I know I said I would begin my new series today, but I thought perspective would make a huge difference on how you digest the next 9 days. I mentioned that my life is a second chance and that I would not be alive without one.

Many of you know my story by now, but for those of you who don’t I wanted to share the following images:

Before and After my life saving surgery in 2006

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease as a 13 year old. I suffered in silence for 13 years until my disease nearly claimed my life. My second chance came on March 30, 2006 when my life was spared and my passion was born! I found my purpose on the other side of change and my 2nd chance has been better than I could have ever imagined. Over the last 9 years I have transformed my body from hospital patient to semi-professional triathlete. My personal mission statement now is to encourage and inspire others to see change as a blessing and not a burden.

For more on my personal story, http://bo-parrish.com/my-story/ but for the purpose of this blog series, let me leave you today with this thought:

Wherever you are today, you can change it but you have to do something different. SEEK OUT A SECOND CHANCE AND START OVER NOW…..

Ironman Florida 2013