Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Sernett.
Hi Jack, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been able to overcome and grow from many different obstacles throughout my life. I truly believe these obstacles have been put in my life so I can learn how to “grow” instead of “go” through adversity. And now, it is my life’s work to teach as many people as possible how to achieve post-traumatic growth. Growing up in Kansas City, I thrived both academically and athletically. I was a straight-A student and 1st Team All-State athlete in high school. After high school, I went on to attend San Diego State University. During my college years, I spent time as a competitive CrossFit athlete and began my motivational speaking career. However, in 2017 all of that was put on hold, and I would spend the better part of the next 3 years in a hospital battling a chronic illness. Eventually, I would return to Kansas City and begin working as a personal trainer, mental health coach, and keynote speaker. I am beyond blessed to love what I do for a living. I am grateful because most people cannot say the same, honestly.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Throughout my childhood, student, and adult years, I endured my fair share of obstacles. I spent years battling depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and an eating disorder as a teenager. I am 6’5, and as a junior in high school, my body weight dropped to 120lbs. To combat my mental health and eating disorder struggles, I participated in a 3-month residential program in Wisconsin at the end of my junior year. During that time, I gained back the 60lbs I lost and drastically improved my perspective on life. I would return to high school for my senior year, become a 1st Team All-State athlete, and get accepted into the honors program at San Diego State University.
I’ve always been physically active through high-level sports and competitive CrossFit. That has brought its challenges, including foot bone fractures, a broken nose, leg compartment syndrome (nearly requiring amputation), torn hip labrum, torn shoulder labrum, torn rotator cuff, and torn bicep tendon. Thanks to physical therapy, I could return to 100% after all those injuries.
Aside from that, I’ve battled chronic kidney disease since 2017. This has culminated in 14 surgeries, more than 300 days in the hospital in 2018, more than 250 days in 2019, and an additional 100 days in 2020. For 13 months, I lived with nephrostomy tubes from my kidneys and PICC lines in my arms. I endured over 50 kidney infections, 4 cases of rhabdomyolysis, seven cases of sepsis, and 1 death battle with septic shock. I went from lifting weights every day and weighing 245lbs to struggling with basic movement and weighing only 170lbs.
These obstacles have genuinely been a blessing because I have learned valuable life lessons. I knew that life is not what happens to you. Life is how you respond to what happens to you! I learned how to achieve post-traumatic growth instead of post-traumatic stress. I learned how to sit in complete silence by myself with no distractions instead of always needing a phone, music, TV, or other people around me. I learned how to be resilient instead of letting obstacles break me down. I learned how to control my attitude and actions, which are the only things I have control over in life. I knew how beautiful life could be when my mood is not dictated by what happens to me!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Personal Trainer, Mental Health Coach, and Keynote Speaker via Maximize Life Fitness and Nutrition and Jack Sernett Inspires, LLC.
I help my clients and audiences accomplish their body composition goals, learn how to treat themselves like someone they love, and experience post-traumatic growth.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The answer is always “NO” unless you ask. That simple rule has helped me more than anything else when making new connections and clients. And living by the rule that you are the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with the most. For me, that has proven to be accurate time and time again.
Contact Info:
- Website: HOME | JackSernettInspires
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack.sernett.inspires/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081224924380
- LinkedIn: Jack Sernett | LinkedIn
