Joyful Mindset
Jumping in the Pool with My McCallie Swim Brothers—Ties, Suit Jackets, and All!
There I was, standing poolside with the top swim team in Tennessee, moments away from competing in the state championship. After the car accident, contributing to a competitive team and scoring points seemed completely out of reach. But here I stood, ready to race, ready to contribute, and more than ready to celebrate a journey that had taught me resilience, gratitude, and joy in ways I never imagined.
Starting Over in the Pool
When we were hit by a drunk driver on August 5, 2023, I found myself not merely at ground zero but somewhere below it, call it ground negative, if you will. There were days I wasn’t even sure if I would regain full strength in my legs, let alone swim competitively again. Swimming wasn’t just a sport for me; it was my outlet, my passion, my way of connecting with something bigger than myself. Losing that felt like losing a part of my identity. But I wasn’t about to quit. When I got back in the water, I couldn’t kick. I had to use a buoy and rely entirely on my upper body. It was humbling—actually, It was incredibly frustrating—but it was exhilarating, too. Every stroke reminded me there was still hope. That tiny sliver of hope became my lifeline, my reason to keep pushing forward. This is where things got unexpectedly cool. I started using MindMend8 techniques and the new language I was learning—Chinese—as a mental distraction to deal with the pain. Instead of focusing on everything that hurt, I let my brain dive into something productive. It sounds crazy, but combining that mindset with my recovery taught me how to embrace progress, no matter how small. I stopped obsessing over where I wasn't and started celebrating where I was, every inch, every stroke, every kick.
Chasing the Impossible
Progress wasn’t linear. It never is. But day by day, stroke by stroke, I felt myself getting stronger. At first, my times were terrible—like, embarrassingly slow. But I was racing again, and that was a miracle in itself. Before I even realized it, I qualified for the state championship. Competing at state with my team wasn’t just a goal; it became a symbol of everything I’d fought for, physically and mentally. It wasn’t easy. There were setbacks, and plenty of days when I wanted to throw in the towel. My ankle would throb, everything hurt, and I’d wonder if it was worth it. But every time doubt crept in, I reminded myself of one thing: I had a choice. I could choose frustration, or I could choose joy. And choosing joy made all the difference. I had what it takes to keep going, to aim higher, to believe in possibilities I hadn’t even imagined yet.
Tennessee State Championship Win
When we arrived in Nashville for the state championship, I was hit with an avalanche of emotions: pride, nerves, gratitude, disbelief. Just a year ago, I was lying in a hospital bed, unable to move my leg. And now, I was standing here, about to compete with some of the best swimmers in the state, repping the number one team in Tennessee. Wild, right? My races weren’t perfect. My times weren’t what I’d dreamed of, but none of that mattered. What mattered was that I was there, contributing to my team’s total score, helping us inch closer to another state championship title. The highlight of the meet wasn’t just the races, though. It was what happened after. When we clinched the state championship title, the whole team—everyone—jumped into the pool fully clothed. Ties, suit jackets, everything. We splashed, laughed, and celebrated in a way that perfectly captured the blood, sweat, and tears we’d poured into the season. For most of the team, it was about winning. For me, it was about something deeper. It was about the chance to swim again, to contribute, to rediscover the joy I thought I had lost.
Finding Joy in the Journey
My comeback wasn’t just about physical recovery—it was a mental and emotional transformation. Using MindMend8 techniques, I learned to shift my focus from pain to progress, from frustration to joy. By engaging my prefrontal cortex (the brain’s logical-thinking hub), I could dial down emotional responses to setbacks and celebrate even the smallest wins.Recovery is messy, slow, and frustrating. But every day, we have a choice: let setbacks define us or celebrate progress. Competing at the state championship reminded me how far I’d come—from struggling to kick my legs to helping my team win a title. That’s a victory far beyond medals or time sheets—it’s a victory of heart and mindset.
Grateful Beyond Words.
I’m incredibly grateful—for my coaches and teammates who believed in me, for the MindMend8 tools that gave me clarity, and for the chance to swim, race, and celebrate every win, big or small.
To anyone facing what feels impossible: you are stronger than you think. Progress may feel invisible, and doubt will creep in, but don’t give up. Joy is your secret weapon. When you choose joy, you unlock potential you didn’t know you had.
For me, joy wasn’t just an attitude—it was my lifeline. It carried me through the toughest moments, pushed me to believe in the impossible, and brought me to the state championship. And trust me, the possibilities are endless. You just have to believe.