For the better part of 2 decades I have been known for being passionate about performance, weight loss, and reversing lifestyle diseases. My story isn’t about losing 100 pounds or getting my life together. My primary motivation for wellness and resilience came from just trying to figure out how to get through the day.
In 1992, I was involved in a training accident in the Army where I incurred some game changing injuries. Both of my heals were shattered and all of the discs in my spine from S1 to T10 were damaged. Thankfully I was able to get up on crutches after 5 1/2 months, and returned to running in about a year. There is not a day that goes by where I am not grateful to God for knowing that it could have been a lot worse. However, it didn’t take long before debilitating pain set in and the activities that created happiness in life eluded me. One failed medical visit after another turned into years of intense pain, stress, and frustration that I wasn’t able to be as available for the people I love, or serve others in my job in a way that they deserved. For a long time the only way I could get through the pain was to busy myself into complete exhaustion. I frantically worked 18 hours a day in hopes to crash for 4-5 hours before being awaken by the alarm clock of pain.
The silver lining was that I became highly skilled at lifestyle strategies that work and improve quality of life. I experienced great benefit by engaging in focus, attention, positive emotions, faith, prayer, exercise and inflammation free eating to renew energy, overcome pain and transcend stress. I marvel daily at the power that good nutrition, 30 minutes of cardio, quality sleep, and a resilient spirit have had on my own health and the health of the people I serve. I have been inspired by thousands of people that have achieved healthier blood pressure, body composition, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugars and autonomic function.
I am amazed at how the course of my life, career and passion for wellness changed and grew out of the crucible of pain. This experience revealed in me a great appreciation for people hoping for more than just trying to get through the day. We all have different drivers that inspire us to action. There is no question that finding your internal motivation and aligning to it is a great gift and source of strength. It will help you to press on no matter what. It is from this foundation that I am proud to be part of the team at Renovo Advantage dedicated to providing the opportunity, tools and care for others to be well.
