NoGeek Crew: Two Techs, Two Survivors, One Mission
- facethyfear
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
By Malcolm FTF Pannell | FTFnow.net
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been affected by drug abuse.
Maybe it’s your child. Your parent. Your friend.
Maybe it’s you.
I’m Malcolm FTF Pannell, 35 years old, and along with my brother Justin Beatenbough, 40 years old, we started something raw and real—NoGeek Crew. A recovery-rooted movement born from pain, built on purpose.
We didn’t come out of treatment or jail looking for a stage—we came back with a message.
Two Journeys, One Fight
I used cocaine nearly every day for 10 years.
Atlanta was full of it—easy to get, easy to justify. I was bartending, social, high-functioning. Until I wasn’t.
I ended up in rehab in Miami, detoxing not just my body, but my soul.
Now I’ve been clean from coke for 2 years, 10 months, and 17 days.
In 2021, over 5.2 million people used cocaine in the U.S., and with fentanyl lacing supplies, many are dying without even knowing the risk.
— National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
Justin’s story is different but just as real.
He spent 7 years using meth in North Georgia, especially around Rome. Meth took everything from him. He hit the bottom—jail. But instead of giving up, he woke up.
Now he’s been clean for 15 months and rebuilding his life, one day at a time.
Meth-related overdose deaths tripled from 2015 to 2019, with rural areas like North Georgia hit the hardest.
— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
We’re Both In the Field
We’re not just recovery stories—we’re skilled workers.
Both of us are in the HVAC field.
We troubleshoot systems, replace compressors, and knock out 10-hour days. But when the job ends, the mission doesn’t.
NoGeek means we’re not using. Not hiding. Not running.
It means we speak up—on job sites, at cookouts, in passing conversations—because the truth follows us everywhere.
Addiction Isn’t Just Physical—It’s Mental
Mental health matters.
You don’t just stop using and feel better overnight.
We talk about:
Shame that lingers long after detox
Depression that creeps in when things get quiet
Anxiety when you’re trying to “be normal” again
The suicidal thoughts no one sees coming
We speak for the folks who don’t have the words.
The fathers too hurt to cry.
The mothers still blaming themselves.
The survivors still too scared to share.
NoGeek Crew Is for You If…
You’ve lost someone to fentanyl
You’re trying to understand your child’s addiction
You’ve been clean, but still don’t feel whole
You’ve never used, but your heart’s been shattered by someone who has
This Is Just the Beginning
We’re not perfect.
But we’re present.
And we’re proof.
NoGeek Crew was founded by two techs in the field who decided enough was enough.
If this message speaks to you—share it. Show up. Say something.
Follow the Movement
FTFnow.net for blogs, merch, artwork, and recovery resources
Message us directly through the site
Join the crew. Share your truth. Save lives.
Need Help? You’re Not Alone.
Whether you’re battling addiction, trying to stay clean, or watching someone you love suffer—there is help.
24/7 National Helplines:
SAMHSA’s National Helpline (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services):
1-800-662-HELP (4357) — Free. Confidential. Available 24/7.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Dial 988 — For mental health support or crisis counseling.
Find Meetings & Recovery Groups Near You:
aa.org – Alcoholics Anonymous
na.org – Narcotics Anonymous
smartrecovery.org – SMART Recovery (non-religious recovery)
al-anon.org – For families and friends of addicts
Georgia-Based Resources:
Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225
Live Another Day: Resources for Black and brown communities in recovery
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