In 2005, I went through a divorce. It was heartbreaking… tough… and painful… for both of us. Today, as I look back over the years, knowing that we are on good terms and are very proud of where each other have come through life over the past seven years, I’m realizing I’ve changed a lot.

There was a moment when everything changed.

That moment that allowed me to become the better man I needed to be.

I realize the man that I should have been is now the man that I am.

It all started with a decision. A decision to not be that guy who lives in the past and pain, but a guy who acknowledges the past, works through the pain of loss, learns from it and figures out how to make the present a better story for tomorrow.

There was a moment when I decided to take a baby step that I never knew would actually change my entire outlook on life and cause me to live life in away that held no regrets. Even if I had made a bad decision… I owned that decision as mine and no one else’s.

This small step for me was simple at the time.

• Find a group to run with.
• Commit to a schedule.
• Live everyday… fully alive.

I had no intension of doing any triathlons and would have laughed at you if you had asked me if I would ever attempt one.

But here I sit today. One Ironman, One marathon, Six half marathons and over 20 Olympic and Sprint distance triathlons later… a changed man.

Am I changed because of the races? NO.

I am changed because the process taught me many lessons about my life as it relates to determination and living in the moment of each day so that I can clearly look ahead at tomorrow.

I am changed because the simple act of running… even starting out with a couple of miles at a time, keep me from going into a deep, dark depression.

I am changed because the simple act of running gave me time to think through my life.

I am changed because the simple act of running gave me time to pray and to recognize what was going on around me. That which I had been missing… Life.

I am changed because moments like this come in small packages and snowball into passion, focus and determination to make life count.

These small steps have led me to be a better husband, a better man and a better friend.

So when you see me write about running, cycling and swimming… it’s not just about the fact that I love triathlon. It’s because I know you might be like me. You might need to do something that seems completely impossible to you. You might need to get out of your comfort zone and take a chance. You might need to get off the couch and do something… for you.

Want to be in a healthy place in life? Physically? Spiritually? Mentally?

Get outside. Go for a walk. Breathe in the fresh air. Notice the sounds around you. Think about those things you want to do and start with the first one.

You can’t take care of others or be in a healthy place in life if YOU aren’t healthy. But you can be… I wasn’t… but now I am. Seven years later.

It’s possible.

Want to know why?

Because if I can do it… You can do it.

One step at a time, One mile at a time.

Is there a moment in your life where it all changed or do you need to set that moment in motion? Talk to me.