Andrew Davies on How Running Saved His Life
Be advised: this episode contains mature subject matter: drugs, addiction, suicide.
At the core of it, this is a deep conversation around mental health. Andrew started his relationship with alcohol at a very young age because he never felt comfortable in his own skin. It eventually almost cost him everything, his wife and ultimately almost his life. During his recovery, Andrew found running to keep his mind occupied and focused on something other than trying not to take another drink. Little did he know that running and a mindfulness practice would turn into a whole new passion where he has even gone on to run ultra marathons. Andrew is now working towards sharing his experience using movement and nature to foster wellness in his new business the Adventure Fitness Cooperative.
First and foremost, I want to thank Andrew for having the courage to share his addiction story and his struggles with mental health and recovery. It is so important that we have and share conversations like these so that others who are going through the same things know that they are not alone.
I first met Andrew at a North End Runners group run here in Halifax, and we eventually hit it off. Up until this conversation, I had no idea what he had gone through. And not that I needed to; it is his choice who he deicides and when he decides to share that information. The one thing that this conversation did hit home for me, though, is that you should always be kind to those you meet and make an effort to say hi and connect with people because you never know what they may be going through. You may never know how much a friendly conversation may brighten someone's day.
Andrew is a very down to earth and talented runner who enjoys spending time out on the trails. Through his time working in the Navy he would use his shore leave time to head out on adventures to hit the trails and see the sights while many of his fellow crew were hitting the pub. But the funny thing is, once the stories started getting around of all of the epic things that he was getting up to while they were in dock it wasn't long before others were joining him. It's contagious when you are doing something that lights you up.
I truly enjoyed catching up with Andrew, and I can't wait to see where his new business takes him in the coming years.
Show Notes
You can find Andrew on IG @andrew.michael.davies.
For more on the Adventure Fitness Cooperative check out their website or Instagram.
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