No matter what your plans are, sometimes life has something else in store.
Michael Stanger, a 31-year-old from South Weber, Utah, seemingly had it all – a steady job as an insurance agent, two kids and a wife he loved dearly.
Until one unexpected day when his wife, Enedina, started to get dizzy spells. Then muscle spasms. And they wouldn’t go away.
She soon received a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder which affects the body’s collagen.
“The glue that holds my body together,” she said, “just doesn’t hold and everything is kind of… falling apart.”
About six or seven months after her diagnosis, she was confined to a wheelchair. The prognosis was not good. Ehlers-Danlos is usually a terminal condition.
“I never expected to talk about my wife’s death so much,” said Michael. “But she could die so it is pretty much a constant fear.”
Michael became Enedina’s full-time caregiver. Part of that involved having to move her around, and even carry her on his back up and down the stairs.
At the time, he was 185 pounds with a large belly and really no muscle tone to speak of.
So he started working out. In order to carry his wife and otherwise help her, Michael began an intense period of exercise.
Soon enough, he’d dropped about 30 pounds and gained quite a bit of muscle.
Around that time, he saw an episode of American Ninja Warrior. This NBC hit features an incredibly difficult obstacle course and the best contestants are usually professional athletes, rock climbers and parkour experts.
Michael – who is none of those – was a fan of the show. Watching it one day, he realized that he might actually have a chance to compete, and maybe even win.
There are two ways to get on the show: an invitation from the producers or a selection as a walk-on.
Michael submitted an audition video but did not receive an invitation. So the entire Stanger family got into the car and drive 23 hours, from Utah to Missouri, for the Kansas City walk-ons.
He stood in the walk-on line for eight days.
Eventually he was selected.
“We’ve learned to live every day as if it’s out last,” he said. “Not to put off our goals and our dreams and our passions to tomorrow – because tomorrow might never come.”
Win or lose, Michael is a hero to us. In the face of uncertainty, he’s setting and reaching goals. While we can’t always control what life hands us, we can always choose to face adversity with determination and bravery.
Michael was on Tuesday’s episode of American Ninja Warrior. This is the first round, with winners moving on to round two later in the summer. So, how did he do? Check it out for yourself…
If you’d like to learn more about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and even help find a cure, please visit the Ehlers-Danlos Network.
Want to work out like Michael? Check out his online coaching page.
