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A few months after Matthew’s birth, we were celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family in Massachusetts. I went outdoors to play soccer with a 7-year-old nephew. Within 5 minutes I was bent over, holding my knees, out of breath. I felt pathetic. And when I went indoors, I did some family math. I'll be 60 when Matthew graduates high school, if I can make it that long. My mom’s mom died of cancer in her 40’s; my mom died of cancer at 63. My dad’s dad died in his 50’s, and my dad got his first cancer diagnosis at age 61. My family history isn’t encouraging. To be with my son Matthew for concerts and games, his first date and his last day of high school, I needed to make some changes in my life. Immediately.

My history of “work outs” had been a random yoga class and a little physical therapy after back surgery. I’d avoided gyms, workout videos and weights. I asked a colleague at work to loan me a DVD so I could try out exercise in private, where no one could see me fail.  At five o’clock in the morning — December 2, 2012 — I slipped downstairs in the dark and put in the borrowed video. In two minutes, I was exhausted. I tried to stand up after struggling with a few pathetic few push-ups, and I was both sweating and crying. I thought about quitting. Then I thought about Matthew. I straightened up, pushed the button for the DVD to resume, and I plowed on, loving my son more than I hated my pain.

It was a defining moment for me. I’ve not been a disciplined guy. I have a history of quitting when things aren’t easy — and never mind the things I never started because they seemed too hard. That cold December morning I limped through the exercises but I finished the Disc I headed for the shower. The next morning I was up in the dark again, doing it again. My first lesson was that jumping jacks are more fun when you aren’t bawling.

Early in 2013, I added running; before long, I added Matthew to the runs in a jogging stroller Since then I’ve finished exercise routines, 5k runs, even a half marathon. The guy who couldn’t keep up with a 7-year-old’s soccer ball in the backyard is a 5-time survivor the Warrior Dash. The shock in all this? I’ve had fun. Matthew’s part of the training. And he was in my wife’s arms, cheering for me as I tearfully crossed the finish line of my first Tough Mudder.

My weight today is a healthy 190 pounds. No cigarettes, and better decisions with my food. My wife Jen not only supported my changes; she now joins Matthew and me in working out as often as she can. Matthew is a 3-year-old who loves to run and he is a big fan of yoga. He is learning a healthy lifestyle – seeing it firsthand.

Having experienced what all this can mean for our family, and for me, I made a decision to become a certified Fitness Trainer. I’m not sure where this will lead. My career has always been about helping and serving others. If I can help others change the quality and length of their lives, I’d be thrilled.