Mind-Body Therapy is as important to managing a multiple myeloma diagnosis as it is to excelling in athletics.
A blog post about what Tom Brady has in common with a long-term multiple myeloma survivor !? On the surface you might not think that Tom Brady and I have much in common. Dig deeper and you will see our shared interest in mind-body therapy. After all:
- I’m not a world class athlete,
- I’ve never won a Superbowl,
- I’m not worth millions,
- I don’t have a full head of hair, or a strong arm, or a cleft chin, or…you get the idea.
But we do agree on something more important than athletics, money, or good looks. We agree that mental health is every bit as important as physical health. More importantly we agree on how to reach and maintain physical and mental health.
FOXBORO, MA. – JANUARY 4: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots signals to his team during the second quarter of the Wild Card game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 4, 2020 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
Tom is an NFL quarterback with a long and growing list of accolades. “Brady has been awarded three Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XLIX) and two league MVP awards (2007 and 2010), has been selected to 12 Pro Bowls, and has led his team to more division titles (14) than any other quarterback in NFL history.”
You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t wonder how Tom reached the height of NFL football. While Tom is talking about the Super Bowl below he may as well be talking about my approach to being a multiple myeloma survivor.
I am both a multiple myeloma survivor of an incurable cancer and a MM coach. If you would like to learn more about being a MM survivor too, scroll down the page, post a question or a comment and I will reply to you ASAP.
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
TOM BRADY ON THE MIND OF A CHAMPION
“1) You are going to the Super Bowl for a record 7th time. Getting there is as much a mental feat as it is a physical one. What is your secret for staying mentally fit?
Tom Brady: I feel the mind and body must work together. I believe just as strongly in the importance of mental fitness as I do about physical fitness. For me, mental fitness comes from a combination of activities and choices. I perform cognitive exercises (which are available to anyone at TB12.BrainHQ.com) that help me stay sharp and make better split-second decisions on the field. And I prioritize getting enough rest to allow my body to recover. And I strive to keep a positive mental attitude at all times.
2) There is so much noise going into a football season. Double that for a Super Bowl. How do you maintain a focused mind when the world is trying to distract you?
Brady: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a big game or event — after these many years I’ve learned to ignore the noise! For me, having a regular routine is very helpful. That means establishing a consistent bedtime and getting an adequate amount of good-quality sleep every night, and carving out time for the TB12 BrainHQ cognitive exercises that help me focus my mind on the most critical information and disregard the rest.
3) How important is the food you eat, the people around you and the environment that you exist in?
Brady: I believe that what we get out of our bodies is a direct result of what we put in. I (mostly) follow a plant-based diet of whole foods that helps my body stay in balance and limits additional inflammation. I try to surround myself with positive people, and I work to minimize distractions whenever possible. My lifestyle has helped me stay physically and mentally fit.
4) Most people never make it to a Super Bowl but many want a clearer, calmer mind. What is one thing that people can do to get there?
Brady: That’s a great question. I think it’s tempting to want to find a quick fix and “one thing” you can do — but I think sustained peak performance can really only be achieved through a combination of things… there’s no silver bullet. The “TB12 Method” I’ve developed in partnership with my body coach brings together the right exercise, nutrition, supplementation, and mental elements into a comprehensive lifestyle that I think can help people of all ages and all levels be their best.
