“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”-Mike Tyson
How true is that quote?! I know for me at least, I had a certain vision of how my life would play out. Obviously in life we should expect the unexpected. That being said though, I still didn’t expect a chronic illness would change my whole entire lifestyle.
Even finally getting a diagnosis after over a decade of mystery ailments, I didn’t call an “Life Audible” at first. Before we go further, let’s define the term “call an audible.
Call an audible: In American football, to call out a different play at the line of scrimmage before the ball is put into play, typically in response to action taken by the opposing team.
Think of a Quarterback changing the play at the last second before the ball is snapped. Peyton Manning was always heard yelling OMAHA! OMAHA!, that was him calling an audible because of something he saw from the defense. He knew whatever original play they had would not work!
How can you apply this analogy to whatever you’re dealing with in life?
My Life Punch moment:
Even after realizing my Lyme Disease was chronic and neuro and it came with 2 complicated coinfections. Still I was almost in denial or maybe just naive and kept on trying to live exactly like I always had. Guess what though, It didn’t work. All of a sudden I had food/alcohol allergies I had never had before. My sleep got worse then it already was. My nerves were not healing as fast as I wanted. Daily joint/nerve pain wasn’t going away and the neuro issues were so tough to deal with just to name a few of the issues. I realized though, I needed to change how I even thought about all of this. I was calling the same play that wasn’t working. There was no adapting to what life had thrown at me. “BAM” life had punched me in the face and I was stunned for awhile.
The “Life Audible” moment:
For me calling an audible looked like this. I had to first learn as much about my disease as possible. Then had change my diet and be healthier to support my body in this fight. I quit drinking and started taking tons of supplements trying to find which ones would work. Try a bunch of different treatments. Besides working out which I already always done. I had to add yoga/stretching/foam rolling to help joints and body mobility. Started acupuncture/cupping/Gua sha to help with healing. Meditation daily for stress relief, Red Light Therapy, Intermittent fasting, reading about mindset. I try and listen to my body more then I ever have in the past. I’ve started this blog and creating content across different platform sharing my story. I’m still on a crazy healing journey and trying to make something good come out of what life has thrown at me.
Has life punched you in the face? Whatever that may look like to you. It’s definitely ok to feel the pain and be down and out for a minute. Don’t stay there though! You are the Quarterback in your life!! If circumstances have took a turn for the worse you might just have to adapt and call an audible!! Have the best week ever!
Crush it!
Justin
