Nineteen months ago, addiction had completely taken over my life in London. I knew I had to make a drastic change, so I left everything behind and entered a 15-month rehab programme in St Albans. It gave me structure, purpose, and the space to rediscover what makes me feel alive.
That’s when I found fitness — and eventually, CrossFit.
CrossFit challenges me physically and mentally. The constantly varied workouts keep me engaged and growing, and early morning sessions set the tone for my day. I still have hard days — waves of emotion, mental battles — but showing up to class helps me move through them instead of being stuck in them. /
At first, I was just going to a regular gym. It helped, but something was missing: real connection. Walking into my first CrossFit session, I was nervous, anxious, and unsure of myself. But the coaches and members welcomed me straight away. That sense of community gave me the confidence to keep showing up — and it’s now one of the most positive parts of my life.
What’s made the biggest difference is the people. I’ve gone from feeling isolated in big gyms to working out alongside teammates who cheer you on every rep. Shout out to Mat — your energy in the Saturday workouts is unmatched!
I’ve already hit big milestones — like running two marathons — but what excites me most is how much more there is to learn. Yes, there are mental hurdles, but overcoming them in the gym helps me do the same in life.
If you’re in early recovery and thinking about starting fitness: take it slow. It’s not about instant results — it’s about showing up, finding something you enjoy, and letting the progress come over time.
For me, strength isn’t just physical. It’s patience, resilience, and choosing to keep going. And CrossFit has helped me build that — one rep at a time.
By James Telford
