The Power of Openness and Honesty in Recovery With Tara

In this episode of the Fringe Runners podcast, Garrett interviews Tara about her journey of alcohol recovery and her love for running. Tara shares her experiences growing up in a family with addiction, her own struggles with alcohol, and her decision to quit cold turkey. She discusses the challenges of relapsing and the importance of self-care and support. Tara also talks about how running has become a therapeutic outlet for her and how it has played a significant role in her recovery. The conversation touches on topics such as parenting, self-worth, and the power of physical activity for mental clarity. Tara shares her experience of running her first three races and her upcoming goal of running the Marine Corps Marathon. She talks about the emotions she felt during her first race and the signs from the universe that motivated her to keep going. Tara also discusses the importance of mindset in running and how it has helped her overcome self-worth issues. She shares her reasons for choosing the Marine Corps Marathon and running for charity. Tara emphasizes the significance of recovery in her life and the impact it has on her son. She offers advice for new runners and highlights the work of the nonprofit organization Shatterproof in breaking the stigma around addiction. Takeaways

• Openness and honesty about struggles can inspire and help others going through similar experiences.
• Support from loved ones and co-parenting can be crucial in the recovery process.
• Exercise, such as running, can be a powerful tool for mental clarity and overall well-being.
• Regrets about past choices can be reframed as learning experiences that shape who we are today.
• Participating in races and challenges can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment in recovery. Running can be an emotional and fulfilling experience, and each race is unique and teaches you something new about yourself.
• Mindset is crucial in running, and it's important to focus on personal growth and accomplishments rather than comparing yourself to others.
• Recovery is an ongoing journey, and it involves learning to love and value yourself and finding something worth fighting for.
• Consistency and accountability are key in running, and it's important to show up and give your best effort, even on days when you don't feel like it.
• Running can be a discipline that builds character and teaches valuable life lessons.
• It's important to seek help and support if you're struggling with addiction, and organizations like Shatterproof are working to break the stigma and provide resources for recovery.

alcohol recovery, addiction, relapse, running, mental health, parenting, self-worth, running, races, emotions, motivation, mindset, self-worth, Marine Corps Marathon, charity, recovery, addiction, Shatterproof