A year ago, or When everything changed

My first post

A year ago, I was lying helpless on the floor of my home office, unable to move or speak. Moments earlier, I'd been in the best shape of my life, healthy, strong, confident. Now, trapped in silence, I could literally see the curtain closing as my vision narrowed, convinced this was my goodbye. Strangely, I felt both sadness and gratitude; I had just returned from Israel after seeing everyone I love, as if life had given me the gift of a final farewell.

My daughter found me and called my wife. Eight minutes later, paramedics arrived, and my long road to recovery began.

Since that day, I've experienced depths I didn't know existed, moments of depression and hitting rock bottom. But, I also relearned how to type, letter by painful letter. I’ve learned to stand, walk, and find balance again. I’ve learned to speak again, maybe not as fast, but with greater confidence and care in choosing my words. I've learned to cry again, but also laugh more freely.

Somehow, in the year I thought I’d lost everything, I’ve accomplished things I never imagined: I became a certified yoga teacher, wrote a deeply personal book, spoke in front of audiences facing similar life-changing challenges, and grew into a better father, husband, and friend.

This past year has been the worst, and the best, of my life! It reminded me that our lowest moments become our greatest teachers, and taught me that vulnerability is the strongest path forward.

I'm sharing this today because I know someone out there might need to hear it. If you're facing your own moment of darkness, an illness, an accident, a life-changing event, I promise you, there's another side. I'm here to walk that path with you.