Dragons Egg Athletics

Story

THE TURNING POINT

For as long as I can remember I have felt uncomfortable in my body. I was deeply sensitive and emotional, and any reference to my husky appearance was devastating.

As a child, I was very active and played many sports. Growing up in South Africa, I was obsessed with Cricket and Rugby, having fond memories pretending to play on the South African national team against the formidable Wallabies.

Even though I was active and outgoing, I was painfully self-conscious and wanted to be different. I have a vivid memory from my childhood when my mother`s best girl friend pinched my tummy and said I was chubby. Although I don’t remember much from that young age, that memory was cemented into my mind. I developed a very negative view of my body, and my negative view evolved into bad and destructive behavior.

When I was 15, our family made a radical geographic change. We moved to America. The feelings of being different, not fitting in, increased exponentially. I did not want to feel the pain and anxiety associated with being fat and foreign; so, I took comfort in chemicals and food. My wholesome childhood was gone and I became a very withdrawn young man. I was lost and wayward. My weight ballooned and I resented myself for it. Eventually, my attitude and behavior drove all who loved me away and I was alone.

By age 25, I was at my wits end. Such terrible pain! No amount of food, or money, or chemicals could fill the wound in my soul. One day, amidst drowning self-hatred, the words of my good friend came to mind.

“Guy, you are going to die this way.”

I had heard these words many times and paid them little attention; but on that day- at that time- his words rang strong and true. My life had always been a choice between hide or run, medicate or numb, avoid or pretend. But, on that day, the choice was live or die. I wanted to LIVE! From the moment I made that choice, a shift began to take place.

Immediately, I began to make small, but positive changes in my life. For instance, I decided I would not smoke ci******es in my car, which lead to quitting ci******es completely. I wanted to see changes in my body, so I decided to add healthy foods to my diet, rather than restrict myself. In those early days, I was very self-conscious. I remember waking up very early to run and do push-ups so that I would not be seen.

What I have learned through this journey is that positive additions and positive decisions, leads to positive beliefs, positive relationships, and positive eating. For so long I felt like I was spinning out of control, as though I did not belong anywhere. Today, the spinning has stopped, my feet are firmly planted, and I am a contributor to life.

My awakening has led me into a career of service. Now, I dedicate my time to nurturing these same miracles in my clients. Change begins with small, gentle steps. Restriction and deprivation are short-term, ineffective solutions. Wholesome, positive additions to our lives leads to long-term changes and lasting, healthy habits. These are the simple and fundamental building blocks of my philosophy. After a decade of making positive additions to peoples lives in the United States, I am elated that my journey has lead me to Melbourne, and this amazing opportunity offered by the Rejuvenate Program.

Guy Renew