Hi, I’m Patrick — Welcome to My Public-Health Journey
I’ve spent the last 25 years neck-deep in the fast-paced, over-caffeinated world of IT. Deadlines? Check. All-nighters? Too many to count. The pandemic? That flipped my cubicle into a permanent spot at the dining-room table. Somewhere between endless Zoom calls and midnight deployments, my health stopped quietly tapping me on the shoulder and started waving a giant red flag.
From Overtime to Out of Work… and Out of Breath
When the lay-off notice landed, it stung. Yet—funny how God works—that slip of paper also felt like a divine pause button. I finally had time to step back, catch my breath, and face the truth: even if another company hired me tomorrow, the old travel schedule and 70-hour weeks would knock me flat. My wife, always the voice of gentle wisdom, said, “Why not rebuild you first?”
Why This Site Exists
- Exit Anxiety: I’m chronicling how I’m clawing my way out of lay-off-induced anxiety—one prayer, one deep breath, one kettlebell swing at a time.
- Rebuild the Body: Honest updates on my training plan, nutrition experiments, and how I’m squeezing exercise between résumé edits.
- Faith & Health: As a Christian, I believe body, mind, and spirit are woven together. You’ll see Scripture and science sharing the stage here.
What You’ll Find Here
Real-world tips on managing stress, stories from the IT trenches, workouts designed for people whose backs protest at the very thought of burpees, and reflections on faith when the future looks foggy. No medical-jargon marathons—just plain language, honest struggles, and small victories (like climbing the stairs without gasping… progress!).
Pull Up a Virtual Coffee — Let’s Chat
This isn’t a one-way street. Your experiences matter. Have you survived a lay-off, battled burnout, or found creative ways to stay fit while job-hunting? Please share in the comments. Tell me what worked, what flopped, and what kept you sane.
How You Can Help (If You’re Willing)
- Share Your Story: Your words could be the lifeline another reader needs.
- Spread the Word: Know someone juggling job stress and health woes? Send them a link to PublicHealthPractice.org.
- Pray for Me: If you’re a fellow believer, I’d be grateful for prayers—specifically for strength, discipline, and an open door to the next chapter God has in store.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:3‑5
Thanks for stopping by and for cheering me on. Remember: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Let’s braid our stories, struggles, and successes together—because health is a team sport, and nobody should fight burnout alone.
Grace and grit,
Patrick