Todd Crandell, Professional Counselor (PC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC III), has dedicated his personal and professional life to helping substance abusers re channel their destructive behaviors into positive, life-affirming action. By sharing personal stories about the perils of substance abuse, best practices in prevention and how to lead a holistic lifestyle, Crandell offers a positive alternative to those struggling to overcome a life of addiction. His 13-year struggle with drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed his life, devastating relationships with family and friends and shattering the promise of a professional hockey career. However, through his pursuit of extreme physical fitness and personal well-being, he found a productive outlet for his once-negative energies, transforming himself into a world-class athlete and champion for sobriety.

We started to talking to Todd and his team last week. This video was featured a few years ago, but Todd and his crew are still doing amazing this with his Racing to Recovery Program. Todd takes on a different approach then other recovery programs. In a conversation I had with Todd we went in depth about our feelings towards these programs. We both agreed in taking the approach of “whatever works.” He has only good things to say about the 12 steps, but he and I shared a common mindset in that recovery can be more then meetings. I myself have been an avid runner, and I find exercise to have a huge spiritual component for me.

Meditation can be loosely defined as a mindset in which you are completely present. I find few things bring me completely in the moment like running. Exercise obviously has huge physical benefits to improve your life. But the mental and spiritual aspect is something that probably isn’t talked about enough in recovery. I have often seen people get sober, and replace one addiction with another. Food, sex, work, etc. There are many cases when exercise itself can becomes and addiction. However, with balance, we still feel very strongly about exercise and physical fitness, and using them as a coping mechanism to deal with stress and anxiety. Something to many addicts know all too well. Read More…