By Ellen Brown

Dave Grier

Note: The story below is one in a series of articles I’m posting about people who have inspired me by overcoming life’s obstacles. I hope you find the story inspirational. It was originally published in Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center newsletter for patients and their families, and is reprinted here with the permission of Cleveland Clinic.

Although Dave Grier has dreamed of becoming a pilot, since he was a boy, for many years, the dream seemed out of range, first for financial reasons, then because of medical issues. But today, at the age of 51, Mr. Grier is more committed than ever to living his dream and is well on his way to achieving it. The student pilot passed ground school with flying colors, and completed his first solo flight in October.

Mr. Grier, who is a two-time recipient of liver and liver/kidney transplants, hopes to one day launch a non-profit organization that flies transplant patients to Cleveland for their surgery and follow-up appointments. While there are some nonprofits that already provide such services, none of the pilots on their crews are transplant recipients, and Mr. Grier believes it would be inspiring for transplant candidates and recipients to know that they are being transported by someone who has traveled a similar journey.

Mr. Grier, who received both transplants at Cleveland Clinic, the first in 1997 and the second in 2007, explains his journey as a pilot this way: “After my first transplant, I pretty much knew that I couldn’t get my medical clearance passed because I was a transplant patient, and the FAA has some pretty high standards.”  But after recovering from his second transplant in 2007, he had some time to think, and his dream of becoming a pilot kept rising to the surface. Maybe he COULD actually become a pilot, he thought. Once he was strong enough to leave his hospital room, he went down the hall and hopped on the Internet. After doing a little online research, he found that there WERE a number of transplant recipients who had become pilots.

Mr. Grier remembers returning to his room with a big grin, with the knowledge that achieving his dream WAS possible. A year later, after fully recovering from the surgery, he applied for medical clearance for becoming a pilot, and on July 16, 2008, he had his clearance in hand. To say he was happy is a great understatement. “I was going to do a cartwheel in the post office when I got the clearance in the mail, but I didn’t want to explain it to the police,” he says with a laugh.

Recently, he accumulated enough in-flight hours so he could begin flying solo. Before he is allowed to have passengers accompany him on flights, he will have to pass a couple more tests, a fact that doesn’t seem to faze him.

Mr. Grier says his dream of helping transplant patients keeps him on track, so does his desire “to pay it forward” after being the fortunate recipient of the gift of life (from organ donors), not once, but twice.

For years, he has been giving back in a variety of ways. Today, he serves on the board of directors for TRIO, and for a time, he was the volunteer coordinator for the Minority Organ and Tissue Education program, where he had the opportunity to share his story and talk about the importance of organ and tissue donation to children and adults.

He’s also volunteered for the past few years in Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center, where he meets with patients who are awaiting or recovering from transplants. Mr. Grier says he loves to see patients’ eyes light up when they realize he’s there to talk to them about his experience, as a transplant recipient. “When I tell patients I’ve had two transplants, I notice that their attitude changes,” he says. “A lot of times they sit up in bed and pay attention. I think it’s really important for patients to talk to people who have undergone transplants and recovered. And I love being able to be that someone.”

To read more about Dave Grier’s high-flying adventures, visit his blog, Transplanted Pilot, at http://transplantedpilot.blogspot.com/

Copyright 2010 Cleveland Clinic

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Ellen Brown is a certified professional coach, based in Cleveland, OH, who works with clients all over the world by telephone and Skype.Dave Grier

By Ellen Brown

Have you ever noticed how your limiting beliefs sometimes stop you from pursuing new opportunities? I consider myself pretty open-minded, but I recently noticed how my OWN limiting beliefs were holding me back.

Luckily, it wasn’t the biggest deal in the world. For months, my husband, Jeff — who is also my web developer and SEO guy all rolled into one — had been nudging me to start a Facebook Fan Page. But I scoffed at the idea. Facebook is okay. But I’ve never been a huge, fan, no pun intended.

When I hang out on Facebook, I often feel like I’m killing time. Yacking about useless stuff. So when I considered the idea of sinking more time into something I didn’t really enjoy, the thought wasn’t all that appealing.

Then, the other day, we were working on updating my website, and Jeff said he’d read that Facebook was visited more frequently than Google and that having a Facebook Fan Page could really help with search engine optimization.

“Hey, why don’t we set up a Fan Page NOW?” he said. “It won’t take much time at all.” The idea, admittedly, didn’t excite me. But if it wasn’t going to take that much time and might help me connect with people and improve my Google rankings, I thought “why not.”

I couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was to set up the initial page (please join me here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellen-Brown-Certified-Professional-Coach/347591665890 )

Even better? Before I knew it, I was actually having fun dreaming up new content to create and different ways I could connect with people dealing with difficult life transitions.

Though my page is still in its embryonic stages, I’m excited about my new venture and the endless possibilities to reach out to people and create a sense of community.

When I think about how much I resisted creating a fan page, how I was practically kicking and screaming until the very end, it makes me smile.

Resistance is a funny thing. We may have some pre-conceived ideas about people or places or things, but when we let go of those beliefs and move beyond that resistance and take a leap of faith, we’re often pleasantly surprised.

What do you think?

I’d love to hear what you have to say about how our limiting beliefs hold us back. Please leave a comment here, on Stepping Stones, by scrolling down.

Are you dealing with job loss, the death of a loved one, or another challenging life transition? If so, I’d love to help out. Visit my website at http://www.ellen-brown.com to sign up for an introductory coaching session or a coaching package that’s right for you. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world.

In the meantime, please join me on my new Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellen-Brown-Certified-Professional-Coach/347591665890 And while you’re there, please join in the conversations on the discussion boards. I hope to see you there soon!

Ellen Brown is a certified professional coach, based in Cleveland, OH.

By Ellen Brown

Do you believe you need to banish red meat from your diet forever and exercise for an hour everyday, in order to live a healthier life? In the beginning, some of my coaching clients definitely believe in those extremes. And when they do, the prospect of getting started can feel daunting.

But the good news is you can create a healthier lifestyle without making over your life and giving up everything you enjoy. You can begin by taking baby steps that will put you on the path to wellness.

As always, check with your doctor before you decide to change your diet or begin an exercise plan. Once you get the go-ahead, these are some small steps you can take to live a healthier lifestyle:

·      Be Clear about Your Motivation — Before you change anything, think about why you want to live a healthier life? What’s your motivation and expected payoff? Do you want to have more energy to channel into your personal and professional life? Do you want to be able to keep up with your children? When you’re clear about your motivation, and remind yourself of why you want to make these changes in your life, you’ll be more likely to follow through and succeed in reaching your goals.

·      Bulk Up on Fruits and Vegetables –- Stocking up on fruits and vegetables makes good sense for a couple reasons. For one thing, they are lower in calories than many other foods. For another, some fruits and vegetables have been proven to fend off heart disease and cancer. If you’re not a vegetable lover, choose the vegetables you DO enjoy first, then branch out. Sometimes, people learn to dislike vegetables as children because they were overcooked and mushy. But you can learn how to cook vegetables (or eat them raw) that you enjoy eating. Most cooked vegetables taste best when they are lightly cooked that they retain their texture, taste and nutrients.

·      Help Yourself to Smaller Portions – In our culture, we have become accustomed to gargantuan portions. The worst offenders are fast food restaurants that super size fatty burgers and mile high fries. But even fine restaurants pile our plates high in an effort to compete for customers. And at home, we often follow the same formula: stuffing ourselves until we are way too full. The problem is that our bodies can’t put all that food to good use. Thus our waists expand and our weight tips the scales, which, as you probably know, can lead to a variety of medical problems including heart disease and diabetes. Part of the solution is to eat smaller portions. At home, consider using smaller plates to help you scale back. That way you won’t be tempted to eat more than you need. When you go to a restaurant, ask your waiter to wrap half of your meal to go in a “doggy bag” or consider splitting an entrée with a friend.

·      Eat Slowly and Consciously – When was the last time you sat down to a meal and actually took your time, savoring each mouthful? If you’re like most people, it’s a rare event. But when you slow down and chew your food, setting down your fork between each bite, two things will happen. You’ll enjoy your food more and become aware of when you’re no longer hungry, so you can stop eating before you’re stuffed.

·      Move More – While it’s true that regular, sustained exercise has significant health benefits, when you’re trying to begin an exercise program, less is more. So set small goals in the beginning. Make a commitment to walking your dog around the block twice a day or park your car farther away from your destination so you will be moving more and integrating that movement into your day. Find other ways to walk more instead of driving everywhere. When you start out slowly and feel the benefits of moving more, you will probably want to increase the length and intensity of your exercise. But be sure to check with your physician first, before you do so.

·      Breathe Easy – If you notice yourself feeling stressed out during the day, remember to breathe. Sometimes, when we are overly stressed, we hold our breath or breathe shallowly. When you notice that happening, take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Breathe in through your nose and watch your breath as it travels up into your belly and chest and up to your throat. Hold it for a couple seconds and then watch your breath descend, moving down into your chest and belly. Breathing deeply and focusing on your breath can help you feel more relaxed and peaceful. If you’d like to take this idea a step further, consider starting a meditation practice. And if you do, start out slowly, committing to 5 or 10 minutes a day and increasing your time. While meditation isn’t a panacea, it HAS been proven to improve a variety of conditions, including high blood pressure and heart disease, when practiced in combination with other therapies. As always, seek advice from a qualified health care practitioner, and never stop a treatment your doctor has prescribed.

What are your strategies for living a healthier life?

Which of your strengths can you draw on to create a healthier lifestyle?

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Please join in the conversation by leaving a comment, here, on Stepping Stones.

Would you like to lead a happier, healthier life? If so, I’d love to help out! Visit my website at http://www.wellnessjourneys.com to sign up for a coaching package that’s right for you, or to schedule a complimentary session. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world!

To learn more about living a fulfilling life, sign up for my e-newsletter, here, on Stepping Stones, at the top of the page.

Wellness Journeys: A Holistic Approach to Coaching

Ellen Brown is a certified life coach, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

By Ellen H. Brown

Recently, one of my friends, who’s been struggling to keep her exercise routine on track, accosted me during my workout. “What’s your secret?” she asked, seemingly exasperated. “ You always seem to make time to get to the gym no matter how busy you are.”

Exercise has become such an integral part of my life, that I had to stop for a moment and think about what she was asking. Years ago, I made a commitment to exercising, and now it’s a habit. But that wasn’t always the case. Once upon a time, I, too, used to struggle to keep my exercise program on course.

So, I thought it might be helpful to share some tips with you, if you have an on-again, off-again relationship with exercise. Keep in mind that there is no one size fits all strategy for launching and maintaining an exercise program, because we are all so different. But these are some strategies that have worked well for me and some of the clients I coach.

1.    What’s in it for you? Before you begin exercising, be clear on why it’ so important to you. While the answer may seem obvious to you, everyone has a different reason. And keeping your payoff in mind can go a long way toward keeping you motivated on days when you’d rather lounge on the couch and watch reruns of CSI rather than hitting the gym. So, why do YOU want to exercise? Do you want to look better? Have more energy? Head off heart disease? For me, exercising is a no brainer. It gives me loads of energy, lifts my spirits, and with a family history of heart disease, I feel like it’s a good “insurance policy” for keeping a chronic condition at bay.

2.     Decide when you’re going to exercise and write it on your calendar. While this doesn’t work for everyone – especially people who like to be more flexible, it can be helpful for those who can always find something better (or more fun) to do than exercising. Writing it down, helps it become a habit, something you know you’re going to do everyday or every other day, whatever you decide. It’s like an appointment you’re making with yourself.

3.     Find a form of exercise or movement you enjoy and mix it up if necessary. One of the reasons many people stop exercising is that they become bored with their routine or “hate exercise.” Some people even hate the word exercise because it reminds them of a memory from their past –-often from childhood — when exercise was far from fun. So choose a form of movement you enjoy whether it’s walking, running, dancing, or swimming. Give yourself permission to experiment . And if you don’t like what you’re doing, change it.

4.     Meet up with a Friend – Some people love to exercise with a friend. Not only does it make the experience more fun for them, but it adds a measure of accountability. Because when you know that your friend is counting on you to go walking or is going to meet you at the health club, you’re more likely to keep your commitment.

5.     Hire a coach – Working with a coach can really help you establish and maintain a routine, when you’re having trouble going it alone. That’s because a good coach can be encouraging and give you the extra push that you need.

6.     Make Exercise A Lifelong Habit – Over the years, I’ve come to think of exercising in the same way I think of brushing my teeth. It’s a healthy habit that I can’t do without because of the way it makes me feel and look. And while there was certainly a time when exercise felt like just one more thing I “had to do,” today it is an activity I look forward to. Even on the days when I feel like doing something else, instead, I know that a trip to the gym will give me a little lift.

7.     Be Gentle with Yourself – Since you are only human, there will be days when you “mess up” and don’t follow your exercise program to the nth degree. So don’t beat yourself up. Because if you do, you’ll probably feel worse. And you might even stop exercising entirely. Instead of giving up, forgive yourself and get back on track.

How would you benefit from launching or maintaining a regular exercise program?

What’s stopping you from taking the first step toward making that happen?

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Please join in the conversation by leaving a comment, here, on Stepping Stones.

Could you use a little help making a healthy change in your life? If so, I’d love to help out! Visit my website at http://www.wellnessjourneys.com to sign up for a coaching package that’s right for you or to schedule a complimentary session. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world!

To learn more about living a healthy lifestyle, sign up for my e-newsletter, here, on Stepping Stones, at the top of the page.

Wellness Journeys: A Holistic Approach to Coaching

Ellen H. Brown is a certified life coach, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

 Disclaimer: The information provided above is educational only and should in no way be considered medical advice. Always seek your doctor’s permission before starting any exercise program.