Send a text

I was a natural athlete. Started sports at 5—baseball, basketball. By 12, I was dunking. Ran track in college. Then I saw Breaking Away and fell in love with cycling.

Fast forward 40 years.

Summer 2010: I biked across the US in 30 days. Cleveland to Manhattan Beach via Route 66. Solo. Self-funded. I lost 30 pounds that month even though I ate very well.

I felt invincible.

I came home and opened a fitness studio. Business EXPLODED. Multiple rooms, several trainers. Teaching every class, day and night.

I had NO idea I was burning the life from my body.

By 2017, my body started breaking down. Mystery pains. Doctors. Tests. Eye surgery. No answers.

A Resident Dr asked if I had HIV. No data. No merit. Being a Black man in the healthcare system can be rough.

I didn't or don't have HIV. But walking became difficult. My body hurt so badly I wondered if I should close the studio.

Finally, a spinal tap gave the answer.

Spring 2018: Multiple Sclerosis.

My first thought? "Someone as fit as ME can't have MS." My arrogance. My Superman persona. I was wrong.

One doctor said: "There's a chance you could lose the ability to walk."

That broke me.

Within months, I was on heavy medication. Could barely stay awake. Legs swollen. Doctors wanted to UP dosages. I said no. Backed off the meds. Swelling went down. Started regaining abilities. But some things were gone—tingling fingers, couldn't run anymore.

I started bi-annual infusions. Prioritized eating well, sleep, managing stress. Reopened the studio. But I was different now.

What we cover:

• Athletic journey: natural athlete to Route 66 bike trip
• Building a studio while unknowingly burning out
• The mystery illness and devastating HIV question
• MS diagnosis Spring 2018: fear of losing mobility
• Death of Superman: giving up the invincible persona
• Scars you can't see: invisible disability
• Teaching clients to let go of who they were 30 years ago
• Training smart vs. ego lifting
• The evolution: At 25 I ran through the wall, at 35 I scaled it, at 55 I maneuver around it
• Practical wisdom: strength training, mobility, recovery, inflammation
• Listening to your body BEFORE it forces you

Here's the truth:

I see clients—mostly men—holding on to whoever they were 30 years ago. That guy is GONE.

My teaching: Embrace the current version. Make it the VERY BEST it can be TODAY.

We don't ego lift. Throwing your back out wasn't part of the plan. We train smart. Still intense. But for the LONG HAUL.

Your body keeps score. Every mile. Every rep. Every time you push through pain. Every night you don't sleep.

Your body keeps a ledger. Eventually, it comes to collect.

I ignored the signs for years. Almost cost me my ability to walk.

Don't be me. Listen to your body. Train smart. Let go of who you were.

At 25, I ran THROUGH the wall. At 35, I SCALED it. At 55, I MANEUVER AROUND it.

That's not defeat. That's EVOLUTION.

*This episode might save you from what I went through. Share with someone chasing their 25-year-old self. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 

Man, Listen is written and recorded by host Jamey Mixson, Fitness Professional, entrepreneur, and your everyday awesome guy who is living as proof that 55 can be your strongest, clearest, most powerful decade yet.

New Episodes Weekly. Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and other podcast streaming services.

Contact: Instagram @theJamey, Facebook @Jameymixson, Email: [email protected]

****don't for get to leave that review