Response to a Men’s Health article
This article came out two issues ago, the one with Paul Walker on the cover, but it stuck with me, and I want to respond quickly. Men’s Health is starting a new column written by Travis Stork, MD, a co-host to the TV show “The Doctors” and a former “The Bachelor” contestant.
Basically, the article is a an advertisement for the column, but in it Stork says that he’s learned things form working in the ER. That’s great for illnesses like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and various other illnesses from poor life choices.
He extended this to hobbies and extreme activities, and that’s what bothered me a little bit. He said in his 20’s he always tried to find the hardest, craziest courses on his mountain bike, but after seeing people come into the ER with major injuries who will struggle to walk or have some pain for the rest of their lives. Not that I want to walk with a limp forever, or have the pain of breaking a major bone, but what makes people who do extreme things happy is pushing the limits. What’s the fun of doing those things if you don’t do them outright?
I’m far from an extreme sports fanatic, but I spent many years doing athletics, and in that time I took some good spills and did some nice damage to my back. To this day I can’t stand for long periods of time without back pain, if I get lazy massaging I get pretty sore, and I had to stop practicing with my crew team because the back forth motion of rowing was too painful. Here’s the thing, the ten years that I spent running track are some of the fondest and most fun times I’ve ever had. I spent the time with some of my best friends, and it taught me how to work hard, set goals, and focus on tasks. I wouldn’t give up those ten years for a pain free back. I loved them.
I’d have to think that a serious mountain biker wouldn’t be happy checking his speed down a hill or taking an easier course just because he could take a header. What’s the point of doing the activity then?
I guess my problem with this is the implications to life outside of physical activities. We are often rewarded when we take risks and chances. I know people who have quit their jobs and started new businesses in this uncertain economic climate, and are happier than in their ho hum jobs. It sucks when the risks don’t pay off, so we’re in a cast or your house gets foreclosed, but when the risks pay off we’re more excited and jazzed you are and the more fulfilling your life is.