[CFMS SERIES] CrossFit Behind Bars: Freedom, Sobriety, and Leadership (EP. 043)

This marks the fourth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. 

Redemption Road CrossFit started inside Colorado’s prison system, where a small group of men turned CrossFit workouts into the first affiliate behind bars. Today, it’s a nonprofit changing prison culture through mentorship, accountability, and community — cutting recidivism to just 1.6% compared to the national average of 80%.

This week, we welcome Redemption Road CrossFit’s founder Nick Wells and founding member Gino Aviles to the show. Nick and Gino share their journey, from addiction and life sentences to freedom, sobriety, and leadership, and show how CrossFit’s methodology can transform not just fitness, but lives.

Topics Covered

• Personal journeys from addiction, incarceration, and transformation
• The origins of CrossFit in Colorado prisons
• Building Redemption Road: the first affiliate inside a correctional facility
• Overcoming stigma, violence, and systemic barriers through community fitness
• Partnerships with CrossFit HQ and the broader community
• Redemption Road’s measurable impact on recidivism and prison culture

Resources Mentioned

• Redemption Road CrossFit – RF2.org
• CrossFit Journal coverage of Redemption Road: Community Behind Bars and CrossFit in Prison
• Morning Chalk Up articles on Redemption Road: Nick Wells and Mat Fraser
• Books used in coach candidate curriculum: Overcoming Gravity,” “Becoming a Supple Leopard, “100 Days of Technique

Community Highlight

Troy Peterson founded ValorFit to connect veterans with CrossFit affiliates across the U.S.

For him, it’s personal. After serving in Iraq and earning a Purple Heart, Troy came home battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. At 300+ pounds and dependent on pills and alcohol, his wife gave him an ultimatum. That’s when he walked into a CrossFit gym and asked for help.

“I didn’t want to take the substances anymore because I wanted to go work out.” That shift changed everything.

Today, ValorFit covers six months of affiliate memberships for veterans — over 4,000 so far. The only requirement? Show up three days a week.

“Free breakfast on Veterans Day has never changed anyone’s life,” Troy said. “But showing up to the gym three days a week can.”

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.

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