Road to Conviction Episode 3: Moving Forward

While incarcerated, Fletcher Tholin discovered CrossFit. Watch his rehabilitation in this eight-part series.

In this episode, Tholin’s at work discussing how important the gym and community have become to him.

The halfway house Tholin lives in works on a five-level system in which higher levels permit more freedom. Now at Level 4 status—he skipped Level 3—Tholin can be out of the halfway house for six hours a day. For as many hours as his body can handle, Tholin’s at CrossFit Edwardsville in Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Affiliate owner Greg Skelly says he’s noticed Tholin at the gym a lot more.

“I’ve noticed he’ll show up a little after 4 (p.m.), and he’ll watch the class go, and he’ll work out at 5, and then he’s hanging out for an hour after that to work on his double-unders and his pull-ups and his muscle-ups,” Skelly says.

Old friends of Tholin’s are showing support for his new life by surprising him with new Reebok shoes and workout clothes.

“Man, I wanted to cry,” he says of the support and gifts.

“Then I came in (to the gym) and I front-squatted 315. Yeah, it’s the shoes,” he adds with a grin.

Video by Gary Roberts and Jordan Shalhoub.

11min 45sec

Additional reading: “Sweat and Sobriety” by Hilary Achauer, published March 7, 2014.