In this episode of the Addict II Athlete podcast, Coach Blu Robinson interviews Helen Hansen-Smith, who shares her inspiring journey from addiction to sobriety and athleticism. Helen discusses her early experiences with alcohol in college, the impact of friends and family interventions, and her struggles with rehab. She emphasizes the importance of community support and how running became a vital part of her recovery, providing her with a sense of freedom and empowerment. The conversation highlights the transformative power of movement in healing and the choices that lead to a fulfilling life in sobriety. In this conversation, Blu Robinson and Helen-Hanson Smith explore the transformative power of running in recovery, the importance of emotional expression, and the role of supportive relationships. Helen shares her journey of overcoming addiction, the significance of vulnerability in her marriage, and her achievements in running, including completing a marathon. They discuss the mental challenges faced during races and the mindset shifts that help overcome adversity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community and support in the recovery process, encouraging listeners to embrace their journeys and share their stories.

Takeaways

Addiction can be overcome with community support. Running can be a powerful tool in recovery. Interventions from loved ones can be life-saving. Rehab experiences vary; finding the right fit is crucial. Sobriety offers more freedom than addiction. Movement helps process emotions and heal. Building healthy habits takes time and effort. The college drinking culture can lead to addiction. Personal growth often comes from facing hard truths. Recovery is a journey of choices and empowerment. Running has been a powerful tool for emotional release.

Follow Helen Hansen-Smith: https://www.instagram.com/helenhansonsmith?igsh=YnVoM2R4MGI0dHZ4

Please join Addict to Athlete’s Patreon support page and help us turn the mess of addiction into the message of sobriety!

https://www.patreon.com/addicttoathlete

Please visit our website for more information on Team Addict to Athlete and Addiction Recovery Podcasts.

https://www.AddictToAthlete.org

Join the Team! Circle, our new social support event, along with the team and athlete communication platform, is designed to help us break free from doom scrolling and shadow banning and foster stronger connections among us.

Follow the link, download the app, and start this new chapter of Team AIIA!

Join Circle

https://a2a.circle.so/join?invitation_token=16daaa0d9ecd7421d384dd05a461464ce149cc9e-63d4aa30-1a67-4120-ae12-124791dfb519