Working Towards Wellness
In September 2017 I walked out of Winship Cancer Center free to live life unrestricted again. I didn’t know what I wanted from life, just to feel that freedom and alive.
Five years later, I am excited to be launching my health coaching business and wellness brand, MÁS Health. Michael Andrew Stockton. Más, Spanish for “more” (see what I did there?).
This letter will give the reader a peak into my life before cancer, some details of the actual cancer experience, and then a few highlights of my post-cancer journey. The reader will know the person, story and mission behind MÁS Health, as well as the offerings and how to get involved today.
Life Before Cancer
After studying Economics and Spanish in college, I started a career in finance at a big, national bank in Atlanta, where I was born and raised. I had a big community there, including my parents and many of my closest childhood friends, and was taking the first steps down what was considered a highly desirable career path.
I was motivated at the bank to learn about this new world and prove myself to the rest of the team. Therefore, I was proud to be promoted to “Associate” in my second year, which was also accompanied by a hefty salary increase. I was climbing the corporate ladder and it seemed like I was on a good path to be successful in life.
My life outside of the bank was simple and standard amongst my friend group. The work week consisted of work, casual exercise and hours on the couch watching sports, series or playing video games. My diet was also typical, one dominated by meat and ultra-processed foods.
The weekends typically consisted of one, sometimes two, nights of heavy drinking out with friends. The goal being to get drunk and transform into more relaxed and fun versions of ourselves (a goal that I had also diligently pursued at college for four years). Which, of course, was followed by a full day glued to the couch recovering and eating junk.
I seemingly had it all in this phase of life: a high-paying job, a bright future, a big group of friends, and a loving family. Yet, something still felt off. There was something missing.
The easiest way for me to manage this uncomfortable feeling was through dreaming of change. I imagined a change of city and job would create the excitement for life I so longed for. To fill this void I started interviewing for jobs on the other side of the country. I thought, once I change my external environment, then things will be different. Then I will be happy.
September 2016 - Regions Bank
Here’s a selfie I snapped one day sitting behind my dual monitors (clearly was working hard) at the bank. I used to frequently, and playfully, announce to my coworkers “Dual-monitor life for me… I chose this life!”
Life with Cancer
During this time of distracting myself from life at the bank, I had an unexpected visitor. One day in May 2017, at 25-years old, I suddenly fell sick with intense flu-like symptoms. Less than a week and many doctors’ appointments later, I was told the word that no one wants to hear: Cancer.
What was a pretty uneventful life at the bank with minimal real world responsibilities had suddenly become more complicated. I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and told that the standard treatment protocol was chemotherapy.
I was overwhelmed trying to digest this news. I thought that 25 was supposed to be your prime. My strategy, an unconscious one, was dissociation - distancing myself mentally and emotionally from the intensity of the situation.
It was as if I was putting my helmet on for a football game and preparing to take the hits. Embodying the cultural mentality of a strong man who could not express fear or emotions without otherwise being seen as weak. I didn’t want to research anything about the disease nor talk about it. I would listen to whatever the doctors had to say and get it over with ASAP so I could return to my normal life.
After managing through the first few weeks of endless appointments and uncertainty, my experience fighting cancer was quite smooth. I was able to continue working and the treatment was effective in the shortest amount of time deemed possible.
That said, I felt out of place at the chemo infusion center. There were patients fighting for their lives, literally on their death beds, while I never felt anything worse than a bad hangover (something I had quite a bit of experience with from my college days). While at first I couldn’t help but feel unlucky and ask “why me?”, I quickly realized how fortunate my diagnosis and situation were. I started to feel a real sense of gratitude, a feeling that has stuck with me long after my time with cancer.
September 2017 - Final Chemotherapy treatment
I lost some hair and actually ended up gaining a few pounds (on top of my already overweight figure) during treatment. There were many nights of smoking weed and gorging on wings + pizza with my friends, laughing that I was just following the doctors orders (being that if I was hungry I could eat whatever I wanted).
Life After Cancer
I didn’t choose to have cancer. It appeared in my life and forced me to reconsider the path I had chosen for myself. I started to wonder what it really meant to be successful and whether there might be more to life. Cancer gave me the courage to go full time in seeking the answers to these big life questions.
Instead of solely focusing on a change to my external environment with job and city change, I felt prepared to simultaneously deep dive into my internal environment. I knew that this deep exploration would require my full attention, and I now had the best excuse to take time off.
I decided to quit my stable job to explore the world… And my self.
My community was supportive of this decision. They felt like my short sabbatical was much deserved. But on the inside I knew the truth, which was that I was feeling empty and confused before cancer came into my life. My entire life I had struggled with anxiety and insecurities. I always had this sense that there was something wrong with me, and after cancer I felt more motivation than ever to better understand what that was.
I began the exploration in April 2018 backpacking solo throughout South America: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina. Nine months through South America reignited my adventurous spirit and my passion for the Spanish language. I followed these passions to Valencia Spain where I “settled down” as a part time English assistant. I was learning about teaching, although I knew English was not my long-term calling.
June 2018 - Peru
The Laguna 69 hike in Huaraz, Peru. I’ve done a lot of hikes in many different countries since the Laguna 69, but very few compare. Hiking is one of my favorite activities, really making me feel alive and connected to nature and myself.
My Value Proposition
My unique experience has taught me that there are no guarantees in life, and that there is no better time to start prioritizing your health and happiness than right now. You don’t need cancer, or any other health crisis, to start living your best life.
I have spent the last 5+ years deepening my understanding of my body and mind in a pursuit of peace, happiness and purpose; how to feel my best so that I can reach my potential and feel fulfillment in life. To live my best life.
I have felt a new energy and passion for life since making my health the number one priority. Mentally, there has been a positive shift towards more clarity and passion, while physically I’ve experienced more energy and strength than ever before. I am committed to use my story, experiences and insights to inspire and support others to start feeling their best and living their best lives.
Quitting my job at the bank to become a full time world and self-explorer has led me to the clarity I was so determined to find. But it didn’t happen overnight. It has been a long, slow and often challenging process of learning and growth.
Under the umbrella of MÁS Health, I will offer unique offerings drawing on the skills and knowledge I have accumulated from professional trainings, self-education and personal life experiences to support others become more empowered and feel better in both body and mind. I am excited to serve and my intentions are clear - more health and happiness for all.
To start, there will be three distinct offerings:
One on One Health and Life Coaching
Yoga Classes and Workshops
Corporate Wellness Packages
Professional Credentials
Just before moving to Spain in 2019 I attended my first 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat. It was a potent experience that significantly altered my understanding of my mind and body. This new perspective and interest led me to yoga.
Yoga Teaching Certifications
I have trained in two 200-hour teacher training courses. The first in a traditional Hatha school and the second in a modern Vinyasa style taught by Jason Crandell, one of the most influential teachers in modern Vinyasa yoga. Whether in the slower Hatha classes or more dynamic vinyasa flows, my yoga style always emphasizes: detail, control and the breath.
June 2020 - 200-hour Hatha Yoga teacher - Shoshoni Yoga Retreat.
September 2022 - 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga teacher - Jason Crandell.
Health and Life Coach Certification:
I found a Health and Life Coaching program that I resonated with due to its holistic approach. The teachers and program were aligned with my core beliefs and I felt that this certification would give me the confidence and credentials to start working professionally.
August 2022 - Health and Life Coach - The Health Coach Institute (CCE Accredited)
Somatic Experiencing (“SE”) Therapist Training:
SE is a body-based, alternative therapy focused on clients with a traumatic history. My personal journey led me to SE and a wonderful therapist in Spain who helped me further understand my self and struggles. I was so inspired that within a year of being a client, I signed up for the three-year training to become a certified practitioner in the technique.
January 2021 - Somatic Experiencing Practitioner - Somatic Experiencing Spain (scheduled completion October 2023).
June 2020 - Colorado, USA
I was ecstatic to receive my yoga teacher certification. The training was very challenging for me, bringing up deep insecurities related to imposter´s syndrome and fear of failure. That piece of paper helped me temporarily ease some of those insecurities.
How Can You Get Involved?
Everyone has got their own, unique life journey. And it's just not realistic nor necessary for the majority to quit their jobs to travel the world full time. I hope to share more of my key insights, skills, and practices that have helped me along the way in order to help support others live their best life, without the high time requirements I have made.
Are you ready to live your best life?
Start with booking a discovery call to learn about any of the different offerings.
Spread the word
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Share this blog.
Start prioritizing yourself and your well-being
¡To MÁS Health! For you, and for our shared world.
With love and gratitude,
Drew
