I was struck by a drunk driver in a car accident, resulting in 7 injured discs/spinal stenosis.  Doctors declared my injuries permanent after 19 months of appointments and procedures.  Their only other option was surgery, while stating it may not work.  Although I was in daily pain, I did not utilize one pharmaceutical.  During my recovery process I discovered a very powerful pain management tool, whole body cryotherapy.  This became a gamechanger.

I passed on surgery and set personal fitness goals around rehabbing my body through increased core strength, flexibility and range of motion by utilizing DDP Yoga.  I paired my rehab program with 4-5 whole body cryotherapy sessions.  

Flashback to 2011:  I made fitness and clean eating a permanent lifestyle to eventually lose 92 pounds.  My weight dropped from 237 pounds to 145; my waist from 40 to 29.  I was running half-marathons a year later and full marathons just two years later.  I started a daily running streak in 2016, making it to day 506 before the car accident injuries sidelined me.

I used the same goal-setting and drive to eliminate the back pain.  Instead of losing weight, I was strengthening my body to support my fragile back and reduce pain.  I stayed consistent with DDP Yoga and cryotherapy while adding in extra workouts with an emphasis on building core, glute and quad strength.  As pain subsided, I was able to return to my original running regimen.  

I finally felt pain free 14 months into my workout plan.  With NO pain pills.

But I’m only getting started.  Since recovering from 2018’s accident, I’ve completed many ultra-marathons and other endurance challenges, including:

• 100k race (62 miles)
• 50 miles race
• Three 50k races (31 miles)
• Multiple marathons and half marathons
• 1,000 day consecutive running streak

Because I believe so much in cryotherapy, I recently opened iCRYO Wichita West.  Our goal is to elevate the lifestyles of all of our guests who visit our center.  You can read more about iCRYO by clicking here.

I have also become a certified DDP Yoga Instructor and formed Go Get It Fitness.  We are the first fitness company to bring DDP Yoga to the state of Kansas.  Learn more by visiting our Instagram by clicking here.

My first two blog entries set up my story that I’ll continue to share:  Entry One   Entry Two

Instagram:  @injured.beast

#ILoveWichita