Tough Mudders:
Helping to Serve AHERO’s Purpose by Ashleigh McKenzie
When I was asked to write an article around the partnership between AHERO and Tough Mudder, my initial thought was, “Sure, why not?” As the deadline loomed, though, my thought changed to “Why did I think this was a good idea?” It was as if someone had asked me to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. I had a college degree and the experience of running a company; yet writing a small article became something difficult for me. How could I encourage others to face challenges to help others, if I myself could not overcome the fear of writing? Much of what I live for is to help others develop the skills to overcome moments of doubt, such as these. Now, after much soul-searching, I discovered that by writing the article I could share my heart as it really is and not as comfortable as it may seem. If comfort were the case, I would have simply submitted to the editors the pictures of our Mudders and their physical challenge of a 12-mile run tackling 20 obstacles in the mud. My surreal moment of “why” I do what I do began five years ago. Only a few weeks into my father’s retirement, I learned my hero had been diagnosed with cancer. My parents had envisioned their retirement for years. It would be filled with travel and enjoyment. Instead, this new chapter in life would involve treatment facilities, doctor appointments, and scans. According to his doctors, his condition could have been caused by the drinking water at Camp Lejune back during his basic training days. I found myself distraught that the selfless act of serving in the military could so negatively impact my father's life years later. There are two types of practical reactions to such circumstances: You decide to be either the caregiver or the provider. At this point, I was just learning how to cope myself. And while my professional career is in the medical field, it has nothing to do with the clinical side, and I felt I wouldn’t be a really good caretaker. That left me with “provider.” But how do you provide support, education, and awareness not only to your own family but to others affected by disease, loss, diagnosis and disabilities? I was lucky enough to find AHERO just then, as I was reaching my tipping point. I learned I could became tough for others in the middle of being the most mentally broken I had ever been. Partnering with AHERO has helped me and others bridge the gap and provide hope to those seeking help.
When you know your "why," your "what" finds its purpose. I am uncertain how I originally learned about the Tough Mudder, but when I realized the charitable benefits it could offer AHERO, the Mudder became my “what.” My “why” had begun with coping with my father’s cancer diagnosis. Now I was able to combine the two. Consider post-traumatic stress (PTS), which has unimaginable effects on how one responds to something that, to the average person, is emotionally manageable. In a few short years, AHERO has helped many who struggle with PTS and other conditions resulting from military service. AHERO’S relationship with Tough Mudder has grown through the running of 27 courses to-date, with more than 100 participants on the "Tough for AHERO" team! Running a Tough Mudder doesn’t necessarily have to do with being in tip-top shape. It doesn’t mean that you must train for months. But many feel that they can’t do it, much as I felt I couldn’t write this article for AHERO. Yet in writing this, I realized my mission is to reveal my passion through something that at first may have caused me anxiety, fear, and doubt, but ultimately opened my heart to motivate others to find their own purpose. Given a purpose, most anyone can achieve previously unimaginable goals. It takes perseverance to see the finish line. Yet the result of knowing your efforts are giving someone else needed support is greater than happiness. It is true JOY. Joy in purpose is something we all strive for, though it is sometimes hard to find. But have faith ... and just like the tiny mustard seed, it will grow, and continue to grow.
Ashleigh McKenzie is president of MDreferralPRO and is the national coordinator for Tough Mudder events that benefit AHERO. To learn more, visit AHEROusa.com
Inside Medicine | Spring Issue 2018
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