The team at the American Council on Exercise is proud of our partnership with The Phoenix, a national nonprofit organization working to build a sober active community through free fitness and community programming. We wanted to learn more about their volunteers—their stories, their motivation and their personal missions. We also wanted to know what they felt they’d gained from their organization’s partnership with ACE.

We spoke to a few volunteers at The Phoenix about their experience with the ACE Community Physical Activity Leader (CPAL) course and how it impacted the work they do in the community. Note that the CPAL course is FREE for anyone who’d like to facilitate and promote physical activity to friends, family members, colleagues and neighbors.

Gladys was first introduced to The Phoenix at a tabling event for Black Monday, a Heroin Overdose Awareness Day gathering. What really stood out to her was the sense of community. “The Phoenix community has influenced my life in ways that go far beyond workouts and events,” she says. “It inspired me to invest in myself and step outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to learn how to lift weights, so I worked with a personal trainer. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of how the gym works and helped build my confidence in spaces that once felt intimidating. I now feel more comfortable and capable when attending our CrossFit classes and other fitness-based events.”

She says the CPAL course helped her become more aware of her pacing and presence as a teacher. “I’ve implemented creating intentional pauses and using clear, supportive cues while leading movement. Instead of just jumping from one movement to the next, I now slow down, check in with participants, and give people time to understand and feel comfortable with what we’re doing. It taught me that it’s not about how intense or fast a workout is, but about creating an environment where people feel comfortable, capable, and supported.”

Margarita says that physical activity has played an important role in her life. “In the beginning of recovery,” she explains, “getting outdoors and active kept my mind busy and my body healthy, not focused on the obsession of addiction, and kept my body healthy. Hiking is a passion and where I can go to think. It brings me joy and peace and is where I can push myself to do better. No matter what type of day it is in recovery, a hike makes it a better day.”

As a result of completing the CPAL course, Margarita has changed her approach to the rucking training sessions she offers. “I have widened the array of ruck weights for clients to use. This allows those that want to participate but are not familiar with the event to participate safely along with those that came to push themselves. I have items to allow for modification of activities to allow the bystander to be a part of and enjoy their time out with The Phoenix in their own way.”

John started working with The Phoenix immediately after rehab, as he wanted “a mission.” He says the community has kept him accountable to himself and others on his road to recovery. Since completing the CPAL course, John has successfully used the plan to assist others in developing a workout routine that includes better nutrition.

John sums up much of the feedback that ACE received about the value of working with The Phoenix: “It’s all about community. Bring yourself to The Phoenix and leave with friends.”

Check out The Phoenix’s Become a Change Maker page if you’re interested in joining their team of more than 4,000 activated volunteers serving more than 1 million members across the United States.