I have faced numerous challenges in my life, digging myself into deep holes and then finding my way out again at the other end of the tunnel. Some tunnels were long, dark, and frightening. Many people say it's karma, and perhaps it is. Ultimately, however, it was my decision to engage in activities I knew could be dangerous. I take full responsibility for my actions.

Take my near-fatal bicycle accident, for example, which marked the beginning of my 10-year health roller coaster. I woke up in the ICU after spending 17 days in a coma, so weak that I couldn't even hold a spoon, let alone sit unsupported or walk. Determined to regain my strength, I seized the opportunity to start small, using the TV remote as a makeshift weight for strength training.

People often ask what motivates me in situations like this. It's hard to pinpoint, but something inside me drives me to recognize and seize opportunities, regardless of bleak circumstances.

I am a very analytical person. I assess each situation and strive to find ways to improve it. My approach involves experimenting with whatever resources I have available. During my hospital stay, it became clear that progress would come in tiny steps, a little bit every day. Patience and consistency were the key, and it ultimately paid off. After 63 days in the hospital, I had regained enough strength to be discharged. 

At home, the practice continued. I had to regain my ability to walk normally and without help. My daily training involved several sets of two minutes of assisted walking, three minutes of rest, and so on. Gradually, I could walk without assistance, covering longer distances and moving faster.

At a later stage, I attempted jogging, but lingering lung damage prevented me from continuing. Eventually, I returned to cycling, but I never got as fit as I was before my accident. Still, it was good to be doing something I loved.

It is in my nature never to give up until I have to. As long as I'm breathing and able to think, there is always a chance to improve my situation.

That's, in a nutshell, how I recovered and returned to a seemingly normal life after my bicycle accident. Next week, I will share the story of how I escaped death for a second time.