Thread by @ItsKieranDrew

10 years ago, I broke my neck.

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

And my spine bent by 56 degrees.

It was the best thing that ever happened.

Here are 10 life-changing lessons I’ve learned:

I was 18 when I hit rock bottom.

I was a loser. I had terrible anxiety. I was fat. With no friends and no direction.

The diagnosis hit me hard.

The surgery would be 14 hours.

They said I could wake up permanently disabled.

Or not wake up at all.

On D-Day, I was shit scared.

I said goodbye to my mum & rolled into the OR

But something changed then

I’d spent my life worrying about pointless shit

Now it was in someone else's hands

& for once:

I felt calm

I learned my first lesson:

Accept what you can’t control.

Recovery was hell.

They’d sliced my skull and fused my neck.

My head pounded harder than Mike Tyson looking to score.

I couldn’t sleep.

I couldn’t even shit without help.

I had 9 months to recover for uni.

You find out who you are through the challenges you face.

I’m not going to lie,

At points, I wanted to die.

But these lows are what I’m most grateful for.

It was a catalyst for change.

I found philosophy. I had a choice:

Rise or fall. Quit or win.

You are responsible to choose the best response.

I saw something amazing back then.

Not in me - my mum.

I was hooked on painkillers. Irritable. Demanding.

I was a dick.

But she showed me how a person should be:

Selfless. Understanding. Supportive.

I vowed to be the same.

Nothing feels as good as progress.

My 1st walk
My 1st shower
My 1st unassisted shit

When a challenge feels impossible, small wins are essential.

It’s easy to forget them, but they stack up to great things.

Use them as fuel.

I recovered.

But I wasn’t the same.

I had 0 interest in normality.

In being the same loser.

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

My doctor said it would be tough.

It was.

I fell in love.

Choose the harder path and you’ll be rewarded for it

Unfortunately, the fun wasn’t over.

I needed another surgery.

My spine had bent by 56 degrees.

Wonky AF.

I squeezed it into a holiday. I didn’t want life to stop.

The best bit?

I got 2 inches taller.

A blessing at 5”9 lol.

There’s always a positive angle. Find it.

I graduated.

I wasn’t talented.

But I was determined.

I worked 2 jobs. 6 days/week. Became one of the highest earners for my age.

You can push your limits further than you think

And I had a point to prove to myself

You can always be the hardest working person in the room.

I was ‘killing it’,

But not enjoying it.

In fact, I hated it.

Most people don’t question the rat race. Money blinds you to what matters:

Making an impact.

Feeling fulfilled.

Doing something great.

I listened to @naval.

& life changed again.

I’d always wanted to write.

Reaching millions with an idea is fascinating.

Last year, I thought fuck it.

Why not?

Weekends. Weeknights. Mornings. Every spare minute.

I still had both jobs.

Last month, I quit those jobs.

Don’t settle for a career you’re not crazy about.

Last one my brothers & sisters.

I’m figuring out life one word at a time.

But:

My doctor said my tumour could return.

Nothing like a ticking time bomb to remind you to live.

So, if you have a vision, go after it. Build your purpose. You get one shot.

Make it count.

Thanks for reading my story. I'd appreciate a RT on #1 if you enjoyed it.

I'm sharing everything I learn about building a career writing online.

Come along: @ItsKieranDrew.

P.S.

I wrote a workbook on understanding your purpose. It's free 👇

purpose-workbook.carrd.co

TL;DR

Life-threatening surgery leads to a life-changing transformation.

Advice on how to pursue your potential.

Got more metal in my body than wolverine.

& life is good.