Vanessa's Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle

By Vanessa Marshall

Most people who know me might not really know my background.  Most assume that I have always lived a healthy, active lifestyle.  This could not be farther from the truth.  Would you believe that my parents worried that I wouldn’t make it to age 10?

As an infant I was born with illness and weakness, and twice had close calls due to asthma complications.  As a result, my family was advised to prepare as I would not likely live to be very old.  I can still remember trying to wheeze quietly in class after a kilometer walk from home or not being able to participate in any activities when I was in elementary school.

With a lot of luck (probably because my poor mother prayed day and night for me), I made it to graduate high school.  After becoming an adult I made the decision that I would overcome my weaknesses and my health issues.  I changed my eating habits to include healthier choices and really liked some of the pretty pink running shorts so I took up running.  My first run (it was more like a jog) lasted about 5 minutes then I ran to a post to throw up. 

Today, I’ve completed two full marathons, two half marathons, and numerous smaller runs. I am amazed with how far I have come with my health and strength.  Currently I participate in kickboxing three times per week, stretching and core strength building twice per week and maintain my healthy eating habits.

I feel very blessed to have a chance to live so I appreciate everyday that I get to walk up.  I feel that if it wasn’t for my illness, I wouldn’t make the changes on my own.  So in many ways, the weakness I was born with is a blessing after all.

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