Sheeka Sanahori

USA TODAY

SYLVANIA, Ohio — Todd Crandell knows how to overcome extreme obstacles. In 2008, he was the only competitor to finish an Ultraman triathlon in Hawaii, which included more than six miles of swimming, 261 miles of biking and 52 miles of running over the course of three days. He's finished other Ultraman and Ironman triathlon competitions around the world.

Crandell's intense fitness journey may not have happened if he hadn't tackled his drug and alcohol addiction first. He says he abused alcohol, heroin and cocaine for more than a decade, destroying his personal and professional life. After his third arrest, Crandell decided to change his life. He quit cold-turkey and began replacing substance abuse with triathlon competitions.

Crandell now helps other people struggling with addiction with his non-profit, Racing for Recovery. "There's nothing better than sitting down with somebody who has a drug problem, and me being able to help them," Crandell said. He encourages recovering addicts to run triathlons with him, or take up other sports to help them overcome substance abuse.

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