I have suffered many losses in my life, but losing my vision has been the hardest by far. The initial shock of such a life-changing event seemed unbearable. I went from a fast-tracked career in the Army to a devastating head blow that completely altered my plans. Through all the uncertainty, one thing that really helped pull me out of my slump was discovering adaptive sports and recreational therapy. Focusing on a nutritional diet and physical fitness were the key components that helped me cope with this new change. From my experience, staying physically fit and eating healthy are two of the most important keys to mental wellness.
Discovering the world of adaptive sports was a game-changer. Upon hearing the news that my vison loss was permanent, I was devastated. I turned to alcohol and shut everyone out. I was in denial. From a promising career one day to not being able to complete simple tasks anymore was a very strange transition. I was a resilient leader that people once came to for guidance, and now I needed it myself. It was truly a humbling experience.
The one thing that set me on the right track was discovering the world of adaptive sports. I was assigned to the Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) at Ft. Carson, Colorado. It had been close to a year of seeking second opinions and any avenue I could to possibly get my sight back. I was in-processing with the physical therapist, and she asked me if I had heard of The Warrior Games. I had no clue what this was, but once I found out, my entire outlook changed. Using physical fitness and competition is what made me feel normal again. I signed up for all events possible and never looked back.
Exercise is a great way to combat mental illness. According to helpguide.org, “running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%. In addition to relieving depression symptoms, research also shows that maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing.” Some people think that you need to be in a gym for hours to see results. This isn’t true. Everyone has a different niche. The key is finding what drives you. Whether it is conducting yoga daily or competing in marathons, you need to find what will help clear your mind. I have been open to everything, from an hour of stretching to a thirty-minute CrossFit class. The goal is to have a set structure of positive outlets in your life.
Setting fitness goals gives your mind something positive to strive towards. Having a set schedule will force you to stay on track and maintain accountability with yourself. A great way to do this is by setting up SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. As a resilience leader in the Army, this is one of the main tools I would use to help my soldiers in all walks of life. Ironically, I had to rummage through my own tool-box during my time of depression to dig myself out. Conquering each goal one at a time quickly became more and more rewarding. As I completed each goal, I started to re-kindle the mental toughness that was there all along. Seeing the physical and mental results from where I started to where I am now is a truly mind-blowing experience.
Another key component to overcoming my depression and anxiety was fixing my daily nutrition. I eliminated alcohol from the mix and have been sober since September of 2019. I have also changed bad habits. Eliminating late night snacks and sodas has been a key contributor to my overall wellness. Changing up my diet was not easy, but it was a necessity. As much as junk food and sweets may be enticing, the underlying negative impact it has on your body can take a huge toll on you.
Maintaining a healthy diet can lead to a better mood. There are multiple benefits to eating healthy, but one of the main benefits is the improvement of your overall mood. First, if you eat right naturally, your body is going to start shredding out all the unnecessary garbage, and your physical appearance will start to improve. This was huge for me. I had always been in great shape and my cardio was amazing, but my diet was awful, thus resulting in my physical appearance not matching my actual abilities. Once I fixed my diet, my body transformed, and I began to look like a competitive athlete once again. Eating right also enhanced my overall attitude. I began to notice a huge change in my morning grumpiness. It was no longer a factor. Between setting up different workout routines and improving my nutritional intake, my entire mindset changed.
Ultimately, the realm of adaptive sports gave me new hope in dealing with my visual impairment. Knowing that I could still compete despite my loss was profound. In order to compete at a top level, I had to change up my regiment by using physical fitness and good nutrition in order to get me to the next level. Without these two factors, I have no clue where I would be today. Coming from a very dark place where I had a “poor me” mindset to overcoming multiple challenges and a can-do attitude has made all the difference. It is amazing what our minds are capable of. With the right push and motivation, anything is possible. I strive to be a beacon of hope for anyone who is struggling with mental illness. I am a true testament that physical fitness and good nutrition can improve your overall wellness.
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My name is Michael Allen Murphy. I was born in Killeen, Texas on July 29th, 1990. I was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and graduated from West Mesa High in May of 2008. I had multiple jobs and attended the University of New Mexico for one semester before enlisting in the U.S. Army on April 12, 2011. I served just under ten years covering two different duty stations, five different units, and two tours oversees. Throughout my entire career, I served as a 15W (Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator), covering all aspects from operations to mission command.
On December 4th, 2019 I was involved in a vehicle accident while deployed to Eastern Greece on the airfield. This accident caused a Traumatic Brain Injury, resulting in the loss of about 80 percent of my vison. With the help of family, friends, and several other amazing individuals, I have used adaptive sports and recreational therapy to get me back on my feet and focused on using my story to motivate others to overcome any obstacle in life.
