I am a lifelong learner and recognize that I am still a work in progress. That’s the joy and challenge of our existence as human beings; when we figure out one set of problems, life inevitably hands us our next set to begin working through.
Now in my 50’s, I was fortunate enough to meet Peter as I began recovering from what I thought was a physical ailment. After decades of pushing the body (i.e., red eye flights, long hours in the office, stressful days, unhealthy eating, inconsistent exercise), there was a bill that needed to be paid. In my experience, the body starts sending signals that things aren’t right before it goes haywire. Kind of like the check engine light in your car that shows up to alert you to a problem.
Well, I had every light on the dashboard showing, and I refused to accept the truth. So the body started speaking louder….and louder. That’s how a “healthy” 40-something male ended up in the ER four times in 18 months. The realization, or “zen blow”, happened when my back went out for the umpteenth time and I was spending another week on the floor. In speaking with my therapist, he explained that 90% of the problem was in my head. Although I didn’t believe him at first, it turns out he was right.
From there, I began to approach my injury as an opportunity to experiment and better understand what my body needed. Mindfulness practice, nutritious food, consistent exercise, focusing on rest, re-establishing male relationships, and conducting a deep dive into my psyche became the priorities.
I’ve come to appreciate that my back injury was the best thing that could have happened. I also appreciate the exquisite integration of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual planes of our existence—when one is out of balance, it has the potential to dysregulate our entire ecosystem. All require patience, practice, care and attention.
I’ve obtained multiple graduate degrees. I’ve led organizations of hundreds of people. I’ve founded, built, and sold companies. I’ve got dozens of friends and two wonderful children that I learn from every day. I’ve been extremely successful and will routinely say I’ve lived a “charmed” life. But it hasn’t been without significant adversity, hardship, and trial. Those are still ongoing—and will be for as long as I inhabit this wonderful body. Today, the difference lies in how I deal with those opportunities, and how I help others to do the same. So I invite you to join us on this journey and see if there’s anything that we’ve learned that you can apply to make your life all that it deserves to be.
