John Davis isn’t your run of the mill counselor. Although he has a clinical master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a certified addictions counselor (CACII), he doesn’t spend much time in his office.

Leslie Gould, director of programs at The 2xtreme Foundation says that she just replaced the couch cushions in Davis’s office after 20 years. “That’s how infrequently these kids are sitting down.”

Davis doesn’t use a traditional approach because he doesn’t work with a traditional population. Instead, he works exclusively with at-risk, adolescent males.

“The average population is freaked out by the guys I work with,” says Davis. “These kids are dealing with divorce, trauma, parents who are self-medicating, abuse, drugs, you name it. I had a guy come in who was shot in the back three times over selling three pounds of marijuana. If my practice is extreme, it’s because I need to match the extreme nature of what comes in the door.” 

Davis’s approach is called experiential therapy. “I’m in Starbucks a lot,” says Davis. “I hike a lot with the kids. I take them to places they feel safe. And when they feel safe, they can slow down enough to hear me.”

Gould explains that one of the boys John is counseling was having a hard time finding a job, so Davis took him to 7/11 and mentored him through the application process. 

“He got hired on the spot and started working three days later,” says Gould. “John takes these boys to the grocery store. He teaches them how to engage with the cashier and the bagger in a positive way. He is always putting them in situations where they can keep learning and keep connecting.”

 Sometimes these situations are physical. Through his 2xtreme Dream Program, Davis takes boys through a nine-month training program that culminates in climbing a mountain in Africa, South America, Europe, or Russia.

 “It’s about them living a metaphor, which is that life is a challenge,” says Davis. “Life is a mountain.”

Davis is happiest in the natural world. A champion NCAA swimmer in college, Davis is also an accomplished rock climber and triathlete. He is uniquely poised to lead the youth he works with, because he is also overcoming challenges.

Davis suffers from a motor neuron condition, which necessitated back surgery to fuse his spine. One day, as he was rehabbing by walking on trails, he found himself in the middle of preparations for XTERRA Beaver Creek.

A year later, Davis returned as a participant. “Janet and the XTERRA staff were amazing,” said Davis. “She provided me a chair for transition because of my back, and even though the race was hard, the environment was incredibly supportive.”

In 2017, Davis decided he would bring 17 people to compete in XTERRA Beaver Creek.

“I want to be clear that I’m not bringing trained athletes,” he says. “I’m bringing 17 brave souls who know that every step they take in the race means they can accomplish something far greater in their lives. Triathlon is a metaphor. Triathlon is a stepping stone.” 

Eighteen-year old Jack was suspended from high school five times before he began therapy with 2xtreme. He’s already a solid mountain biker, but the last time he swam was when he was six.

“Jack has an outfit picked out for each leg of the race,” says Davis. “He’s going to wear glitter on his bike helmet and he’s going to run in leopard print boxer shorts. He wants everyone to know who he is. He wants to tell his story so you know he’s a different man today.”

Joey is a 16-year old father and a former drug addict. He was arrested for assault and destruction of property and had a GPA of .8 before working with Davis.

Today, Joey has made the biggest turnaround in Columbine High School history.

“Nich has a 4.0 GPA and has been sober for 9 months,” says Davis. “Last week he bought this piece of junk mountain bike that weighs about 5000 pounds and he’s training on trails he has no right to be on.”

Nich, 20, is a challenged athlete with Scheuermans Kyphosis – a degenerative spine disorder. He suffered from severe PTSD from watching his father suffer a violent heart attack when he was young and developed a drug addiction.

“When Nich came to me, he was 6’4” and 124 pounds because of his drug addiction,” said Davis. “Today, Nich is clean and sober and attending University of Colorado, Denver, where he has a 3.7 GPA.”

Members of the XTERRA community are already welcoming the 2xtreme crew. David McCurdy recently fixed up Joey’s bike and bought him a helmet. His wife, XTERRA Pan Am Champ Deanna McCurdy, recently helped Nich with a pool workout.

“Ultimately, the athletes I’m bringing to XTERRA Beaver Creek have learned how to be humble,” said Davis. “Humility comes from knowing they aren’t alone and that people are generous. And they are going to be really inspiring. If a group of drug addicts can compete in XTERRA, what can you do?”

To register for XTERRA Beaver Creek, visit www.xterraplanet.com

To learn more about The 2xtreme Foundation, visit www.2xtreme.info

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