I own a gym in Massapequa Park, NY. We opened in January 2020. We had a client whose name is Sherri. She was one of my pre-OGs from 6 months before I opened my studio. Sherri was part of a small group of people we invited to come train with us 3 days per week at 5:30am. It gave my untested coaches an opportunity to learn how to coach boot camps to real people. It gave us a way to hone our skills and bring an amazing experience when we opened months later to a massive grand opening.

     Sherri, last year, was diagnosed with cancer. She was out for a few months. She returned and worked out hard. I saw real improvement. Everyday, she seemed to look better and get stronger.

     At one of her check-ups, she was given the news that the cancer has returned and had to leave once again to resume treatment. Sherri passed away on this day, Wednesday April 27, 2022. 

     One wonders and asks the question, why this can happen to someone who lived such a healthy life and worked hard to stay fit. The truth is that we don’t know. Who knows why this can happen to someone like Sherri? Then, you can have a person that smokes, drinks and abuses their body and lives to the ripe old age of 80. Who knows why but it happens? There is no guarantee that any of us will be here on earth even tomorrow. Working out and eating healthy is an infinite game we play and is a constant battle to keep death at a respectable distance. What I can guaranty is if you take care of yourself, eat healthy and exercise, you will have a much greater quality of life while you are here on earth. You will put yourself in the position of living longer. The healthier and longer you live, the greater the chances of delivering to your loved ones the legacy you dreamed of. The longer you live the better your chances of achieving all your goals, hopes and dreams.

     In Western culture, the dragon is a symbol of terror, fear, destruction, death, and chaos. In the Asian culture, the dragon is a symbol of strength, vitality, fortune, health and longevity.

If I know Sherri, as long she has a breath left in her, she will continue to fight like a dragon.

For all of us as well, if we are lucky enough to open our eyes and wake up in the morning, we should fight like dragons until the end.

“..Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

~ Dylan Thomas