning to Jiu-Jitsu in California under Patrick Lachman and later training under Professor John Machado, and Professor Renato Magno. Achieving success in competitions, Asche moved to Brazil in 2003 to train under Roberto “Gordo” Correa, being the first foreigner to earn his black belt under “Gordo”. After years of international training and founding a Jiu-Jitsu hostel in Rio, Asche returned to Bend to teach and share his diverse martial arts knowledge at Connection Rio. Additionally, he shares his wealth of Jiu-Jitsu knowledge with the men of Bend Recovery Collective, contributing to their personal growth and recovery journey.