My life: where it all began
Hello there,
My name is Paulius, but everyone calls me Paul. If you’ve found your way to this blog, you might share the same heart condition I have. If not, and you’re here out of curiosity, stick around – my story might still inspire you.
I was born in Panevezys, the fifth-largest city in Lithuania, a small country in Eastern Europe. These names might not mean much to you, but they’re significant to me because I’m proud of my roots. From an early age, I fell in love with playing ball. Unlike other kids, I didn’t just kick or throw it around; I would hurl it against the walls, much to my parents’ dismay. To save our home from more damage, my parents got me a small hoop, and that’s when basketball became my passion.
At age six, my dad enrolled me in a local basketball academy. Initially, the practices were light and infrequent, serving more as a way to keep kids active. But for me, basketball quickly became an obsession. I eagerly anticipated practices, loved playing with friends, and spent hours watching NBA, Lithuanian league, and Euroleague games. My dream was to make it to the NBA, a dream so vivid it often kept me up at night.
However, when I was 12, the intensity of our training sessions increased from three times a week to five. In Lithuania, young athletes are required to undergo regular health checkups. During one of these, a doctor discovered an abnormality in my heart – I had two aortic valves instead of the usual three. As a child, I thought this made me special, but soon realized it was a serious condition.
By 13, I started seeing a cardiologist annually. It was during one of these visits that I received devastating news: I wouldn’t be able to pursue professional basketball. This was a crushing blow to my dreams.
Despite this, I continued playing basketball. Regular checkups showed my heart was stable, but as I grew older, doctors advised against weightlifting to avoid putting extra strain on my heart. I kept playing basketball but without weight training, I became physically weaker compared to my peers who were lifting weights. This made it harder to keep up, and eventually, I decided to quit basketball.
I then turned to weightlifting to stay in shape. I researched safe practices for my condition but found little information. So, I became my own experiment, testing various techniques to see if they would affect my heart. After a year of lifting, a checkup revealed that my heart was unchanged. The techniques had worked.
Inspired by this success, I decided to create a community for others like me. Through this platform, I share my experiences and teach the techniques that have helped me safely pursue my passion for fitness.
Despite this setback, I continued my basketball career with unwavering determination. I diligently attended my checkups, and each time, I was relieved to hear that my heart remained stable. However, as I grew older, doctors advised me to avoid lifting weights because it could harm my heart. Undeterred, I still played basketball, but without the strength training my peers were doing, I found myself at a disadvantage. I was weaker on the court, and keeping up with my stronger teammates became increasingly difficult. Eventually, I made the heartbreaking decision to quit basketball.
Transitioning to weightlifting became my new goal, not just to stay in shape but to reclaim a sense of control over my body and my future. Determined to make this work, I delved into research, seeking safe practices for someone with my heart condition. Yet, I found little reliable information. Faced with a lack of guidance, I decided to use myself as a test subject. I meticulously tried out different techniques, monitoring how each one affected my heart.
After a year of consistent weightlifting, I went for another checkup. My heart was unchanged. The techniques I had developed worked. This was more than a personal victory; it was a revelation. It showed that with careful planning and determination, I could safely pursue my passion for fitness.
Feeling empowered and inspired by this discovery, I decided to create a community for others like me. I wanted to share my journey, my struggles, and the techniques that allowed me to lift weights safely. I wanted to be a beacon of hope for those facing similar challenges. Through this platform, I share my experiences and teach others the methods that worked for me.
My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit. Despite the obstacles, I found a way to turn my passion into a reality. If you’re facing similar challenges, know that you’re not alone. There is always a way forward, and sometimes the greatest limitations can become the source of your greatest strengths. Together, we can build a community that supports and uplifts each other, proving that no dream is too big and no obstacle too great. Keep pushing, keep believing, and remember that your story is still being written.
