At age 27 I discovered a lump in my left breast, fortunately benign. Seven years later more tumors were causing problems in another part of my body which led to surgical removal. Something was going on.
Soon thereafter things got worse. I had a nervous breakdown, suffered from depression, was suicidal, got fat and was just very unhappy. Details of this time are in my book, Transforming Non-Profits for Relevancy in Challenging Times.
With the help of friends Warren and John, I slowly put myself back together physically and mentally.
But it required change. I left New York City – Manhattan, Upper West Side – to live in Miami Beach, FL, went back to Brooklyn, New York – Flatbush, then back to Shaker Heights, OH – home – in 1992.
I became a Certified Personal Trainer, Ethical Massage Practitioner, Tai Chi instructor for seniors, published a book, contributing author for another book, delivered a Commencement address to incarcerated young men – the Department of Youth Services, and obtained a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in 2003. Later I challenged myself with swimming and joined a master’s swimming group, the Shaker Sharks in 2015.
Wellness has always been an avocation but now is much more than that. People can learn from my experiences and the steps needed to change. I have been there, survived, and changed.
Contributing author
My story