Trevor Woller

Yesterday, I was lying on my fasica therapist’s table & she said, “Today is the third anniversary of your tethered cord surgery. It’s been quite the puzzle since then.”

Puzzles. 2024 was a big puzzle for me. So was 23 & 22. Every year, I think I am on the verge of solving “the” puzzle, & then inevitably, pieces still are missing. For example, this morning I was blowing up a balloon for 20 mins. I use balloons to engage my abs & diaphragm, so my ribcage properly closes, so air can flow into my back ribcage, so my shoulder can sit flush on my ribs, so my neck muscles aren’t on fire, so my head isn’t pounding. My body continues to be the biggest puzzle. Tethered cord, pectus excavatum, POTS, aplasia of transverse sinus, a bad crossbite. All are intricate pieces of a complicated puzzle that has created wild headaches. The brain constantly gathers inputs from internal pressure/systems & external cues to determine where the body is in space. It wants to feel safe & grounded. The brain & nervous system are constantly piecing together a beautiful puzzle called life. Everything is a puzzle.

In 2024, I tried to rush & solve my puzzle without all the pieces. Many lessons were learned. The older I get, the more I recognize that there is no magical moment when “the” puzzle is solved. But that’s ok. I don’t need to completely solve a puzzle to enjoy the climb. (Thanks, Miley).

Despite failed attempts to slam pieces together, I’ve created a beautiful canvas of memories the past years. A trip to Croatia with my best friends. Witnessing my dear cousin @jmwoller marry her beautiful bridge @kenyacramer . Crabbing at the Oregon Coast with my BFFs. Repping my Gma at Duck games. Seeing Taylor perform live w/ my crew. My cousin moving in with me.

Here’s my advice for a great 2025: The only two pieces of the puzzles you NEED to solve are finding your support team & finding empathy for others. My support team has saved me. And the empathy of others has, too. I’m forever grateful for puzzle pieces found in unexpected places, like a random DM from a PRI provider. In 2025, let’s all look out for each other even more. You don’t know who you might help feel safe & grounded. Love, Trev.