The Rookie

The Rookie

What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol and other drugs, then lace up and run their very first 5k at 52? This episode of Addict II Athlete follows exactly that kind of leap as rookie athlete Mike Schroeder shares his fresh, unfiltered experience from the St. George, Utah chapter. Hosted by mental health therapist and addiction counsellor Coach Blu Robinson, the conversation tracks Mike’s long road with addiction and recovery, his move to St.

Mike talks honestly about ego, anxiety and that nagging thought of "it’s only three miles" meeting the reality of "I’ve never run three miles consecutively." He recalls Judy’s simple guidance to "focus on the finish," then explains how that shifted mid-race into staying present: "I had to, at that point, bring myself to the moment and quit thinking about how much further I had to go." There’s a powerful emotional thread as Mike admits he hasn’t felt he’s completed something in years, making that medal feel huge.

George, and how a casual invite to a Wednesday night Addict II Athlete meeting turned into a turning point. You’ll hear how pickleball, softball and volleyball pulled him into the team, but it was saying yes to a 5k—with zero training and plenty of fear—that cracked something open. He connects his coaching background with recovery, stressing balance across physical, spiritual and emotional areas, and talks about learning to show up for others—like returning onto the course to run teammates in.

As he puts it, "I had to relearn how to have fun again." The episode fits anyone early in recovery, anyone feeling too old or too broken to start, and anyone curious how sport can support sobriety. So what could "just showing up" look like for you this week?