Written By: Dr. Nancy Meyer

What would you do if you were told you could never walk again, let alone run? Would you give in to sorrow, or would you embrace every step you still have the ability to take? I learned this lesson in a powerful, personal way after I injured my knee. The pain was excruciating, and after surgery, I couldn’t even walk without discomfort. My vastus medialis muscle—the thigh muscle above the knee—atrophied so much it literally sunk in two inches. Stairs were a challenge that almost brought me to tears. It was a humbling experience, and it changed everything for me.

I realized then that movement is not a chore or something to be taken for granted. It’s not a punishment—it’s a gift. A blessing.

I’ll never forget one day while swimming, when I noticed a man entering the pool with a cane, the kind typically used by blind individuals. At first, I was confused. Surely, he couldn’t be blind—how could he swim? But as I watched, he confidently tapped his cane side to side, feeling his way to the edge of the pool. He tapped the pool's edge, confirming he had arrived, folded his cane, set it aside, and eased himself into the water.

I was in awe. How could he navigate the pool without sight? I struggled to swim in a straight line, even though I could see the lane markers, the ropes, and the wall. But this man, without sight, swam lap after lap with pure determination. I had to know how he did it, so my extroverted nature couldn’t resist asking.

His answer was simple: "I hit the rope, and I know it’s time to head toward the other side. When I feel the wall, I know it’s time to push off and turn around." This man had never seen in his life. He didn’t even know what he was "missing." Yet, he refused to let his limitations define him.

I stood there, humbled. What excuses did I have for not learning to swim? Just five months before my first Ironman, I couldn’t even do a full pedal rotation on my bike after surgery. I’ve had injuries—bad knees, torn ligaments in my wrist from a mountain biking accident, shoulder issues from playing volleyball in high school, and a neck condition that landed me in the hospital. But none of these were valid reasons to stop moving. Sure, I could’ve come up with excuses, but what would that have accomplished? The reward of movement far outweighs the discomfort of starting.

Exercise isn’t about punishment or weight loss. It’s about honoring God with the body He gave us. It’s about gratitude for the ability to move. We so often take for granted what a blessing it is to walk, to run, to swim, to praise God with our bodies. Every movement is a privilege. The question is: Will you embrace it?

Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, shift your perspective. Treat movement as a gift, not an obligation. Whether it’s walking, stretching, or swimming—start where you are. Because the ability to move is one of the greatest blessings we have. Don’t take it for granted. Instead, view it as an opportunity to praise the Lord.

Defying Fear Verse

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

— 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Defying Fear Principle

Excuses Keep You Stagnant—Gratitude Moves You Forward.

True health isn’t just physical; it’s also mental and spiritual. Come experience the transformation that happens when all three pillars of health align. My Getting Out of Your Way mini course is designed to help you embrace this holistic approach to wellness. Let’s make 2025 the year you discover what true health looks and feels like.