Learning to Live with Balance
For most of my life, I have chased achievement. Whether it was in the Navy, in the hospital, or in my own personal goals, I was driven by a desire to succeed. I wanted to be the best husband, father, nurse anesthetist, and leader I could be. But at some point, I realized that chasing success is not the same as living with purpose. True fulfillment doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from becoming whole.
To live as a complete man, you have to find balance between the mind, body, and spirit. These three areas are deeply connected. When one is neglected, the others eventually suffer. It took me years of trial, reflection, and faith to understand that taking care of my body without feeding my spirit, or focusing on faith while ignoring mental health, leaves something missing.
Strength for the Body
God designed our bodies with incredible potential. They can endure, adapt, and heal in ways that reflect His creation. But we have to take care of them intentionally. For me, physical fitness has always been part of my life, from my days as a college athlete to my time in the Navy. Even now, I still run, lift, and coach my son’s flag football and soccer teams. Exercise keeps me grounded and gives me clarity when life feels chaotic.
Taking care of the body is not just about looking fit. It’s about stewardship. The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. That truth motivates me to treat my body with respect, not as a project for vanity but as a vessel for service. I work out because I want to be strong enough to serve my family, my church, and my patients.
Physical strength also builds mental toughness. When you push through a hard workout, you’re training yourself to face challenges with endurance. Every repetition and every mile are small lessons in perseverance. I often tell my son that strength is not about lifting the most weight; it’s about refusing to quit when things get hard. That’s the kind of lesson that carries into every part of life.
Peace for the Mind
Taking care of the mind is just as important as training the body. In my years as a Navy nurse and now as a CRNA, I’ve seen how stress can consume people when they don’t take time to rest and reflect. The medical field is intense. The pressure to perform perfectly can weigh on you, and if you don’t have healthy ways to release it, it starts to show in your thoughts, your relationships, and your faith.
For me, mental peace comes from structure and stillness. I try to build small rhythms into my day that protect my focus. Sometimes that’s a quiet moment in the morning before the day starts, or a walk outside after work to clear my head. I’ve learned that mental health doesn’t always require big solutions; it starts with small acts of awareness.
When life gets busy, I remind myself to be present. Too many men live constantly distracted, worrying about what’s next instead of appreciating what’s now. Being present with my family, listening to my son, or having an unhurried conversation with my wife are moments that bring my mind back to peace.
I also believe that men need to talk more openly about mental struggles. Faith doesn’t mean we never feel anxious or exhausted. It means we bring those feelings to God and allow Him to renew our strength. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious but to pray and present our requests to God, and that His peace will guard our hearts and minds. I’ve experienced that truth firsthand. Prayer and quiet time in Scripture help me reset when stress starts to build.
Growth for the Spirit
The spirit is the core of who we are. Without spiritual growth, everything else eventually feels hollow. You can have success, health, and even happiness, but if your soul isn’t anchored in something eternal, it doesn’t last.
My faith has always been the compass that directs my life. Serving in the Church of Eleven 22 has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. Through discipleship, prayer, and ministry, I’ve learned that spiritual health isn’t just about personal devotion. It’s about connection—connection to God, to others, and to the purpose He designed for you.
Every week, I meet with a group of men who are committed to becoming better husbands, fathers, and followers of Christ. We hold each other accountable, pray together, and talk about real struggles. That community strengthens my spirit more than any sermon or book ever could. We remind each other that spiritual growth takes time, humility, and honesty.
Worship and service also keep my faith active. Whether it’s teaching in the kids’ ministry, praying for people in need, or volunteering on the Care Team, serving reminds me that faith isn’t just a belief, it’s an action. It’s how we reflect God’s love in everyday life.
Living with Purpose
When the mind, body, and spirit are in balance, purpose becomes clear. You start to see your life not as a collection of tasks but as a mission. Every choice, from how you treat your health to how you speak to others, becomes an act of worship.
Purpose-driven living means aligning your daily habits with your values. It’s waking up with gratitude, working with integrity, and resting with peace. For me, that looks like staying consistent in my faith, making time for family, keeping my body strong, and mentoring others in both my profession and my church.
Living with purpose also means recognizing that perfection is not the goal. Balance is not a destination but a rhythm. Some days, the body needs more attention. Other days, the spirit needs rest or the mind needs renewal. The key is staying aware and keeping Christ at the center of it all.
The Reward of Wholeness
The world often tells men to measure success by money, power, or recognition. But the older I get, the more I realize that real success looks like peace. It’s knowing who you are in Christ, being healthy enough to serve others, and having a clear mind and steady heart no matter what comes your way.
Being a complete man doesn’t mean having it all together. It means striving to live with balance, grace, and gratitude. It means trusting God to shape your character as you strengthen your body and sharpen your mind.
When we learn to nurture all three parts of ourselves, mind, body, and spirit, we become the men God intended us to be: strong, grounded, compassionate, and full of purpose. And that, to me, is the kind of life worth pursuing every single day.