Anthony Bizzotto doesn't just represent a second chance, he defines its limitless potential.
Bizzotto ‘11, a former local superstar athlete, seemingly had it all, but when his life spiraled out of control due to heavy use of drugs and alcohol, the former Fitchburg State gridiron star had a decision to make.
Bizzotto could continue to medicate heavily or take a stand with his life hanging in the balance.
The 2005 Leominster High School graduate and all-star football player took the more difficult path, and entered into a treatment facility, which eventually altered the course of his life for the better.
From those dark days, Bizzotto, 38, eventually found the light to become the president and co-founder of Revive of the USA – a non-profit addiction recovery and mental health fitness training company – which partners with youth and adult substance use treatment facilities and recovery homes to improve clients’ life prospects and provide second chances to individuals whose lives have been disrupted by addiction.
Revive’s mission is to help all individuals recover completely from debilitating substance use disorders. They achieve this by empowering them to overcome challenges, accomplish goals, and implement healthy exercise and lifestyle habits that foster a sense of commitment, passion and self-love throughout their journey to long-term sobriety.
“We can’t find who we are until some of us hit rock bottom,” said Bizzotto, who was arrested more than 10 times and got kicked out of one of his previous colleges early in his career. “I’d like to not have had to do that, but that’s what I had to do. That’s taking a curse and turning it into a blessing. To be able to take what I went through and help other people recover from it, that’s everything. That is the purpose and mission. At Revive, we always talk about providing more value than we take in payment.”
Bizzotto, who used drugs and alcohol from 2004-2013, said that Revive has impacted over 6,000 individuals from over 50 facilities through the region.
The approach of Revive centers around movement therapy, including physical and mental health techniques, mindfulness and resilience in recovery, practicing mindfulness in relationship, mindfulness in movement therapy and resilience through physical activity.
“You have some people who love movement and other people want nothing to do with movement,” said Bizzotto. “Resistance is a natural part of recovery. At Revive, we meet people where they’re at, not where we want them to be. We say things like, ‘Move a muscle, move a thought. Sanity over vanity.’ We immediately make a connection that we are there to make people feel good and not there to make them look good. This is about how they feel, not how they look. This is movement therapy.”
That’s the same therapy Bizzotto craved when his father Larry dropped him off at another treatment center in 2013, which inspired him to explore alternative methods.
“My parents were locking the doors, I couldn’t go home, no job, no money, no place to stay, basically sleeping in the woods,” said Bizzotto. “I remember being so sick and shaking and I had nothing left. I said this is it. My father got me and said, ‘you’ve got to take this and you need to go.’”
Fitchburg State gave me the tools to move forward with not only Revive but all the other jobs that I’ve had beforehand. The teachers, coaches, and students all supported me even when I was unsupportable. They gave me the tools to excel.
In treatment, Bizzotto went through the ups and downs in the detox stage. But as a former high-level athlete who was built on strength, speed, power and elite fitness, he was desperate for additional movement while in treatment.
“That was a big part of life growing up,” said Bizzotto, who has been clean and sober since entering treatment in 2013.
So Bizzotto said that he took it upon himself to venture down into a little makeshift gym at the facility.
“There was a medicine ball, weighted bar and a treadmill and I started doing what I do,” he said. “A day later two or three people followed me down. Three days later, six people followed me down. I had a group following me to this exercise session that I’d bring myself into for my mind.”
Then the light went off in Bizzotto’s head.
“That was when Revive was conceived,” said Bizzotto. “I said that this needs to be something. There’s a lot of stagnacy here and we need more movement in this recovery process.”
Six years and seven jobs later, Bizzotto’s initial idea of Revive started to become reality, after connecting on social media with Amy Tappen.
“I was wondering what my purpose was,” said Bizzotto. “I knew that as long as I didn’t drink or use, things would get better and I’d find what I need to do. I needed all the stuff that I learned to get to this point.”
Tappen – currently the director, fundraising & co-founder of Revive with Bizzotto – looped in her husband, Jim – a retired Lieutenant Commander with 23 years of service in the United States Navy and currently the CEO/CFO of Revive – and they agreed to initially invest in Bizzotto and the Revive model.
Revive was born in 2019 and has continued to grow every year.
Revive, with the expertise of eight coaches, travels to recovery centers in Central Massachusetts, promoting movement therapy and training to help individuals in recovery.
There is a plethora of exercise equipment used, including: punching mitts, emotional agility ladders, circuit training, weighted bars, resistance bands, dumbbells, Dynomax balls, sandbags, medballs and more.
“They are grounded, and they are here and now,” said Bizzotto. “That’s very difficult to do. Each of our coaches has different specialities. It’s their job to accommodate everyone there.”
After each one-hour session, Bizzotto said that he and his coaches see a lot of empowerment with individuals partaking in the program.
“People have said they stay in treatment longer because there is Revive,” said Bizzotto. “The data we have validated everything that we thought. This is something and it needs to stay something.”
Revive has made a heavy impact on the community and was honored last summer by the Worcester Red Sox for being a 2025 WooStar. A WooStar highlighted five local non-profit leaders who were nominated and selected to be recognized for the difference they make across Massachusetts. Each non-profit received a $5,000 donation to their organization and were recognized in a special award ceremony on the field at Polar Park.
“That was another dream come true. It’s a full circle moment because I really shouldn’t be alive and I shouldn’t be here,” said Bizzotto, who also noted that the City of Worcester, the Reliant Foundation, the Fuller Foundation and the Esler Family Family have been partners who have helped Revive grow over time. “Being able to accept that award on behalf of Revive, it was for all the people who have been there for us. That was a career highlight for me.”
Bizzotto had stops at three other colleges, but found his home at Fitchburg State. He played football for three years as a running back and defensive end, and earned New England Football Conference All-Conference first team and Worcester All-Area first team selections.
“I think I was the oldest sophomore there,” joked Bizzotto.
Another career milestone was graduating from Fitchburg State in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
“Fitchburg State gave me the tools to move forward with not only Revive but all the other jobs that I’ve had beforehand,” said Bizzotto. “The teachers, coaches, and students all supported me even when I was unsupportable. They gave me the tools to excel.”
Fitchburg State University Dean of Students and Chief Student Affairs Officer Tim St. John said that the work of Bizzotto and the Revive team is changing the lives of thousands of individuals in the region.
“Not only is Anthony's personal and professional story one of resilience, perseverance, and second chances, it is one of true inspiration,” said St. John. “Anthony is a shining example of what it means to lead with purpose in service of others – something as a Fitchburg State community we can all be proud of."
Bizzotto’s message to anyone that wants and needs to get sober is that they are not alone.
“People are hurting, but they are not broken and can get better,” said Bizzotto. “Talk to somebody and talk to people who have experience in this. Don’t give up because it will get better.”
Seize that second chance.