Episode #43
Jonny Havey: Overcoming Asthma, Health Setbacks, and the Limits Others Put on You
In this episode of The Internal Shift Show, Debbie Longo speaks with Jonny Havey about asthma, health challenges, resilience, perseverance, and the internal shift that taught him not to let limitations determine what he could accomplish. Jonny shares how he was diagnosed with severe asthma as a young child and was told he should stop playing soccer. Instead of accepting that as the only possible outcome, his parents sought additional guidance and helped him find a gradual approach that allowed him to strengthen his lungs and remain active. Over time, he went from struggling through a few minutes of soccer practice to playing competitively and eventually becoming an endurance athlete. That experience taught Jonny that one limitation or one opinion does not always have to determine the rest of your life. He carried that perspective with him when he later suffered a serious knee injury and was initially told he might never play soccer again. After seeking additional medical opinions and committing to physical therapy, he returned to the sport without surgery. Years later, Jonny completed his first marathon and a 50-mile ultramarathon. While training for a 100-kilometer race, he suddenly lost vision in his right eye during a workout. Doctors eventually diagnosed a central retinal vein occlusion and also discovered a hole in his heart, creating months of uncertainty about his health and whether he could continue endurance racing. After extensive testing and working with specialists, Jonny learned that the heart condition did not appear to be responsible for his vision problem or prevent him from continuing as an endurance athlete. With medical monitoring and careful consideration, he returned to training. In September, he not only completed the 100-kilometer race—he won it in 95-degree heat. Debbie and Jonny discuss how people can acknowledge real challenges without allowing those challenges to become their entire identity. They emphasize listening to qualified medical professionals, seeking appropriate guidance, and making informed decisions. Jonny’s message is simple: if you cannot do one thing, it does not mean you cannot do everything. A limitation in one area may require adaptation, but it does not have to eliminate every other possibility. This episode explores resilience, asthma, health setbacks, endurance, mindset, perseverance, personal growth, adaptability, and refusing to let limitations define your future. Contact Debbie Longo, Executive Behavioral Coach, Founder and CEO Life In Bloom NY The Internal Shift Show Website: https://www.debbielongo.com/ Email: debbie@lifeinbloomny.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-longo-life-in-bloom-ny/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.longo.2025 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie.life.in.bloom.ny/?hl=en Contact Jonny Havey, MBA Website: www.e-learningpartners.com Email: jonny@e-learningpartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonnyhavey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@e-learningpartners
