Mindset Before Surgery

Before my open heart surgery, I realized something very important. You can’t always control the situation, but you can control how you prepare mentally for it.

There were definitely moments of fear, uncertainty, and a lot of unknowns. What helped me most was going back to the same mindset tools I’ve taught athletes, executives, and teams for years.

The first thing I focused on was deep breathing. Slowing my breathing down helped calm my body and clear my mind when things started speeding up emotionally.

Visualization also became important. I kept picturing myself getting through surgery successfully, recovering, and getting back to the people and moments I love most. I thought about sitting at home with my dog Puffins, enjoying the simple things we often take for granted.

Meditation helped me stay present. Instead of thinking too far ahead or getting lost in fear, I focused on one moment at a time, one breath at a time.

Positive self talk mattered too. I reminded myself that fear is normal, but belief still matters. I kept telling myself to trust the process, trust the people helping me, and trust my mindset.

Most importantly, I leaned into gratitude. I thought about family, relationships, purpose, and all the things still worth fighting for. That mindset helped carry me through some very difficult moments.

These tools did not remove the challenge, but they helped me face it with more calm, clarity, and strength.