by Michael Martin
My name is Michael Martin, and I am delighted to share with you the personal and professional journey that led to the creation of Antedote. Together with my best friend and co-founder, Yeshaia Blakeney, we've spent the past combined several decades working in treatment and recovery. Both of us are in recovery ourselves, having transformed our lives at a young age, we know what it feels like to be stuck, unmotivated, and looking for a way out. We've also seen the limitations of traditional treatment programs, especially for young men.
A New Approach Born from Experience
In our years working in treatment, Yeshaia and I noticed something troubling. The standard treatment model—structured like a classroom with therapy offices and group rooms—often left young men feeling bored, restless, and punished rather than empowered and invigorated. The clinical setting, while well-intentioned, sometimes focused too much on diagnosing and medicating rather than addressing the root causes of distress and stuckness. It lacked the vitality and engagement that young men need to truly connect, grow, and heal.
That’s when we decided it was time to break the mold and create something different. We wanted to build a place that doesn’t feel like treatment but instead, a space where young men can thrive—somewhere they would WANT to be.
Introducing Antedote: A Club for Real Change
We took Antedote out of the traditional treatment setting and brought it into a fresh and modern club environment. Imagine a space where there are no therapy offices, no chairs lined up in a circle, and no sterile group rooms. Instead, picture a vibrant club with an indoor basketball court, jiu-jitsu mats, boxing gloves and heavy bags, a cold plunge, a sauna, and a media lounge. It’s a place where young men can come to move their bodies, challenge themselves, and build real connections—all while having fun.
Our program is offered 3-5 days a week, providing a structured yet dynamic environment that feels more like a community hub than a clinic. It's a space designed to foster real, lasting lifestyle changes—changes that happen naturally when young men are engaged, active, and surrounded by a supportive community.
A (W)holistic and Engaging Experience
At Antedote, we believe that healing happens through connection, movement, and authentic experiences. That’s why our approach is decidedly low-tech, rooted in experiential therapies and guided practices that build confidence, discipline, and resilience. We focus on attunement and attention, helping young men learn to be present in their own lives and connect meaningfully with others.
We also integrate foundational principles like commitment, compassion, and care into everything we do. Our guides are here to support each participant's unique journey. They're not just instructors; they’re mentors who model healthy behaviors and relationships in a non-judgmental, engaging way.
Family Work and Community Focus
We know that real change often involves the whole family, not just the individual. That’s why Antedote includes family work as a core component of our program. We engage families in the process, helping to repair and strengthen relationships that may have been strained by the challenges their loved ones face. This whole family approach ensures that growth and healing happen not just for the young men, but for their families as well.
Moving Beyond Labels
Our approach is non-clinical and non-pathologizing. We don’t believe in labeling or boxing in young men based on their challenges, and we see these challenges as normal adaptations to a world that has become over stimulating, confusing and isolated. In a post covid world where it is normal to spend 6 hours a day on a screen and most connection is mediated through technology it has become the norm for young men to suffer from mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or substance use. We understand these challenges as developmental stuck points which manifest as lack of motivation/purpose, emotional disconnection and or emotional lability. We address these concerns through active engagement, connection, and practical life skills. We see our participants as whole people, not as diagnoses to be treated. This mindset allows for a more personalized and empowering experience that truly meets each young man where he is.
Redefining What It Means to Grow
Young men today often lack a clear path to adulthood, with few rites of passage to help them navigate the transition from adolescence. At Antedote, we aim to fill that gap by offering a modern rite of passage—a journey that’s about more than just managing symptoms. It’s about finding purpose, building resilience, and reconnecting with what makes life meaningful.
Our program is robust and long-term, offering a supportive environment where young men can explore who they are and who they want to become. We blend the best of experiential therapy with the engaging, energetic atmosphere of a club. It’s a place where young men can rediscover themselves and their potential, all while surrounded by a community that understands and supports them.
Is Antedote Right for Your Son?
If you have a son or loved one who feels stuck, unmotivated, dealing with mental health difficulties, or is disconnected, Antedote might be the right fit. We offer an alternative to traditional therapy that’s fun, engaging, and most importantly, effective. Our program helps young men develop the skills they need to thrive in today’s world, while also addressing core issues like moderate mental health challenges and substance use.
We invite you to join us in creating a new path for young men—a path that’s not about treatment, but about transformation. Let’s work together to help your loved one find his way to a brighter, healthier future.
Warm regards,
Michael Martin
Co-founder, Antedote
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