For most of my life, asthma was my shadow. I was born with it, and the diagnosis came early. Doctors warned me about what I could not do. They told me to be careful on the soccer field. They said to avoid overexertion. The message was simple: I had limits.

But I was stubborn. I refused to accept that my breath defined my boundaries. Over the years, I learned how to work with my asthma, not against it. And I discovered something surprising. Asthma could be my superpower.

Today, I am an ultra endurance athlete. I have completed ultra marathons and even won them. I have built lungs that carry me through hours of running. I rarely use my inhaler unless I am sick. In this blog post (and in this video and podcast episode) I share the story of how I turned asthma into an advantage and how you can do the same.

The Gift of Listening to Your Body

Asthma taught me to pay attention early. As a child, I had to track every breath. I learned to notice when my chest felt tight. I listened to the sound of my inhale and exhale. I was aware when my energy shifted.

That awareness grew over time. I started noticing the foods that made me wheeze. I felt the difference between strong lungs and tired lungs. I could sense when my body needed rest. I knew when it was time to push harder.

This skill has been the foundation of my athletic success. I adjust my training based on how I feel each day. I can run longer because I know my limits, and I can move past those limits safely. Listening to your body is a gift asthma gives you.

If you have asthma, you can learn this too. Start by checking in with your breath during activity. Notice how your lungs respond to different situations. Treat your awareness as a training tool. It will make you a stronger and safer athlete.

The Gift of Treating Yourself Well

Asthma has always forced me to take care of myself. I eat in a way that supports my lungs. I choose foods that lower inflammation. I limit dairy because it triggers my symptoms. I avoid too much processed sugar.

These choices are not about perfection. I still enjoy fast food now and then. I still have dessert sometimes. But the majority of my diet is clean and nourishing. I fuel my body to perform well.

Exercise is another key part of my care. Some early doctors warned me not to work out too hard. They feared intense activity would strain my lungs. Later, I learned the truth. Safe, consistent cardio made my lungs stronger.

Training for endurance events became my routine. Running and cycling improved my lung capacity. It also built the rest of my body. I developed more energy for daily life, and my mental health improved as well.

Without asthma, I might not have taken these steps. I might not have valued my health this much. Asthma made wellness a priority, and that priority has shaped the life I live today.

The Gift of Resilience

Asthma has tested me many times. I have had attacks during training. I have been sidelined by illness in key moments. But each setback has made me tougher. Resilience is the third gift asthma has given me.

One example stands out. During my peak week before a 12-hour endurance race, I got sick. I had a fever of 100 degrees. I was using my inhaler two to three times a day. I was wheezing and coughing at night.

That week could have broken me. Instead, I rested and recovered. I came back faster than before. My mile times improved in the weeks after. My breathing felt stronger than ever.

Asthma forces you to adapt. You learn to handle discomfort. You train yourself to bounce back after challenges. And that mindset extends beyond sports. It influences every part of your life.

When you choose to see asthma as an opportunity, everything changes. You stop feeling like a victim. You start building the skills to thrive. And resilience becomes second nature.

Healthy Living as a System

Turning asthma into your superpower is not luck. It is the result of consistent habits. I use a system I call the three pillars of healthy living (healthy living guide linked here). They are movement, tracking, and accountability. Each pillar supports my lungs and overall health.

Movement is simple. I stay active every day in some way. That can be running, cycling, or strength training. It keeps my lungs and body strong. It also boosts my mood.

Tracking is about awareness. I monitor my workouts, food, and symptoms. This helps me spot patterns that affect my asthma. It lets me make informed adjustments. Knowledge is power when you have asthma.

Accountability keeps me consistent. I set goals and share them with others. This could be a coach, training group, or online community. Support makes a difference. It turns good intentions into action.

I created a free Healthy Living Guide to share this system. It explains how to apply these pillars to your life. You can read it in a few minutes, and you can start using it today.

Seeing Asthma as a Superpower

Asthma will challenge you. It will force you to slow down sometimes. It will remind you to pay attention to your health. But those are not weaknesses. They are opportunities.

By listening to your body, you gain self-awareness. By treating yourself well, you protect your future. By developing resilience, you become unstoppable. These gifts are the core of turning asthma into your superpower, and they are available to anyone willing to see differently.

I am living proof. I have run ultra marathons with asthma. I have won races with asthma. I have trained my body to perform at a high level, and I have done it while protecting my health.

If you are ready to take the same path, start now. Begin with the three pillars. Commit to small, consistent actions. And remember that your asthma can work for you, not against you.

The journey is worth it. Your lungs can grow stronger. Your body can adapt. And you can live a life without limits. That is how to turn asthma into your superpower.