Small Steps

Hey gang, Ellie here. This weekend marked another self-defense eval— and— the FOUR year mark of my first day at Excelsior!

I remember sitting in the clinic that day, at a crossroads. I was unsure how to stop the progression of neurodegenerative autoimmunity eroding my physical strength and control. I was equally unsure my heart could heal from some challenges I’d encountered along life’s path. Any physical numbness paled in comparison to how deadened I felt inside.

I couldn’t address everything at once. But I could take steps. I could eliminate foods that worsened symptoms. I could review medical opinions. I could try 20 weeks of physical therapy. And when it came down to still needing more help, I could book a consult at Excelsior that cost only time and willingness to try yet again.

Excelsior presented me with more specific steps: working to strengthen every joint, tissue, and controlling neurology, and practice taking a deeper breath than I had in a while. Before I knew it, I was incorporating the table work in the clinic with functional strength coaching in the gym. That combo changed my prognosis, giving a measurable attainable path toward improvement, no matter how little.

In this case, little added up. And it was those small steps that eventually got me thinking that maybe I could heal. Maybe I could feel at home in my own skin again. Maybe I could think, work, run, ride, coach, breathe, and connect again without feeling so numb. Maybe I still had more to give. Those thoughts were life-giving.

Learning self-defense was one of many goals I’d nearly given up on four years ago. I’m privileged to now have the chance. It has taught me how we humans are equal parts resilient and vulnerable. We can’t eliminate the tough things we’ve already faced, nor the things we’ve yet to. What we’re left with are the small steps in each day. There, we discover strengths we didn’t know we had, support we didn’t know we needed and didn’t realize we could offer others, and areas of growth we’ll be working on the rest of our lives. Cheers to the journey.

Love & Leverage,
Ellie