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The Phoenix gym in Boston is a great facility, not just because of the impressive space and equipment, but because of the mission.
Scott Strode founded the now-national nonprofit after he got sober and stayed sober with the help of sport.
"I found this new positive identity, and that was able to sort of push out that negative identity from my addiction,” Strode said. “I started to dream of what was possible in my sobriety, and I just wanted to share that with other people."
People like Dina Gonsalves Perez, who is in recovery. She teaches and does outreach for the Phoenix. She's been on the staff for six and a half years.
"As soon as I walked in the door and picked up a dumbbell, it was like, ‘OK, now I can breathe,’” Perez said. “It wasn't just about working out … I was able to find allies, and together I was able to build a family through the Phoenix."
Working out at the gym and attending volunteer-led classes and events is free. The only ask is that participants be 48 hours sober.
Strode says a partnership with the Boston Fire Department has been a meaningful one for the Phoenix. Boston Fire Cadets work out at the Phoenix and help with various jobs at the gym.
"These fire cadets, when they get onto the fire department, they're going to be out there on the street saving lives and helping reverse overdoses and talking to people when they're at the toughest moments they're going to experience in their life," Strode said.
Cadet Connor Boyle said he’s had family members who have dealt with addiction.
“I've recommended (the Phoenix) to them,” Boyle said. “It's really a great community here, you know, you see all the sober events they're having, a chance to be social and engage without having to go out and have a drink."
"I think it's a really special partnership,” Strode added. “Stigma reduction allows for more vulnerability for people to reach out and ask for help."
Visit WCVB5 to view the on-air segment.