Confessions of an addict

Are you 100% honest with yourself when you wake up every morning and fall into the same routine? Most of us don’t like to admit the struggles we carry inside. Some wrestle with hidden habits. Others bury their challenges under a smile. But today, I’m going to confess something that has changed my life forever.

Hello, my name is Elizabeth, and I am an addict.

Yes, I said it. For a long time, I felt shame even thinking the word. Addiction has a way of reaching into every part of life — your family, your job, your friendships, even your bank account. It demands energy, money, and time. Like so many others, I found myself caught in its grip.

Chasing the Fix

This addiction has taken me from Texas to Pennsylvania and back in just three days of driving. It’s pulled me from Texas to Virginia, where I spent ten hours feeding it until I could barely stand. I’ve spent money I shouldn’t have, lost sleep I desperately needed, and pushed my body further than I ever thought possible.

And you know what? I’d do it all again.

Because my addiction isn’t drugs or alcohol.

It’s obstacle course racing (OCR)

From Couch to Course

Wait a second. Just because I love climbing walls, crawling under barbed wire, carrying heavy sandbags up and down mountains, plus running until my legs scream, doesn’t mean my addiction is bad. Crazy, maybe. But bad? Not at all.

But the first time I crossed a finish line, everything changed. I wasn’t just hooked — I was transformed.

What OCR Taught Me About Life

Obstacle course racing isn’t just about the medals (though I treasure them). It’s about:

• Facing fear head-on. Every wall is a reminder that fear only wins if you let it.

• Discovering grit. Carrying a tire uphill with burning legs taught me I was stronger than I believed.

• Community. Strangers have pulled me over walls, cheered me through mud, and shared smiles that turned into lifelong friendships.

• Growth. Each race strips away excuses and builds resilience, one obstacle at a time.

Standing Proud in My Addiction

Today, I don’t hide my truth anymore. I stand tall, mud-streaked and smiling, and declare:

Yes, I am an addict.

But this is the kind of addiction that builds you instead of breaking you. The kind that strengthens instead of weakens. The kind that fuels your body, sharpens your mind, and inspires your spirit.

If loving OCR makes me an addict, then I’ll wear that label proudly. Because every obstacle I conquer out there helps me conquer the ones inside, too.

Final Words

So here’s my challenge to you: find your “addiction.” Find the thing that scares you, excites you, pushes you, and transforms you. For me, it’s obstacle course racing. For you, it might be something else.

But whatever it is, chase it with all you’ve got.

About this Author

Elizabeth Rivera is the founder of THIS IS WOR - Women of Obstacle Racing, WOR PRO Team, WOR Battle Buddy, and Women of Racing, living in San Antonio, Texas. She has been obstacle racing since 2013 and continues to inspire others to push past limits, embrace their power, and celebrate every victory.