Answers.com defines an odyssey in this way: odyssey n. , pl. , –seys . An extended adventurous voyage or trip. An intellectual or spiritual quest: an odyssey of discovery.
I am featuring Leanne Massock on my “Odysseys” page today since her story is truly a personal journey into health, recovery and well-being. We are all aware of the fact that none of us can know what tomorrow may bring. We constantly see catch phrases like “live in the now”, “be in the present”, “life is a gift that’s why we call it the present”.
What would you do if you began to feel out of sorts, if your body just didn’t feel “right”? I’m sure that fear would be one of the emotions you might experience. Add to that sense of “dis-ease” the physical illness you would feel, the out of control sensation that would be so foreign to you. This is what began to happen to Leanne in April of 2012. Her story is one of enlightenment and inspiration.
Leanne has led an active life. In 1994 she received recognition as one of the fastest women in California having finished a 5K race in 15 minutes. Her journey into physical fitness from the standpoint of weight training began in 1999 when she and her husband moved to Florida and she became connected with a personal trainer at the local health club. Leanne continued her training in Indiana when her husband was, once again, transferred by his company. She connected with a boot camp program at the gym there and was encouraged to train for figure competition. In order to excel in the competitions she needed to learn how to develop muscle through nourishment, to listen to her body and how different foods made her feel. Leanne became an expert at feeding her body what it needed to build muscle without drug enhancement to improve her performance.
At the age of 40 Leanne won 4th place in her first competition, an amazing feat in her eyes since self-confidence has not been her strong suit. After another job related transfer to coastal Georgia, Leanne continued her training and competitions, winning first place in the open category, which means women of all ages were competing together. She was also awarded her “pro card” which meant she could compete professionally and receive monetary rewards for her winning. Her confidence grew with each win and she planned to enter a professional competition in the fall of 2012.
On that April evening last spring, while attending a dinner party at a friends’ home in Brunswick, GA, Leanne began to feel ill. The drive home that night was a long one as her husband repeatedly had to pull off of the road because Leanne was so ill. She remembers hearing a tremendous noise in her left ear but felt she had a stomach virus. This thought was further empowered by the fact that her teenage daughter began to have the same nausea and vomiting the next day.
The symptoms worsened and Leanne began to realize that her vision was impaired, that she felt dizzy and unable to stand. She visited a local eye doctor who immediately recognized her condition as the result of either a stroke or a brain tumor. The doctor arranged for her to be seen by a neurologist immediately. From there began the odyssey for Leanne into the workings of her body, no matter how healthy and fit she seemed to be.
Leanne saw the diagnosis with disbelief. She did not smoke, drink alcohol, or eat unhealthy foods. She did have some blood pressure issues but always took the prescribed medication to keep that under control. She maintained a very active schedule to keep herself in top physical shape in order to compete at a master level. How could this have happened to her?
One of the physicians Leanne worked with asked her to go on-line and read about “Fibro Muscular Dysplasia”. After doing so Leanne knew this was at the bottom of the problem. A rare disease that weakens the artery walls in any area of the body it decides to attack. In her case it was the carotid artery which dissected, thus causing the stroke. Armed with valuable information about her disease, Leanne began her recovery process. She continuously played games on her iPad, thinking this would help strengthen her eye muscles, enabling her to recover the peripheral sight she lost as a result of the stroke she experienced on that April night. She learned that the sound she heard at the time was the carotid artery ripping.
Leanne’s story is one of inspiration and hope as well as a testimonial for staying in tune with our bodies and maintaining physical fitness. Today her vision is 99% recovered, she is back at “Anytime Fitness” on St. Simons Island, working out and continuing her position as a personal trainer to members of the gym.
At this time in her recovery process she is not able to lift anything over 20 pounds which curtails her ability to compete. She can no longer participate in any intense activity. Her attitude is amazing. She literally came to the edge of death and has returned to tell her story. She told me that she made a conscious decision to live her life and be happy. She is determined to do everything she can to improve her health. Her physician recently gave her an A+ for her willingness to actively work on her condition with the prescribed medications and activities she now can enjoy. The doctor also told Leanne that one of the reasons she has had such a successful recovery thus far is because she IS in such good shape and so aware of how her body feels.
“You never know what’s coming, be prepared, stay in shape”, were Leanne’s words of wisdom she wants to share with readers. She also stated that none of us are perfect. We all slip and eat at a fast food restaurant from time to time or indulge in too many sweets, but to make good nutrition choices the majority of the time is important. Balance + Moderation = Success!
Leanne will be speaking at a health symposium later this year that I will post information about as soon as it is available. In the meantime she encourages readers to eat clean, make good choices about lifestyle and fitness and treasure each day.
13 Responses
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Jeannie Says:
What an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Melissa Says:
So happy you liked the post, Jeanie!
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Betsy Knight Says:
Leanne is an awesome trainer and an inspiration to everyone she meets!
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Melissa Says:
Thanks Betsy, yes she is!
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Dawn Says:
Leanne is my daughter and this was a total shock to the entire family. She is an amazing young woman to have been so healthy and in shape and to accept the changes she has made in her life today to remain healthy. She is my hero!!!
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Melissa Says:
You have to be so proud of your daughter! She truly is a hero!
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Marcia Says:
Wow. It is so tempting to not pay attention to the signs and signals our bodies give us to let us know something is wrong. Being in tune with your body only becomes more important as we age. Thanks for sharing Leanne’s story and especially her message: “You never know what’s coming, be prepared, stay in shape.”
On perfection:
“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.” – Michael J. FoxInteresting that this quote comes from someone else who also knows something about unexpected bumps in the road of life.
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Melissa Says:
Thank you Marcia. I love the quote from Michael J. Fox. It is so true!
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Blaise Dismer Says:
Wow, Melissa! What an inspiring story. I find the resolve and acceptance evidenced by Leeann to be very motivating. Let’s all be grateful for what we have.
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Melissa Says:
She truly is an inspiration! I have worked with Leann at the gym during a personal training session. She is so helpful and full of information about keeping fit! She walks her talk!
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Clay Hildeband Says:
My wife and I were in the Golden Isles for a conference and found Leanne at the St. Simons gym. She still is running around, cleaning, stocking, and helping others, always with a smile on her face and cheerful attitude.
She is also probably more fit than 99% of the members! 🙂
