Do you believe that ‘with sobriety anything is possible’? When you hear the story of Todd Crandell, you will. Todd is the founder of Racing for Recovery, a center to help people move away from addiction and towards recovery. Todd is the Original Sober Ironman and is also known as Sober Ultra Man on Instagram.
Todd joined me on The Sober Edge podcast recently, and I was struck, not by his accomplishments in the racing world, or the 6 books he has authored, I was struck by his passion for people. Todd shares candidly about the costs that come with committing wholeheartedly to a mission-driven business. He founded Racing for Recovery in 2001 with the purpose of helping those struggling with addiction and also helping their families.
The recovery process at Racing for Recovery is robust and comprehensive: assessment, including mental health and drug and alcohol use; group therapy, individual therapy, family counseling, and support groups. All this while simultaneously helping people build a holistic lifestyle – physically, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, psychologically, and creatively.
Todd is a living, breathing example of a sober life and lifestyle. He believes that exercise can be a big component of healing from addiction and, while some may consider his devotion to running (113 Ironman competitions on 6 different continents) to be an addiction to running, Todd doesn’t see it that way. He believes that, for him, running is a healthy passion that leads to a vibrant and healthy life.
Todd never intended to become an author, but his inspiring story led to his first book, Racing for Recovery: From Addict to Ironman. His 6th book, Creating, is now out in paperback. He shared on the podcast his favorite book (so far) is Do No Harm, which features his beloved pet pig, Milo.
Racing for Recovery is located in Ohio but offers virtual support with a lively FB group, online meetings and a resource for housing that stretches across the globe.
Highlights from our conversation include:
- What’s missing in traditional recovery models
- How he discovered the Ironman triathlons
- A different kind of ‘war story’
- Quitting drinking is like a pizza
- The communication menu
You can find out more about Racing for Recovery HERE and follow Todd, the Sober Ultra Man on Instagram.
