Episode Description Angie Manson is the CEO of Elevate Addiction Services, a residential rehab program that integrates CrossFit into daily life. In this conversation with Denise Thomas, Angie opens up about her own recovery, what CrossFit gave her, and why every coach needs to understand addiction.
Angie explains how EAS operates — from an on-site CrossFit affiliate to community classes to post-rehab support — and what she's learned after helping thousands of people rebuild their lives. This episode is about fitness, but it’s also about humanity, hope, and second chances.
Topics Included
Angie’s story of addiction, recovery, and finding CrossFit
How Elevate Addiction Services integrates CrossFit
Why structure, challenge, and community matter in rehab
The coach’s role in supporting people in recovery
Building trust, habits, and a new identity
How affiliates and coaches can get involved
Resources Mentioned
Elevate Addiction Services (Santa Cruz + Tahoe)
CrossFit EAS (on-site affiliate)
The Phoenix
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
RESOURCES FOR ADDICTION
Elevate Addiction Services – https://elevaterehab.org/Immediate Help
SAMHSA National Helpline (U.S.): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information.https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Treatment & Recovery Resources
Substance Abuse Treatment Locator (SAMHSA):Find nearby treatment facilities for substance use and mental health issues.https://findtreatment.gov
Shatterproof:A nonprofit focused on science-based addiction resources and stigma reduction.https://www.shatterproof.org
Partnership to End Addiction:Offers support for families navigating a loved one’s substance use.https://drugfree.org
Peer Support Communities
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):https://www.aa.org/find-aa
Narcotics Anonymous (NA):https://www.na.org
SMART Recovery:A secular, science-based alternative to 12-step programs.https://www.smartrecovery.org
Community Highlight
Tammi Saunders is the head coach at The Barbell Saves Project — a nonprofit CrossFit affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona, offering free classes to anyone in recovery.
The only requirements: 48 hours sober and a commitment to keep showing up.⠀Every coach on staff, including Tammi, is in recovery. They run five community classes a day, plus sessions for sober-living homes and treatment centers. But fitness is just the beginning.
What they’re building is trust, discipline, and integrity – under stress, in community.Tammi has helped develop seven Level 1 trainers through the program, many straight out of prison or early sobriety. She’s built a trauma-informed culture rooted in empathy and consent.
She still remembers walking into a gym for the first time: smoking two packs a day, struggling with disordered eating, unsure what came next. Now she’s a Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer, trauma-informed, and a Masters Games athlete.“If I can become this version of myself,” she says, “anyone can.”
This is what it looks like to hold the door open for the next person.Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.
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