Exercising Recovery with Nicole GoldenExercising Recovery with Nicole Golden
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Coach Blu Robinson talks with trainer Nicole Golden about using structured exercise, peer support and simple movement habits to support addiction recovery. They share research findings, personal experiences and practical ways to make fitness a realistic part of sober life.
48:46•14 Nov 2022
Exercising Recovery: How Movement, Research and Real Talk Support Sobriety
Episode Overview
- Structured, professionally led exercise programmes in rehab can lift mood, improve group participation and extend periods of abstinence.
- People in treatment often want fitness options, especially face-to-face, peer-supported sessions rather than exercising alone.
- Simple habits like increasing daily step counts and joining a walking group can build confidence and a sense of belonging.
- Nutrition and sugar use need attention, as food and sweets can become replacement addictions that harm long-term health.
- Consistent, caring coaching and human connection are critical; many in recovery need to know someone will show up and stick with them.
“"The ones who participate do better... We wouldn't tell you to skip your therapy sessions. Why is it okay to skip your exercise?"”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between Coach Blu Robinson and fitness professional Nicole Golden puts movement right at the centre of that question. Nicole, a NASM Master Trainer with a master’s degree in exercise science and sports nutrition, shares how her personal background as the child of two parents with addiction led her into working with people in treatment.
When her local YMCA asked her to teach a class in a new inpatient rehab centre, every other instructor said no. Nicole said yes.
At first she felt overwhelmed by people fresh out of detox, but soon heard from staff that, during her class, "this is the only time that the patients smile when you're in this facility." From there, she built a full wellness programme, coming in up to five times a week and training a team to deliver structured group fitness and personal training for people in recovery.
She and Blu talk about the science backing this up: research showing more days abstinent for those who complete exercise programmes, and studies where 70% of patients said they wanted an exercise option and 90% wanted face‑to‑face, peer‑supported sessions. You’ll hear why higher‑intensity workouts and yoga often stick best, how simple step targets can boost self‑belief, and why sending someone to wander around a gym alone is rarely helpful.
Nicole stresses that "knowing that your coach is going to be there and going to be there for you is really important" for a population used to trauma and inconsistency. There’s also a frank look at sugar and food as replacement addictions, fears about "exercise addiction", and why she believes a skilled coach and a sense of belonging matter as much as dumbbells or treadmills.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a daily walk, a basic class, or a few weights could support recovery, this chat gives plenty to think about. What small movement habit could you start today that future‑you might thank you for?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.