Watch Now: 69´«Ã½ man helps others fight addiction, one punch at a time
Randy Smith can walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction and recovery. Smith, 47, a professional fighter and gym owner, has battled substance abuse. He knows what it is to lose all the important things in life — his home, career, family ... and his freedom while doing time in jail.
Now sober for the past two years, the 69´«Ã½ resident has rebuilt his life and is training for a return to the ring this November. He works as a peer advocate for Nick's Ride 4 Friends, a Cayuga 69´«Ã½ nonprofit organization committed to the fight against substance use disorders, helping those who struggle with addiction. He visits incarcerated people at the county jail daily, running group sessions, and he runs Combat Recovery, a boxing/MMA gym in the basement of Nick's Ride's Chapel Street clubhouse in 69´«Ã½, emphasizing being clean and sober one punch at a time. This is his story.Â
Stay tuned for bonus video after the credits.
Randy Smith squares off with Tyrese Smith, no relation, at the Combat Recovery gym.Â
After years of alcohol and substance abuse, Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate Randy Smith now helps others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program. Smith's championship belt is on display in the gym as a reminder of success.
The chair that Randy Smith was handcuffed to on the night of his arrest two years ago sits in his office as a reminder of troubled times. After years of alcohol and substance abuse, Smith, a Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate, now helps others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program.
Smith sorts paperwork at his office at Nick's Ride 4 Friends.Â
Randy Smith, left, coaches Malik Fletcher, second from left, and Tyrese Smith as Cruz Johnson, right, looks on during a recent workout at Combat Recovery gym. After years of alcohol and substance abuse, Smith, a Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate, now helps others recovering from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program.
Randy Smith hits the body bag in his Combat Recovery gym. Smith, after years of alcohol and substance abuse, a Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate, now helps others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program.
Randy Smith trains his son, Nate, at his Combat Recovery gym. After years of alcohol and substance abuse, Smith, a Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate, now helps others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program.
Smith now helps others recover from addiction at the Cayuga 69´«Ã½ Jail.
After years of alcohol and substance abuse, Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate Randy Smith now helps others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program.
Randy Smith, after years of alcohol and substance abuse, works as a peer advocate at Nick' Ride 4 Friends helping others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery gym program.
After years of alcohol and substance abuse, Nick's Ride 4 Friends Peer Advocate Randy Smith now helps others recover from addiction through counseling and hard work in his Combat Recovery program.
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A fundraiser for a local kickboxer to compete internationally will be held later this month.