Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 13/30:

I’m feeling grateful for the mess of this stage of life. In a very cliché, rite of passage way - but grateful nonetheless.

Early 30s. Married with a young child. First few years of home ownership. Balancing DIY home projects between school drop-off, gymnastics, and jujitsu classes. Squeezing in my own personal care between patients and father-husband life. Trying to maintain and build new family traditions. And so on. My nose is always just barely above the water line.

Being fried after a day of cognitively and emotionally complex patients, messing up my fourth attempt at mitered hallway trim, and then having my 4yo latch on to my leg and saying, “Appa! Freeze! You’re frozen now!” because she has no idea how much I “need” to get done…

It's (wonderfully) exhausting, and I know that I will miss this someday.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 12/30:

I’m grateful for my legs.

A 13-year career in ice hockey. A running hobby. BJJ mobility. Every morning, my feet hit the floor, and my legs take over for the day.

Functional legs and feet are a gift we can take for granted.

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 10/30:

I’m grateful for my kidneys — in a sort of awe and wonder way. Underrated organ system, for sure. They just do that little nothing job of filtering & titrating your blood at all hours. But we think, “they just make pee, right?” (If we even think about them at all). Boggling!

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 9/30:

(Pulling from the “mind” category today.) I’m grateful for my grit. It wasn’t fun acquiring it, but I’m glad to have it.

From 4 to 20 years old on horse properties - horses, dogs, chickens, rabbits, a garden - and all the associated chores. Splitting wood with my brother to keep the home warm in Idaho. My first official job (at 15 years old) was as a landscaper pulling 13-14-hour days in Wisconsin. My next job was as a “proofreader & delivery boy” for my mom’s deposition transcripts (she was a court reporter). Thirteen years of ice hockey as a smaller player, a stint as a student athlete in college. Grad school for naturopathic medicine. Then, the bigger picture in the background of all of that: 15 years estranged from my father, and then four divorces with my mother.

“Grit” got me through lots of therapy, meditation, and big choices. Grit has allowed me to remain mostly “soft-hearted” and not grumpy or angry. For that, I’m grateful.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 7/30:

Grocery stores, folks. Sprouts. Safeway. Aldi’s. Costco. Pick your store. Amazing!

I’m grateful for the fact that I can buy foods from all over the world in one location (i.e., a grocery store) quite predictably… and my biggest concern? Commute, parking, and egg prices. But did I raise those chickens? Harvest the grapes? Process the grains? Come on, folks! This is nearly miraculous.

(Photo context: Toor and urad dal in Costco, in Phoenix, AZ! Bulk ingredients for South Indian cooking… in Phoenix, AZ. Awesome!)

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 6/30:

I’m grateful for the blessing of having a daughter. Her nickname, unintentionally, became “boon” - and that’s so fitting. No one… literally no one… would’ve been able to describe to me how it feels to become a dad (a girl dad, at that). It’s like I’ve been privileged to experience life on a different level. The love is unreal. If you’ve ever talked to me for more than 2 minutes, you’ll have heard me gush about her - so I’ll stop here.

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Dr. Mark Heisig

You may be seeing my daily gratitude posts and wondering why. The quick answer: I’m doing a November Gratitude Challenge and sharing 1 thing I’m grateful for each day.

Want the full context and science behind it? Read why this simple practice helps you recover, adapt, and perform—on purpose: substack.com/home/post/p-177916946

Ready to start without reading? Consider these 6 categories for ideas:

1) People: 🫂 Your relationships and the kindness of others.
2) Body: 💪 Your physical health and senses.
3) Mind: 🧠 Your skills, intelligence, and ability to learn.
4) Experiences: 🌅 Specific moments of joy, beauty, or peace.
5) Tangible: 🏠 Physical resources (home, food, security).
6) Growth: 🌱 Lessons learned and future opportunities/hope.

Pick a category, think (and feel) about something you're grateful for, and jot it down. If you want to join, repeat this process daily through November. That’s the challenge!

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 5/30:

I’m really starting to appreciate these early mornings that all dads seem to settle into. I’ve already crushed my workout for the day (began at 5:18 am). Going to read my Bible a bit. Set the tone for the day. And get to be fully ready to squeeze my daughter and wife with morning hugs. I love this. (*written initially/posted to my IG stories at 6:12 am).

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 4/30:

I’m grateful for hockey. Me-oh-my, did that sport, my teammates, and coaches inadvertently help me through TOUGH times. And give me a lifelong game to follow and enjoy.

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1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Dr. Mark Heisig

November Gratitude 3/30

I’m grateful for my heart, which literally just beats and moves in response to my intensity and demands. Rain and shine, day and night

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