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    Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

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  • Stress blog

  • Feb. 7, 2009

    Lessons in living strong

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

6 comments posted

What can we learn about stress from a cancer survivor who rides a bicycle for a living? Lance Armstrong has won the Tour de France an unprecedented seven times. This is not simply a bicycle race but a month-long, 2,200-mile trek through France and neighboring countries.

The race tests riders' endurance as they pass from the grueling subtropical sun of Southern France to the subfreezing temperatures of the Pyrenees Mountains. It's been compared to running a marathon several days a week for three weeks straight.

But it wasn't only racing that tested Armstrong. He also faced multiple challenges professionally, medically and personally:

  • A diagnosis of advanced testicular cancer that spread to the brain and multiple lymph nodes. His chances of survival were slim, yet today he is apparently cured of his disease.
  • The betrayal of friends and confidants and blistering attacks accusing him of drug doping. He was subjected to 24/7 drug analysis. If he had refused one of these intrusions, he would have been branded as a cheater.
  • Painful, very public divorce and custody proceedings.
  • Personal attacks by the aristocracy of American and European racing, who were embarrassed that a brash young Texan was able to humiliate the best professional riders in the world.
  • Multiple lawsuits in multiple countries involving complex financial and contractural relationships.

Any one of these issues would have buckled the knees of most individuals, but yet somehow Armstrong has survived. So, how did he do it and what can we learn from him? A couple of things come to mind:

  • A fanatical focus on the task at hand and a meticulous attention to detail. Armstrong scrutinized every mile raced, every calorie consumed, every tactic tried in his pursuit of optimal performance.
  • The gift to eliminate blistering and withering distractions to focus on his goal.
  • Graciousness in the face of adversity and humility in the face of constant attacks on his honesty. And a willingness to be completely transparent. In effect, Armstrong said to the public, "Here I am — I'll take any test because I have done nothing wrong."

So, this extraordinary man from Texas provides us some powerful tactics as we struggle with our own demons and uncertainties.

Have I missed anything in my list? What else can we learn from the Lance Armstrongs of the world?

6 comments posted

blog index

  • February 17, 2009 1:17 p.m.

    Hi Kay: I too have read his books and found inspiartion in each. We each can cultivate resiliency...peace.

    - Dr. Ed

  • February 17, 2009 11:59 a.m.

    Spoken well. Lance's resilency is a phenomenon that we can all reflect upon. Partly because my life was spiraling out of control and reading Lance Armstrongs book, I decided to be a champion. I decided I would make myself do something healthy that I don't inherent enjoy. It has helped me emotionally and physically beyond the space here to describe. I have channeled "my inner Lance Armstrong" over and over again with a walking program. I am now on day 210 consecutive days of walking one hour a day. I have a full time job with community commitments, but I still fit in that hour. Although nothing has changed in my life, I feel like a champion at the age of 50. I stumbled upon this article and was re-inspired to set new goals.

    - Kay

  • February 14, 2009 11:22 p.m.

    In the face of adversities, remember to keep smiling! One, it will give that gracious look. Two, it will boost your own confidence. Three, be kind to yourself and keep those wrinkles away! From a woman who was thrown out of her marriage, home and job all at the same time, SMILED and picking up her own confidence! :)junerota@hotmail.com

    - June

  • February 14, 2009 3:09 p.m.

    Hi RST Buddy: Thank you for your kind words. Yes, life is all about priorities and the future belongs to the fit. Be well and safe out there....

    - Dr. Ed

  • February 12, 2009 7:01 a.m.

    Dr. Creagan, are you serious - "The betrayal of friends and confidants and blistering attacks accusing him of drug doping."????? If you feel the need to opine on such subject matter, I highly suggest you educate yourself before doing so. Are you saying that because my husband and I testified under oath that lance admitted to using performance enhancing drugs we betrayed him? What, Dr. Creagan, would the alternative have been - to lie under oath so as not to "betray" him? You have missed lots on your list. We can learn lots from the Lances of the worlds just as we can learn lots from the Marion Joneses, Roger Clemenses, Alex Rodriguezes, etc. Your blog is highly offensive to people who know the truth and have told the truth. It is this disregard for the truth which is so offensive. Lance will take any test will he? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/sports/othersports/12cycling.html?_r=1&hp Before the Tour Down Under in Australia which took place just a couple of weeks ago, Armstrong said that his customized anti-doping program was already under way. Dr. Creagan, can you explain why Armstrong said it was "under way" when it never began in the first place? I would expect intelligent people to have done their due diligence on a topic before commenting on it.

    - Betsy Andreu

  • February 10, 2009 5:16 p.m.

    I hear you Dr Ed. Its all about getting your priorities right. I have a colleague at work who knows what’s important. The other day, at 6AM I was all dressed for work, suit and tie on, standing with my little white dog urging her to do her business so I could hurry off to my first meeting of the day. One of my valued colleagues came running by, wearing a flashing blue light in the early morning darkness. As I was worried about getting to work, he was restoring his body and soul with a morning run. Keep up the good work Dr Ed. We love you.

    - RST Buddy

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