Do you have intrinsic motivation, a passion, a reason “why”? Finding one is the most important part of creating lasting behavior change in your own life, and the life of your employees. In this blog post we asked Hayden, a myInertia Account Manager, (whose running the Boston Marathon in two weeks!) to share the not always easy, but always worth it, journey towards being active & healthy.
Hayden’s Story: Making Wellness A Lifestyle
Monday, April 18th, 2016, better known as Patriots’ Day, is a big day for the city of Boston. You’ll find tens of thousands of individuals flocking the streets to watch runners partake in the prestigious Boston Marathon. I am blessed to say I have the opportunity to participate in the event coming up, along with having the ability to explore the big city of Boston! I am fortunate to have the chance to run this race that so many runners strive to race at. However, running a qualifying time took years of dedication and a strong commitment to healthy habits. And although It has not always been that easy to maintain my health and wellbeing, its been worth it.
My motivation and desire to get back up when I fall down is the number 39….. 39 to some is just a number, however, to me it symbolizes my greatest nightmare. The number motivates me and pushes me to live the healthiest lifestyles that I can. 39 represents the age my father passed away of heart and liver failure. This is not meant to be a sympathy card though, it is simply my story about my journey towards wellness and how it has become a daily habit.
Growing up, I lived a fairly healthy lifestyle that would have to be credited to my parents. As a child, there was no sitting inside playing on a tablet, computer, or other electronic devices. I was always outside playing sports, on the playground, having picnics, playing in the snow, or doing some other outdoor recreational activities. My parents strongly encouraged an active lifestyle, which I am very thankful for today. However, my life turned upside down after my father passed away. Home cooked meals became a rarity, and my eating habits got out of line. Let’s just say Fruit Loops was my version of having a “colorful” meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Luckily, I began to excel in track and field my sophomore year of high school and my new teammates would inspire me to work towards a more all-encompassing healthy lifestyle. It really is amazing what you can learn from others, and how much they can impact your life. Not only did I start running and eating healthier, but I also picked up new hobbies, like road biking and swimming. I became about as active as one could be, and most importantly I was having fun and enjoying life.
Before I knew it I was breaking the 5-minute barrier in the mile. A new fire was lit and I just wanted to keep getting better. I went from barely breaking 5 minutes for the first time to running a 4:37 by the end of my sophomore year. In 2011 I went off to college at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, where I competed in cross-country and track and field, where I continue to push myself towards excellence, surrounding myself with people who shared similar goals and values. Through my high school and college experiences I realized simply putting yourself in the right environment can do a lot for your health and can push you to do better. I kept that in mind when I accepted my job offer at myInertia, and became volunteer assistant coach for Saint Norbert’s track team after college. Surrounding myself with other health focused individuals allowed me to continue to work hard towards my goals, which included running my first ever marathon.
This previous fall, I accomplished that goal, running a marathon with averaging a 4.56 mile, qualifying me for the Boston Marathon! Training & completing this marathon really defined my purpose for running. First, it taught me that hard work really does pay off. The amount of hours that I spent running and biking this summer was surreal, but I surrounded myself with great individuals who helped me along the way, no matter how tough it was. Secondly, it taught me that you can do anything you put your mind to. My sophomore year of high school, three miles seemed like the end of the world, but by now three miles is a breeze and I have built up my base to run long distances today. Thirdly, it taught me that I truly am running for my health. In life, we can lose our health at any point. Having lived through the passing of my father, I continue to make a commitment to do whatever it takes so I can grow with my wife and children for a majority of their lives. I want to see my children grow up and have families of their own someday. That is why today, you will catch me out for a run whether it is -30 or 100, morning or night, rain or shine.
My advice to you is this: in life we are all dealt different cards, and it is not what cards are dealt to us, it is how we respond to those cards. If you can respond to what we have been given and believe in yourself, then I have no doubt you will be able to do anything you set your mind to. I also think the environment we put ourselves in as we mature and grow up plays a big factor in an individual’s wellness. I encourage you to put yourself in an environment where you can excel and stay away from toxic environments that drag you down. It can be easier said than done, but I can guarantee you, if you surround yourself with right supporters you will be able to welcome wellness into your life. My other piece of advice is to find your own individual purpose. If you find a purpose for wellness, it will be much easier to stay committed to what you are trying to accomplish.
In the end, no matter where you are in life, you can welcome wellness into your life at any time. Welcome it. Do it. Live it.