Heading to Georgia With a Few Less Teeth Than I had a Week Ago

So there I was, playing in one last meaningless hockey game just five (5) days before flying to Georgia to start my trek on the Appalachian Trail…and what happens? Well, if you guessed that I took a stick directly to my mouth, breaking and/or damaging several of my teeth then you guessed correctly…and of course I car-pooled to the game so instead of immediately trying to find a dentist to repair my face, I sat alone in the locker room and waited for the game to end.

Reality Setting In

As I sat there alone, I began to think about how my hike was over before it even started. I quickly tried to erase that thought from my mind and instead, I thought about how irresponsible it was of me to not wear a mouth guard or a cage…a pretty tough lesson to learn as it turns out. I also thought about how pissed my dentist would be when I called to give him the good news. Turns out my dentist wasn’t too upset with me and made quick plans to get me home and get my face repaired.

Overcoming Adversity

During my time in the Marine Corps I was taught many things, like how to make a bed to insanely strict regulations, how to shoot a machine gun, how to throw a grenade, and various other things you would expect to see in Call of Duty. More importantly, I was taught to never give up and to adapt to any situation and overcome any adversity. This warrior type mindset has gotten me through some pretty tough times in life, so losing a few teeth was just another bump in the road. My body was fine, my mind was healthy, and I was going to Georgia no matter what!

What’s Next?

Thanks to Dr. Paul and Dr. Mark, my face is temporarily repaired, and I am heading to Georgia just like I planned. Life is not always easy and the path to success is often met with many obstacles along the way. How you respond in the face of adversity is what makes the difference. So remember to never get down on yourself and to make the best of any situation. Life is a gift and making the most of it with the time you have is time well spent in my book. Next time you hear from me, I’ll be on trail heading northbound from Springer Mountain!

‘Til next time!