No, I’ve never won on scratch-offs or roulette with this number… but it means a lot to me. More importantly, it taught me that I can truly do anything.
Growing up, I always thought I was extra special because we’d take a trip for my birthday April 14th. Yes, that was also Spring Break but it’s more fun when I lie to myself.
14 was my Lacrosse number, the most fun sport.
And when it comes to training I strive to be 14 days away from my goal weight or body type. (Being at your goal is stressful, it’s hard to maintain while balancing real life.)
Here is really where this number had an impact on my life…
At one point, I was in the hospital for a month. I lost over 60 pounds. On my last day, I received my 14th pint of blood, the human body only contains about 10.
Coming out of that, I went through a lot of emotions. But the strongest ones were anger and rage, the kind I buried deep.
Three surgeries later, and hopefully the last one was on March 31st. No more planned surgeries. Just time to find the new version of myself.
As that anger built, I set a goal that most people would call crazy:
Run 14 miles, 14 days after surgery, on April 14th.
Would I recommend it? No.
Was it stupid? Probably.
But I needed it.
I needed to prove to myself who I was, physically and mentally.
I needed to prove that I could endure. That I could overcome.
I’ve never even ran 14 healthy and definitely not with an open wound.
That slow run took me through every emotion I needed to feel. And when it was over, I knew nothing in this world could stop me. And I built confidence that no words or person can take from me.
After that day, I signed up for a full marathon… and completed a triathlon.
I truly believe that through trauma, people become incredible athletes if you channel it right. It gives you a way to prove to yourself that you can overcome both physical and mental challenges, the kind that would scare most people.
And today, I’m not running 14 miles… not because I can’t, but because I don’t need to.
I continue to push the message: StayStrong.
Because the strength is already there, whether you realize it or not. And I’m here to touch the flame so, you don’t have to.
And yes… all of April, my programs are built around 4s and 14s, reps sets, yes its lovely.
Because it’s a good number.
