Lessons from Colorado...
On Dec. 28, 2016, I tore my left ACL skiing in CO. This led to an ACL replacement surgery at the beginning of 2017, which ultimately left me with a serious infection that lasted 5 months and led to an additional knee surgery to clean out the infection and all the work the previous surgeon had done. I had an IV PICC line full of antibiotics in my arm for 6 weeks. Currently, I don’t have an ACL in my left knee, and I am done with surgeries…
What can you really learn on a ski trip to Colorado?
On a recent 8-day family trip to Pagosa Springs, CO, I realized that all of the work that I have put into creating a healthy lifestyle is paying off. It was all there. I could ski as well as I've ever skied; I could run up the mountain from my car; I can survive in cold rivers; and I can do it all with my family.
I hadn't skied for real since my last couple knee surgeries in 2017. It was good to put that behind me and feel healthy again.
Although I know that I’m healthy, the thought “Yeah, but can you ski?” would go through my head often. After my trip to Colorado, I can say “Yes!” I can ski my ass off, and I am also strong enough to haul all of the stuff needed for my family to enjoy a day on the mountain to where it needs to be.
The most rewarding part of life are the challenges you overcome and the goals you accomplish. On this trip, I accomplished my goal of really skiing and also teaching my 3 year old son how to ski. We now have that memory as part of the foundation of our relationship, and I am so proud of that...
Wherever you are in life, realize that things are going to change, and the decisions that you make will determine what those changes are.
It is up to you…
I would love to help you become healthier…
Here are some highlights of our trip…
It was Otis’s 3rd day to try skiing on the trip. We had done the “Magic Carpet” baby hill a couple days with nothing but “Dad, why do we have to do this???” as well as “MY HEAD ITCHES!” On the 3rd day, we went all in & bought everyone lift tickets. All of the Hammonds were going to the top of the mountain, and we were all skiing down (Sully strapped to Mom). The lift ride was awesome and Otis was ready… Well…after lying on the ground and it taking 20 minutes to go 50 yards, Otis realized we weren’t going to carry him and the only way down was to ski. He took off! The kid can snow plow “pizza” his little butt off! That was the most memorable ski run of my life. So proud of you Otis…