I’m not a big of assumption, but if you are reading this entry, it’s safe to assume that you are human. It is also safe to assume that you’ve made mistakes in your life. Haven’t we all? After almost 40 years in this world, I’ve never met a perfect person. I am convinced that no such thing exists. Yet, while perfection is a myth, we can all become better versions of ourselves. It is never too late to improve in some way. Don’t just take my word for it however. The video that follows about athlete and trainer Jay Maryniak provides all the proof we need.
From Drugs To Fitness – Jay Maryniak
As you will hear Jay explain, his life got off to a rough start. He was just a child when he began abusing alcohol and drugs. In some ways, you could say it is a miracle that he even survived such a rough start. There are plenty of people who’ve traveled the same road that left this world too soon.
Fortunately, Jay made a conscious effort to change. He hit rock bottom and sought out help. The rest is history. He has now been sober for many years and has completely transformed his life. Ironically, the young man who was once desperate for help has become a source of inspiration for others who are eager to change.
Jay’s story hits home for me as I’ve lost some close friends to alcohol and drug abuse. When they hit rock bottom, they didn’t realize it was possible to change. Instead, they lost hope and assumed it was too late. With that in mind, this story is really one that deserves more widespread attention. There are many youngsters with an entire life ahead of them who honestly believe that they are already doomed. For them to see someone like Jay who has walked in their shoes can be life altering. Hope is a powerful thing, particularly when it’s given to someone who has never had it before.
Life Is Always Tough
It’s obviously great to see that Jay Maryniak has turned his life around. It’s worth noting however that our lives will never be easy. Even though Jay has given up alcohol and drugs, there are still obstacles and challenges that he must tackle. His Type 1 Diabetes is a prime example. And while it is certainly unfortunate, I feel that his diagnosis actually makes the story more powerful. There is no fairy tale ending here. There are still struggles that Jay must face each day. Just because his life improved doesn’t mean that it is easy.
Life will always be tough. Anyone who suggests otherwise is lost in a dream. I don’t say this to sound pessimistic, but rather to prepare you for the real world. One of the biggest mistakes that a youngster can make is to expect or wait for things to be perfect. We’ll never be perfect, but we can always be better. And as we improve physically and mentally, life tends to improve as well. Sure, we will all experience hardships at some time, but we can also learn to embrace the moment and enjoy what we have. It is never too late to become a better version of yourself.
Hats off to Jay for sharing his story. To learn more about him, check him out at JTM Fitness.
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“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot
Thanks for this post, very inspirational!
Inspirational!
Love it! Thanks for sharing
I’m close to two people who share in Jay’s struggles. My cousin had an addiction to synthetic marijuana and cocaine as well as alcohol. He is almost three years sober now and we play basketball together again every Saturday just like we did after school when I used to drive him home. My girlfriend’s son is a type 1 diabetic. He’s seven and this is his first year playing baseball. I’ve played catch with him and helped him with his hitting. He also likes to watch me work out in the backyard and tries to emulate some of what I do. Someday I look forward to training with him and teaching him about some of what I know.