🌾 Rise of the Phoenix

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Author

Landon Huslig
September 03, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

Fall weather is weathering. Will Kansas snow or hit triple digits next week?

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

Together with the Wichita Wind Surge

The final homestead of 2025 is here!

Take a look at all of the promos, all weekend long!

  • Wednesday 9/3 - Wetness Wednesday / Bark in the Park

  • Thursday 9/4 - Tumbas Vacas, Thirsty Thursday & Educator Night

  • Friday 9/5 - Pirates & Princess Night, Cancer Awareness Night, AND Post-game fireworks

  • Saturday 9/6 - Harry Potter Night (and sox giveaway) AND Post-game fireworks

  • Sunday 9/7 - Pregame Catch & Postgame kids run the bases

Rising Strong: The Phoenix and The Wichita Community

In Wichita, the realities of addiction and mental health struggles are impossible to ignore.

The city has recorded more than 6,500 drug-related deaths and nearly 100 suicides in recent years, according to the State of Our City dashboard.

On top of that, 23% of Wichitans say they lack emotional or social support, while a third report feeling isolated.

These numbers underscore something people in recovery have long known: healing isn’t just about removing substances, it’s about building connection.

That’s where The Phoenix comes in.

More than a gym, it’s a nationwide recovery movement built on community and shared purpose.

In Wichita, The Phoenix has become a gathering place where people rise together, proving that recovery is about much more than what you give up, it’s about what you gain.

From Rock Bottom to a Rising Movement: Scott Strode’s Story

The Phoenix began in 2006 with Scott Strode, an endurance athlete who credits fitness and community with helping him break free from addiction. For Scott, climbing and cycling weren’t just workouts, they were pathways to confidence and a reminder that he didn’t have to face recovery alone.

He started by inviting others to join him, creating an alternative to the isolation many in recovery experience. What started small quickly grew into a movement.

Today, The Phoenix has supported more than 930,000 people nationwide to date with free fitness classes, outdoor activities, and community events.

The only “cost of admission”? 48 hours of sobriety.

Scott’s vision is simple but powerful: when you replace stigma with belonging and build a community that sweats, laughs, and struggles together, people rise.

A Phoenix in Wichita

Wheree

Wichita welcomed its own Phoenix chapter in 2020, bringing Scott’s model of community-based recovery to the heart of Kansas.

Located near downtown, the Wichita branch looks like a gym at first glance—barbells, yoga mats, rowing machines—but it’s much more.

The Phoenix Wichita is open to anyone: people in recovery, individuals looking for a sober community, and allies who want to be part of a supportive space. Members often say they came for the workouts but stayed for the friendships. Whether it’s someone on day two of sobriety or year twenty, the message is the same: you belong here.

And that matters in a city where thousands of residents report feeling cut off from the support networks they need. The Wichita branch is helping fill that gap, repurposing sweat and shared struggle as tools for connection.

Beyond the Workout: Building Belonging

Sound bath

The Phoenix in Wichita offers a wide variety of programs designed to meet people where they are.

There’s yoga, CrossFit-style classes, and sound baths.

But there are also art nights, community dinners, and other monthly events like the monthly climbing event at Bliss Climbing every last Friday evening, monthly movie nights, or even open jams on the last Mondays of the month at Somewhere Works.. There are even D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) nights.

The mix of activities means that whether you’re into lifting weights or just want a safe place to connect, you can find your fit.

What really sets The Phoenix apart is its accessibility. Thanks to grants and donations, all classes and events are 100% free. The only requirement is 48 hours of sobriety.

That simple barrier keeps the community safe and welcoming without leaving anyone behind because of finances.

The Wichita team also partners with treatment centers, nonprofits, and even the criminal justice system to expand its reach. In a city where recovery resources can feel fragmented, The Phoenix has become a bridge back into community life.That’s all for today! What do you think?

How to Get Involved

Getting involved with The Phoenix Wichita is easy.

Interested in joining The Phoenix? Find and register for their sober events on NewForm, a free app that brings together recovery and mental health resources, or on their website.

The calendar includes everything from weekly fitness classes to one-off outings and seasonal gatherings. Whether you’re looking to sweat, to give back, or just to find a circle of support, there’s a way in.

Find their socials here:

Upcoming Events

Family Friendly Recovery on the Rise (9/13): In observation of Recovery Month, join us for a morning of community at the Equity bank Park (Home of the Wind Surge). Partake in a fitness challenge with friends and interact with partners and vendors from the recovery community and the health and wellness industry. Learn more here.

Autumn Amplified: A Phoenix Zero Proof Tailgate & Concert (10/4): A fall music and community celebration meant to elevate the season and ignite connections at Somewhere Works. Tailgate with food trucks, vendors, and festivities begins at 4 pm in the Somewhere Works parking lot. 18+ Concert, featuring Harrison Steele and The Wayne Gottstine Band, to follow at 7:30 inside the venue. Learn more here.

What do you want to see us go deep on in a future deep dive?

New Hat Alert

Quick Event Rundown

Anyway, that's it for today!

If you enjoyed today, share this email with someone who could use it.

Thanks!

- Landon

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