While we may hear people say “I’m addicted to food” often, identifying yourself as a true food addict is something that not a lot of people can really understand. It’s a little different from other addictions. Us food addicts can never give up our addiction. We do not get a “sober date” to celebrate. We simple have to learn to develop a different relationship with something that is essential for our survival but also on somedays our worst enemy. I've struggled with food addiction and body image issues for years. Having dealt with grief and loss at an early age, food quickly became a coping mechanism for me. Addict2Athlete has provided me a place to be open and honest with myself and others, in a judgement free environment, to help me overcome struggles with both food and body image. Addict2Athlete has a played a vital role in assisting me to develop a healthy mindset to maintain a happy healthy lifestyle. I love to surround myself with support and encouragement from individuals who may not understand my exact struggles but can relate to them on their own levels and share the passion to continuously grow and self-improve.
Cindy currently works as the director of LiveWell Huerfano County, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing healthy eating and active living throughout Huerfano County. She been the Project Director for Washington Underground since it opened in 2016. She is a CPA with an M.A. in Business Administration from CU Boulder and a M.Ed. from University of Phoenix. She is a director on the Huerfano Parks and Recreation District Board and La Veta Trails.
Brian Rosino is the Executive Director of District ONE, a 501 (c) 3 and fiscal agent for Washington Underground. He is a former college division 1 swimmer and coach as well as a former professional cyclist. He has a Master’s degree in education from Miami University and is very passionate about healthy food, particularly local, healthy food.
After 17 yrs. of addiction to all drugs, A2A is the only program that has had any lasting improving impact on my life. I have found a family worth belonging to. A2A has supported me spiritually, physically, mentally, & emotionally. I’m better today because of it.
My addiction started in my late teenage years. The hardest thing i never came to understand is how easily and willingly I said yes. What began as a simple choice to be socially accepted quickly turned into a prison of my own destruction. I began using meth and committing crime. In time my addiction took a directional turn and I began shooting up heroine every day, all day. I gave up my friends, my family and even myself. Morals were out the window and being high was my only priority. Eventually, and quicker that I wanted, the high was gone and I was left just trying to stay well. At my darkest hour I agreed to treatment and after grueling withdrawals and ten days in rehab I was sent home to continue my journey. Then, after years into my sobriety I was brought back once again into a dark place in life. This time it was not by my own addiction but by the addiction and toxic relationship of my spouse. It was at this weak moment that I realized abstinence isn’t recovery. Before giving myself the opportunity to fall I found Rob and Sheena at Addicts to Athletes. From the moment I walked in I knew that this was going to save not only my recovery but my life. I had an amazing support system to hold me accountable to the standards I had set for myself. I could be completely transparent and work through the confusion and hurt that had been pulling me down. I learned to physically push myself and achieve what I never imagined to be possible. But, in spite of all the positive things I've said, the biggest change I have gained from Addicts to Athletes is the respect and value for myself that I never believed I deserved. There is no other place or program that I would have rather inserted myself into and now after almost 8 years of recovery I can finally give back what I have gained.
In my addiction, it always felt like there was something missing. I could never put my finger on it, and no matter what I did or how many drugs I took, it was still missing. When I was clean and found A2A (CrossFit/fitness) I realized that the program gave me the opportunity to have what I was lacking all along; structure, balance, education, support and accountability. The things I learned physically, mentally and emotionally from Addict2Athlete is ingrained in all aspects of my everyday life, and I am more and more successful because I apply what the program has to offer. Todd is an Access Specialist with LEAD program at Crossroads’ Turning Points, Inc. and a volunteer coach at Addict2Athlete
I’ve been with A2A for just under 2 years, and it has totally changed my life. I’ve used drugs and alcohol for a number of years and have tried a number of programs, nothing has worked. I’ve even done programs while I was in prison; still nothing. I was introduced to the Addict 2 Athlete program after a DWI and it just clicked for me. I participated in the 8-week curriculum driven class, and the workouts that totally kicked my a##. It is exactly what I needed to put me on a successful road to my sobriety. I now have 2 years of sobriety and am now employed by Albuquerque Center of Hope and Recovery as a Peer Support worker. I am able to Coach the A2A program here in Albuquerque.... This program saved my life. If I could do it anyone can do it.. # BEASTMODE
Reggie Bevsek is the gym manager at Washington Underground Recreation Center. I was born in Pueblo Co., and raised in Walsenburg from the day I left the hospital. I attended St. Mary's school from pre-school through eighth grade graduation. Sports and exercise have always been my passion, A passion which led me to college on a football scholarship and eventually a Bachelor's degree in sports exercise science and health promotion with a minor in coaching. During my time in school and athletics I fell in love with weight training and strength training in particular which led me to train for and become a competitive power lifting champion.
Fitness has opened many doors for me beginning with my first job almost twenty years ago at 24 hour fitness in Arvada Co. and as the manager of the Sam Jones recreation center at Colorado State University Pueblo while attending college. I also held the position of manager at Two Peaks Fitness in La Veta Co. for over two years and currently at Washington Underground. I enjoy helping people and get tremendous satisfaction through personal training while seeing first hand the transformation of the human body through hard work and dedication. As a personal trainer I create individualized exercise programs for all fitness levels and can customize specific training programs to get the results desired. Fitness has and always be a huge part of my life, I look forward to helping the people of Huerfano county.