Free Workouts At High-End Gyms Offered To Recovering Addicts
BOSTON (CBS) – A former addict has opened a local recovery program offering people a healthy way to sweat out their addiction.
Scott Strode is the founder of Phoenix Multi-Sport, a non-profit, free exercise program for anyone who is clean and sober for at least two days.
"It's exciting for me to bring this program here and know there's a kid out there drinking and using and he could come here right now 48 hours clean and sober and be a part of this community and be supported in their recovery," Strode told WBZ-TV.
The program is already active in Colorado and California. Strode has been wanting to bring it to Boston because this is where he got clean through boxing more than 18 years ago.
"Boston always had a special place for me because I got sober here, so I always wanted to bring the program here because I know substance abuse is such a problem in New England," he said.
The program offers CrossFit, mountain biking, yoga, rock climbing, running and other social activities.
Right now, the Boston Chapter is using borrowed space at high-end gyms like Reebok CrossFit in the Back Bay which costs paying customers $249 a month for a regular membership.
The Boston chapter will be run by Chris Dagget a former addict now in long-term recovery.
"The more you become an athlete the less you're an addict," Dagget said.
He wants people to know beginners are welcome. The athletes run the gamut from hard core marathoners and mountain climbers to people like him who had never spent much time in the gym before.
"I just want to let them know we're here, the doors are open, and they can come any time they want, that's the best thing," Dagget told WBZ.
Strode is also asking the governor for help.
Massachusetts is currently battling an opiate overdose epidemic. More than 1,000 people died from overdoses last year.
So if you're someone struggling with addiction, when you're ready, a whole team of people just like you will help get that heavy weight off your chest.