When I was a baby, I was diagnosed with Benign Congenital hypotonia, often called “floppy baby syndrome.” This is a condition that causes low muscle tone, making movement difficult and sometimes delaying physical milestones like crawling and walking. My pediatrician told my mom that I would never be an athlete. He set limits for my future before I was even old enough to understand what movement really meant.
Thankfully, my mom didn’t want me to be held back unnecessarily. She wanted me to realize my full potential. Instead of keeping me on the sidelines, she signed me up for horseback riding lessons at the age of six. Riding helped me develop strength, coordination, and confidence. I rode through college, and along the way, I discovered my love for running. From running, I moved into lifting weights, practicing yoga, and ultimately building a career dedicated to movement and health.
What if my mom had listened to that doctor?
How often do we let someone else’s words define what we think we are capable of? Too often, we hear “you can’t” or “you won’t” and accept it as truth. But I’m here to tell you—it’s not.
April is Move More Month, a time to celebrate movement in all forms. Maybe you’ve been told you’re not athletic, you’re too old to start something new, or that exercise just isn’t for you. I challenge you to question that. Movement isn’t about proving someone wrong—it’s about proving to yourself that you are stronger, more capable, and more resilient than you realize.
If my mom had listened to that pediatrician, I wouldn’t have found the joy and strength that movement has brought into my life. So, if someone has ever told you that you can’t, I encourage you to move forward anyway. Take that first step, try that new activity, and give yourself the chance to redefine what’s possible.
This Move More Month, don’t let someone else’s limitations define you. Keep moving, keep pushing, and most importantly—keep believing in what you can do.
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