Meet Todd Crandell

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Todd Crandell . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Todd below.

Hi Todd , so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
This is a great question. I remember being homeless, as a consequence of my addiction, and finding myself in a soup kitchen starving for food. As I looked around at all the people standing in line- in need and desperation, I wondered what their stories were. I knew what landed me there and it made everyone be on an equal playing field. I realized I was really starving for kindness and empathy; and at that moment realized that we are all one. A little kindness and empathy goes along way. We all want to be heard and know someone sees our struggles and we are not alone. Everyone that walks through the doors at Racing for Recovery gets treated as an equal, and I make sure to greet everyone and ask how we can help . I want them to know I SEE them.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My personal brand got created while developing Racing for Recovery since 2001. I literally put my blood, sweat, and tears into building a business that I was told from the beginning would never materialize- by people who I trusted- that was the hardest part to hear. But, something inside me forged a resilience and a drive to make this succeed with or without the outside support I thought I needed to succeed. My 5 books and 4 documentaries expand upon my personal and professional growth but, my newest book “Creating Todd Crandell” deep dives into this concept of loss, mistakes, growth and choices and consequences that catapult me into coming into my own. .
Racing for Recovery is a CARF accredited federally approved 501(c)(3) non profit that helps people who are struggling with the coping mechanisms from traumas and teaches them a holistic lifestyle transformation for inner peace that allows them to live their truth. This is exactly what I needed from my addiction to recovery to fill in the gaps that traditional recovery programs lacked for me. My first drink at 13 years old and the subsequent drugs, that ruined relationships and a promising hockey career, became the cloak of my traumas and promised to drown out the demons that haunted me daily. The consequences of poor choices were never boring, but, now I strive to show people that sobriety is anything but boring; they can still have a social life and enjoy events, just without drugs and alcohol and choices that aren’t in their best interests. That vibe is reflected in the halls of our building with pictures of signed sports jersey’s and photos of rock stars and guitars. It is an adult version of my childhood bedroom. Every photo I have with someone I was inspired by shows that I shared the same drive and determination; I understood and applied what it took to make my dreams come true and to keep going. The halls are hung with examples of inspiration and dedication. I want everyone that comes into Racing for Recovery to not only feel inspired but to feel supported and heard.

Success in recovery happens by dedication to supporting the body in what it needs to maintain health and wellbeing. I found that through grueling discipline of Ironman events, but at Racing for Recovery we offer two gyms and a fully plant based kitchen to provide proper nutrition. Our plant based Chef has recipes in my 4th book “Do NO Harm: Discovering the Truth and the Power Behind a Compassionate Lifestyle” that showcases delicious and nutritious meals that is easy to duplicate and motivate people to eat well.

I love my life and I like to share my successes with those around me. We work hard and we play hard, and it’s always in an encouraging environment. Encouragement goes a long way for healing.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most important words I learned on my journey thus far were Empathy, Humility, and Gratitude. Being homeless living in my car, to losing my car and living on the streets, to moving into housing only to lose it really put things into perspective. In sobriety I learned to use the skills I once used for manipulation in my addiction to propel myself into success of service to others in need. Listening is the best skill one can have. I now listen to let people in need be heard as that will be the key to solving the pain problems. Wisdom is not thinking that a masters degree makes me better than other’s, instead it gave me the skills and knowledge to know when to listen and how to apply not only what I hear but more so what people don’t say. In my painful childhood, I craved being heard and understood. I wished anyone had asked me what was wrong and why I was abusing drugs and alcohol, but no one really knew HOW to approach me with those questions. Simply asking people “why” is the most effective way to start to help them help themselves heal.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my biological mom did for me was choose to commit suicide. This answer is controversial but let me explain. Unbeknownst to me, this was the source of my traumas. It made me feel abandoned which lead me to choose to abuse drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. After abusing and self sabotaging myself for most of my life, I was finally ready to heal. Part of my healing after sobriety was discovering my life’s purpose and founding Racing for Recovery. In healing, I forgave my mom and finally saw her passing as a gift, a gift with a ripple effect to help many people. A major part of my healing was exercise. I owe that to my adopted mom, Cindy. She was an avid runner and planted the seeds of discipline and exercise in my childhood. All my memories of her are of absolute love and kindness for me. That showed me that proper nutrition and exercise was what self love was
The most impactful thing my father did during my addiction was love me enough to tell me I’d “never be anything more than a %#@! drunk!”. Those words rang through my mind as motivation to stop disappointing others and finally stop being disappointed in myself.
Looking back on what my mom must have been suffering with to choose to commit suicide and the disappointment my father felt towards how I was harming myself in my addiction not only humbled me, but provided me insight on how our choices affect others. It gave me the idea to start our signature live stream support group that was the first of its kind to incorporate the family and loved ones of those affected by addiction.
It is important to have a positive mindset and forgive, as it will cleanse any negatively and get you ready to receive abundance.

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