Why the Comeback is Always Stronger Than the Setback

I truly believe that there is a particular point, moment, or event in each of our lives that marks an end to an old way of thinking or being, and a new beginning. For some of us that's losing a loved one, having a near death experience, losing a job/career, or hitting rock bottom. As unfortunate as these circumstances can be, they are a sign that we have outgrown something, and it's time to move on.

Have you ever heard the Mack truck metaphor? If not, it essentially states that as we go about life we are given hints from the Universe or God or whomever you believe your Creator to be, that you have veered off your life's path.

First, you get the feather, then you get the boulder, then you get the almighty mack truck. The longer you choose to ignore the signs being placed in your current path, the louder and more colossal they become until they cannot be ignored any longer.

Some of us choose to heed the first warning. Some of us turn the lightbulb on and figure it out by the time to boulder comes crashing down on our heads. And then, there are some of us (AHEM, ME) that are stubborn as all hell and it takes the Mack truck roaring through our lives front and center, destroying everything in its way for us to realize that we have strayed so far away from our path. We all have a mission, a path, and a purpose, even if we have yet to understand what that is.

For me, the Mack truck was a DWI conviction. As a child of divorce, I had developed awful coping mechanisms throughout my life to numb my emotions and avoid getting too close or becoming too trusting of others. I locked up all my emotions, I never communicated how I felt, and I distracted myself with weekends of binge drinking and crappy food to fill the hole in my heart. I deceived myself into thinking that I was just going through the motions of being in my 20's.

Unfortunately for me, I just saw this way of life as survival. I hadn't yet tapped into the awareness that I had created these patterns and behaviors. That is, until it all came crashing down when I failed to heed my warnings of the feather and the boulder.

I lost my job, all the money I had in savings went to lawyers and court fees, and therapy sessions. Even worse, I had to move out of my home after my boyfriend of seven years and I called it quits during all this. I was more than just alone. I was lost. I had no idea where to go from there, or how to begin to start picking up the pieces of the mess I had created.

I remember looking in the mirror one morning, and really seeing myself for the first time. I barely recognized the person staring back. There was an emptiness in my eyes that I'd never recognized before. Probably because I'd never taken the time to truly see myself. My clothes didn't fit right. My skin was dull and covered in pimples. My nails peeled and cracked. I had these horrendous bags under my eyes. I thought, this is not the way a 25 year old should look and feel. These should be the best days of my life.

It was at this point in my life that I discovered what would save me.

I woke up one morning with this feeling, this inner voice, telling me it was time to take action. It was like a yearning down deep. I knew my first step had to start with taking better care of my body.

Taking it one day at a time, I enrolled in a new online fitness program since I couldn't drive at the time. I started to run everywhere. I measured out my food portions. Started paying attention to the foods I was consuming, and drinking more water. I cut out alcohol completely. I started writing in a gratitude journal and meditating every morning.

All of these new positive habit changes came together little by little into this routine; this habit thread that strung all my days together and made them not seem like a death sentence anymore.

I stopped playing the victim, and started to slowly awaken to all the ways everything in my past had let up to the point of my DWI. And rather than being shameful of my past, I had the courage to share it.

The new groups of people and communities I become a part of through my love of health and fitness gave me the confidence to own my mistakes and learn through them.

These people supported me. Encouraged me. They were nothing like the friends I kept company with in the past, and I wondered where they had been all my life.

Every day, despite whatever hardships I am facing, I am grateful.

Before, I used to think only of what I could gain from others, and how others could help me achieve my motives. Now, I set out each day to learn how I can better serve others.

I challenge my body and my mindset every single day, not as punishment, but to celebrate this gift of health and the second chance I was given.

I pray that you don't fall as hard as I had to in order to realize just how special this life is that we get to live.

No matter how big or small the adversities you've faced in your life are, realize that there is always a new opportunity to write the next chapter the way you want it to be.

For me, it's this blog. It's the communities of men and women I've had the opportunity to serve, coach, and help to their next level in my business. My health journey quite literally saved me, and now I use my mess as my message to help others create their own awareness.

Your circumstances do not define you. The past does not have to equal the future. It's your choice. You and you alone have the power perform your own rescue.

The comeback CAN be stronger than the setback, if that's what you decide.