How breaking my back changed my life
It's never too late to get fit and strong
26 Years Since My Back Broke And My Life Opened
Twenty-six years ago today, I broke my back.
A single moment while travelling in Australia that changed the whole direction of my life.
There were times I genuinely believed I’d never walk again. Times when the pain, the fear, and the sense of injustice felt too much to carry. But what I didn’t know then was that this accident would quietly reshape everything I thought I understood about my life and also where I was headed.
The accident, and the thought that I might be paralysed, made me step back and see things very differently:
Is this really that important?
Are these worries worth it?
My friends are they actually my people?
Things that once felt heavy no longer seemed quite so significant.
That day sparked a lifelong habit of questioning, questioning the norm, questioning expectations, questioning the stories I’d grown up with. I stopped accepting the script handed to me. The road after that wasn’t the easiest, and it isn’t the easiest now, but it’s the most truthful.
Since then, I’ve stayed health-conscious, aware of my body, and more emotionally tuned-in. It’s ongoing work. You don’t arrive at a final point. There’s no finish line. The aim, I think, is to make this journey sustainable, so you don’t feel like you’re constantly overdoing it or falling behind.
What’s the key? For me, it comes down to finding habits that support me, creating and maintaining routines that let me live in a body that feels good most of the time.
Of course there are slower days, lower-energy days, days when my mind isn’t as sharp but that’s normal (especially for women mid forties). We need both the quieter seasons and the brighter ones.
And now, somehow, here I am at 44, fitter than I’ve ever been. I’m stronger in every sense physically, emotionally, and mentally.
I’m here, doing the work, in a body that shows up for me, pain-free. Running marathons. Lifting heavy weights. Touching my toes. Enjoying knees that work. I look after my body and build it to be resilient.
I protect my heart too. I’m more careful with it now, letting in only the people I trust.
And my mind, after years of working on peace, I think I understand it better. There’s less conflict, more cooperation. It’s a mind that copes.
Most importantly, I’m kind to myself. That’s been the biggest change, and the greatest gift. Do I still struggle? Yes, of course. Mum guilt and imposter syndrome crop up from time to time. But I live with a greater sense of ease.
It’s a life filled with gratitude. Whether I’m sprinting like my life depends on it, or in the quieter moments, waking up and wriggling my toes, it’s all one big gift.
If this post resonates, or you know someone that would benefit from it, share it on your socials and let's spread the feel good vibes.
With heartfelt thanks, Laura
