📍 Arlington, VA | Chronic Illness | Overcoming Ulcerative Colitis
This photo was taken at the height of one of my worst Ulcerative Colitis flares in 2010. I was still working as a firefighter/paramedic, pulling long shifts, saving lives—while my own body was waging war against me.
I was on the toilet up to 100 times a day, bleeding ulcers and all. Every meal brought instant, intense pain. Every night, I squeezed a medicine bottle up my ass, hoping it wouldn’t leak too much while I slept.
And get this—I was smoking cigarettes just to ease my symptoms. If you don’t believe me, look it up. UC is a funny disease… when it isn’t happening to you. I don’t blame you for laughing.
But if you’ve ever battled chronic illness, anxiety, or just felt trapped in your own body, you already know—this wasn’t funny at all.
Sick of Being Sick: Fighting Back
I was an absolute nightmare to be around. Short-tempered, exhausted, pissed off at the world.
But I had a patient, understanding girlfriend at the time, and I was grateful for that.
Even though my body was failing me, I kept showing up—for work, for life. I barely took time off. Maybe a shift here, a shift there.
But I was sick of being sick.
So I made a decision.
I secured 29 days of leave and decided to trek through Nepal.
- Everest Base Camp? Too long, too intense.
- So I picked a smaller trek, trained hard, and decided I wouldn’t hire a porter.
- Instead, I lugged 60 pounds of gear on my back like an idiot.
I lasted three days before my body shut down. Head down, exhausted, barely seeing anything around me.
Why did I do that?
Honestly? I was angry. I was pissed that this disease was controlling my life.
If you’ve ever had a chronic illness—or even just extreme stress, burnout, or anxiety—you know exactly what I mean.
My entire existence was built around where the nearest bathroom was.
I shit my pants more times than I can count. Embarrassment. Pain. Fear.
That was my life.
What I Learned While Shitting All Over the Himalayas
Something changed in Nepal.
My symptoms decreased. My body relaxed.
Why?
👉 Less stress.
👉 Less pressure.
👉 A break from the insanity of 100-120 hour workweeks.
I still shit all over the Himalayas, but I felt better.
For the first time, I got to pause my old life.
Your Default Setting Is Fight
I realized something about myself:
🔹 No matter how many times I’ve been knocked down, I eventually get back up.
🔹 I fight. Sometimes it’s graceful, sometimes it’s an epic fail—but I still fight.
🔹 And I love that about myself.
I want that for you too.
How to Start Fighting for Yourself
Here’s the thing: You don’t need a life-altering trek through Nepal to start winning.
Small fights count too.
- Getting out of bed when you want to disappear? That’s a fight.
- Choosing real food over junk when you feel like crap? That’s a fight.
- Saying “no” to toxic people, stress, and self-sabotage? That’s a fight.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.
Because someone else in your EXACT circumstances has battled—and won.
And now?
I beat this “incurable” disease.
👊🏽 And I want that win for you too.
If you don’t believe in yourself yet, lean on me until you do.
Struggling With Your Health? Let’s Talk.
I coach busy professionals in Arlington, VA—people who are successful on the outside but struggling with chronic stress, pain, and health issues on the inside.
📍 Evolve To Fit – GymnasticBodies DMV
🏋️♂️ One-on-One Coaching | Chronic Pain Relief | Strength & Longevity
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