The Words That Changed His Life

Two years ago, I heard five words that changed my life: “You’re having a heart attack.”

To be honest, this felt like the continuation of a pretty crappy stretch of years that started back in 2020. At the time, I was the Executive Director of the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and the Denver Feminist Chorus, and like many organizations, we went almost two years without earned income because of COVID, from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, I shattered my left wrist in a biking accident and had it put back together with eleven pins. In 2022, my partner of eight years passed away suddenly in our living room. Then, in 2024, came the heart attack – followed by five stents placed in three arteries.

After that, my cardiologist strongly suggested both cardiovascular exercise and weight training to help strengthen my heart. When a fellow Denver Gay Men’s Chorus singer suggested CrossFit, I was hesitant. I had always thought CrossFit was for the “beasts”—the people who can lift two-ton trucks and run a mile in under four minutes.

It turns out, I was wrong.

CrossFit is for anyone who wants to build strength, endurance, and community.

All of the coaches at our CrossFit gym are incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and – most importantly – caring. They work hard not only to help with lifting techniques and movement, but also to build a community of fellow athletes that actually makes you want to come back. As an adult, it can be hard to meet and make new friends, but CrossFit is one of those rare places where people really do know your name – kind of like the TV show Cheers. People want you to succeed. They want you to create your own personal bests, whatever that looks like for you.

The daily workouts are also incredibly varied, which keeps things interesting. They’re challenging, but ultimately fun.

Since my heart attack, I’ve lost more than 20 pounds and lowered my body fat. My endurance has greatly increased, and I’m back on my bike again, riding 30 to 60 miles with more energy than I’ve had in years. I’m sleeping better, and I’m incredibly thankful to be alive. It feels like I may have turned a corner in the quality of my life.

My final piece of advice is simple: please remember to take care of yourself. You never know what will happen next.