My guest today is Tyler Mix. Tyler is a fitness trainer, DJ, and a formerly incarcerated man, dedicated to turning his life around. For the first time in his life, Tyler has chosen to be clean and sober and is grateful for the support from his substance abuse program at Lexington Center in Airmont, NY. Tyler has taken his recovery program seriously which has been both intense and life-changing. Tyler is a resident in a transitional house run by M.A.D.E. Transitional Services, a Rockland County, NY non-profit organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated people with housing, re-entry, life skills training and job readiness. Check out my conversations with the two M.A.D.E. founders, Tarik Greene and Toney Earl, Jr.

Tyler shares what his life had been like before prison, during prison and, now that he is out. He speaks of facing his past, not being proud of who he was or how he lived; about taking responsibility for his behavior and feeling genuine remorse. Tyler was a victim of correctional officers’ brutality, and although the C.O.’s covered up the abuse they inflicted, prevented Tyler from getting medical attention and manipulated the paperwork, Tyler is determined to not become bitter. He is learning the balance of being strong and confident, while making room for humility and vulnerability.

Tyler has found creative outlets in hand-writing a novel, a screen play and drafted some animations, but his consistent solace is in working out and personal fitness. My husband Paul is helping Tyler create a website to launch Tyler's personal training business. It is inspiring to witness Tyler move in such a positive direction to transform his life!  Enjoy the podcast.

Links:
www.made-transitions.org

Lexington Center for Recovery