TODD CLASEN REFUSES TO LET ADDICTION AND TRAUMA WIN

“My story doesn't encompass or relate to just one APEMAN shirt or meaning,” Todd Clasen said. 

In fact, his life… his story… the personal trauma of his youth is represented and lived through many of the Finding Strong stories and meanings. 

“My first encounter with APEMAN was in July of 2017,” he said. “I was managing a local gym in Surprise, AZ, when I was given an APEMAN shirt as a gift shortly after my second year of recovery from heroin addiction.” 

Todd said the meanings on each shirt and each story made him realize something. He had been living for several years battling addiction, trauma and a lifetime of type1 diabetes.

“I had a special connection to the LIFTED shirt as I had lived in the darkness and despair of addiction with seemingly no hope, on the verge of divorce, losing my family and the very reality of death,” Todd said. “Had my wife not been there to revive me as I was found not breathing, no registered blood sugar with no pulse from an overdose in 2014.”

Recognizing that in his sobriety, the ability to train himself, train clients, speak into the lives of others using his personal struggles, Todd had truly been LIFTED.

“In 2018 I was being treated for a small wound on my foot as a result of daily activities and hard work,” he remembered. “The healing process was not going well and I became sick with sepsis from an infection in the 5th metatarsal bone of my foot. I finally asked my wife to take me to the ER as I could no longer stand the pain. I was immediately admitted, placed on IV antibiotics, pain meds and scheduled for surgery to clean up the infected area. Well four surgeries later, 16 weeks of home IV antibiotic therapy, daily wound care treatment along with very limited mobility or activity, weeks of narcotics led to depression and dependence on the pain meds. The battle I faced was over 12 months with no work, no real physical activity or abilities to function in outdoor family activities.” 

Todd said the words and stories from APEMAN were like a daily motivation. 

“I had to PERSEVERE!” he said. “The 21 GRAMS and PERSEVERE shirts were my motivation and inspiration.”

In February 2019, he was released by doctors as his wounds were considered healed. The addiction, however, had taken hold and his life was still spinning out of control. 

“In April of 2020 I had finally had enough,” he said. “I saw the need and found hope in my WARPATH OF REDEMPTION, so I checked myself into a 21-day rehab, started a solid routine of workouts, meetings and staying connected with my church.”

Life had been restored and things were moving along nicely for Todd until November 17, 2020 on his way from the gym to an A.A. meeting. An individual pulled a high-speed left turn in front of him as he passed through the intersection. Without a way to avoid the vehicle, Todd slammed into him, braking as best as he could in such a quick moment. 

“I could actually see it in slow motion,” he remembered. “As I visualized the many escapes I had been given over my life that this was going to be it. A hit and run accident, I survived the crash, suffering a multi break in my femur, shattered knee cap.”

Two more surgeries, a week in hospital, 12 weeks of no weight bearing on his leg, leading to absolutely no weight training workouts, little exercise and back on pain meds, Todd refused to succumb to the drugs or the emotional trauma and struggle.

“At week 2 of recovery I had a friend LIFT me up and take me to a meeting albeit in a wheelchair,” Todd said. “I went to church on Christmas Eve, and stopped the pain meds at Christmas. I am coming up on another year of sobriety, am working on my physical therapy 4 months into my recovery and now walking with a cane.”

Todd proudly wears the SCARS, GHOSTS, and PERSEVERE shirts whenever possible.

“APEMAN has been a force in my life, an addition to my personal growth and the lives of others,” said Todd. “Many I've spoken with have jumped on the team and wear the APEMAN line for their own personal experiences.

Thank you, APEMAN!”