At a young age, Roxie Landon started drinking and smoking marijuana.
At a young age, Roxie Landon started drinking and smoking marijuana.
Her habits progressed to using just about any drug available and as time progressed, she became an IV drug user.
In her own words, she became lost and broken.
Then in 2013, at 1 and a half years sober, Landon was a passenger in a car accident, leaving her in a coma for three and a half weeks and in the hospital for two months.
“They said I would not live and then they said I would never walk,” Landon said.
She said she looks back now and recognizes God’s love reaching for her in the darkness and she discovered a deep spirituality that helped her heal and recover — she is able to walk again — and became part of a special support group of leaders pooling their talents together to heal women holistically.
The Women’s Wellness and Recovery Program is a 12-week, 12-step program beginning Sept. 2 on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Geauga Family YMCA. It combines exercise with basic nutrition information for women who are at least three months sober, if chemically addicted, or suffering other addictions.
Program founders are social worker Kristy Mowry of Red Tulip Project of Geauga and Lana Niebuhr, a wellness coach and fitness instructor.
The program, which incorporates a Life Recovery Group, aims is to help women struggling with chemical addiction or a life problem that became unmanageable and create a support group in a positive atmosphere that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
“The YMCA is a great place to host this group,” Mowry said.
The first two support groups were at the Madison YMCA in Lake County. They ran the group at the Geauga YCMA in April and are starting this second group, she said, adding childcare is included for 12 and under.
The first half hour is a wellness and nutrition talk — sometimes with a guest speaker with expertise in these areas — 40 minutes of different cardio exercises and then 40 minutes of the 12-step Life Recovery Group focusing on steps 1-3 with a healthy snack and beverage, Mowry said.
The fee is paid for by an outside sponsor, plus a partial scholarship from the YMCA, so it is at no cost for the women who attend, she said, adding group size is capped at 15.
In addition, these women are given a three-month membership to the YMCA with the expectation they will form a healthy habit of exercising outside of group time. The focus is on using nutrition and exercise to help heal the body and brain and spiritual support for recovery, Mowry said.
“Women in active addiction usually have poor nutrition, eating too much sugar and drinking highly caffeinated beverages,” she said.
Jessica Mathews, of University Hospitals, helps with nutrition topics.
Mowry added many people who struggle with depression and anxiety do not exercise regularly.
“Our support group addresses all of this in a supportive atmosphere,” she said.
The YMCA staff have been very welcoming and helpful to the group.
“The women’s wellness and recovery program is a great program that allows its participants to feel better in spirit, mind and body,” Lake County YMCA Program Director Kevin Sraj said. “The participants not only feel better about themselves, but they develop relationships with each other and act as their support system.”
UH staff comes in two times to give basic health screenings and information, which includes blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.
Niebuhr’s role is to organize fitness and wellness activities.
“We offer the women a chance to explore a variety of different group exercise classes each week — cardiovascular exercise, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility,” Niebuhr said. “This particular program is very unique in the sense that it is the only program that combines 12-step recovery with fitness and nutrition.”
Years prior, she worked as the Healthy Living director for Lake County YMCA and helped out within a jail system.
“During the opioid crisis in 2017, I saw a need for the Y to do more than just teach a class inside the jail,” Niebuhr said. “We wanted to reach these women outside the jail and help provide social and spiritual support in order to prevent relapse.”
She agreed with Mowry studies have shown exercise can also improve mental health status for those who suffer from mild to moderate depression, anxiety and ADHD.
“Exercise also helps improve a person’s self confidence and self worth,” Niebuhr said. “It has been a blessing to see the women thrive in this program.”
Kelly Phillips is a Life Recovery coach for the program and RTP certified peer supporter.
The mission of RTP is to provide a sober, safe and “smart” environment for women on a path to independent living in Geauga County.
Phillips’ role is to teach the Life Recovery material — the 12 steps — and connecting them to its biblical foundation.
“We discuss what it’s about and help to show how to apply the biblical principle to your life,” Phillips said. “It’s a deeper level of recovery that brings people hope and a future. We all have struggles in life. We approach recovery from different angles. Our group creates a safe place for women to share their struggles, experiences, strength and hope with each other. The material is easy to follow. Each person gets a workbook, which includes personal discovery questions. That’s the beauty of Life Recovery, it meets each person where they’re at. Our desire is to improve the quality of our lives and grow in relationship with each other and with God.”
Landon is currently the lead tenant at the Red Tulip House.
In a couple of months, she will graduate from college.
“Having had the opportunity to be involved in the health and wellness program at the Geauga County YMCA has been life-changing,” Landon said. “I learned so much about healthy foods and food for my brain. As a result of my accident, I have five traumatic brain injuries. I was among a group of women who were encouraging and supportive.
The program helped me to remain spiritually fit. When I am physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally balanced, ‘I can do all things through Christ who brings me strength’— Philippians 4:13.”
Women interested in the program may call Kristy Mowry at 440-488-2908.
RTP’s annual fundraiser, Pasta with a Purpose, is Sept. 17 at St. Mary Chardon.
