Todd Crandell offers a greeting with a bit of a boyish smile, but traces of adversity show through the surface. His demeanor was that of a well-groomed, confident young man, with a twist of easygoing spirit.

Crandell’s 40-year journey, the subject of an upcoming film, has included drug abuse and suicide in his family at a young age. A triathlete who has completed 18 full-length Ironman Triathlons across the world, in 2008 he was the only person in the world to complete the Ultraman Hawaii Triathlon and six days later complete Ironman Western Australia.

Crandell is a husband, father of four children, and a friend and mentor to many people around the world. He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Racing for Recovery.

Because of his many triumphs, Crandell has been able to share his story with the world. He wrote a book, “Racing for Recovery from Addict to Ironman” and released a documentary, “Addict: Racing for Recovery.”

His new film, “Running with Demons,” is scheduled to debut May 8 at Tam-O-Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Ave., in Sylvania. “Running with Demons” will also play in Los Angeles, New York and Florida. His plan is to enter his documentary into film festivals and to release it on DVD for worldwide distribution.

Crandell said many believed he would become a successful hockey player, but, at the age of 13, he chose to indulge in a dark world of alcohol and drugs. For 13 years, his bad choices led to spending time behind bars, suicidal thoughts and unconsciously annihilating ties with family and friends. On April 15, 1994, after a bout with the law, Crandell decided he had hit bottom with alcohol and drug abuse and chose to stop.

“Nothing has entered my system in a non-healthy way since that day,” Crandell said. He said he believes alcohol or drug abuse is a choice, not a sickness that has to be cured.

The recovery process was long and demanding, but Crandell said he was certain he would beat the odds. He immediately started attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous meetings. Crandell said he was grateful to receive help from the various programs with steps designed to assist addicts, but believed he needed something else to balance his new lifestyle. He realized the importance of education and went back to obtain his degrees. In the fall of 1994 he met Melissa, whom he eventually married. He also began seeking recovery through a return to athletics.

Crandell said his drive to compete in Ultraman and Ironman triathlons sprang from an obsession to prove that he could do it. He has come to a point in his life where he no longer needs to prove himself.

“My point has been proven repeatedly,” he said.

In 2001, he formed Racing for Recovery, a nonprofit organization that “seeks to prevent all forms of substance abuse by promoting a lifestyle of fitness and health for all those affected by addiction.”

Crandell said he had the need to film “Running with Demons” because he felt his original film, “Addict: Racing for Recovery” was told by  others and explained his journey only to that point.

“Two of my kids were in it, which was great but I don’t think it really told the story and the impact that Racing for Recovery had done at the time. It did a little bit, but not enough in my opinion,” he said.

He said “Running with Demons” will give audiences “a true depiction of the real Todd Crandell” and will walk them through the backdrop of him in action during an Ultraman competition.

“It is an unbelievable feat that most people cannot fathom,” Crandell said.

“Running with Demons,” will focus on who Crandell is today; a licensed professional counselor, helping those in need.

The film will also explain some of the demons he has fought as he continues on his journey.

Crandell has a support group that meets every Thursday evening in the Sylvania area, and he is at every meeting unless he is out of town racing. He said his support group is unlike any other. He focuses on good health and fitness by exercising, walking and or running, but competing in an Ironman is not an expectation.

His program is also designed to support the family and friends of the substance abuser, and he has incorporated a preventative program for children.

He proudly said his two oldest children, Skylar and Koner, are athletic and have already competed in mini triathlons.

Asked if he was concerned about them following in his footsteps, he smiled and said, “I don’t care what they do, so long as they don’t do drugs and alcohol, and I want them to have high self-esteem. That’s very important to me.”

Tickets for the May 8 showing of “Racing with Demons” are $30. Visit www.racingforrecovery.com for more information.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 2:33 pm and is filed under Community, Health Care, Uncategorized.
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