If you have been to any of the NP Indy workouts or social events over the past couple of months, chances are you have met Timmy. While he is fairly new to the NP family, he dove in head first!! Fully buying in to the themes, the vibe, bringing newbies, spreading the hype, and even doing doubles!! In just a short time, Timmy has become an amazing presence at NP.
Though I have known Timmy for a couple of months, I didn’t realize his full story until he posted a bit about it on Facebook last Friday, the eve of the Monumental Marathon….his first full marathon. To say I was inspired and moved is an understatement. We asked Timmy to write a guest blog to share his experiences with how fitness, community, and the positive energy that they generate has helped him in his journey. This is Timmy’s story – it is further proof that on any given morning, we don’t know what people have gone and are going through. We have no idea how that hug, that encouragement, that positivity that we bring on that particular day, and every single NP morning might affect each individual. But it DOES have an affect…and it is amazing how we can use that to lift each other up through so much. Thanks so much to Timmy for sharing his story and for his energy, encouragement, and for being an inspiration to us all. We are SO happy you are here – keep changing the world!!
- Shaw
I recently completed my first ever marathon at Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis, IN at a time of 4:00:04 on November 4th, 2017. It was the single greatest accomplishment of my life.
I feel we are all placed here for a reason. We all have a purpose. We do not come in contact with each other by chance. You are not reading this by chance. There is a purpose. We are together for a reason.
Rewind a few short months earlier to May 31st, 2017. I’m homeless. I’m a heroin addict. I’m ready to die.
You see, I have been addicted to drugs and alcohol for 14 years. This ultimately lead me to being homeless for the last 6 years of my life. There has been a void I’ve had. There was emptiness within myself that I’ve filled with chemicals. The drugs were where, at the time, I could find relief from the pain and loneliness I’ve felt. I always wanted to fit in. I wanted to be loved. Drugs and alcohol did that for me. Or so I thought.
I had finally given up. I had hit my rock bottom. Life was too hard and I was ready to die. I couldn’t continue to wake up every morning having to rely on psychedelics just to function like a “normal person.” Hands greater than myself lifted me up. I reached out to an old friend Kristina Madden who directed me to a halfway house that specializes in addiction treatment called the Progress House. I contacted them and the process was made for me to detox off of drugs and alcohol. I moved in June 6th,2017 after released from the hospital.
14 years of use and abuse of your mind and body will take a serious toll on you. I weighed 130 pounds. I looked like I was on deaths door. My mind was gone. Slowly, my health, mental and physical, began to return. I was starting to smile again. Be happy again. Enjoy waking up in the morning. But I still felt like a piece of me was missing.
On a hanging board there was a sign for a running group by the name of Back On My Feet. They help to combat homelessness through the power of running.
When I showed up I could barely run a mile. I wanted to quit because I thought I wasn’t fit for this. But so many people encouraged me. Told me they were proud of me. Told me that they were happy I was there. “How are you happy to have a homeless addict with you?” was my thought. But I showed up again. I received the same response every time. Run. Support. Love. Hugs. I quickly realized this is what I had been missing.
Running is my meditation. Running is my way of releasing all my worries. I can connect with nature and the ones around me. Running is my peace.
Through running I met 2 guys named Casey and Shaw from the November Project. We were at a run for Coppers Fun Run and they came up, hugged me, and said, “good morning.” We did a bounce. Ran. And it was over. But their energy inspired me. I knew I wanted in. I asked how I could become a part of them and they said, “Wednesday, War Memorial, just show up.”
I was nervous because I didn’t want to look weak or slow. I didn’t want anyone to know what I was. I was so worried that if anyone found out I would be rejected. But, I showed up and quickly realized that none of it mattered. We were all out there for each other. Not to beat each other. Not for bragging rights of who is better. We were there to lift each other up. Our purpose is for each other.
Through the November Project and Back On My Feet I’ve learned I don’t have to feel any shame for my past. It is just that, my past. I’ve learned that we can only keep what we have by giving it away. I’ve learned that my story may impact someone else. It may save their life.
For the first time in my life I feel a part of something bigger than myself. I know I can help others. I’ve been helpless so I know what it feels like to need help. That is my purpose. To show up with the people who have given me so much so that I may do so in return.
My name is Timothy Howard but my friends call me Timmy. I may not know you personally but we are connected. There is a reason we are together. Thank you for helping me to get better every day so I can help someone else. I will always be here for you! Thank you!
Quick Announcements:
Friday – Victory Field Stadium workout!!! Meet at the 3rd Base Gate. Waiver is HERE if you want to fill it out before hand. We will start at 6am SHARP.
Thursday – NP Talent Night Social at Square Cat Vinyl in Fountain Square. Starts at 7pm – sing, dance, speak, tell jokes, or #justshowup to see what you fellow tribemates can do!! Thanks to the owners and our very own tribe mates Kurt and Julia for hosting us!!
Next Wednesday – meet on the SOUTH stairs!
Exactly two years after she #justshowedup to her first NP workout, Anne said goodbye to the NP Indy tribe (for now) as she moves south for the beaches of St. (N)Pete. Thanks so much for being such a huge part and inspiration to NP Indy! We will miss you as a regular at the workouts (and breakfast) and can’t wait to see you when you come back and visit! Make sure you keep that winter coat handy ;).
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Thank you!
Love! Thanks for sharing!!
So inspiring! Keep living and keep going, Timmy! Jia yu from Malaysia tribe!