Quality of life

Ten years ago my life was radically different. My passion was my professional life. I typically worked eighty-hour weeks and regularly commuted between three cities. As president of my own company, this style of life seemed the standard for success. In December of 1990, however, all that came to an abrupt halt. At age-27 I suffered a heart attack. In retrospect I am not surprised. With a family history of heart problems—a father, an uncle, and both grandfathers all suffering fatal heart attacks—combined with this work schedule, my body had become its own worst enemy.

Upon my release from a two-week hospital stint, I was encouraged to adopt a better quality of life. Old habits though, as we all know, don't die easily and a year later I began to once again experience heart problems. No longer was I given an option by my doctors. This time I was given a mandate: change my outlook on life or die before turning 40. At 28, I awoke to the reality that my life must take a profound turn for the better.

In retrospect, my professional life took the biggest hit. Rather than taking on responsibility after responsibility, I adopted a new tactic: delegation. My weekly travel gave way to monthly. I coupled this new professional outlook with exercise, but running did not come easily to me. To run a half-mile was a challenge; the thought of completing a 5K was unimaginable. But I continued to challenge myself and in the fall of 1994 I completed my first 5K.

I continued my racing throughout '95. My distances increased and my times dropped. I became more committed to a newfound love of running. While I felt emotionally good about my running, the physical wasn't completely in sync. I couldn't shake this constant sluggish feeling. Tired of my numerous heart disease medications, I spoke with my physician in June of '95 and requested that I be taken off of all medications. After much discussion and extensive blood work, my cardiologist prescribed a regimen of a strict diet and a daily dosage of vitamins and nutrients. No longer was I masking my disease, but treating it.

Two months into this new treatment I underwent a series of tests to monitor my progress. With an alarmingly low HDL of 7 at the time of my first heart attack and a level that never rose above 23 during which time I was loaded with prescribed medications, I now was reporting an HDL of 38—now, five years later, 58. I am now (this goes without saying) more committed than ever to retaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.

In July of 1997 I felt better than I had in years. My running was coming along nicely, and the 5 and 10K's now gave way to marathons.

While the completion of a marathon is surely something about which I felt proud, I thought, "There must be a new challenge." A friend recommended duathlons. In January of '98 I purchased a bike and made a commitment to myself to train for and successfully complete a duathlon. The Whistlestop event at Powerman would provide the first venue. I surprised myself with a strong finish, and went on to compete in the Strutters Duathlon in Texas. After winning my age group and placing 5th overall, I entered the US National Duathlon Championship, at which I landed a berth to the US National Team for Worlds. My career as a duathlete had been launched.

I had found a new passion. I was learning to balance my family life, professional life and my newest endeavor, my athletic life. It was readily apparent, though, that to progress I would have to train more wisely. The idea of a coach seemed a logical solution. In July, 1999, I met JulieAnne White, who has not only been the finest of coaches but has also been the closest of friends. With her help I've been selected for both the Short Course and Long Course Team USA twice. I've raced around the world and have just recently defended my top five overall world ranking in World Endurance Duathlon.

It's strange to look back over the past ten years of my life and consider just how radically different my life was at 27 versus my life today at 37. I was given a second chance at life, a chance to refocus. And the greatest part of all is that not only have I found not one but two great passions in life. On May 23 of this year my son Jack Hampton (named for my father who died of a heart attack at 47) came into this world, a healthy 6 lbs 3 oz baby boy. I never imagined that I could have so much love for and pride in one person. What a true blessing is the gift of life.

So, here's the story of my growth as an athlete. My life over the last ten years has been nothing short of incredible. The experiences I've had, the sacrifices I've made, and the dreams I've attained have far surpassed any I could have imagined.

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