Monday. Monday’s come and go but this ordinary Monday would forever change the destination I was bound for. Six months after my son had left for the Navy. A year after my scare with breast cancer. Mark was 53 and I was 50. It was the day that forever changed the way I would look at life and live. It was Monday. A mere 40 minutes had passed since Mark set out for his run when I heard the door swing open, followed by a heavy thud and a guttural sound. Rushing to the kitchen, I was met with a harrowing sight—Mark in the throes of convulsions, his complexion ashen, fingers clenched. Frantic, I dialed 911 and attempted CPR, but shock had me in its grip. The paramedics arrived swiftly, attending to him with urgency. As they loaded him onto the stretcher, I mustered the courage to ask if he would be alright. Their response was gentle but grave, 'Ma’am, he’s not breathing on his own, but we will do the best we can.' Numb, I followed to the hospital, led to that dreaded sitting area I knew all too well—the one that silently signaled the end. There, in the starkness of that room, the finality hit me: My husband, at 53, was gone. The time was short between adjusting my life to a new normal and being thrown into two more family tragedies. The following October my brother’s wife of 34 years died suddenly and my daddy died that same year on New Year’s Eve. It was a rough year for lack of words to describe it. I lost my mom last year and I miss her so much. So much transpired within me over the last years that changed me completely that I wrote a book about it. The book is called Sweet Strength, Seaside Awakening. One of the reasons that I wrote a book is a week before Mark died, he said, “Linda you need to write a book.” I said, “Mark, what am I going to write a book about?” He said, “Linda, you are such a great writer, and you have a lot of life experiences, write a book.” So, one it is to honor my husband and two it is to inspire others to know that if you have a heartbeat you have a purpose. What helped me survive all this tragedy was keeping my body healthy and strong, eating the right foods, and helping others by personal training and coaching. Helping others enabled me to recycle my pain to inspire others to hope. Keeping my mind positive and learning to find the treasure in the trash. The Sweet Strength that comes from within. The stronger I was in the gym, the more I was able to live my life and not let grief, self-pity or depression define who I am. The more I helped others, the stronger I became. Before that Mark passed, I decided that I would start personal training again. I was a trainer years ago. I have always loved fitness and been heavily involved in continuing to stay attuned with the industry and working out myself. I also wanted to become a health coach and life coach, so I pursued and received those credentials through certifications and, of course, got re-certified as a personal trainer. On my way to having my own business career, I was excited. All I needed was a name for my new venture. The memory is etched in my heart—the moment Mark coined the name of my business during a leisurely walk with our dogs along the oceanfront. He suggested a few options, none of which resonated with me. I was looking for a name that embodied femininity and resilience. That's when he said, 'How about Sweet Strength? Because you are both sweet and strong.' It brought an instant smile to my face, and I knew it was the one. 'That's perfect. I love it,' I replied. Little did we know then how much that Sweet Strength would be my pillar in the challenging years that followed. But in ways we often don't foresee, God knew. He always does, laying the groundwork for what lies ahead. After Mark passed away, I stood at a crossroads. I could either be consumed by my grief, the financial turmoil, and the sweeping changes, or I could choose to forge a new path and discover a 'new normal.' I chose the latter. I embraced the waves by learning to surf. I took the reins of my professional life, establishing an LLC, and securing the trademark for Sweet Strength. At 53, I competed in my first Master Figure Competition and went on to participate in three more. Seeking a new beginning, I moved to a new city, immersed myself in Toastmasters, authored a book, and ventured out of the country solo for the first time. Today, I stand as the proud sole proprietor of Sweet Strength Fitness/Wellness Studio in Mount Pleasant, SC. Life has also blessed me with a new partnership; I'm remarried to a man I knew from high school, who now works with me at the Studio, and I've welcomed two stepchildren into my life. My son, Robert, is serving in the Army, which fills me with immense pride. I often say this: When you face the mirror, if you see a body that's neglected and a spirit that's weary, you'll find that when life's inevitable challenges arise, it will be harder to rise again—it may take a long time. But if you've fostered strength and vitality within your body and mind, you'll be well-equipped. Then, even when life tries to pull you under, you'll have the resilience to construct the steps that elevate you to new heights. Everyone says “Linda, you are so strong, inspirational, positive and optimistic.” My response, “I work at it every day, because I made the choice I wanted to live and give to others.” It takes work, but it’s worth it, and it will be for you, too. If I can do it, so can you.