abk Journey: No Man’s Land

The story I am about to tell, I can’t explain. I can simply tell you that it happened, and it scared the shit out of me. 

—

For the better part of a year, I’ve had a strained-ish muscle in my right middle back. It doesn’t hurt, but it does affect things. It’s probably why my competitive golf playing over the last year has been so poor. 

For the past few months, it hasn’t bothered me enough to shut it down, but maybe in hindsight, I should have. 

—

On my most recent trip to The Bay Area six weeks ago, something happened. On one of the plane rides, I tried to take a deep breath, and I couldn’t. It scared me, and it rattled open my body, soul, and mind. Remarkably, I still had a great trip (plane rides notwithstanding), but when I got home, I knew something wasn’t right and something needed to change. 

So in the beautiful abk spirit, that’s what I did, and that’s what I have been focused on for the last six weeks. (Sorry I haven’t written, but I couldn’t.)

—

When I started abk, so much of the early years was about self-exploration and self-mastery. For better or worse, I chose to do much of this introspection alone, and I learned so much. I worked on self care and personal health and fulfillment, and I felt headed down the right path. But over the last year or two, I found myself in no man’s land: not eating right, not actively taking care of my mind or body, not spending enough focused time with people I love, on and on. Nothing overly egregious…just no man’s land. 

I feel like this strained muscle turned can’t get a deep breath turned shakeup to my system was the wake up call I needed. So if you know me, I got right to work. 

—

I gave up drinking sodas. I gave up crap foods for breakfast. I drink a vitamin and vegetable shake every morning now. I do active mind workouts three times a day. I stretch/do yoga two to three times a day. I lift weights with a personal trainer twice a week. I do core and shoulder exercises multiple times a week at home. I live outside in nature. I limit screen time. And I take a little medicine to calm my wild imagination down. 

In six weeks, I’ve settled myself down. I’ve lost almost fifteen pounds. At 42, my body feels great. I have energy for everyone in my life.  My golf game is showing glimmers of hope.  I am most thrilled about having a quiet (ish) mind for the first time in my life. 

—

I’ve built a boring old healthy morning routine, and I’ve never been more excited.  There’s something I thought I’d never say. 

—

Have a great week.-Benj

Join the abk community!

Follow along on Instagram @anythingbutkhakis, @abkgolf, and @anythingbutkhakisphotography.

If you enjoy these and would like to get the weekly piece via email, please follow on the website http://www.anythingbutkhakis.com.