Félix Soria, Lionheart
Countless times, health professionals wonder why, when faced with the same health problem, diagnosed in patients with the same characteristics and at similar times, some evolve in one way and others in another; For some it ends up being an episode in their life, when others leave their life in this episode.
Can science currently explain this added factor to us?
What role does the mind play in both the development and recovery of an illness, given similar treatment protocols?
These questions are very difficult to answer in isolation, but life and its many corners, in this 33-year-old former Mallorcan boxer, super lightweight, currently a boxing and Cross fit® teacher, teaches us how the attitude towards life can make great and transcendental differences.
At the age of 18, in the midst of a promising boxing life and aspiring to the national team, some terrible pains in his legs, which confused them
Overtrained and forced to do work on his knees, his brother had to transport him “on horseback” to the nearest health center. After several consultations, he finally received a terrible KO blow that caught him off guard, causing the bell to ring.
In the doctor's office at the then Son Dureta Hospital, in the company of his loved ones, he heard the chilling word of Leukemia, which justified the long procession of terrible pain that for the first time spaced his arduous training sessions. He remembers that at that moment his entire family, especially his mother and sister, burst into screams and tears, which surprised him since it denoted the seriousness of the matter, so he made everyone leave the room and privately asked him to the doctor: “Is there a cure for this? Because seeing everyone's reaction and yours, it seems like I'm going to die right now." To which the doctor responded: “There is only a 30% chance of cure.” Felix then exclaimed: “Then there is no problem.”
He remembers that when he began chemotherapy treatment, he could go home every 2-3 weeks, where he continued training, but for only 3-4 days, since he had many relapses and any cold left him in the abyss. He spent 21 days in isolation, with injuries to his mouth and esophagus, which made it impossible for him to eat and drink, he himself clarifies: Without a doubt it was the moment closest to death that he had.
“Never Give Up”
When interviewing him about that difficult stage of his life, Félix gives us the impression as if we were talking about another person, we perceive as if he had not become fully aware of having suffered a serious illness that, in many cases, has fateful consequences. That was never on his mind. Despite having seen, as if from one day to the next, many roommates who became friends in the hospital, with the same ailment, did not wake up with him. Toni, another friend he couldn't say goodbye, comes to mind.
He tells us that he knew he could be the next, so after being discharged after more than a year admitted to the Hospital, despite the great uncertainty generated by knowing that in the next 5 years the disease could return and that the entire sacrifice until that moment, would have been almost in vain, he ignored the medical recommendations not to train, to avoid the sun and many accelerations. He began training very progressively, but with a clear objective: he would focus completely on boxing and prepare for the national championships, which would be held the following year.
Once again the doubt comes to mind...
Could it be that his mind, like an orchestra conductor, directed his entire body's defense, modulated by neurotransmitters and hormones that, together with classical medical therapy, allowed him to dedicate himself to his doctor in just 500 days after being discharged? , your brand new title of Spanish Boxing champion in your category?
And from there at 20 years old, it was non-stop, with 13 fights in one year, all of them ending with his raised hand held by the referee and with a resplendent smile.
He tells us that the disease changed him, it made him a pragmatic, brave, fearless person, straight to the point, faithful to what he wants, taking what is truly good for him and leaving aside people and habits that do not suit him, just staying with what is good for him, bluntly, heal the wounds and continue moving forward.
Once again, at 26 years old, he set foot in hospitals again, this time to find the first of eight doctors he consulted who agreed to operate on him for a cervical hernia, so he could continue competing. After five fights, he retired from professional boxing after losing the national title in his category, since having a cervical prosthesis paralyzed him in the middle of the fight.
Upon retiring, he dedicated himself diligently to teaching what he always loved, motivating his students to give them 100% of their potential, showing them that they can be even better than him, that many times the adversary is oneself and that they must believe. in all his potential, to give everything both in the ring and in life. His students see it clearly, he not only preaches with words, Félix is the first to deliver everything.
But this success in his sporting life has also been accompanied by success in his personal life. It is enough to stop at the moment he talks about his wife, the emotion that comes to him melts his eyes into fine tears that he quickly tries to hide. It is clear that just as he trains, loves, lives and this is how he gives himself; from any novice student who asks you how to glue the “Right Crochet” to a friend who lends you an ear for advice.
But this success in his sporting life has also been accompanied by success in his personal life.
It is enough to stop at the moment he talks about his wife, the emotion that comes to him melts his eyes into fine tears that he quickly tries to hide. It is clear that just as he trains, loves, lives and this is how he gives himself; from any novice student who asks you how to crochet the “Right Side Crochet” to a friend who lends you an ear for advice.
"Because having a facility for a sporting gesture adds up; having a gift adds up; being very intelligent adds up; having an athletic body adds up; but having the attitude to undertake anything in life multiplies."
In closing, we wanted to congratulate Félix for his willingness and how painful it can be to bring back memories of a difficult episode in his life, and he is quick to clarify for us, if this can help and motivate people, he would do it a thousand times more.
“…Impossible is just a word that weak men use to live easily in the world they were given, without daring to explore the power they have to change it.
Impossible is not a fact, it is an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration, it is a challenge. Impossible is potential. Impossible is Temporary, Impossible is nothing…”
Cassius Klay-Muhhamad Ali
Dr. Cristian Casseus Schurig - Cardiologist
* Dr. Casseus Schurig, Cardiologist specialist in advanced Echocardiography and Sports Cardiology. He currently practices his specialty in Medical Consultations DEPORVIDAS, CEM Llucmajor, QUIRON, DAVID LLOYD Madrid and CLINICA HUMANA Sport Center Medicine. He is a cardiologist at the MATRIX ROOM SPORTS platform, High Performance Support Center and editor of Runners.es