Power Up Recovery with Fitness

As some of you know, a few weeks back, I went on a trip to initiate a program called "Power Up Recovery with Fitness." This is a program that a few others and myself had decided to create to help aid substance abusers in their recovery efforts. So we went to put our theory to the test. I went down to Bowling Green Brandywine, a recovery facility in PA. Truth be told, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was going to be administering a talk, workout, and some high level motivation to a group of individuals I had never met before. I had no idea where they were on their recovery efforts, just beginning or near the end? With exercise, the more information you have on an individual you're working with, the better. All I had was that they were in recovery. This was very nerve-racking because a push too hard in one direction and the program goes out the window. 

The time has finally come, so here goes nothing! Wow! All I could say was WOW. What an experience I had. Even though these individuals had made some bad decisions in their lives, they were just like you and me at the core. They wanted that extra push, that extra bit of a challenge to see what they were made of. And boy, did they step up to the challenge! After going through an intense 45 minute workout, I heard a bellow from the crowd, "Let's keep going," "Imagine how good we will feel!"

Needless to say, we continued for 15 more minutes. As I finished with putting through the paces, we stretched and cleared our minds. Then, true to all workouts, we brought it into the middle of the room for a breakdown of what we did and how we will attack the rest of the day.

As we broke from our huddle, I heard one individual say under his breath, "wow, if I can do this, I can do anything." Success! Yes! My goal was to go there and change one life, one person's view on what they could do. Mission accomplished.

Remember that everyone needs someone to believe in them. You may be able to change the course of one person's life just by giving them a pat on the back, a few encouraging words, or just by letting them know that you believe in them. Someone may have done it for you in your lifetime. Don't be afraid to return the favor.

I have already travelled to two more locations to grow the program and am looking forward to more!