"Being defined by fitness has always been a part of my identity. Now, I've come to realize that simply doing my best is more than enough." Pushing beyond comfort zones during exercise definitely offers benefits, both mentally and physically. However, if you associate effective workouts with pain or discomfort, you might be approaching fitness from the wrong perspective. The recent rise of high-intensity exercise routines like CrossFit and HIIT, as well as rigorous programs such as Insanity and P90X often leave even the most resilient fitness enthusiasts questioning their efforts. "Am I doing enough?" "Should I be pushing harder?" "If I'm not sore afterward, did it count?" Such questions resonated with me, Bob Harper, renowned health and fitness expert and host of The Biggest Loser, after experiencing an unexpected heart attack in 2017, compelling me to reevaluate my entire approach to fitness. A quick summary: In February 2017, I suffered a "widowmaker" heart attack while at a gym in NYC, which effectively left me lifeless on the floor for nine minutes. Fortunately, due to the presence of onsite doctors, I received immediate CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and an AED (automated external defibrillator) was utilized to restart my heart. Once at the hospital, I was placed in a medically induced coma and monitored closely over the next week as I began my recovery process. First, it's worth noting that Harper says his doctors attribute his heart attack to a genetic predisposition to cardiac conditions. But, still, if someone that physically fit could experience that kind of life-changing setback, what does that mean for the athletes he trains and those of us who are just struggling through our next heavy-lifting Tabatas? Bob's answer? Cut yourself some slack.
Following his heart attack, Harper has a new perspective on fitness and self-care. After getting discharged from the hospital, he was allowed to take walks only. It was a challenging period for him since he was previously used to engaging in intensive CrossFit workouts. He confesses that he found it hard to accept help from loved ones during this time. He remembered sharing with a friend that he no longer felt invincible. Harper had always identified himself as a fitness enthusiast. The sudden halt in his routine caused by the heart attack left him questioning his identity. It provoked an intense period of introspection, where he wondered who he was outside his workout regimen. Fortunately, Harper has come a long way since then. His approach to fitness is more empathetic now. He once defined himself by his discipline and commitment to fitness. He would put pressure on himself to be the best. However, his mindset has shifted, and he is now comfortable with doing what he can and being satisfied with it.
Bob Harper's near-death experience altered not only his attitude towards fitness but also his overall perspective on self-care. He has always emphasized the importance of being in tune with your body, a belief that has become even stronger post his heart attack. Harper often advises people to 'listen to their body' and trust its signals if something doesn't seem right.
Six weeks prior to his cardiac event, he had overlooked a fainting spell at the gym. Despite experiencing bouts of dizziness and modulating his exercise routines to keep nausea at bay, he neglected these serious warnings. Recalling an incident just days before his heart attack, Harper says, "I was compelled to abandon a CrossFit session as I was extremely dizzy, which upset me greatly. I found myself on all fours on a New York street due to severe dizziness." Now, looking back, he realizes he should have paid heed to his body's distress signals and insisted with doctors, who dismissed his symptoms as vertigo, that something was seriously off-kilter.
Harper's story serves as a reminder for us to re-evaluate our own objectives. Pursuing perfection or trying to excel in everything is a futile endeavor that can lead to disappointment, as Harper points out. This is something he has had to reinforce continually as he regains the strength he lost during his recovery period. "I'm slowly getting my strength back, and I must accept it because the alternative is feeling terrible about myself," Harper asserts. "And that's simply not worth it anymore."
Renowned fitness coach, Bob Harper, underwent a significant shift in his approach to health and fitness following his heart attack. His new mantra became "being present" or as his cherished bracelet quotes, "be here now". Acknowledging that life's events can take unexpected turns, he stresses the importance of appreciating one's current position rather than constantly chasing the next big thing.
If you're experiencing exhaustion or if the joy of fitness has faded for you, Harper encourages a return to fundamental workouts. He shares, "I'm re-exploring working out, and it's been quite enjoyable." Despite being a CrossFit enthusiast, he also incorporates SoulCycle and hot yoga into his routine. "I despised yoga," he confesses. "But my aversion was mostly due to competitive factors. I'd get frustrated because I couldn't perform half the poses as 'Miss Cirque du Soleil' in the room. But now? I don't really mind."
Harper's brush with mortality has equipped him with another avenue to make a meaningful impact on people. His attention is now focused on assisting heart attack survivors like himself. This initiative is facilitated through his collaboration with Survivors Have Heart, an AstraZeneca-founded movement dedicated to post-attack care for survivors grappling with emotions and experiences Harper can relate to such as fear, bewilderment, vulnerability, and feeling out of sorts. For the consecutive second year, Harper and Survivors Have Heart are uniting to organize multi-day events across different cities, bringing together survivors, caregivers, and community members. The purpose of these events is to foster greater understanding and curiosity about heart disease and post-heart attack recovery. Consequently, this awareness will serve to assist patients and their loved ones in managing their altered lives.