Cudahy man on a walking journey from Green Bay for 'National Recovery Month'

 

CUDAHY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Cudahy man is on a journey - walking all the way home from Green Bay on purpose. As Michele Fiore tells us, his decision to do so is part of "National Recovery Month."

Greg Studzinski freely admits he turned to pills and heroin to hide life's hard knocks. But Studzinski is out of the shadows, nearly five months sober, and giving back to an organization that helps when people hurt.

Up and out early with a day-one destination, 25 miles from Green Bay.

Greg Studzinksi is living proof therapy and hard work can get you sober.

"Getting clean is the best thing in the world. It really is. Everyone deserves a healthy life," said Greg Studzinski.

Studzinski is walking some 130 miles in all.

"The first day and the last day are mostly trails. The three in the middle are mostly country roads," said Studzinski.

He is carrying a 40-pound backpack and raising awareness, after losing too many friends to overdose.

"I'm carrying a lot of their you know, their memories with me on this walk, definitely having a lot of quiet time," said Studzinski.

The walk itself, an exercise, both physical and mental. But 100 percent of it is raising money for an organization that has meant a lot.

"When you are out on the streets not maybe making the best life decisions you run into the Street Angels all the time. So, it wasn't a doubt who I was gonna do this for," said Studzinski.

The GoFundMe benefiting Street Angels far surpassing his $2,000 goal.

"The work long hours. It's a very thankless job and this is my way to say thank you," said Studzinski.

Studzinski arrived in Brillion by late afternoon after spending much of the day on the Fox River Trail.

"I'm not tired tonight. I'm gonna be sore tomorrow though I can tell from my backpack and certain areas that are a little sore," said Studzinski.

The walk-a-thon is also an opportunity to message people about the fentanyl crisis.

"Your family can't love you into sobriety. You have to want it for yourself. You have to find a reason," said Studzinski.

Studzinski has split up his trip - taking about a 30-mile hike each day. He'll be ending the walk at Cudahy High School on Monday.