June 2025

Hello readers, I am happy to say I competed and finished the Hyrox race in NYC on May 31st. I think this picture sums up exactly how I felt at the end. I did this in honor of all the women suffering from endometriosis in collaboration with Endofound. I fundraised money beyond my goal to help support Endofound in their research work for Endometriosis. I am thankful to all those who donated in my honor. I had a blast running this race and more importantly I was thrilled that my health allowed me too.

It was quite a journey to get here as training was not easy. I had weeks where my fatigue took over and intermittent bowel issues as well. I remember one day well, where I had extensive abdominal and bladder pain, must of been ovulating that day. I pushed through the workout anyway as I was determined. Some cycles are harder than others. Even though I had a hysterectomy for adenomyosis, I still have my ovaries therefore I go through the motions of a full menstrual cycle. I know when I am in the different phases i.e follicular, which helps me to know when to pull back a bit in my training around certain times of my cycle.

Two weeks before the race I ended up in the hospital for 5 days, very ill, with severe food poisoning. I remember overhearing the doctor in the ER saying to the resident who was caring for me, “She must have some underlying stomach condition” as my food poisoning was quite severe. I had intractable nausea and vomiting for a total of 6 days. I had to be hospitalized given that as well as profound dehydration. Since I was training for this competition, I was drinking over a gallon of fluids along with eating very well balanced cooked meals. This came to an abrupt stop with my food poisoning. Going back to what that ER doctor said, I thought it was interesting and made me think of some connection to autoimmune/endometriosis that can bring on illness more severely. Maybe my gut flora is not equipped anymore to handle poisoning as someone else would. Generally food poisoning can last 2-3 days and in some rare cases longer like mine. I wonder if my underlying conditions predispose me to suffer more profoundly?

I ended up having two weeks left to train by the time this illness passed. Coming back into intense training off this illness was one of the toughest things to overcome. Mind over matter kicked in, as I was determined not to let all my training, hard work and dedication go to waste. I ended up doing the Hyrox below my time goal I gave for myself. I went into the race with the mindset of pacing myself and not going in too hard. I am proud of myself for this huge fitness accomplishment. I want to show you, you can do it too.

Looking back at how far I have come with my past and current treatments for my endometriosis/adenomyosis/rheumatoid arthritis/asthma (which I think is likely from my diaphragmatic endometriosis) and bowel and bladder endometriosis; I am so happy that I get to be able to move my body this way. I feel a lot healthier in general. This does not come without hard work on my own part such as cutting out alcohol, eating my own balanced cooked foods, and doing a lot of mobility and stretching daily. I have had supportive coaches throughout this journey whom were understanding of my illness and worked with me rather than against me.

I saw this quote yesterday, “I may not control my illness but I can chose how I respond to it.” Mind over matter. I think being a positive person, using positive affirmations and manifestations can change your mindset. Having a positive mindset, I believe physically makes you feel better. Meet yourself where you are at. Do not force things. Take rest when you need too and listen to your body. I picked up this book in my laundry room just now, called Beat Endo. I have not read it yet but the preface seems to be posing preventative and healthy behaviors to control your symptoms. As much as we all want to Beat Endo, we are unfortunately not there yet in the medicine world but going back to the quote above, you can chose how to respond to it.

See you all soon.
Xo