A few years ago, pain in my body was telling me to stop but since I wasn’t really in tune with my body I never listened to it. Like all of us do, I continued to push myself to try and be the best mom, wife, employee and every day I stayed laser focused on what needed to be done to reach that unattainable standard. Work at both my job and my life were no longer manageable without invasive procedures. It took an event of this magnitude to shift my priorities; one that is a continual process. After time off, I attempted a return to my previous position but couldn’t due to the pressure it caused on my neck muscles and nerves. Returning to my previous fitness levels was also terrifying both because I was mentally scared and exercising triggered muscle spasms that weren’t controllable without medication. To say the least my identity was shaken because I was like most of us who base our identity on our work, our families, our physical appearance, our fitness, our finances. The aftermath left a feeling of "what can I possibly contribute to myself and to others". After much reflection, I have a unique understanding of what it feels like to want something so bad and no longer be able to have it. To understand how hard, it is to say “I CAN’T” do something and have to learn to deal with the aftermath to pride and ego. The impact food and lifestyle have on health. That there are so many obstacles within the body and mind that we must let go of to feel blessed. AND to understand that I am not the only one!!! So, if I can help just one person have an easier time managing, dealing or coping with changing themselves into the best version they can possibly dream up then this is a blessing I feel privileged to be a part of!
