Finding G.O.D. (Group of Drunks) with Boston Bob BalfourFinding G.O.D. (Group of Drunks) with Boston Bob Balfour
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Coach Blu Robinson and Boston Bob Balfour talk about 38 years of recovery, redefining G.O.D. as a “Group Of Drunks”, and building respect-based opportunities for people in prison. The conversation focuses on how community, service and small acts of trust can reshape lives marked by addiction and crime.
1:02:20•29 Jun 2026
Finding G.O.D. With Boston Bob: Respect, Recovery and Second Chances
Episode Overview
- Reframing G.O.D. as “Group Of Drunks” helped Boston Bob accept support and see recovery as a collective effort.
- Respect given first to incarcerated people was often returned tenfold, allowing Bob to build trusted work crews outside prison walls.
- Structured work and responsibility, such as setting up the Boston Marathon, gave inmates purpose and a path to employment after release.
- Bringing recovery speakers and former inmates into jails showed current prisoners that change and stable lives are possible.
- Recovery can expand well beyond meetings into fitness, friendships, and practical help with education, work and family life.
“"See that G.O.D.? That's a group of drunks. That's us."”
What makes a recovery story truly inspiring? This conversation between Coach Blu Robinson and Boston Bob Balfour shows how respect, humour, and community can transform even the most chaotic past into something deeply meaningful. You’ll hear Boston Bob look back on 38 years of recovery, starting from a childhood steeped in crime, addiction and anxiety, and moving into a life shaped by consistency, fitness, and service.
He talks about arriving at treatment as a confused 27-year-old who “couldn’t spell God”, only to be told that G.O.D. could mean “Group Of Drunks” – a simple reframe that opened the door to hope and connection. The episode also dives into Bob’s decades working in corrections, where he quietly built work crews and opportunities for incarcerated people based on respect, not fear.
From painting the state house to setting up the Boston Marathon with hundreds of inmate volunteers, he shows how treating people as human beings – and trusting them – can change outcomes for everyone involved. Coach Blu and Bob swap parallel stories about being accepted by tough crowds, finding running and fitness as a lifeline, and then using those same tools to help others leaving prison or treatment.
You’ll hear how small acts like answering questions, making introductions, or helping someone into a union job can ripple out into families, careers, and long-term sobriety. The style is raw, funny, and very honest – perfect for anyone in recovery, working in the justice system, or supporting loved ones through addiction. If you’ve ever wondered whether respect and community really make a difference, this episode might have you rethinking what a "group of drunks" can actually build.
So, who in your life needs that first bit of respect and belief today, and what small step could you offer them?
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