One on One with Coach Blu; New Foundations and Moving ForwardOne on One with Coach Blu; New Foundations and Moving Forward
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Coach Blu and Marissa talk about opening a new Addict II Athlete home base, confronting stigma, and blending fitness with emotional and family-focused recovery work. Blu also shares openly about his mother’s death, complex family history, and how movement and connection help him let go of old pain.
44:07•3 Aug 2022
New Home Base, Old Wounds: Coach Blu on Recovery, Stigma and Letting Go
Episode Overview
- A recovery centre works best when fitness is part of a wider plan that includes emotional, mental, and family support.
- Integrity and how you act when no one seems to be watching can open doors for recovery communities in surprising ways.
- Stigma around the word “addict” is still strong, but honest conversation and education can shift how people see recovery programmes.
- Movement in any form—physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual—can help process grief and release long-held pain.
- Breaking family cycles means setting clear boundaries, speaking honestly, and showing consistent love to the next generation.
“"Movement equals healing. It doesn't always have to be physical movement; it can be emotional movement, mental movement, spiritual movement."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This candid chat with Coach Blu and athletic director Marissa gives you a front-row seat to a recovery community that’s literally building new foundations while talking honestly about grief, boundaries, and healing. You’ll hear them share the excitement of moving into their new “home base” – a recovery-focused training centre that’s far more than a gym.
They joke about what to call the space, talk through months of construction chaos, and explain why Addict II Athlete has always been about much more than lifting weights. Recreation is just one part of their "erase and replace" philosophy, not a new obsession to swap in for the old one. A big thread through the conversation is stigma.
Coach Blu recounts landlords turning them away because of the word “addict” in their name and contrasts that with the building owners who welcomed them after seeing the team respectfully supporting runners at an ultra event years earlier. It’s a powerful reminder that integrity matters most when you don’t know who’s watching. Things turn deeply personal as Coach Blu opens up about his mother’s death and their complicated relationship.
He talks through the strange mix of emotions, the guilt of “not feeling what I’m supposed to feel,” and the relief of letting go of old hurt. His reflection that “movement equals healing” hits hard as he describes saying goodbye by driving alone, listening to music from his childhood, and choosing to break generational cycles with his own kids. This conversation is ideal if you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to heal old family wounds.
It’s honest, raw at times, but full of practical hope: set boundaries, value connection, and keep moving forward—one real conversation at a time. What old stories might you be ready to finally let go of?
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