RRP Episode 81 – “Live” at GTD 5K Run & Walk for Recovery

Celebrating fitness, recovery, and community at the Go the Distance 5K.

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​In episode eighty-one of the Real Recovery Podcast, Julie and Peter bring you straight into the heart of the GTD Go the Distance 5K Run & Walk for Recovery. Recorded live at the event, this episode captures the voices, stories, and energy of participants, volunteers, and leaders who came together to celebrate recovery through physical fitness and community.

Izzy Alvarado’s vision
Founder Izzy Alvarado shares how GTD began with a simple but powerful idea—creating safe and inclusive spaces where recovery and physical activity go hand in hand. His reflections highlight how fitness can be a life-changing tool, offering people in recovery new ways to heal, connect, and grow.

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​Participants share their “why”
Throughout the episode, Julie and Peter speak with runners and walkers who share what brought them to the event. Some are honoring loved ones who struggle with addiction, while others celebrate milestones in their own recovery. Each story carries a unique reminder that recovery isn’t a solo journey—it thrives in community.

​The healing power of movement
From walking side by side with family to pushing through the final stretch of a run, participants describe how physical activity helps them cope, find focus, and build resilience. Fitness, as Izzy explains, becomes more than exercise—it becomes a metaphor for recovery itself: step by step, mile by mile.

“Recovery isn’t about running the fastest—it’s about showing up, moving forward, and finishing together.”
​—Izzy Alvarado

Volunteers and community support
Volunteers and supporters reflect on the joy of seeing entire communities come together for this cause. The atmosphere of encouragement, from cheers along the course to heartfelt conversations at the finish line, reflects the true spirit of recovery: connection, compassion, and celebration.

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Closing reflections
As the event winds down, Izzy and participants leave listeners with a powerful reminder: recovery is about showing up, moving forward, and finishing together.

Links to Websites Discussed

• GTD Go the Distance
• Real Recovery Podcast
• Listen to the full episode here: https://mdcr1.com/81
• Read the show notes here: https://mdcr1.com/81b
  

​This episode of the Real Recovery Podcast is a celebration of resilience and togetherness. By combining physical activity with recovery, the GTD Go the Distance 5K demonstrates the power of community to inspire healing. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply cheering from the sidelines, this story will encourage you to keep going the distance.

Looking ahead, we invite you to join us at the Oregon Recovers Walk for Recovery on September 27th. The Real Recovery Podcast will be there in person, and we’d love for you to stop by our booth, connect with Julie and Peter, and share your own experiences. Your stories are the heart of what we do, and we can’t wait to capture more voices of hope and resilience at this incredible community event.

Click to join Walk for Recovery

Portland Walk for Recovery 2025
​Visit our booth!
Saturday, September 27th 2025 • 10:00am - 2:00pm
​Pioneer Courthouse Square - Portland, OR

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