"The jiggling I’d felt in my head when it hit the ground had most certainly been more than a little whiplash." Little did I know the impact that fall would have on my brain, nor the long-term, life-altering effect on my life. Two years later and I'm venturing into a new chapter, a new way of living and being.

No pain no gain, right?

Until recently I felt my future was pretty stilted and my ability to pursue my dreams or plans had gone out the window. My functioning brain, my drive, my positive outlook on life seemed a distant memory. Oh yah, the memory was sloppy too.

I started toying with the idea of running in a half (or quarter) marathon after I'd attended the Cypress Hills High Hopes Challenge last August. They were raising funds for BFF and as the ED of our Foundation, I wanted to represent, to share what our organization does and show appreciation for their commitment and donation. Now I shake my head. How silly for me to expose myself to something that would draw me into a whole new world, something I said I'd never do. Run.

The two-year mark of my concussion was looming after that visit to Cypress Hills and I knew something desperately needed to change. After experiencing depression (which is almost standard following a concussion), significant weight gain due to inactivity and lack of desire to take care of myself physically or mentally, the downward spiral had to stop. My neuro-rehab had considerably lifted the fog in my brain, but I still felt so sluggish. All I wanted to do was sleep. My doctor told me I was borderline for hypothyroidism and that she wasn't going to put me on medication...yet.

Enough already.

As someone who is known for taking responsibility for my actions and not deflecting or blaming others, it was time to face myself and create change. In order for renewal and spark to show up in my life, I knew I'd have to go big or stop complaining while I stayed stuck. Will Smith's recent viral Instagram video about fault vs responsibility sums up where I'm at with myself. It's actually nobody's fault that it was icy when I fell, but how I live going forward is definitely up to me.

Taking responsibility is taking your power back. ~Will Smith

If it's going to be it's up to me.

The past two months I've vacillated between, "What was I thinking?" to "I can't wait to feel better!" So now that I've got some time behind me, where am I at with my efforts in getting healthy and preparing for a 5K?

The Good | finding joy

I finally have a grip on my eating. I joined four others for a week of clean eating, and I almost nailed it! Eliminating sugar, wheat and dairy is no easy task but I've done it before and I'm doing it again. With the exception of a wee bit of coconut sugar in my coffee, I'm very satisfied with my improvement in food choices. It sounds so weird to write this, given that eating healthy used to be my norm. The side benefit is that my kids are eating healthier too, and they're liking it!

Sure I've shed a bit of weight and I can tell (I'm not weighing myself, remember), but it's the clear head and no naps required that are my main wins. So. Happy. I'm noticing a glimmer of confidence returning.

I've noticed an improvement in my emotions and mental processes too. We all know what we put in our mouths affects our well being, but it's a whole different matter to take charge and ensure we do something about it!

I stumbled upon Dr. Susan David's work this week and I love her message! I haven't bought her book yet, Emotional Agility, but I will be. In her Ted Talk, three comments got my attention:

1. I was praised for being strong. One of my triggers is being told how strong I am. Sometimes I'd really rather not have to be, but in retrospect, I've become grateful for that strength.

2. Courage is fear...walking. Wow. I relate to that on so many levels. I have lived courageously, I've survived and I continue to walk with courage.

3. Life's beauty is inseparable from its fragility. The juxtaposition of my love of life and the pain I've experienced is wrapped up in that sentence.

https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_david_the_gift_and_power_of_emotional_courage?utm_campaign=tedspread--b&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

The Bad | what's not working

I'm still not active enough. I'm becoming more accountable to certain people and I've signed up for a jiu-jitsu class. I have a long-standing shoulder injury I'm dealing with so won't be tackling anyone anytime soon, but the reality is, the movements and stretches can be modified to suit my physical ability. No excuses.

In the days leading up to the Olympics, I came across the story of Mark McMorris, a Canadian snowboarder who almost lost his life last March. He was still named to the Olympic team as long as he was fully recovered in time. He more than met the challenge and I was so moved by his story. He is now my inspiration as I continue on my own journey. It is truly worth the 45 minutes of your life to marvel at his recovery and to gain inspiration from. I'll be watching him closely as he competes!

The Ugly | what I'm fighting

The mental beating: I'm not doing enough, I'm never going to be ready for the run in August, once again my grandiose venture is just too, well, grandiose. It's my mental capacity that's been my biggest challenge, but it's also been where I'm finding my greatest growth right now.

• I'm processing grief - the great losses I've experienced since my concussion, that only I know.

• I'm recognizing where my negative self-talk has blocked me and I'm finally getting somewhere with changing it.

• Some days my emotions drive me around a bend. I've been told once or twice that I'm "too emotional". I've come a long way, and the above Ted Talk along with her workbook and quizzes have been eye opening and helpful.

The Takeaway

No pain no gain includes the mental, emotional and physical aspects of what I'm working towards. The same way building muscles can hurt, so does building mental and emotional strength. Step by step, not giving up, falling down and getting up. No matter your skill level or your age, the determining factor is your willingness to take responsibility for yourself.

As Jeff Haden talks about in this Inc.com article, it won't be fun in the moment... but it will make you a lot happier over the long-term.

Next update I will make myself more accountable by sharing my plan/process to get to August's run. I better get on that!