 My name is Arthur Chavez Jr., I am a recovering Meth addict. The last 8-9 years of my life have been pretty much a blur…I thought I was living my life to the fullest with my family and my kids but that wasn’t the real me there with them. That was a different person all together. I was in and out of jail, that was the only time I would be totally clean, because I had to be. There were a lot of broken promises to the ones who were always there for me. My mom would tell me I was mean, I acted like I could take on the world. It wasn’t until I was alone one night and got caught with Meth. It was then that I seen how fast I was on my way to losing my freedom. My girlfriend, kids, mom, and my whole family would be the ones to suffer. I hated the thought of being without them, that’s when I learned about Addict to Athlete from a family member. After the first Saturday meeting I went to, I decided this is what it was going to take to let me spend everyday with my kids. I became more involved. I started running, helping with fundraisers, making A2A car stickers and A2A shirts. My biggest commitment to my sobriety and to the group is my A2A tattoo. Rob soon became not only my friend but a person I could call on anytime. I soon became an active member of the Colorado Meth Project. I spend my time talking to kids at school and volunteering my time to help others. My time means a lot more to me now, whether it be going from one end of town for my sons football game to the other side of town for my daughters soccer game. I can truly say I am an active A2A member who enjoys everyday to the fullest now. There is hope for any addict of any drug. I am living proof!
 My name is Maria Aragon and I’m 29 years old. I am a recovering cocaine addict coming up on a year and 3 months sober. I was active in my addiction for 9 years. Every time I thought I hit rock bottom I would try quitting on my own, I even tried going to rehab, but after a couple of months being sober I always ended up going back out, thinking that I could control my use. I had many reasons I used. Some were to cover up the feelings of disappointment, hurt, guilt, shame, and my depression, just to name a few. I thought the high was the greatest feeling that I had ever felt, and that it would take away my problems. Well it didn’t, it only made my problems even worse for me or even created new ones. I lost the respect that I had for myself as well as for other people. The drugs also put a huge strain on both personal and family relationships, my parents and siblings didn’t even know who I was anymore, I didn’t even know who I was. I had become someone I never guessed I would be in a million years. I did everything you could think of to get my fix. I’ve lied, cheated and stole, among other many things. My use came to an abrupt stop on April 27, 2009 when a using "friend" and I got into trouble. I was looking at 6 to 12 years in prison and being away from my kids for that long. I realized that for the last 9 years of my life I had accomplished nothing and had nothing to show for. I realized that I needed to come out of this addiction alive to be there for my kids and to show them that there is something more in life.
After being convicted for forgery in August 2009, I was ordered 2 years probation and drug and alcohol treatment. I was ordered to Crossroads for the 30 day inpatient treatment. I was already 6 months sober at this point when I went in, but I went in with an open mind, hoping that I would be able to take in everything that they were teaching me. While I was in Crossroads I was introduced to the Addict 2 Athlete program, and I felt it was something that I could possibly continue doing after I got out of Crossroads. When I was released from Crossroads on December 2, I realized that I needed to integrate something healthy and positive in my life that would help me to remain clean and sober. I continued to come to A2A on a regular basis and also started helping them out by running the meeting when they were unable to be there. I also starting doing a lot of running and getting myself back into shape by going to the gym. I did my first indoor triathlon in the beginning of 2010 and I placed 2nd in my age group. On March 7, 2010 did my first 5k race for the Spring Runoff and I did it in 31:24 min. On April 18, 2010, I also did the Spank Blasing Run where I did improve my time. I have now just completed another indoor triathlon and now I will begin training to do my first half marathon in October. My recovery is still new and some days are still harder than others. But everyday I am growing stronger and growing further away from the life of using. I am very grateful that there is this wonderful program called Addict 2 Athlete. It has honestly been the biggest contributing factor in my recovery. The founders of this program, (Rob and Sheena), have been such an inspiration to me. They motivate me to only do better in my recovery; I don’t know what I would have done without them there to give me the strength that I need to push on. The program has shown me that I can do something in life that is positive, all I have to do is set my goal and go for it without thinking twice. I have recently been given the chance to be an assistant coach for the A2A program and I feel that this is such a great honor. I believe that it will help me in my recovery because now I will also be able to help other people in their recovery. I believe that God will never take you somewhere where God cannot protect you. That is what I live by everyday. Thank you to everyone from A2A you have truly helped to save my life.  My name is Jeremiah and I am 20 years old and I have been struggling with anger problems for years. I would always deal with my anger through self destructive outlets such as breaking personal belongings, distancing myself from loved ones and yelling as loud as I could. When ever someone got a glimpse of my anger or heard noise from my room, they would check on me and I found myself lying to cover up what I had done. I noticed over time that my blow ups were getting bigger and bigger and soon they became triggered by the most simplest and smallest of things. The quality of my life had severely nose-dived and I knew that unless I changed how I reacted to such things, that my temper would and very likely affect my future in a negative way. My anger scares those around me and if I never learned to deal with it and keep myself from exploding, I could for see my anger getting me in trouble with the law and changing my life forever.
After a particular blow up, I ended up punching the wall and breaking my hand when my knuckle came in contact with a stud instead of just hitting the dry wall. At that time, I had to have with a cast that covered my right ring finger and pinky. People were asking me what I did to break it and I was ashamed of myself and I tried to lie. Only those who knew that this particular type of break was actually caused by punching wrong knew the truth, but I had to live with the actions of my decisions for a month. Every time I looked at my cast I felt horrible and wanted so badly to change the way I was. I heard of A2A at the gym where I work, Rob had left his business cards on the counter for people to take. I wasn’t sure if A2A would be able to help me with my anger problem until my girlfriend talked to Rob himself. Rob talked to me, and told me that anger was a very common and serious problem, if I didn’t try to learn to manage it. I realized that this might be a helpful tool to overcome my anger. I have never been to an AA meeting or any other type of meet of that sort and this was a whole new experience for me. After my first meeting, he said it was time to work out and I will never forget trying to do a push up with a cast on. I felt enlightened after the whole thing was over, not sure if it was hearing other peoples life experience or the work out that followed it. Either way I definitely wanted to feel that again, and the only way to do that was to admit I had a problem and have an open mind at the A2A meetings. After a few weeks I started to run with the A2A team on Saturdays before the meetings, and realized it intensified that feeling of accomplishment. I competed in my first competitive run at the Spirit Fest 5K run with the A2A team, and finished 14th out of 73. A little while ago I just finished my first indoor triathlon at the PAC and placed first in my age group. I never thought I would use running as an outlet, let alone running every Saturday in the early morning or competing against other people. I found strength in myself that I never knew that I had in me before, and only once I committed myself to changing my addiction was it possible. I knew that after accomplishing all this running and exercise, overcoming my problems and learning to deal with them was not impossible. I have changed greatly so far and will continue to better myself as long as I breathe. When I feel myself slipping I think of everything I have sacrificed and worked for and everyone that is supporting me to get where I am now, and I have decided that I will never give in again.  Although my addiction is unique in the program, Addict to Athlete has helped me in the same way as it helps other addicts. I may not be the "norm" for this program, but it still benefits me greatly.
My name is Carrie, and I am eighteen years old. I have a severe eating disorder that has required years of intense treatments, and the Addict to Athlete program has been a great aftercare support team. Being involved in this group provides me with the knowledge that I am not alone, and that I have a person to call when I am struggling. It is extremely comforting and beneficial to interact with the Addict to Athlete team because they understand addiction, abuse, and the problems that arrive from both. Not only do the founders of Addict to Athlete help me, but attending the weekly meetings has proven to be beneficial as well. Listening to the speakers, other addicts, and supporters has given me more knowledge about addiction and the effects it has on the addict and their loved ones. I have found comfort in the fact that I am not alone in this battle. When I leave a meeting, I feel more motivated to continue to strive toward recovery and persevere through the bumps in the road. Being involved with Addict to Athlete has been more helpful than other addiction groups because their interests are similar to mine. Addict to Athlete provides physical activities such as running, biking, and swimming, all of which I enjoy. One of my favorite parts of this program is competing in running races, triathlons, and participating in activities I never thought I would be able to pursue. This alone has given me a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. It has proven to me that one can set and achieve goals as long as one puts his or her mind to it. Through Addict to Athlete I have met many great people and have created life-long friendships. I am not alone in this battle, and because of this program recovery seems attainable. Since joining Addict to Athlete I have found comfort, hope, support, friendship, and most of all, motivation to stay "clean" and "sober" from my eating disorder.
 I'm one of those people that can't blame my addiction on the way my life turned out. The results of my life were effects of being a SPIRITUALLY dead human being. My addictions were mere symptoms of a progressive disease and lifestyle.
It started back in junior high when I discovered alcohol and pot, I liked the effects they had on me, not only the effects they had on me but the effects they had with others around me. I felt good, like superman, before I knew it I was using and drinking as often as possible. I quit doing all the things I once enjoyed. School became boring and alot more difficult, all I could think about was partying. I dropped out of high school so I could become a "man", I knew everything and you couldn't tell me different. Unfortunately, I didn't know anything at all, this was the beginning of the end of the life I once knew. My drinking and drugging took over my life, I tried COCAINE. Immediately I was a god in my own mind. I began to drink alot more because alcohol didn't have the same effect it once did. My life became unmanageable, I went to a faith based rehab in a last ditch effort to regain a life I once had with my fiance, she still left me. I was there for 89 days and came out a new man on fire for the Lord. When all my attempts to regain the life I wanted failed, I went back to my old behaviors. It took another 9 years before I would seek help again, too much pride I guess, but I finally did it for ME this time. I was not going to take FAILURE as an option. I went to two different rehabs, then a mens sober living house. I dedicated 1 year strictly to recovery and myself, WOW what a bargain. The life I have been blessed with is amazing. I owe it all to GOD, AA, A2A, family, and friends that never stopped praying or giving up on me. A2A is one of the best 12-step groups I know. It incorporates 12-step meetings with exercise, what a concept, an amazing way to promote a new lifestyle of healthy living. Rob is a true soldier, I've known Rob since I was a child, in his good times and at some of his worst. He is a great inspiration for me and so many others. A2A has high quality sobriety and high level athletes. The coaches are great and the dynamics of the meetings are amazing. I can relate to everyone that attends in one way or another, I've been on top at one or more times (in my mind) and at my bottom which was very low. I recommend A2A to anyone that needs help with addiction or just wants a healthier way to live one day at a time.
Good luck and GOD BLESS.
Jason Casados |