Saturday, October 10, 2026. Wheeler Historic Farm 6351 S. 900 E., Murray, UT 84121 Timed 5K Run & Walk — $25 1-Mile Family Walk — $15 Kids 12 and under participate free The 5K begins at 10 a.m., followed by the 1-Mile Family Walk at 10:10 a.m. In a round about way this 5K is to show support for AIIA's long time friend John Bozung. To register: https://runsignup.com/.../SaltLakeCity/UtahProstateCancerRun More Info: https://utahprostatecancerrun.com/... Or: https://www.facebook.com/events/1077682041540039

Get Registered!!!!

Athletes, by now you know by now the labels placed on us can become so familiar that we mistake them for our identity. In addiction and mental health recovery, words such as “addict”, “crazy”, “broken”, or “unstable” may describe part of a person’s experience, but they do not contain the whole person. Authenticity begins when we learn to recognize the difference between what we have lived through and who we are. Becoming the Person Beneath the Label A person can struggle with substance use without being defined by substance use. A person can experience depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, or emotional instability without becoming a diagnosis. These experiences may shape a chapter of life, but they do not have the authority to write the entire story. The world often prefers simple categories. Labels make people easier to sort, judge, treat, fear, or dismiss. Someone becomes “an addict.” Someone else becomes “crazy.” Another person becomes “a problem,” “a failure,” or “too much.” Over time, those descriptions can move from the outside world into our own inner voice. We may begin to say: - “This is just who I am.” - “I will always relapse.” - “People like me cannot be trusted.” - “I am damaged.” - “My diagnosis explains everything about me.” - “I do not deserve a different future.” That is where a label stops being a description and starts becoming a cage. A Label May Describe a Struggle, but It Does Not Define a Person The words we use, the language we use, matter because language influences perception. When someone is repeatedly called an addict, the person may begin to believe addiction is their permanent identity rather than a condition, behavior pattern, or season of life they are learning to address. Recovery does not require pretending the past never happened. It requires telling the truth without allowing the past to become the only truth. There is a difference between saying: “I am an addict, and that is all I will ever be.” and saying: “I have struggled with addiction, and I am learning how to live differently.”

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the our back to school AIIA movie night. Yes we did get rained on, but we adjusted and enjoyed the night. I'll be eating the snacks I brought for a couple of weeks, haha. Next up, volunteering for the Runtastic Nebo races this next weekend. The marathon, half, 10K and 5K races are on Saturday, August 29 but there are volunteering opportunities on Wednesday August 26 in the evening, Friday August 28 all day and then of course on Saturday with aid stations that could always use some help. Remember, proceeds go to AIIA for us volunteering. Reach out to Mitsie to volunteer. Looking ahead to September, please plan on it and put it on your calendars, Saturday September 26, 2026 is the annual AIIA 5K in Tooele this year. Registration is open, link below. Let's support Coach Jason Gonzales and his Tooele chapter for some 3.1 mile fun. A memory grove is planned, one of my favorite parts of the run. https://www.raceentry.com/races/addictiiathlete-5k/2026/register?fbclid=IwdGRjcAT4PYBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUNB46RfmfEQQArmKUHd9FizvGTmf-GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR63Ufb6U5ekcAPuox6L8_92e9AoFVHr6drIDKBBAzr72m3RXFUM_W0TDZRFug_aem_kHmu21C4gs66nf-9heObaA

If looking at the calendar isn’t your thing then let the calendar come to you. (Note: the AIIA calendar is updated often) Reminders: Tomorrow evening, August 1, 2026, 7p until dark. The “Ignite Recovery” AIIA fireworks show at Art Dye park in American Fork, come towards the back of the park. AIIA run of the month, Salem Days 5K, Saturday August 8, 2026. Registration is closed now, but a reminder if you are signed up. Come out and cheer our AIIA team. Race is 7am in Salem. AIIA Movie Night, “Inside Out”, Saturday August 22, 2026. 7pm-ish. We’ll start the movie once it gets dark. Basketball court near Homebase Orem. Bring some snacks or just come and enjoy of the snacks. Bring the family. AIIA Volunteer Day: Saturday August 29, 2026. Supporting Runtastic Nebo races. Portions of the race fees go to AIIA for us volunteering. I spoke with Kiley today, there are plenty of 6am-10 am aide stations available. They still need help even though their website volunteer page says differently. AIIA will also have a booth that can be staffed on Friday and Saturday. Volunteering for Runtastic is priority though. And that’s August 2026 🎉🎉🎉