Like me, you’ve probably heard that every 7 years, all of the cells in your body die & regenerate. Every 7 years, you essentially become a new person.

I’ve fact checked this story, and while it’s definitely not accurate, the concept still resonates with me because….

7 years ago I was the least fit person I knew. I didn’t exercise. I barely even walked anywhere. I knew next to nothing about calories or #nutrition in general. I was living in a body that never felt comfortable and I felt like I was powerless to change it. And the worst part is, I never really made any effort to try. I don’t think I even knew where or how to start.

7 years ago I was a completely different person.

I used to wonder if a doctor told me that I would die if I didn’t change my habits, if I could actually force myself to change. I honestly didn’t think I could. And then, 7 years ago, a doctor told me pretty much exactly that.

It’s actually a pretty common thing, I had #gallstones due to a hereditary blood disease. And then, 7 years ago, while I was living in Japan, I had a #gallbladder attack. I had to wait approximately 2 months to have my gallbladder removed. In that time I had to go on a number of international trips and my doctor warned me that any consumption of many of my favorite foods (cheese, chocolate, avocado), could agitate my gallbladder and cause the stones to lodge in the bile duct, forcing emergency surgery in any one of those other international destinations. Even for someone who lives internationally, the idea of having emergency surgery in a country I was just visiting for work (with no friends or family for support) was so scary. I knew I did not want that to happen.

So, overnight, I completely changed my eating habits. 

2 months later, I had my gallbladder removed in an amazing hospital in Tokyo, with everything conducted in a language I don’t speak. I was already 20lbs lighter from drastic (but simple) changes to my diet.

Although it was probably the “best” hospital experience I could have ever hoped for (also my first ever), it was enough to make me never want to go to the hospital again (if I could avoid it). 

As soon as I was recovered enough from surgery, I started walking, then running, then lifting weights. 

7 years later I am a completely different person. 

#Lifting, nutrition and being the healthiest version of myself I can be is not only one of my top priorities, but it’s one of the things that makes me the most happy. Any time something stressful is happening in my life, I look at my training programmed for the day and think “I can’t wait to get to the gym.” Just thinking about my training makes me happy. Every day I enjoy fueling my body for performance and feeling full and satiated by meals that make me happy. I know how to make healthy choices that make me happy and allow me to meet my performance goals. 

Today I am a competitive powerlifter. I can squat almost double my body weight (115kg), bench my body weight (60kg), and deadlift a little over double my body weight (140kg). I train every day, I volunteer as a judge at meets and support our Thai Powerlifting Federation. I compete at least twice a year and am the current #1 ranked Masters 1 (40-49 years old) u63kg lifter in TPF, holding all of our national records. I also happen to own my own company and I know being able to handle the rollercoaster that is owning your own business comes from knowing I can overcome pretty much any obstacle you put in my way.

Looking back to the “me” from 7 years ago, I almost can’t believe how different I am. But “this me” was always in there. I just didn’t know how to  get out. Sometimes I can’t believe I did.

I guess I’m sharing this story because if you think you can’t do it, I know you can. I couldn’t imagine changing everything about myself before I started either. You just take it one step at a time. 

I can’t wait to see who I become in the next 7 years. Who will you be?