Sprinting Toward Sobriety
At The Slate Studio, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley captures a story of redemption through his lens, each frame revealing the Marathon Panda in his element. Known as the Marathon Panda, Maurice Lowman's journey from the depths of despair to the heights of marathons speaks to the human spirit's capacity for transformation. In the streets of Providence, Rhode Island, where he once stumbled through the haze of addiction, he now sprints with purpose, his feet pounding a rhythm of redemption with every stride.
"I'm the guy literally running around town saying, 'Hey, look at me. This is what you can do with your life if you make positive changes in the right direction,'" he says, his voice carrying the weight of his experiences and the buoyancy of his newfound purpose.
Maurice doesn't shy away from the darkness of his past. His words paint a vivid picture of a man who had lost everything to the insidious grip of addiction. "I was the guy that friends and family members may have given up hope on," he admits, his voice softening. "Going back and forth to jail as an adult, going back and forth to the streets and being homeless as an adult with a beautiful family at home and still making those devastating decisions."
The rawness of his honesty is striking. Maurice speaks of dying in the back of ambulances and being brought back to life with Narcan by first responders in Providence and Seekonk. These aren't just stories for him; they're battle scars, reminders of how close he came to losing everything for good.
But even in his darkest moments, a flicker of hope remained. "Even at my darkest moments, I believed in myself," Maurice says, his voice gaining strength. "I had a vision for better days. I knew that those days were not gonna come without hard work, consistency, and a positive attitude."
This unwavering belief in the possibility of change became the foundation of Maurice's transformation. March 2015 marked a turning point - the beginning of his sobriety journey. But it was on January 1, 2016, that Maurice took a step that would change the course of his life forever. He started running, and he hasn't stopped since.
"For eight-plus years, I've ran outside every day, no matter what," Maurice says, pride evident in his voice. This isn't just a hobby for Maurice. It’s a daily affirmation of his commitment to a better life.
The impact of this commitment is staggering. Maurice has become a beacon of hope in his community from a man who once traded smartphones for drugs. He's completed 41 marathons, with the 2024 Boston Marathon set to be his 42nd. He's run countless half-marathons and ultra-marathons, each step a testament to his resilience and determination.
But for Maurice, running isn't just about personal achievement. It's about community, about spreading a message of hope and possibility. "The running community saved my life," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "So now I feel like it's my duty to be a part of that community and to give back."
This sense of duty has led Maurice to create what he calls the Panda Posse, a community of supporters and fellow runners who rally around his message of positivity and perseverance. "We just held our first annual event," he says, beaming with pride. "I had 100 sign-ups, 90 people show up live. And this is all just friends in the local community that show up in person, show love, show support."
Maurice's journey has taught him the power of consistency, discipline, and a positive mindset. These aren't just buzzwords for him; they're the pillars that have supported his transformation. "I have these mantras," he explains. "'I'm gratefully grinding,' so I'm grateful for the grind, I'm grateful to be here. I can't just say I'm grateful to be alive and not wake up every day with a positive attitude to push forward."
This attitude has not only fueled his running achievements but has also transformed his professional life. Maurice never thought he'd be the guy others looked up to. For years, booze and drugs kept him stuck, always on the edge of screwing up the next big chance. Sales came easy, but keeping his life together? That was the real challenge.
"I'd watch others move up, become managers, while I stayed put," Maurice says, his voice tinged with old frustration. "My own demons kept slamming doors in my face."
But Maurice fought back. He got sober and healthy, and something amazing happened—he became the person he used to envy. "This is a role that I could have only dreamed of at some of my lowest points," he reflects, "and now I have that role." he mentions with a proud smile
Now, when a nervous newbie walks onto the sales floor, Maurice is there with a grin and a "Welcome aboard!" He shows them the ropes, believing in them when they don't quite believe in themselves yet.
"Some Mondays, I'm the only one smiling," he admits. "But that's okay. I remember when every day felt like a battle. If I can lift someone else up, even a little, that means everything."
From the guy who could barely keep his job to the face of the whole dealership - it's a change that still leaves Maurice in awe. "There were times I couldn't see a future for myself," he says, his voice softening. "Now I'm living a life I used to think was impossible."
Every high five, every ad he voices, every new hire he mentors - it's not just about selling cars. For Maurice, it's proof that second chances are real and that the darkness doesn't last forever. He's not just a success story. He's become a symbol of hope for others who might be struggling, showing that anyone can turn their life around with grit and the right support.
Jonathan's final shots capture the quiet strength of a man who found his salvation in motion. As our conversation draws to a close, Maurice's enthusiasm is infectious. His journey from the streets to marathon finish lines is more than just a personal triumph; it's a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with addiction or life's challenges. "I truly believe that I am here for a bigger purpose other than just myself," he says, his voice filled with conviction.
From the man who once traded his last possessions for a fix, he's become a force of nature, spreading positivity and hope with every stride. As he prepares for his next marathon, it's clear that for Maurice, the real race is the one he runs every day - the race to inspire, uplift, and prove that no matter how far we fall, with determination and support, we can always rise and keep running towards a brighter future.
Portraits by Jonathan Pitts-Wiley
