April 11 2011 I weighed 201 pounds. I had no energy and was on the quick path to a heart attack medicated for high blood pressure and asthma

One year later, I am at 163 pounds. I bike ride. My blood pressure is way down. Medication is cut in half and and I haven't used a steroid inhaler for breathing in 9 months.

Between 2012 - 2013 I started to creep back up. Nothing dramatic, but it was a pound here and a pound there.

Then the hammer dropped. My company restructured my job. I was doing something wrong. I was up at 186 pounds again, confidence a bit rocked. What was I to do?

Decision time. Either I could wallow in self pity or take control back.

March 5. My journey re-starts. My goal is to lose 15 pounds in 6 weeks.

April 16. I reach that goal. But I am still soft. I need a new challenge. Stupid me, I signed up for Tough Mudder (www.toughmudder.com)

Time to start training.

May 20. I am working out 6x per week. Running about 15k per week and doing all sorts of exercises (pushups, chin-ups, sit-ups, squats).

Mental toughness mirrors physical toughness. I have a ways to go, but confident I will get there.