Find A Way To Get It Done

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"

There is always hope!

Winners believe that and find a way to get it done no matter the circumstances!

Nothing exemplifies this more than the "MIRACLE DAY" I saw with one of my clients in 2005. 

Other than my kids being born and my wedding day, this was the most memorable day!  It happened back in October of 2005. I had the privilege of seeing my longtime friend and client Susan Peters achieve the victory of a lifetime! 

Susan was in a car accident in 1993 - hit head on by a snow plow which left her in a coma paralyzed.

Before the accident she was an active fit woman -  loved riding horses, singing and working out.  After the accident, she was a completely helpless person clinging to her life.

She spent the next 10 years in wheelchair unable to walk and having trouble speaking from the damage caused by the accident.

She then had to endure years of intense rehab and a divorce where her husband tried to take away the money awarded to her in the accident. 

I met Susan in 2000 when she showed up at my work - the Northwest Athletic Club. She was slumped over in her wheelchair and could barely talk.  Her mom did most of the talking but we agreed to give training a try since I had experience working with people in a wheelchairs.

Right away I knew something was different about Susan. She had an engaging smile and great sense of humor.  This was put to the test early on.   

She was driving her electric wheelchair home when she sneezed.  This sent her wheelchair careening into the ditch where she ended up being stranded all night.  She had such a low voice - no one heard her cries for help.  

Luckily it was a warmer part of the year and she was found the next morning.  I called her while she was in the ambulance and she started joking about her "campout."  That's how I knew Susan Peters was not going to feel sorry for herself!  She was a fighter and had the attitude to walk again.  

So the training continued and slowly but surely. As she got stronger she walked from trainer desk to the first aerobic studio - about 10 yards.  Then came the second studio - about 50 yards then around the track - about 200 yards. She was making real progress. Doctors said she would need the wheelchair the rest of her life but that was for the typical person suffering this type of injury. Susan was anything but typical.

One day in 2004 she announced she wanted to do a 5K. Many of the other trainers and people said "that's great" and smiled, but I knew they were just trying to be polite. They did not think she could do it.  But I knew differently.   

We started to walk outside to help her adjust to the elements of and outdoor race like the uneven pavement, hills and weather. Most of our walks were at Earley Lake which was about 1.25 miles around.  We mostly walked 1/2 to 3/4 mile but one day I told her we were going around the whole lake. She was game so we started the mission.. It was a hot day and she didn't do well in heat, but we pushed through.

Towards the end she wanted to quit. She was exhausted and her body was sore. She got angry and started cussing at me like a sailor. I made her finish and with a victory grin, she collapsed into my car.  It wasn't pretty but we did it. It was a turning point. Even though she was tired she had reached a new level of confidence.  

So we did something big and bold.  We signed up for the Monster Dash, a 5K race in Minneapolis around Lake Harriet.  We dove into a well laid out plan of strength and balance training coupled with a walking regimen I had designed to build up her endurance. We also got more serious about her nutrition. She was an athlete so she needed to eat like one.

As the race drew near she was building momentum.  It was cold and windy the day we went to train at Lake Harriet and that threw her off kilter.  I called an audible because she was not doing well.  Chiropractic care, a massage and active rest were a better way for her to spend the week before the race.

I called KARE 11 News to share Susan's story and they wanted to cover it.  The night before my wife asked if I thought she would make it.  My response was "I honestly don't know, but I know Susan will give 100% and that is all that matters."

We got up early on race day and got Susan stretched out and warmed up. The race scene was chaotic but we got to the starting line. I tried to have Susan rest as much as possible knowing she needed every bit of energy she had for this race.

The gun went off and we started the walk.  KARE 11 arrived and started following us. Susan being Susan mugged for the cameras and talked a little good nature smack!  She was killing it for the first half of the race.   

Then she started to wear down. But as she grew tired, a crowd of people started to gather to cheer her on. This was where the real magic happened.   

She stumbled, but would not give up.  She knew she wouldn’t let herself quit and I was there to encourage her.

Then the F bombs started to fly as the pain in her feet and knees became unbearable.

Her tank was near empty... but she kept pushing through.

You know when you get your second wind? This was where Susan was when she saw the finish line.  The crowd came alive with cheers! She came back alive and step by step made her way towards the finish line.

At that point The Minneapolis police had set up a special finish line using police tape just for Susan. She inched closer and the crowd noise grew louder.  As she crossed the line I raised her arm in victory. It had been a long journey but she finished what she started!  And I was so fortunate to be a part of it.

After the victory meal with her family and friends  I finally sat down to watch the evening news. Susan’s amazing story led the news that night.

Watch the Kare 11 story here (scroll down for the original coverage in 2005

That day changed my life forever.

I learned the power of the human spirit.

I learned we all have super powers within us.

I learned that the only thing that stops us from achieving greatness is our own excuses.

No matter what your current circumstances are... you too can overcome.

If Susan can walk a 5K after being in a wheelchair for 10 years YOU CAN FIND A WAY TO GET BACK IN SHAPE.

So click the button below and let's find your way back to health with a SUCCESS SESSION!

Dedicated to helping you find a way,

Erik Peacock
Puravida Fitness