Nick Wells: Paving the Road to Redemption

Send us a text

#44: When Nick Wells went to prison, he had no reason to think he would see freedom again in his lifetime.  With 14 years of addiction and trouble dragging behind him and a 60-year sentence looming ahead, life seemed to be over.  You might never guess that he was the same guy we welcome to the podcast today... but he is, and he's changed more than just his own life.   

Granted clemency just short of 14 years into what could have amounted to a life sentence, Nick is more dedicated than ever to continuing the work he started inside; bettering the lives of men and women behind bars through mentorship, community, and accountability.   

Despite a busy schedule that starts before dawn, he shares his story with us today.  We discuss this and more: 

• How painting murals in prison started a journey from isolation to self-worth, and a realization: “You don’t need to worry about the rest of your life, you need to start focusing on what you can do, and believe that you can do it,” 
• The role that fitness played in Nick’s recovery from substance use, and how he inspired others to walk the same path, 
• Why he took a chance on training those deemed un-saveable... and how he proved everyone wrong, 
• How a group of guys doing CrossFit workouts in prison started a groundbreaking organization called RF2, and the way it continues to change prison culture today,  
• How an unlikely pairing at a DOC CrossFit competition led to the freedom Nick never dreamed possible.   
• What it’s like to wake up every morning a free man, 
• Why he won’t ever stop working to shift the self-worth of people who are incarcerated, and how he shows his friends inside that they are loved. 

To learn more & support Redemption Road, visit the website at https://www.rf2.org/  or email [email protected]. 

You can also connect on Facebook or Instagram: 

https://www.facebook.com/RedemptionRoadCrossfit , https://www.instagram.com/redemptionroadcrossfit/ 

Join the community & sign up for classes with a single click by downloading The NewForm app! In the app, you can connect with Liz, Bryce and other listeners in The Rise Recover Live Podcast Group. Let us know what you thought about today's episode, and what you'd like to hear in future shows! We can't wait to chat with you there.

Learn more about The Phoenix, sign up for classes, or become a volunteer at https://thephoenix.org/ .

Find us on Instagram at @riserecoverlive