For those seeking sobriety as well as a healthier lifestyle, The Phoenix in Minot, a free program, is celebrating its first year being part of the community today at 6 p.m., at CrossFit Minot on North Hill.

Nicole Young, who started the Minot program, said when she found that she had a problem with her drinking, she was looking for resources and found The Phoenix, a program for those interested in a sober and fitness minded community.

Young said part of what she loves so much about the program is she doesn’t feel forced to talk about her feelings. “It wasn’t a meeting, it wasn’t (Alcoholics Anonymous),” she said. She said it was a self-paced program, where people are encouraged to talk about their hobbies and things they enjoy, not just things they may have heard talked about at other sobriety programs.

When she moved to Minot in March 2023, Young said she went in search of a program similar to what she gave up when she left home. She said The Phoenix is a fairly popular program in Philadelphia, where she is from.

When Young reached out to The Phoenix and asked about starting a branch in Minot, she said it was a simple process, but she was given certain guidelines which led her to find CrossFit Minot, where Minot’s The Phoenix branch calls home. Jerad Aasen, her partner in the venture and owner of CrossFit Minot, was looking for something with the same ideals and they teamed up.

Young said each class starts with a short ice breaker and introductions, and if anyone would like to speak, the floor is open to share, otherwise “We get right into the workout,” said Young. After a workout, she said there is another short time when people can share what’s on their mind, and then everyone goes home. “We’re not forcing anyone to talk. … but there have been times where we’ve gone a whole 45 minutes and not touched a weight. We’re not going to stop anybody from talking about their sobriety journey or whatever they may have to talk about.”

Young said the meetings are a combination of “comfortability, confidence, respect. It’s such a great program, it’s saved my life and I’m so grateful for it.”

The group will cater to the needs of those who attend, Young said. She said some days just toss a ball around while others they lift weights or do CrossFit.

Every Friday, the group gets together and Young, a personal trainer, along with Aasen, a CrossFit instructor, teach fitness classes for an hour for people who are open to a community of sobriety. She stressed the group is not a meeting and there is no “song singing,” “We’re just working out,” she said.

The group’s only stipulation is 48 hours of sobriety before walking in the door. This is based on a trust system and there is no testing, Young said. Young also said if someone shows up not meeting the requirement, the group can offer immediate assistance but that person will be barred from participation that day.

If there is interest in starting a new activity through The Phoenix, volunteers must go through an orientation on the activity with instructional scenarios on class management. “If someone wants to volunteer to instruct a class, they must be a certified instructor,” Young said.