A Reflection on Progression
The new year’s “body change challenge” has sparked great excitement around the IC. As a result, people are naturally curious about timelines and expectations. I can sense both the motivation and the urgency in many of our members. To address the anxieties often associated with challenges and deadlines, I want to share my personal story with you.
People often assume that because I can do a few parlor tricks, I’ve been athletically gifted my entire life. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I was active as a child, but probably no more than any other kid growing up in Oakland: playing four square during recess, some basketball after school, and roaming the neighborhood on the weekends. Like most of my friends, I was not involved in formalized athletics. As fate would have it, the year that I decided to tryout for the school baseball team, I was struck with an auto-immune disease that paralyzed my entire body.
One morning during my seventh grade year, I awoke to discover that I couldn’t contract the muscles of my legs. As the day progressed, my condition worsened. I was hospitalized the following morning as the paralysis spread to my arms and face. The neurologists were unable to diagnose the cause. I still recall the look on my mother’s face when the respirator was brought into my room. The doctors were concerned with the possibility of severe pulmonary complications, which of course is life threatening. It wasn’t until the fourth day of hospitalization that the medical team decided to perform a spinal tap to test protein levels in my cerebrospinal fluid. They suspected a case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. There was no cure or treatment for the disease at the time.
Miraculously, after a week in the hospital, my body began to recover at the same rate it began to deteriorate. However, the damage to my neuromuscular system prevented me from walking for twelve months. I spent the next four years of my life trying to regain a basic level of balance, strength, and coordination. It didn’t take long for me to discover that I had lost more than just physical ability. This episode had also pushed me into a despondent state, opting out of exercise at every possible turn. Truth be told, no teenage boy wants to appear weak and feeble amongst his peers. My plan was to hide my body behind an ROTC uniform for the rest of my teenage years – that is until a chance happening in high school changed the course of my life.
My brother joined a weight training class taught by an ex-bodybuilder / powerlifter. Impressed by her knowledge, ethics, and leadership, he convinced me to drop ROTC and enlist her help. (To this day, I credit her for giving me the necessary rehabilitation I needed in order to not only overcome the effects of Guillain-Barre, but also to gain strength during a critical stage in my adolescent development.) I am very fortunate that my brother has a natural gift of persuasion because I probably wouldn’t be here writing this if it weren’t for the lessons forged in this unassuming “gym class.” Lifting weights next to seemingly invincible football players, and seeing my stats on the bottom of the public records board day after day, helped me develop the humility and patience necessary to progress physically. I was also blessed to work out with a group of supportive training partners. As time went on, I began to notice that I was getting better. By the last semester of my senior year, I found myself edging towards the top of the records board. Though I never became the strongest or the “best,” I was certainly better than I had ever been in my life.
This is perhaps the reason why I have always taken a strong interest in helping beginners at the IC. Like Maya, I have empathy for folks that have little or no athletic history due to my own experience. Some ex- IC members have told me that I cater too much to “newbies†and this sentiment made me reflect on my own journey. It has only reinforced my efforts to focus on those that need the most help. After all, it has taken me almost twenty years to get where I am today (I’m still not there). So, before we start to worry about how fast we need to go, I suggest we all take some time to reflect on our own fitness experiences and develop some patience for self and others – but more importantly, be thankful for how far we have already come.
Best,
Steven
That brought (many) tears to my eyes and great joy to my heart! What an inspiring way to start another week, and a great reminder that each day with a healthy body is a gift. Thank you, Steven.
My jaw is on the floor…I totally just assumed you were a natural athlete and had always been…I am totally shocked and inspired by your story! Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life. As someone who is about as un-athletic as it gets, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the entire IC staff and the veteran members for that empathy and patience towards us newbies. I never take for granted the supportive atmosphere you all have fostered. For me, this makes all the difference in the world. Thank you!
Steve-whenever I’ve been a little down about my “slow” progress back, I’ve thought of your story many times. And many times I forget it too because you are so humble about it and care about our own journeys.
Thank you for writing this down. With Maya piece last week, I’ll be starting a notebook of positive influences in my life.
This story couldn’t come at a better time for me. Thank you for sharing it.
Wow Steve, I had no idea – thank you for sharing that. Another wrinkle revealed in how much you care and why.
I thank you and Maya for your encouragement as a “newbie” (and continued support, now that I’m an “oldie”) No worries, I said it, not you!
That’s a GREAT shot BTW!
Thanks Steve – a great reminder about ‘balance’ – being fit is about long-term habits and patterns. Having some shorter term challenges and goals helps keeps things fresh. A 2 month ‘makeover’ is a step along the path and not an end-goal.
So can we assume from the picture that the “levitation” class will soon follow the kettle bell classes?
Steve
What an incredible story that I knew nothing about. It makes me all the more amazed by your feats, and now I see even more why and how you and Maya have, and are meant to have, such an incredible impact on so many people. Thanks for sharing and thank you for your work.
Joanna (still watching from afar!)
Thanks for sharing you story with us Steve. It’s a huge piece of the puzzle of why the IC is such a great place.
BTW will you teach the rest of us to levitate?
Steven,
Thank you for sharing your story.. I am amazed but not surprised.. I guess on some level, I just sensed that the way you treat people and motivate them is coming from a guy that knows what it is like to be completely broken… You effect people to make changes in there lives that are not comfortable or easy.. you do this by example.. and what a powerful example you are…
all my respect,
Chris
Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Steve. It is a really amazing and powerful story. Last month on my birthday (38) I told my husband that when I turn 40 I want to be in the best shape I’ve ever been. He said, “Don’t you realize you already are?” Of course there are a million miles I can still go, but I definitely tend to ignore the “how far we have already come” part. I thanked him for reminding me and I thank you too. Thank you for creating an environment that helps so many of us set these goals and then see them realized.
Now I get why it’s more than your physical strength that draws people in. Steve, you reach people, inspire. I didn’t know why before, just thought it was something cool about you. Funny how if we survive them, the worst things in life end up making us stronger. I still have to read the story a few more times just to get my head around it. Your journey will definitely be used as a lesson in my class – with the All Mixed Up video played along with it! (Truth be told, I’ve already shown that video to just about everyone I know, including my students.)
Thanks for sharing your story of overcoming such huge obstacles. I don’t have much to add other than my appreciation for you.
Thanks Steven for sharing your incredible story – both you and Maya have an amazing gift of inspiring and motivating all of us by your experiences and examples – the best kind of motivation!!!!
Every day at the IC is an amazing experience, created by two of the strongest people I have ever known – both in mind and in body!!!!!
Thank you Steven and Maya!!!!
impressive, inspiring, incredible. thanks, steve
I , too, thought you were a natural Steve. I am again amazed at your strength and determination. I already have a great deal of respect for you and Maya, but now, it’s on a whole new level. Thank you both for all you do for us at the IC and I still consider myself a “newbie.”
Thank you everyone for all the kind words. At the IC, I am constantly reminded of the importance of community. I certainly could not have made it alone. When each of us takes the time to share, give, teach, it comes back in ways we would never expect. I am extremely grateful for all the love and support you all express, not only towards me, but to one another. Thank you!
As I was telling Doug just yesterday, my story would have been very different if the folks around me at the time were isolationists. They were not. I was very fortunate to have had a supportive group of people in the weight room. My teacher (let’s just call her Ms. N.), though a woman of few words, was always POSITIVE and led by example. I remember one day one of the bigger guys in the class was having a negative attitude on the bench press. He was nagging about how he had a bad day and such, so Ms. N. asked him to move aside. She jumped on the bench and easily press the weight multiple times. By the way, I was not the only person who went in weak and left in relative peak shape. There were at least half a dozen of us who were transformed. This speaks volumes about her leadership and philosophy. Props to Ms. N!!!
Your story is inspiring and proves to me again why I love the IC so much. I am one who had basically no athletic experience but can now can feel the strength in every part of my body. Thank you guys for all you do.
Wow Steve! Your story inspires us to not only to strengthen our resolve for our own personal goals, but also to never forget that we live in a society and need to support each other too. IC would not be what it is without your guidance – thanks for sharing.
Such an inspiring story Steve. What a great reminder just as I was getting all caught up in feeling like I haven’t done enough to kick off the new year. Thanks so much for bringing back some perspective and for being willing to share your story! I was a newbie not that long ago and I totally appreciate being guided by you and Maya!
I think we oughta call you Steven Wonder! Check out that photo — awesome! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story Steven!
What a powerful story. Like most IC members, I just assumed you were always athletic as you make it look so easy.
Thank you for sharing and for always being compassionate and patient with all of us.
Incredible story from an even more incredible human being. Thank you for sharing and for always paying attention to the newbies. We can ALWAYS relearn. I know it sounds lame, but you totally rock, dude.
Anne
another reminder that “if others can do it, so can I and if I can’t I’ve done my best” – it is the attitude you demonstrate, steve, and something to remember.
“wow steve” i’m amazed by your story,and it’s so inspiring!!
I was so moved by your story Steven, thank you for sharing it with us. Thank you for always inspiring us with a positive attitude
You are truly an inspiration, Steve. Your story is worth telling to an even broader community because it’s so miraculous and motivating. And we all know that your spirit and discipline are every bit as powerful as your gravity-defying physical strength. Those parlor tricks are pretty darn mesmerizing, though. It’s hard to imagine a time when you couldn’t move, let alone fly.
i am so glad you shared your inspiring story !!! more inspiration for 2009!!
I am so moved by your story Steven. I don’t read the blog much (but now I will!) so I am glad I happened to read it now. Strength plus compassion equal a special kind of power. Thank you for sharing this. I feel like it just the right moment for me to hear it.
Steve shared this story while sitting with me in the ER last June, and I have wondered how many people at the IC knew about it. Steve, you are an inspiration on many levels, and an all-around great human being. Thanks for being who you are.
P.