In this episode of King County Recovery Conversations, host Christopher Archiopoli sits down with Vitor Oliveira, a University of Washington research professor and exercise scientist originally from Brazil. Vitor shares his personal experience of living with HIV since 2008 and the impact of stigma and discrimination, both in Brazil and the U.S. Through vulnerability and insight, he discusses how education and community have helped him navigate trauma and find recovery—not just medically, but emotionally and socially.
Listeners will hear Vitor’s journey from grappling with diagnosis in a culture filled with fear and misinformation, to empowering himself and others through research on exercise and comorbidities for people living with HIV. The conversation unpacks misconceptions about HIV, the importance of U=U, and how recovery is a lifelong, nonlinear process supported by acceptance and advocacy. Vitor’s work reminds us that HIV affects diverse communities and that healing happens in community, through both education and honest dialogue.
Resources from the episode:
Learn more about Vitor Oliveira’s research and advocacy work at the University of Washington Positive Research Community Advisory Board.
Find out more about Behavioral Health Apprenticeship programs at behavioralhealthapprenticeship.org.
Learn more about King County Recovery Coalition and the work they do here: https://www.kcrecovery.org/
The King County Recovery Coalition is a regional coalition of the Washington Recovery Alliance (WRA). Learn more about the WRA and the work they do here: https://www.washingtonrecoveryalliance.org/
If you are experiencing substance, use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge, please visit the Washington Recovery Helpline for resources and a 24-hour helpline: https://www.warecoveryhelpline.org/
King County Recovery Conversations is a podcast on a mission to celebrate recovery and help break the stigma of addiction and mental health. In each episode, policy experts, program professionals, and those with lived experience join host Heather Venegas to share stories of hope, resilience, and healing in our community. Together, we’ll learn about the various pathways to recovery – and the services and support systems available to anyone impacted by addiction and mental health. Whether you're someone seeking recovery, someone in recovery, a family member or friend, or a healthcare professional, this podcast is for you.
Connect with King County Recovery Coalition online, on Facebook (@KingCountyRecoveryCoalition), or on YouTube (@KingCountyRecoveryCoalition).
If you have feedback or show ideas, contact host Heather Venegas at heather@kcrecovery.org.
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/king-county-recovery/message
