A Heart Attack Changed Everything
On July 24, 2007, our lives changed forever. My husband experienced his first heart attack. The memory of that day remains vivid. Our daughters and I had just returned from the pool, and I was fixing a grilled cheese sandwich when the phone rang. It was my husband, calling to tell me he was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. As the ambulance transported him from his office to the hospital, a friend drove me there as well. I still remember the doctor’s calm words: yes, Michael was having a heart attack.
A Strong Recovery and Building Confidence Following His Heart Attack
Later, we discovered that the artery known as the “widowmaker” was completely blocked. The cardiologist inserted two stents to restore blood flow. Remarkably, because Michael was physically fit, his body had managed to reroute blood flow in a way akin to a non-surgical bypass.
A heart attack is a traumatic experience for everyone involved, and it prompted us to reevaluate many aspects of our lives. For Michael, it meant learning to trust his body again. He underwent cardiac rehab at the hospital, but it didn’t fully restore his confidence in his physical capabilities. He wanted to know what his body was still capable of doing.
Refusing to Accept Defeat
One of the things I admired most about Michael was his mindset. He refused to accept defeat. Despite being an avid runner and regularly working out, he was determined not to let the heart attack hold him back. Motivated by his experience, he quickly returned to the gym and resumed running.
Discovering CrossFit
Then he discovered CrossFit. Michael immediately resonated with the CrossFit philosophy. He watched Greg Glassman’s videos, subscribed to the CrossFit Journal, and immersed himself in learning all he could. Committing to the workouts Monday through Friday during his lunch hour, he came home very sore. I honestly thought he was crazy to choose workouts that were so challenging!
However, reflecting on the final 14 years of his life, I am confident that his dedication to CrossFit significantly improved his quality of life. His confidence, strength, and endurance grew, and he enjoyed the process. His mindset shifted to one of growth, which he applied to many other areas of his life.
Inspiring Our Family and Our Community
Michael’s journey ultimately inspired both our daughter, Lauren, and me to embrace CrossFit as well. After years of being CrossFit athletes and coaches, in August 2022, the two of us became affiliate owners. We were driven by our belief and confidence in CrossFit’s methodology and by our love for our community at the gym. As owners of CrossFit Dwell, our goal is to coach as many people as possible in Kennesaw, Acworth, and Marietta, GA, helping them become fit and healthy within a welcoming and safe community. It is what brings us the most joy every single day.
Join Us at CrossFit Dwell
Are you looking for a fitness community? Do you need guidance in the gym? CrossFit Dwell is here for you. Sign up for a Free Intro today, and we’ll sit down together to create the best plan for you.
See you at the gym!