Ben Askren, the retired mixed martial arts and wrestling veteran known for his unconventional style and straightforward commentary, is navigating a new, profound challenge: recovery from a double lung transplant. The procedure became necessary after a severe and prolonged battle with pneumonia left his lungs critically compromised.
Askren`s health crisis escalated over several weeks, leading to hospitalization where he was sedated as doctors worked to stabilize his condition. Despite medical efforts, his lungs were unable to properly oxygenate his blood, a life-threatening situation that prompted evaluation for a transplant. The medical team ultimately determined that new lungs were the only viable path forward for his survival and long-term health.
Undergoing such a significant surgery marks a dramatic turning point in anyone`s life, and Askren is now in the critical early stages of recovery. While still in the hospital, he has begun reflecting on the harrowing experience and, notably, his mindset moving forward.
In recent updates, Askren shared insights into his progress, highlighting small victories like the removal of drainage tubes. But beyond the physical recovery, his reflections reveal a striking mental fortitude. Facing a reality where his physical capacity has been fundamentally altered, Askren is explicitly rejecting self-pity.
He admitted to a brief moment of questioning the hand he was dealt. One might ponder the cosmic irony of a non-smoker, an athlete who relied on lung capacity, requiring a double lung transplant, a procedure often associated with chronic illness linked to smoking. Yet, Askren quickly dismissed this sentiment.
As he put it with characteristic pragmatism, feeling sorry for oneself serves no constructive purpose. Dwelling on the unfairness of contracting a severe illness that necessitates such drastic intervention, despite leading a seemingly healthy lifestyle, is, in his view, unproductive. “It happened. It`s over. It`s done with,” he stated, emphasizing that bitterness, anger, or complaining would not change his circumstances. Instead, his focus is solely on the present and the path ahead, committing to moving forward with the best possible attitude.
This perspective underscores the mental resilience honed through years of elite competition. While the physical recovery from a double lung transplant is extensive – typically involving several weeks in the hospital followed by a lengthy period of rehabilitation to regain normal function over three to six months – Askren appears to be tackling the mental aspect with the same no-nonsense approach he applied in the ring and on the mat.
His message is clear: despite the immense physical hurdle, the psychological battle against despair and self-pity is one he refuses to lose. As he continues his journey toward regaining health and adapting to life with transplanted organs, Askren`s experience serves as a stark reminder of life`s unpredictability and the power of a resilient mindset in overcoming profound adversity.
