Aug 14, 2017
What does it truly take to stare a challenge in the face and push on no matter how deep you have to dig? According to today’s guest, it’s not only about physical strength, although he is arguably one of the strongest guys out there. It’s really about purpose, and it's about mindset.
My guest for today’s show is powerlifter and strongman, Rodney Miller. Rodney was born to a cattle rancher family in southern Oklahoma. Not to long into his life's journey, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and spent over two weeks in a coma as a result of dangerously high blood glucose levels and DKA, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Although Rodney was only 4 years old at the time, he believes his inherent stubbornness was the key factor that kept him alive.
A self-described “runt” standing 4 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing in at 90 pounds, Rodney was the smallest person in his class all through school. It was only after multiple hospitalizations as a young adult that Rodney started to gain significant weight. But that was only because he burned out and stopped taking care of himself.
During that time Rodney was less than consistent taking his required insulin, and his diet was massively out of control. He was on a dangerous roller coaster ride and it wasn’t until his wife shared the fact that she was pregnant that a switch flipped in Rodney’s head. It took the realization that he was soon to be responsible for another life to push him on a course to health and wellness.
Rodney’s story is one of inner strength, perseverance, and purpose. What you’ll learn in this conversation is that he has an unusual ability to push himself through pain and discomfort, which stemmed from a single discussion with his father when Rodney was a young boy. What he has turned himself into physically as a competitor, being someone who lifts truck axels, pulls fire engines and lifts cars, is nothing short of amazing.
We can all learn a lot from this interview and maybe even start to consider our own strengths, and how to overcome any real or perceived barriers life might present to us. So, from self-described "runt" to inspirational strong man, this is my conversation with Rodney Miller.