 12 years ago, I broke my neck.

Then doctors found a brain tumour at the base of my skull.

And my spine bent by over 56 degrees.

It was the best time of my life.

Here’re 10 incredible lessons I learned:

 “There’s a problem.”

My mum & I stared at the doctor, x-rays spread across the table. The silence
stretched seconds into what felt like hours.

I’d just had a scan for a bending spine – serious, but not life-threatening.

A problem was bad news.

 Before that moment, I was an overweight, anxious, pessimistic kid with a terrible
outlook.

But I left the hospital with a real reason to complain.

A broken neck.

A growing neurological tumour.

The need for 20+ hours of surgery with the potential of permanent disability.

 On D-Day, I was terrified.

So was my mum.

But I’d spent my life as a victim. Now it was in the doctor's hands. I wanted to
brave, so I laughed and joked as I went in.

And I've not stopped since.

You can’t control what happens.

But you can always control your response.

 I woke up in agony.

They’d sliced my neck. Cut away my skull. Hammered my spine with pins. Then
 stitched me back together. I couldn’t move or sleep.

It was the worst, longest night of my life.

And a great reminder of an easily forgotten truth:

Things could always be worse.

 After 3 weeks, I came home.

I was hooked on morphine. Irritable. Demanding.

A dick.

But I saw something amazing from my mum.

She never complained. She was selfless, encouraging, & supportive.

I vowed to be the same to everyone in my life.

Character is a choice.

 The 1st month was hell.

I couldn’t take a shit or shower without help. I felt hopeless. But if you face a big
challenge, break it down.

Take it a day at a time.

Small wins stack fast, and the difference between impossible and probable is the
timeframe we view it in.

 I didn't want to be a loser anymore.

I found a truth I later heard from @naval: “We have two lives, and the second
begins when we realize we only have one.”

With my stiff neck and fat ass, I hit the gym.

If you don't like a situation, it's on you to do something about it.

 I recovered and graduated as a dentist.

I'd never been talented, but I wanted success.

So I gave it my all. Worked 2 jobs. Became one of the best earners for my age.
 You can’t choose how gifted you are.

But you can always be the hardest working person in the room.

 It was a mistake.

I thought success was how rich you looked. On paper I was killing it. 6 figures.
Doctor Drew. Parents proud.

But inside, I was killing myself.

Stressed 24/7.

Anxious.

Exhausted.

I don't care how much money you make, if you're not happy - it isn't enough.

 I always wanted to write.

But I was still working 6 days a week. So every early morning, lunch and weekend
I studied the skill.

16 months later, I quit dentistry to go all in.

Life's too short to spend it climbing the wrong mountain.

 I'm terrified of taking action.

But my neck taught me fear is much worse in imagination than reality. And it's
exciting as hell to bet on yourself. Now I have my dream business.

Last week my girlfriend quit her 9-5 to become a partner.

If you want the reward, take the risk.

 Last one my friends.

My doctor said the tumour could return.

There’s nothing like a ticking time bomb to remind you to live.

Trust me:
 Be a good friend. Care for your loved ones. Do something exciting. Pursue a
worthwhile purpose.

You get one shot - make it count.

 Thanks for reading!