Yana Khashper (Co-Founder)
Yana is originally from New York City and has been in Western N.Y. since 2012. Yana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in trauma, addictions, and mental health. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University and went on to work with The New York City Fire Department Counseling Unit where her focus was to provide services to firefighters and emergency personnel of the FDNY impacted by the WTC tragedy and other disasters. Yana’s addiction took hold of her life during this time leading to complete incapacitation. She struggled for years before finding recovery. When she entered recovery, she experienced a sense of loss, lack of purpose and overwhelming sense of emotional pain. It was not until she found physical activity and exercise that she felt a sense of freedom and purpose in her life.. In her darkest hour, Yana was able to find peace in letting go of old ideals and creating a new life founded on healing and healthy living. She became passionate about bicycling, weight lifting, kayaking, and getting out into the outdoors. Most of all, she found that being outdoors has significantly strengthened her spirituality and given her added tools she needed to live sober and free. She wants to share this gift with others who are on similar journeys of their own. Get busy living!!
Certification: Yana is a Certified Personal Trainer though NASM and a Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (provisional).
Yana is originally from New York City and has been in Western N.Y. since 2012. Yana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in trauma, addictions, and mental health. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University and went on to work with The New York City Fire Department Counseling Unit where her focus was to provide services to firefighters and emergency personnel of the FDNY impacted by the WTC tragedy and other disasters. Yana’s addiction took hold of her life during this time leading to complete incapacitation. She struggled for years before finding recovery. When she entered recovery, she experienced a sense of loss, lack of purpose and overwhelming sense of emotional pain. It was not until she found physical activity and exercise that she felt a sense of freedom and purpose in her life.. In her darkest hour, Yana was able to find peace in letting go of old ideals and creating a new life founded on healing and healthy living. She became passionate about bicycling, weight lifting, kayaking, and getting out into the outdoors. Most of all, she found that being outdoors has significantly strengthened her spirituality and given her added tools she needed to live sober and free. She wants to share this gift with others who are on similar journeys of their own. Get busy living!!
Certification: Yana is a Certified Personal Trainer though NASM and a Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (provisional).
Sean Smith (Co-Founder)
Sean believes “waking up and moving” has been so incredibly helpful in his recovery. He has always considered himself an athlete and an extremely active person. However, that part of him was lost to years of alcohol abuse. Since getting sober, he has been able to rediscover the wonders of nature and those thrills he once found by being outside and exploring the world. Physical fitness and leading an active and healthy lifestyle have been extremely important to his recovery and provide him with the inner peace that had been missing for so long. He was born and raised in Rochester, NY and has been around the world throughout his last 16 years serving in the U.S. Army. He is a certified CrossFit level one instructor and runs high intensity strength training classes in ROCovery Fitness. Sean has recently graduated with an Associates Degree in Addictions Counseling and is a 2014 graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. He now works at the Veteran’s Outreach Center in Rochester, NY. The same agency that helped him get on his feet when he lost everything to the disease of addiction. Like Yana, he too finds peace while out in the woods and by the water. This is why you will find that most of our events usually include one of the two. We plan to build a sober community of people who are committed to leading healthy and physically active lifestyles on their journey of recovery from addiction.
Sean believes “waking up and moving” has been so incredibly helpful in his recovery. He has always considered himself an athlete and an extremely active person. However, that part of him was lost to years of alcohol abuse. Since getting sober, he has been able to rediscover the wonders of nature and those thrills he once found by being outside and exploring the world. Physical fitness and leading an active and healthy lifestyle have been extremely important to his recovery and provide him with the inner peace that had been missing for so long. He was born and raised in Rochester, NY and has been around the world throughout his last 16 years serving in the U.S. Army. He is a certified CrossFit level one instructor and runs high intensity strength training classes in ROCovery Fitness. Sean has recently graduated with an Associates Degree in Addictions Counseling and is a 2014 graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School. He now works at the Veteran’s Outreach Center in Rochester, NY. The same agency that helped him get on his feet when he lost everything to the disease of addiction. Like Yana, he too finds peace while out in the woods and by the water. This is why you will find that most of our events usually include one of the two. We plan to build a sober community of people who are committed to leading healthy and physically active lifestyles on their journey of recovery from addiction.
