There’s no hero’s journey in chronic pain – no mountain conquered, no final victory. The win is in the small, satisfying moments: showing up for my breathwork – and if I get to a second session, even better. Taking a short cold shower in the morning lifts me in a way nothing else can, and remembering my Vitamin K before bed helps me keep the muscle cramps at bay.

It’s in sitting on a cliff, feeling the ocean breeze, or drinking a bottle of CBD tea. It’s rolling through the streets on my wheelchair or EasyRaider, catching a street musician who nails it, stepping into a shop and finding something I actually like (rare, but it happens), or just looking around and seeing happy people.

It’s in the raw, human moments – getting a hug from my kids or watching people reunite at the airport like the world just stopped for them. Some days, it’s writing a line or snapping a photo that makes me smile.

These are the wins I’m chasing – at least one, if not more, every single day.