HOW FITNESS CHANGED MY LIFE
I have been a big sports enthousiast ever since i was young, it didn’t matter to me what kind of sport I was doing, as long as I was moving.
I used to have a cold, or the flu, but overall I was a healthy, fit and energetic kid. I lived my life quite normally, not knowing that this would change drastically one day. I didn't know that I was born with a rare chronic illness called; Achalasia. Achalasia is a disease that affects my esophagus.
I still remember the day I found out I had this disease, it feels like yesterday. After a nice school trip, I came home and relaxed on the couch, it felt like any other ordinary day. Dinner was ready and I started eating. During dinner I noticed that something was wrong. I could no longer swallow my food normally. At first, I didn't pay attention to the problem, but I couldn't swallow food again the next day. This is were my concern grew. My father and I went to the doctor who referred me to a medical specialist. After several hospital visits, the cause of my swallowing problem was still unknown. The ignorance of what caused my swallowing problem was a downright torment to me. I had the feeling i could not be helped in any way and the problem soon went from bad to worse. Days became weeks and weeks became months.
During this period I lost a lot of weight so I no longer wanted to look in the mirror.
Because I could swallow very badly, I spat out 90% of my food again. My insecurity increased and I was afraid to tell others about my illness. I also avoided eating in the presence of others. My self-esteem got very low and I felt very unhappy. Why me? That was the question that often came to mind.
My family hated how I felt and how the problem had affected me. There was no solution or diagnosis known. My father then decided to take me to Morocco, in search of a (miracle) doctor who could heal me in a rather “different” way.. Unfortunately, we were left disappointed.
When I returned to the Netherlands, I was referred to the Amsterdam Medical Center, which sparked a ray of hope to me and my family. The doctor at the Amsterdam Medical Center; Mr. M.A. Benninga came with the diagnosis, he told me I have a chronic condition that affects only 1 in 100,000 people called Achalasia. I am mr. M.A. Benninga eternally grateful for the redeeming answer.
After 4 unsuccessful surgeries and a few more pounds lighter, I almost gave up, but I kept hoping for a miracle. After my 5th operation I finally saw a light again at the end of the tunnel. The surgeries had made it easier for me to swallow. The problem is not 100% solved, but I have always thought in terms of possibilities. The moment I started looking at everything differently my world changed.
I see my skinny, insecure self standing in the mirror after a long time.
When I looked at myself I knew for sure: I am going to transform myself into a self conscious man with a powerful body. I had a goal, and I had a plan, and with my motivation I was sure that I was going to achieve my goal.
This goal has been a major obsession to me for a long time. For example, I set a number of alarm clocks at night to eat. I did everything I could to achieve my goal. The pain while swallowing did not stop me, I taught myself all kinds of ways to swallow the food more easily. I had to change myself, despite everything.
Now, eight years later, I stand in front of the mirror with full pride. I have achieved my goal. During my first visit to the doctor I weighed 72kg, on the day of my first surgery I weighed only 40kg. In a period of 7 months I lost 32 kilos.
I had to gain weight for a strong body. I managed to get up again after falling hard. Today I weigh 80kg. Despite many setbacks, my goal has been achieved, i’m still not able to swallow without problems, but I have experienced that anything is possible, if you really want it!
Today I stand with full force in life. My mission is to inspire, motivate and help you in your journey to achieve the best version of yourself. With my platform I want to offer you the help and be the person that I missed in my own journey at that time. I also want to create more attention and awareness about underweight in society, a problem that has not yet received the attention that it needs.
Allow me to be your guide to becoming the best version of yourself. It all starts with believing in yourself. You will be amazed at the power that lies within you!