I came to the Courthouse to live.

My name is Danny Parker. I was introduced to the Courthouse through a partnership offered to the treatment center I was in. I will always be grateful for this. As an alcoholic and an addict in recovery, I have essentially treated painful feelings with substances, leading to my own eventual decline in body, mind and spirit. And having done so I am forever susceptible to repeating this behavior, so I must be constantly vigilant. By learning about physical fitness, I have found much more light at the end of the tunnel and the Courthouse has been my “school.” I am pleased to say I consider it also a sanctuary and safe haven, my place of refuge where I can continue to learn about the connection of my mind and body and spirit.

I originally came to the Courthouse with no real intention of awakening my body. Rather, it was more of a place to come and not be stuck inside a treatment center all day. I was cautious at first but each time I came I found more drive to do whatever it would take to keep up the positive momentum. What I discovered here is my hope, passion, desire and courage to grow and progress in my life’s pursuits. Since joining the Courthouse, I have been added several pounds of muscle, flexibility, confidence, friendships, energy of body mind and soul, just to scratch the surface. It’s a ripple effect of exponential proportions for me and there is no price I can put on this. What a gift! What a culture!

I wish I could express a small amount of the gift which has been given to me. Since I started my fitness journey, the entire staff at the Lancaster club has been a personal cheerleading section for me and I have felt accepted and loved by their kindness and encouragement. Sure, I could have afforded a membership at another club, but after my experience with coming in for three months, three times a week to Group Active, I could feel the culture and peace here, and I don’t want to give that up. I’m so glad for this opportunity.

Along with my addiction, I have also had three back surgeries (degenerative disc disease) and a PTSD diagnosis. I have attended classes almost exclusively and cannot emphasize their benefit enough. Whether its Tyson, Leslie, Katie, Audra, Jorge, or Chuck encouraging me I can feel the love when I come here to work. I feed off the group dynamic and listen to the staff–I trust them and it pays off. Because when I take their advice, I get results. When I work out in a class environment I feel connected, and I feel the strength to push a little harder and add to the group.

I also love the unity of the groups. “Better Together” is not a new philosophy and has proven a successful one for good reason. It works.

I came to the Courthouse to live. I wanted to have the most successful environment available to me to move forward, and that’s why I’m here. I came to the Courthouse approximately 165 lbs with a body beat up from my feet to my head by my abuse of drugs and booze over several years.

With help from the Courthouse I no longer even drink coffee or smoke cigarettes, I can touch my toes straight legged, I can run 3 miles in under 21 minutes, and, most importantly, I can look in the mirror, eye to eye with my biggest enemy and best friend and say “I believe in miracles, and I love you” in a healthy way.

Recovery is about getting things back that we lose: self esteem, hope, joy, energy, mobility, focus, and balance. These and more have been some of the gifts returned to me as I’ve come to the Courthouse to live, and to prosper.