There is a particular, three hour hike on the coast of Italy that I did during a backpacking trip, right after I quit my job at 28. It was the beginning of the road to understanding chronic illness, the human body, and acceptance.
Ear Kiss Syndrome and tinnitus altered the course of my life in ways that I am still discovering. But, despite the difficulties, one thing I still have and have seen results from is hope.
I never thought of myself as athletic, but at 36, I realized I was at a crossroads in which I had to decide if I was okay with my body as it was, or work on it by really working out. I chose to run, and in turn, I chose to become more resilient.