The big A

In the words of Journey…don’t stop believing

For those of you who think you know me, there’s probably something that you don’t know about me. It’s not something I generally tell people, as, to me, it doesn’t have any effect on what I am or what I do. But when I do mention it, people are genuinely surprised.

What on earth is it?

Well, I’m asthmatic. Yep, a personal trainer who has problems breathing. Not the greatest of gifts I was given when it came to doing what I wanted to do, career wise. I don’t let it hold me back now, but that wasn’t always the case.

When I was younger I didn't always quite know how to deal with it, I battled through (hospital visits and stays were a regular occurnace) and coped with it as best I could. But I knew what I wanted, and I worked towards that, and embraced any obstacles that came along my way.

So I played all the sport I could as best I could and as often as I could.  I got left behind in pre-season more times than I care to remember.  I went to university and studied for a degree in sport. I got as fit as I could. I qualified as a personal trainer, I even ran a (never doing that again!) 24 hour Tough Mudder race in the middle of the Mojave Desert (Las Vegas).

Now, I take medication every morning and evening as a preventative measure, and at certain times I do need to use an inhaler (like when I’ve run up a massive bloody hill), and I (mainly!) train 4 to 5 times a week.

So why am I telling you this? The thing that I’ve learnt from all the trials and tribulations I’ve gone through is that you shouldn’t let what you have or haven’t got, hold you back. If you want to achieve something, you’ll find a way, no matter the obstacle. And even if that goal seems impossible, or the barriers seem like a mountain to climb, you should at least try.

So when people tell me they can’t do something because they are too big, too old or not strong enough, you know what I say? Bullshit. Yes, there may be limitations on what you can physically do, but it doesn’t mean that these things aren’t achievable at all, you just need to have the determination to find a way.

If you know that you need to do this to make your life better, then it’s a priority that can’t be ignored.

For me, my priority was managing my asthma so that I could play football with my mates. This was motivation enough to push myself, and it’s kinda what’s made me the strong person I am today.

Now, it’s managing my asthma so that I can keep myself fit and healthy and keep doing the job I love doing. And it’s what got me through that Tough Mudder. So stop making excuses, get the support you need, and do what you gotta do!

And I guarantee that you will be surprised at what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. And if you need someone who’s got your back and get you to where you want/need to be, then get in touch.