Eric’s Own Health Journey

A possible misconception that might arise during our conversation about our American health is, “Eric must be all high and mighty. It must come easy for him.” Or, “Who does he think he is, talking like this?”

Quite the opposite is true.

My Physical Health

I’ve wrestled with my weight most of my life. As a kid, my mom bought me “husky” jeans. For the most part, I have not eaten wholesomely and didn’t know how until my 40s. I haven’t necessarily been a fast food junkie, but I sure do love cheeseburgers, pizza and dessert, like nearly all of us. Not even mentioning my love affair with Coca-Cola.

While I’ve had good seasons and bad seasons with my weight over the years, 2017-2022 saw me gain weight and take on stress like never before. To be blatantly honest, it was not good.

Fortunately, since moving to the beach to help me find myself, I have discovered the sport of boxing, along with a fantastic boxing coach, who is dramatically helping me reach my needed calorie burns! Up until 2017, I’d run multiple, multiple half and full marathons and all that running (and processed food) had begun to hurt my knees, which meant I couldn’t exercise and burn calories the way my body needs to. (I’m a high energy guy, I definitely need to burn a lot!) So the last few years I’d probably put on an unnecessary 30 lbs.

I’m also reducing my sugar intake (see Coca-Cola and dessert). I’m probably not going to zero, but I’m trying to eat more fruit for dessert instead of totally unhealthy options. And I try to remember to eat veggies each day, but I’m still training my brain on that.

My Mental Health

If I were to describe my insides throughout my adult life, I’d say “roller coaster.” Often “lost.” I have an esteemed college degree, but degrees don’t mean you know your niche… much less your real self.

Most of my mental / emotional struggles have resulted from not knowing my career path. It’s been a major struggle. For me, an American male, the pressure has always centered around career and money. As if I’m a moron if I don’t have those two things figured out. (Meanwhile, I look around, I see 99% of everyone else equally as lost!)

The last 18 months with Mother Nature in southwest Florida have finally helped me discover / remember the real me. I watch the Great Blue Herons. Being still every morning with my coffee makes me mindful of the universe around us. Nature constantly mentors us, if we’ll listen.

Most have known me as an engineer or as a race director. But those aren’t who I am. I can do them, but they aren’t who I am, if you follow. What I am is a conversation starter. An asker of questions. And a writer and communicator with some web and design skills mixed in. I’ll figure out the super successful money part once these truths manifest.

Finding myself brings me peace… confidence like I’ve never felt before… calmness… and hope / optimism. And I exclusively thank Mother Nature for this real me that’s budding.