Guest post by Renegade Inner Circle Member, Addison Marshall
When I was playing Spring football my freshmen year I started having very bad rib pain.
After a few tests, I learned that my ribs had cracked from a spleen that had been enflamed with Leukemia cells.
Finding out I had cancer was the worst news of my life.
The first 6 months were hell and my body was showing it. I had lost about 30 pounds and most of my muscle. I just ate shit all day and was always to tired to workout. I eventually gained weight back but it was all at.
One day I looked at myself in the mirror and decided to change my life.
I started doing some research to find workouts and what kind of things I should eat. Its amazing how much better I felt once I started working out it seemed like the chemo didn’t even affect me anymore. Then 9 months into this new regime and feeling and looking better than ever I learned that my cancer had returned in my brain and spine.
I took a day to gather my thoughts and knew that I would continue my training and diet. I started becoming a role model to other patients often hearing things like I want to be like you or I want big arms like you.
I push myself for those that can’t and I have first hand tried to be as active with the kids as I can be. I even played dodgeball with them while I was hooked up to an IV.
One of the greatest things was when I saw a kid say he wanted some grilled chicken and broccoli instead of that cheeseburger because he would be like me. I have trained hard through chemo for 3 years and it finally paid off. I finally made a return to football for my senior football season.
I even earned the Inspireum award. This is a national award that goes to one player for the most inspiring come back story, and hardships through football. Training and diet have turned my life around and I am so glad that I started it!
PS. Want to be featured in our weekly success stories? Email your experience with The Renegade Method to info [at] jasonferruggia.com with the subject: Success Story. We’re looking for 350-1000 words and 1-3 pics at either 615 x 346 or 270 x 345. If we use yours we’ll send you a free t-shirt.
